Covered

My room is filled to the brim with posters and projects. There are Macbeth projects and then there is 2 full walls of Black history month projects. The kids did a great job on them. There are pictures up on my flickr, you should check them out. A lot of the students have commented that they really like the room this way, that it gives it character. I agree with them.
I'm hoping that next year, my room will look better as a whole, seeing as how I'll A) be hired before school starts, and B) have more time, since I won't be teaching a whole new curriculum and course. Whew.
I've been trying really hard to get ahead. Last week, I kinda slacked off, there were after school meetings, and just not enough time, so everything caught up with me and I almost got behind again. This week, I was determined to remedy that.Monday and Tuesday I was at school until 5PM (Monday I had students with me, though), yesterday I left at 4:40, and today I finally left at 4:10. I hope tomorrow to be able to leave between 3:30 and 4 feeling like I've accomplished something. I've never stayed this late before.
Coming up are Midsummer projects, new plays, the Romantic era, research papers and novels. Wow.

By the way, ever checked out wordle.net?
For example, my 12th graders read "A Vindication of the Rights of Women" by Mary Wollstonecraft, and will read Defoe's essay on the education of women tomorrow. Both on similar topics but different at the same time. I was playing around with wordle.net, and put in both pieces. We'll do an activity tomorrow where they have to guess which one is which based on the frequent words.

lemme brag a sec...

My seniors have finally finished Macbeth, which is a joy for all of us involved. It took way too long to get through, due to the timing: Start before winter break, go through semester change, etc. Seriously awkward timing for trying to teach a play. But it's all done! Tests are finished, projects and essays are done and we move on to the time period of 1660-1800. That's right-- trying to teach almost 200 years of literature before moving on to the Romantic period. There is a plus though: language is more modern. No more whining about "Why isn't this in English?!"
We started off by reading Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal". If you haven't read this, do it. It's hilarious. Read Gulliver's Travels, too, while you're at it. We've talked about satire throughout the year, it seems, so now was a good time to bring it up again and finally assign a writing assignment for the whole class (others that could've been satirical were optional, they could also be honest/serious) that involved satire. So, the students had to write their own "modest" proposal. Let me tell you, this was genius. There have only been a few times I've enjoyed reading every writing assignment, and this is one of those times. Some of these are absolutely hilarious! I'm very proud of my seniors right now, which is great since the last few weeks, they've been infuriatingly lazy and whiny.
Also, my 10th graders are actually enjoying A Midsummer Night's Dream, especially Act III (also my favorite act). A few of them are understanding it without me translating Shakespearean English into more modern English (!!!). Plus, they liked the Royal Shakespeare Company's version of it (so far) when I showed them Acts I and II. I'm going to show them the version made a few years ago when we're all done with the play.
I've decided on the second play we'll read in that class, too: The Glass Menagerie. I figured it worked because of family/parent issues. I don't want to do Julius Caesar, even though it'd be really easy for me to teach. No need to do 2 Shakespeare plays, some of those kids would probably try and poison my coffee. Another 10th grade teacher suggested that I not do Antigone because the version we have is a "bad" one and causing her a lot of trouble. The third other choice we have is one I'm not even remotely into and couldn't tell you the title of it to save my life. The one I chose seems to be modern enough and has a few things I could connect to Midsummer, so it'll work just fine.

been one of those weeks...

This week has had amazing days and incredibly irritating days. Today, the amount of grading I have to do, whining I had to listen to about projects and essays and tests, and the amount I feel I haven't accomplished really weighed heavy on me. I had a few moments where I asked myself, "Really? I wanted to be a teacher?". I put so much pressure on myself to accomplish so much and do so much, and always feel like I could do more, that it ends up with days like this. Today, I had to completely reorganize everything on my desk and accomplish small tasks to stop freaking out during my plan period at the end of the day. It worked, though. I'm feeling a lot better and I'm hanging in there-- especially because this weekend is a three day weekend. Phew. Stuff will get done, and I know that, I just allowed myself to get overwhelmed and to give in to all the pressure I put on myself to do a good job.

One thing I've been thinking a lot about this week is the difference between urban and rural schools. Some of the problems and irritations are the same, which makes sense. No matter what, you are teaching teenagers. But there are some differences. I really miss teaching in an more urban school. I don't really know why, and I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it comes down to that that environment is what I'm used to, it's what I know, it's what I love, and the rural school just can't quite make it to that level. I have a real love/hate relationship with the rural school I teach at. Some things are great, other things about it are completely mind-boggling and infuriating. Maybe that will change, but as of right now, I don't see that happening.

quickie

-Budget still isn't set. We had a whole meeting about how the higher-ups have no clue about what they're going to do to balance the budget. So, we're all waiting for the state to finish waiting for the federal government to make decisions.
-I wore my Shakespeare shirt today because a) it was Friday, b) I finished reading Macbeth with my 12th graders today and c) I'm starting A Midsummer Night's Dream with my 10th graders. (YAAAAAY! NO JULUS CASESAR THIS YEAR! You have no idea how happy I am!) Some of them laughed, some of them didn't get it.
-We just finished our taxes because my W-2 from NPS finally arrived. It was originally sent to my parents' house because when I left there I couldn't remember our new zip code, but it was returned to sender, but the postal system caught it and forwarded it to us.
-I did a really fun and funny activity with my 10th graders to introduce a theme from Midsummer. I don't like to tell my students we're going to do something "fun" cause they're definition of fun is way different from mine. So, I told them "I don't want to say it's fun, let's just say it's more interesting than usual." One kid leaned toward me later and asked, "I thought this wasn't supposed to be fun?"
-I promised myself that starting Feb. 1st, I'd write something every day. It may not be here, but in a written journal I keep. Either way, I'll try and write more here.
-We made sweet potato stew today! Most of you don't care, but I love it (and those of you that have made/ate the stew, you understand) and I've been looking forward to it all day.

Just as I'm getting used to my job...

So the state of Virginia has cut into education for the new budget. That's okay, I guess. Schools are pretty much used to it.
David tells me today that the House of Reps in VA is debating not approving the budget that Gov. Kaine proposed for political reasons and they're going to push to get rid of the small tax increases and instead cut MORE from education. Doesn't sound too bad unless you actually work for a small school district that's been hit hard like I do right now.
Last week, we were told by the administration and then in a letter from the Superintendent that our budget is bare bones. We are cutting after-school buses, summer school and a few other programs. No new textbooks are going to be ordered and we have to be diligent about getting the issued ones back. That's all so we don't lose any positions. That's with the proposed cuts in place and it's all "As far as we know..." and a feeling that nothing's solid just yet. If they're going to cut more from education, that means we're going to have to get rid of more. Since I'm new to this district, who do they get rid of first if they have to cut positions? Support staff? Janitorial? New teachers? Older, more experienced (and thus, more expensive) teachers? Ones with the grades? Ones who they've known?
It's a small place, where everyone knows everyone.... and I'm one of the new kids and, to be honest, a few teachers there do not like me already. So... should I be worried about my job? Even though we've been reassured, I've told them I'm coming back next year (screw spending money to apply to closer places when everyone is tightening up their budgets) and I'm hoping that I'll be able to, I'm still keeping the thought that I might be laid off in the back of my mind. Keep your fingers crossed, I guess.

books & end of semester

Ahh, the end of the first semester. I have less D/F students this nine weeks than last, I have two small things left on my to do list, and I have small corrections to make on my exam. What a wonderful feeling.
Today was full of silliness. My 4th period seniors are hilarious and I was trying to think of all the ways I could say crazy things about Macbeth to help them remember information, plot and characters for a test on Act I-III this Friday. We went off on tangents about how The Wire was amazing and another topic I can't remember, but definitely had nothing to do with Macbeth.
One of the best things about teaching is when you get an on-going inside joke in a class or group of students. For example, in my 3rd period senior class, we refer to Fleance, Banquo's son in Macbeth, as either the "F-word" or one specific student yells out his name in a way that sounds like "FleeeeAAAAAAncSSSSSSSSS". A perfect example of the inside joke with students is this: I have a faithful group of students who I spend lunch with. Most of them are in my 5th period (the lunch period), but there are a few that have first lunch, but hate going downstairs to the cafeteria. Usually, we get pretty silly and end up laughing for 5 or 10 minutes straight. It's always the highlight of my day. On Monday, a student I'll refer to as CH asked me a question. CH is like a little brother where we harass each other constantly. For example, he calls me Pippi in class because he found out I hate to be called Pippi Longstocking. Anyway. He asked if I had a blog. I said "yes, it's called 'Mrs. P hates CH' and I post in it every day about all the things you do that I hate." Ever since then, every time he does something during class, I'll say "Dear blog, today CH called me Pippi 5 times. I think my hatred for him has gotten stronger. Love, Mrs. P." Today, he said something nice about another girl in the Lunch Crew, SH, and they all joked about how the blog post will be "Dear blog, CH said something nice about SH today. Maybe we won't kill him after all...."
Oh, and I did the dance to "Can't Touch This" by MC Hammer at lunch today. Ever checked out pandora.com? It's a lifesaver during my super quiet study hall, plan period, or after school time. Today, I typed in "Baby Got Back" because all the students started singing it. "Can't Touch This" was the second song on the "station" (pandora will come up with similar songs to whatever band or song you type in). During 5th period today, the Lunch Crew decided we should keep the music on, but low to see if anyone noticed. Finally, we had to give it up that the music WAS coming from the speakers. We were then treated to a few students singing along and dancing to 90s hits. It was hilarious and I think it actually helped them get their exam reviews done! hah!

So. Over break, David and I went to our favorite book store ever, Kazoo Books. I FINALLY got some dictionaries (for some reason, NONE were provided in my classroom), but I only have 2 full, 1 somewhat full, and 1 barely-there dictionary. I've also started thinking about what books I'd like to add to a classroom library. I finally have enough space to keep textbooks, dictionaries, supplies AND a classroom book collection all in the same classroom, so I think it's time to start it. What I'd like from the three of you that read this (haha, as if 3 people read this, especially since I've been horrible at keeping it updated) are some suggestions that are absolutely necessary for this collection. If you're feeling really into this idea, there's a wonderful section on half.com where you can find books for less than $1. Good books, too. There's no way I'd ever get the district to pay for this, especially now with them cutting everything but teaching/staff positions to make sure they can stay within budget.

Oops

I keep forgetting to update this.
The holidays were good. Flickr is updated with pictures from the two week vacation. Speaking of having two weeks off instead of one, it is AMAZING how different it is. I figured it'd be about the same-- I was wrong! It's a lot more relaxing having two weeks off instead of just one. I am dreading tomorrow, though. It's going to be tough going to bed on time tonight and getting up tomorrow. Oh well.

New Years Resolutions?
1. Update this blog more.
2. Ride my bike and moped more when it gets warmer.
3. Try more stuff in Richmond.
4. Become a regular somewhere.
5. Take the GRE and apply to grad school.

My guess? I complete #3-5.

I tried the 50 book challenge again this year. I think I actually did it, if my Good Reads account is right. Here they are, not quite in chronological order, but close:
1. The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. East of Eden: John Steinbeck
3. Jane Eyre: Charlotte Bronte
4. Fences: August Wilson
5. Their Eyes Were Watching God: Zora Neale Hurston
6. A Raisin in the Sun: Lorraine Hansberry
7. Teacher Man: Frank McCourt
8. The Scarlet Letter: Nathaniel Hawthorne
9. Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha: Roddy Doyle
10. Wide Sargasso Sea: Jean Rhys
11. Atonement: Ian McEwan
12. "Why Are All The Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?": A Psychologist Explains the Development of Racial Identity: Beverly Daniel Tatum
13. Song of Solomon: Toni Morrison
14. Wild Iris: Louise Gluck
15. Praise: Robert Hass
16. The Awakening: Kate Chopin
17. The Magician's Nephew: C.S. Lewis
18. The Satanic Verses: Salman Rushdie
19. The Piano Lesson: August Wilson
20. Thunderstruck: Erik Larson
21. The Audacity of Hope: Barack Obama
22. The Painted Veil: W. Somerset Maugham
23. The Crucible: Arthur Miller
24. The Abstinence Teacher: Tim Perrotta
25. What is the What: Dave Eggers
26. No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories: Miranda July
27. The Road: Cormac McCarthy
28. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardobe: C.S. Lewis
29. Travels with Charley: In Search of America: John Steinbeck
30. The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay: Michael Chabon
31. The Best American Short Stories of 2003
32. Invisible Monsters: Chuck Palahniuk
33. The Pillars of the Earth: Ken Follett
34. Dandelion Wine: Ray Bradbury
35. An Atlas of a Difficult World: Adrienne Rich
36. A Streetcar Named Desire: Tennessee Williams
37. The History of Love: Nicole Krauss
38. Unaccustomed Earth: Jhumpa Lahiri
39. The Complete Persepolis: Marjane Satrapi
40. Choke: Chuck Palahniuk
41. Something Wicked This Way Comes: Ray Bradbury
42. The Canterbury Tales: Geoffrey Chaucer
43. No Country for Old Men: Cormac McCarthy
44. Water for Elephants: Sara Gruen
45. The Glass Castle: Jeannette Walls
46. The Reader: Bernhard Schlink
47. Macbeth: Shakespeare
48. Our Lady of the Forest: David Guterson
49. That Night: Alice McDermott
50. Spook: Science Tackles the Afterlife: Mary Roach
51. A Thousand Splendid Suns: Khaled Hosseini

Wow.