Thank you...

Got a message from a student today. He transferred into my class in early February, from another Intensive Reading class. He's a senior with special needs, looking forward to graduating in two weeks. When he arrived, he spoke to no one, including me.  Now, he participates in peer discussions and likes to hang out with a few other classmates (and me!) during lunch. 

The message reads:

"I will miss you next year and thank you for getting me out of my no speaking zone and  you are the greatest reading teacher I ever had in the school year." 

I cried.
I grinned.
I couldn't be happier.


You are welcome, D.  I will miss you next year, too. Congratulations on your upcoming commencement!

                                                                                                                                                       

Wear Your Passion

Every day, I am thankful that I'm back in the classroom full-time.

My high school students shock me, bewilder me, anger me, humble me, humor me, teach me .... every single day.  Lately, they even seem to like me. A bonus, indeed!

Above my desk at home, I have a small poster about Life (itself, not the magazine). And at the end it says, Life is Short. Live your Dream. AND WEAR YOUR PASSION.

I can say, without a shadow of doubt, that I DO wear my passion every day. It's a tough job, negotiating the often turbulent waters of teenage land, but it's a job I relish, and am so thankful to have.  Can't imagine doing anything else. And really, I don't have to. I already left. Tried other things. And returned.

This is my Happy Place.  Even on the toughest days.

How funny it looks... a blank canvas on my first day back, September 2011.
I knew then that something BIG was about to happen. Paradigm shift.  

Board Games: Tapping into Word Play

I introduced Word Play Wednesday to my students in early December, a few weeks after my new classes were formed and students transferred in from other Reading classes or from other electives. 

Finding ways to engage students who were transferred 'against their will' proved challenging, but word games helped break the ice. 

On his very first try, a student puts 'courage' on the board, but only after considering courageous.
Well done!

I quickly learned (much to my surprise) that many of my students had never played Scrabble before, an age-old game for those of us over 30!  In fact, many students in my classes had never played a board game until they landed in Room 405.  Now, they beg to play each week. I believe Dr. Marzano would agree - students are finding success through courage to try new things.

Are games part of your curriculum?  

just for fun... Merry Christmas!

Definitely brings a smile to my face! Wishing all of my teacher friends a restful Winter Vacation.  You've earned it!!