ELA 101

The thing I l-o-v-eabout middle school is the incessant change!!  This constant state of limbo is pretty scary, but can also be a lot of fun.  This week, we’ve spent nearly every minute of English class taking the fabulous M.E.A.P. test (she said facetiously).  What I’ve noticed during these testing sessions are the ways in which my students really are kids.  Added to last week’s work time on neighborhood maps, when tongues were curled and lips were pursed in concentration, this week I’ve seen some pretty interesting faces as well.

And if there’s one thing students l-o-v-e about the M.E.A.P. test, it’s the suckers!!  That’s right.  A simply little Tootsie pop has them all a-twitter!  Today, in fact, we actually celebrated getting suckers when I noticed one particular student do a little “happy sucker dance” when he acquired his favorite blue sucker via trade. 

I guess it just reminds me that life is full of simple pleasures.  And even if I want to pull my hair out sometimes because I’m so frustrated by students…there still are these moments when they totally crack me up and allow me to remember why I love my job!

What about you?  What are some of your simple pleasures in life?  What makes you “do the dance?”

My first hour class has the pleasure of watching the high school broadcasting program on Friday mornings.  It amazes me how intently they watch, how carefully they listen and how completely transfixed they are for this 10 minutes. 

Today there seemed to be a “good ol’ country” theme to the show and Jones Soda kept popping up on various shots.  In one scene, the anchors were wearing crazy afro wigs and talking with thick southern drawls.  Would it work if I wore a wig too?  I think not.

Maybe it has something to do with the unknown world of high school.  Seeing their friends from last year doing fun and cool things that they can’t wait to do themselves.  Whatever it is, I appreciate the opportunity to see them completely in tune and focused.  I’m thinking about using this tool to teach visual literacy and/or the importance of viewing skills. 

What about you?  What are some of the things that captured your attention in middle school?  What types of programming “hook” you now?