Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Getting the Itch to Move Again

So I ask you -

If you could live anywhere, where would you go?

and

If you could teach anywhere, where would you go?

Monday, August 27, 2007

Irony

My wife has a student named Wizdom.

Saturday, August 25, 2007

This site is amazing! It has so many ideas and lessons!

http://www.sites4teachers.com/links/redirect.php?url=http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/teaching_materials/curricula/curricula.cfm?subject_id=PFA

Enjoy!

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Anthony and Cleopatra in Lenox

Since I was at Shakespeare & Company yesterday, and thinking of you all, I thought I'd post a link to the Boston Globe review of their production of Anthony and Cleopatra. Then it turned out I don't know how to post a link, so you'll have to Google "Boston Globe Cleopatra." The Globe was far kinder than the local press, who found great fun in turning up their noses and sneering in turns at Shakespeare's dramatugy and Packer's audacity. I dunno. Maybe I'm a troglodyte, but I liked a lot of the production--especially Susan Dibble's battle choreography, and of course, the Enobarbus speech we studied with Sandy Mack.

In the same day I also went to see Shakespeare & Young Company perform on the Rose Footprint. One of my students was up here for the summer, and it was so exciting to see him tearing up that stage as Hamlet. I was reminded of our "Julius Caesar" and realized that I'm MUCH happier sitting in the audience where I belong!

Happy start of school to you all.

Monday, August 20, 2007

13 seconds of panda-baby joy

Watch this and love it.

http://www.bunchofnerds.com/2006/12/video/feeling-a-bit-down-video-of-a-sneezing-baby-panda/

Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Checking in

Howdy campers, I’m gearing up for a new year and a new life as a theatre teacher, and I’m hoping you can help me out with a dilemma I have about checking in.

We checked in at the start of every class period this past year. I enjoyed it very much, and it helped me learn all the students’ names in record time. It allowed kids to brag about accomplishments, and it let them vent about problems at school or home. It provided a forum for themselves, and I think it made a big difference in my class. My uberbitch principal warmed to the idea, even when my kids put her on the spot during my annual appraisal by forcing her to check in with the rest of the class.

However, I have doubts about checking in with my new job. Everyone tells me that middle school kids need more structure and discipline that high school kids. Harry Wong’s The First Days of School insist on seating charts, especially with rows of desks, and checking in really only works with a circle and no assigned seats. I’m also worried about the time constraints. My previous school had 75-minute class periods. My new school has 50-minute class periods. Checking in usually took about three minutes, but it would occasionally take 20 minutes if a kid had a problem to discuss. That would amount to almost half the class, and I just don’t know if I can allocate that much time to checking in.

I’ve discussed this with one or two of you over e-mail, and I’m still undecided on the issue. I worry that a middle ground—starting with a seating chart and introducing the circle later—would seem like the worst of both worlds rather than the best. Checking in gives each student a voice from the first day, and I think that’s one of the reasons why it worked for me. Plus, I don’t want to have to introduce a concept and procedure for the start of class each day if I’m hoping to abandon it as soon as possible.

Should I just go for broke and try checking in? Harry Wong would tell me not to. He’d say it’s easier to eliminate previous parameters rather than set new ones partly into the school year. It seems illogical to try something the experts would warn me against, but it just feels right to me. I’m not the kind of person who is used to accepting things on blind faith, so I’m struggling with what to do. Any suggestions?


Monday, August 13, 2007

The Anteater Reading Lounge

Pics of my classroom. I tried to create a metaphorically Green space.... Though I think real plants will be making their way into the room sometime soon.





1. No desks! Small coffee tables and cushions instead.










2. The "reading corner," as seen from front door.













3. The "Comfy Chair, " a privilege that goes to the best KIPPster each week, as decided by his peers. (It's super comfy, by the way.)

=D

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Calling All Drama Teachers!

I have just accepted a position at a middle school as their drama teacher! I will be teaching 6th -8th grade drama and will be expected to direct a show at the end of the year. If you have any units, activities, or advice please send it my way. I'm very excited about taking on this position, but it will be the first time that I have taught drama and I really could use all the help and advice you have to offer.

You can send any electronic files etc directly to my e-mail: rdenny77@gmail.com

Thank you!!!

Rachael