As the 2nd day grinds to an unhurried close, I
can’t help but wonder if what I’m feeling is the way my students feel: Tired.
Frustrated. Overwhelmed. On the brink of tears.
Even though the day is slowly submitting to night, it has
passed by in unrelenting speed. My brain
has not worked this hard since I devised a plan for my husband to buy me
diamond earrings. With so much material
to cover, I understand why we are proceeding so quickly, but it does not make
the process any easier.
I think again to my students and reflect on the faces I
looked upon this past year. Did I serve my
students well? What would they have said
to me if they could have seen me in Steve Elliott’s presentation on “Writing:
Wrestling With Words” and my struggle with what lead-ins are (which is just
another idea as a hook)? I can picture
the tiny whisper of Allyssa sitting in the corner saying to me this is how she
feels all the time.
I am loving my experience at the institute, but it is a good reminder for me to slow down in my
classroom; frequently take the pulse of my students’ learning; focus on depth
not breadth. Is there some appropriate flexibility
I can have in my classroom regarding deadlines and due dates? Do I have to take myself so seriously that I
stress out my students? Can I maintain
the highest expectations while allowing for the learning differences of my
students?
I can, and I will.
Becca Hargis
Campbell High School
Smyrna, Georgia
Me in class all day.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBecca:
ReplyDeleteI adore Kid Snippets. My first reaction matches yours perfectly. I think that it's interesting to consider that what we (I!) consider obvious sometimes (often!) seems foreign. It's not a journalism anecdote, but I always remember the first time we read anything from Joyce in my AP Lit class. Confusion and nonsense abounds that day! A great post.
David Tow
Terra Linda High School
San Rafael, Calif.
Becca:
ReplyDeleteI pretty sure many of us are feeling the same way and having many of the same thoughts you are. I know I am! And yes I am also thinking how my students felt this past year. But also how I will organize and plan for next year.
This is one great program but with a mix of emotions.
Thanks for sharing :)
Luis Gabriel Senteno
San Diego High School
San Diego, Ca.
Becca, this is something for us all to keep in mind. I think we get so wrapped up in covering all the curriculum that we forget to stop and reassess where our learners are as individuals. Really helpful thoughts here. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteShannon Kuehmichel
Berlin High
Berlin, Wisconsin