As you guys know, I teach high school kids. While the paperwork and "non teaching" stuff may not be much fun, I truly enjoy the kids. I have the "funny guys," the ditzes, the smart kids, the kids that think they're smart, the high energy kids, the witty and dry humored kids... the list goes on.
Now, sometimes, my kids drive me insane. The complaining about being expected to do work, the confusion about why their terrible paper received a D.....
Since I have the pleasure of being with them on the good and bad days, I admit that I have to find ways to make those less-than-grand days enjoyable. This is one of the great joys of teaching. Let me share a few of these moments with you:
1. My 9th grade students were assigned the task of writing a thesis listing 3 reasons why my class is their favorite. I may have made every student read theirs out loud, instead of the customary 5 students.
2. My Debate kids kept asking for extra credit, which I rarely assign. The assignment I decided to give them? Write a 2 paragraph response, using at least 5 logical fallacies, stating why you should receive extra credit. Prove to me that you deserve it and have earned it. If you haven't earned it, explain to me why I should give it to you anyway.
3. I let my Debate students argue out a certain issue: Green Lantern vs. Superman - who would win? (they actually had some excellent arguments. I thought the answer was obvious.... but they surprised me)
4. I may have also let them debate: whether or not "time" exists, which make better pets - cats or dogs, jurassic park (a.k.a genetic engineering)
5. I have had a "Creepy Fiction" day where students had to bring in weird and creepy stories to read. They also had to bring in goodies that matched their stories. Yes.. it may have taken place on Halloween.
Now, this doesn't cover all random and fun conversations that we have. For instance: why snakes are evil, the fact that Mrs. Brown is 28, furbys, gremlins, Brian Regan, etc.
Now, don't start wondering if I teach or not. I teach them each and every day. I have never assigned a worksheet, I do not show movies, and I almost never sit down. We are going from the minute they walk in the door. But... when you don't get breaks to sit down or show movies on those days you just need a break - you have to do something extra to help out. These are my "something extras." The little things that make me smile and bring me joy on those days where I need a small break.
If arguing Green Lantern vs. Superman can be a tool I can use that allows them to (unknowingly) practice constructing arguments and justifying statements - awesome.
Being an interesting teacher is fun. I enjoy teaching and enjoy having fun with my students. And, no... being interesting or using these "other" methods for teaching certain skills does not make me an easy teacher. I hate the misconception that fun teachers are easy.
A quote from a student of mine:
"Mrs. Brown... I really enjoy your class a lot. I learn in here. But, it's really depressing when I feel that way and then check my grade and see that I have a D."
If I were in high school I'd want you as my debate teacher. English too. Maybe then I would have learned something other than "i hate english class". ;)
ReplyDelete:) Well... it is still English. But, I do my best. Debate is so much fun - I love it.
ReplyDeletewait a minute... you're not 28?!! becuase if you are that means i'm 32, and i thought i was only 28!!
ReplyDelete:) I refuse to tell them my age. So, when they randomly try to figure it out - I toss out unrelated dates that confuse them. They now believe I am 28.
ReplyDeleteI second Lindsey. I am not yet almost 32... that would mean Sarah is almost 4 !!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll have you know, I just spent the last 10 minutes on a long and awesome response, only to accidentally click the mouse in some apparently wrong way that ERASED everything... So I'll make an attempt at redoing it, although my creative juices are now diminished due to frustration...
ReplyDelete1) My -Short and to the Point- Thesis
ReplyDelete- Young teachers are more 'hip' then old teachers.
- You're name is Mrs. Brown. If it was Mrs. Black, you wouldn't be my favorite teacher.
- You're the younger sister of the infamous Matt Wells. He is a Tate legend. His name is even on the gym wall.
2) The word fallacy still only brings to mind things which are flaccid. Which sadden me.
3) It's Obviously Obvious because it's OBVIOUS. There is no argument to be made here,obviously, and if there is, I must SEE this argument. Superman is second to NONE. Prove to me otherwise.
4) Yes, time exists, but only in the dimension with which we view things. Dogs. (Duh) Jurassic Park was/is the most groundbreaking and terrifying movie of the last 50 years.
5) Creepy fiction day on Halloween with high school students? The creepiest thing about this is what it takes to creep out kids in this day in age. This must have been a terrifying days.
And as for the rest:
- Snakes aren't evil, they're just misunderstood. Just ask Steve Irwin, or, um, wait...
- Mrs. Brown isn't 28, she's much older. She also wears a bun in her hair... You, my dear, are not a 'Mrs.'.
- Furbys are evil.
- Gremlins are awesome.
- Brian Regan is the King of Comedy. Period.
If I got a D in your class, I'd debate it. You'd concede.
4)
haha - I'd concede, eh? =) I told my debate students that they have the freedom to debate all of their grades with me (but that it didn't guarantee any change would be made).
ReplyDeleteThe argument with Green Lantern vs Superman was surprisingly good. The Green Lanterns ring has unlimited power. Whatever he imagines, is. So, they determined that Green Lantern's power greatly depends on who is wearing the ring. After watching the movie and looking some things up, I had to concede that their argument was a lot better than I expected. =)
And your time comment matches what my kids determined. Or... what my few louder students decided the others must believe. haha.