Watching History

This is a great time to be a U.S. History teacher. Its not very often that we get to watch history as it happens but I've been watching both of the conventions and getting more excited every day - election day 2008 will be a truly historical event no matter the outcome.

What's even cooler is that so many of my students have been watching the conventions as well. We've been having some great discussions in class. So much so that we've been cutting into time reserved for other activities. I'm reworking the schedule for some things to allow students to discuss these issues freely.

A new plan I have, and several teachers like it as well, is to have a "teach-in" on election night. We're on our first intercession (break) in November so unless we meet on election night, I won't see my kids until after Thanksgiving to talk about the election. I'm putting some details on the plan and am going to pitch it to the administration in a bit. I think it could be a lot of fun.

Getting into a groove

Two weeks of school have flown by and I feel like I'm starting to get into a groove. One major challenge is learning all the names - more so than normal. Since I see them only twice a week I don't get to establish a rapport as easily as if I saw them every day. I think however that my students are comfortable with me and we have established a fairly respectful classroom environment. There are a few that I think are trying to see where the red line is and are pushing things a little but overall I'm really enjoying my classes and my students.

One thing I am also enoying is the number of students who stop by before and after school. Some just come to hang out, use the computer, etc. Others come to ask questions or for clarification on class work or homework assignments. It is a very refreshing change to have students who genuinely care about the quality of their work. The downside of course is that when you give a lot of work and all of your students turn that work in (well done as well) that leads to a great deal of grading.

If it was easy everyone could do it.... right?

More parents than...

Tonight was "Back-to-school" night for our parents. No report cards, just a nice meet & greet between parents, teachers, and staff. I had more parents tonight than I did in all of the 4 years of report card pick-up nights at my previous school. More importantly, they wanted to talk and ask questions. They wanted to see a copy of my syllabus. They commented on the homework I assigned last week. A couple of things have become abundantly clear.

1. Parents are involved in their kids' education here

2. Parents will hold me accountable if I don't produce to their expectations

That is both refreshing and frightening. The parents were geuninely interested in who I am, my experience, and my teaching methods. I got many e-mail addresses tonight and many parents took mine. I don't think I can express how cool it is to have engaged parents and to know that I will be treated as a professional and held accountable as a professional.

Life is good.

Things I love about my new school

So we're almost done with the first week of school and I wanted to write about some things I really love about Lindblom. These will be in no particular order or ranking but posted as I experience them.

We don't have obnoxious bells. When class is over and it's passing time, music plays. Not loudly, but loud enough. It continues to play until passing time is over and then there is a soft chime to let everyone know class has begun. I have some ideas for music to play so I'll have to see if they take requests.

Students decorate lockers for birthdays.

These are some examples of lockers that were decorated in just the last few days for birthdays. It's quite an operation to watch. There are usually lookouts and its a slightly frantic rush to get it done before the student arrives. Throughout the day other students add things to the locker and sign the various cards or the wrapping paper. It's a very cool tradition.

First Day of School

Tomorrow is the first day of school. I have to admit that I'm more than a little nervous. Not quite as bad as my first day as a teacher four years ago, but pretty close. I think the stakes and expectations are much higher - my own and the school's. I'm very excited to meet my students and start the year.

This first week is going to be telling. I'm planning to get started right away with homework on Day 1 because I want to set the tone that every day is a work day. One of the cool things that happened Friday was an e-mail I received from the Counseling Office. A parent wanted to let us know her daughter would not be in on the first day and asked if we could send her the homework and assignments from that day. It shouldn't seem so unusual but I've never had that happen before.

I think the parent involvement is what's making me the most nervous. At Farragut, I almost never spoke to parents. There were so many obstacles to getting parents involved that is was very difficult at best. Here at Lindblom I think its going to be the exact opposite. Its going to take some getting used to but I'm also looking forward to having some partners in the education of my students.

So... less than 24 hours to go. I hope I can sleep tonight.