Day 163 - why people take on the AP load

Subbed AP US History today and what an excited group of kids.  Their teacher has done a great job of drilling the facts in while making them fall in love with history. The day before the AP test she had all of them in the quad making a humongous timeline of US History- including important people and noting the economic, social and political impacts.  Those students were chalking and talking like crazy- recalling info, helping each other, asking for help and building on knowledge.  I wasn't surprised today to hear from many of them that they felt prepared and confident in their AP US History test.
Today we talked about the military industrial complex and Eisenhower's farewell speech.  Students were making all kinds of connections, including back to George Washington- and that was before we watched "Why we fight". This is why teachers take on the AP load.

A-ha: Being with AP students today, made me wonder if I am underserving my students and not expecting enough from them.

Reminder: When the water level rises, so does the boat.

Day 162 - Camping

Friday morning was pack up and go time.  It took a few hours but myself, another teacher and some students were able to load up 3 vans full of camping gear and food for our overnight Senior camping trip.  Our academy is pretty male heavy, but I still didn't expect the female students to back out at the last minute.  Too bad, they were feeling out-numbered, way outnumbered.  2 to 17.  SO it ended up being me and 19 dudes- 17 teenage boys and two male colleagues.  I will take it as a compliment that the dudes didn't really notice there was a female on the trip.
I love this trip!!! Its only the third annual, but every time I get to hear these kids laugh hysterically, watch them run wild, joke with each other and take care of each other.  There is no cell phone or wifi access at the spot I take them to and we get a group site away from everyone, so there is no one for them to bother.  They get to be free and it is joyous for me to witness, knowing we have provided this safe opportunity for them to relax, share and have fun.  Even though its the end of the year, a lot of new bonds are made on this trip.  I think its the 7 mile hike that starts the bonding journey....
By Saturday morning they were pretty wiped out and ready to not be camping in the rain anymore. Me too.

A-ha: I totally think it is hilarious and kind of cute when teenage boys play cards against humanity, but anyone else and I cringe in discomfort.

Reminder:  Rainy camping isn't all that bad.

Day 161 - Cinco de Mayo

My school is a little more than 90% Latino, primarily Mexican-American and very few of my students knew the history (or remembered) and significance of Cinco de Mayo. We had a short lesson and discussion and by the end I think they were all proud of how Mexico's little ragtag outnumbered army, beat the French(who had the strongest army at the time).  School celebrated with a food sale day, a car show and some dancing the Caballo Dorado.

My Seniors were hanging around quite a bit today after school and all of them actually got some work done. They are stressed and bouncing back and forth between desperation, blame and denial.  A losing trifecta, but most of them will cross the finish line.

A-ha: Obsessing about what I think other people are thinking has got to be the most tiring thing ever. Thank god I don't fall there very often.

Reminder:  Listen, its more than just not speaking.

Day 160 - Not too shabby

Teacher appreciation week and I have received letters from students (I'm sure teacher initiated) and admin; some oatmeal and some coffee.  Oh, and a free Chipotle burrito.  Not too shabby. But definitely not working on the google campus.

A-ha:  I have not been telling my colleagues how much I appreciate them often enough

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Reminder:  Everybody likes to be appreciated.

Day 159 - even just one

Wiped out. Tired. Presentations today and Open House was tonight.  "Ms.MacLean, I thought this was impossible, but I did it.  I learned I can do whatever I put my mind to." I heard variations of this sentence 4 times today.  Makes it all worth it and helps me not get too wrapped up in thinking about the groups with great actors pretending like they have been working their butt off.  I'm not angry with those "actors" as much as I am sad that they couldn't get inspired and missed out on an opportunity to discover their own greatness and power.  There may always be some students who wait to the last minute and think there presenting skills can carry them, but more suredly- there will be students who make possible what they thought was impossible.  Even just one of those is enough for me to keep going.

A-ha:  Students, or young people in general, do not get enough opportunities to feel important and listened too.

Reminder:  The ones doing the teaching are doing the learning.  Stay student centered.

Day 158: If only...

If only I could replicate the engagement and student directed learning that occurred in my class after school! Of course, finished Community Action Projects are tomorrow so students were quite inspired to stay after school until 5:30 and work the whole time.  Yes, this is how I wish the CAP looked every day that we took class time to work on it, but I will take the visions of today which are planted in my mind and  now I can help days like this grow.   The students were so engaged, and they knew it and they liked it.  Groups finally collaborating at the pace that makes sense to me and students constantly checking in to see how they could improve, with me and their peers.

 
Our first set of presenters went today and it felt engaging and alive but there is still much room for growth.  I really want students to identify their own strengths and interests before they design a project.  There were many noble, feeding the homeless and collecting clothes or baking cookies to raise money for a charity, etc. projects but I still vision more innovation and originality- a few got there!  I am excited to see the staff, the community and the students embrace this type of project; now lets go deeper!

A-ha:  I am not used to getting defensive and when I do, I stumble and fumble about how to be because I do not recognize myself!

Reminder: Work on that.

Day 157: the kids are going to miss us

I have noticed this past week that my students are attempting to spend more time with me lately.  In retrospect I do believe this happened last year too.  Towards the end of the year students start hanging out even more after school to do work, but they don't want to leave.  Now there are always some students like this all year but this is a different type of student and usually groups.   They just want to spend time with us.  Its as if they suddenly realize they will never have high school again and they start enjoying the teachers more and want to get every last piece out of them or maybe just make up for being jacka**es in the past. Whatever the reason, it is very sweet and I enjoy all the laughter and stories we share.

And then there was Prom this weekend and everyone looked gorgeous and had a fabulous time!

A-ha: My high heels really hindered my boogie factor this year at Prom.

Reminder:  Take the damn shoes off!!!!