I just wanted to post some thoughts that I have had about this last week...
-My freshmen Class: This past week I have had a very successful week with my freshmen. I even got a student who never does anything to write a journal entry, and talk to me for the first time. Even other than this, I have been planning like crazy so that this class will be successul, I have to differentiate instruction for almost every student, but my hard work did pay off! They played traketball to study vocab and we did free writes instead of journal entries... and they loved it... and learned! Being a teacher is really rewarding! It just takes a lot of time to get where you want to be, or the students to be (at least for this class it has).
-My Sophomore Class: We are finished with our Harlem Renaissance unit and we are watching the Color Purple to sum it all up. They are working on their abstract art project and a found poem (I will post it to the wiki as soon as I get some free time) and I have never seen students so engaged in learning inside and outside of the classroom. I would go into more detail, but it is kind of hard to explain the project...
I will share my found poem (a poem using lines from the texts we read: Their Eyes Were Watching God and A Raisin in the Sun- and I used the movie we are watching as well). The goal for this is to encapsulate the entire theme and mood of the Harlem Renaissance in one poem, using at least 12 lines, using both texts.
*Observation: I was observed this week by my supervisor and she saw me introduce the abstract art piece of the project. She thought it was a really cool assignment, and the entire lesson went extremely well.
My Time
MY TIME- to say goodbye
Working like somebody’s old horse
You got to fight, see
Thinkin’ bout money all the time
You just got to do something’ different
Father, Give us strength
Take form with the sun and emerge from the gray dust of its making.
You’re black- poor- ugly- and a woman
But dear God, I’m here
Ambition was useless
Folks don’t like nobody bein’ too proud or too free.
Beat her!
Things suffered, things enjoyed, things done and undone
Just pack up and leave
-now, She was free
Hallelujah! AND GOODBYE MISERY!
-Life: The turns it takes...
I have had a crazy week with planning, coaching, finishing my KPTP, and sooooo much more! I'm sure you have enough going on in your life, to want to read about mine =)
My emotions (and hormones) are running wild, but I have never felt so happy and stressed at the same time. I can see, and feel, the light at the end of the tunnel (cliche) and man it feels good. I cannot wait for this semester to be over with, but I don't want it to end at the same time... I take that back: I want to graduate, but I love the classes and the kids that I am teaching! It is amazing! I can't wait to get a job!
zzzzzz.... now it is my bed time! or I am claiming it is! Goodnight room, goodnight moon...
I completely understand, Whitney! I can't wait for the semester to end because I am SO ready to be done with taking classes and writing papers, etc. I have that feeling that comes along with the end of a good book: It's time to move on. But, at the same time, I'm sad to see it go. I've spent 5 great years at WSU and the past year having wonderful experiences with the teachers, staff, and students at my placement school. It's kind of bittersweet...However, that did not stop me from buying my graduation outfit, cap, gown, tassel, and honor cords over the break! :P
ReplyDeleteWhitney,
ReplyDeleteI love found poems!I think they are so dang cool and I cant wait to use them in my unit this month. I also loved all of your abstract art that you showed us in class and i also cant wait to have my students do that!! I totally agree with you about wanting the semester to end, only I kinda want it to end more than I dont. lol.
I love the classes I have, but they are so tough sometimes. We're almost done, friend :)
I still remember the found poem I did in my junior English class from the novel Night. I think they are a great way for students to refelect over what they read. I'm so ready for this semester to be over and I can take a breath, sit back, and read a book that I will actually enjoy!! Great poem and the abstract art that I have seen come into the class is expectional and I can tell that the students really understood what you taught them.
ReplyDeleteGood work!