I am starting year 23 in a public school classroom. After more than 21 years in middle school, I moved to our alternative high school at semester break last year.

The classes and lessons I am planning for quarter one are ones I am excited about and am *mostly* confident students will like them enough to engage in the work.

But the first day . . . What to do on the first day? The student body is small and most kids already know each other. But some will be new. Some of the kids will know me because we had a class together already. But some will be new to my room.

I've tried all the first day things. Assessments. Housekeeping. 6 word sentences to introduce yourself. Scavenger hunts. Games and popsicles outside. Review the syllabus. Meet with classes of teachers on the same core or team.

Looking for ideas. Do you have a favorite? A tried and true way to get things started and set a tone that is both friendly and productive? Something that is particularly suited for an alternative high school?

Good advice: whether learning online or in person 😆

Even though it made me laugh and still makes me smile, mostly it reminds me that how we treat each other matters. The work we do is shaped by the culture we create. Even on the days when I am working independently, how you and I treat each other influences the work I do to earn a grade in the class -- as well as the work I do by striving to choose positive self talk.

Here's to teachers and students choosing to create cultures that are safe, friendly, and productive.

in solidarity

I wrote this in the middle of the summer some years ago. It's been more true in summers since. It is still true this summer.

I love teaching. I am looking forward to teaching again.

I hope all of the teachers heading back into the classroom over the next month have revitalized their love of the job: the teacher in them.

in solidarity

License Plate Characters

I've noticed a few intresting personalized license plates recently -- my favorite being INOITAL.  

I think it would be interesting to create short stories in which the personalized plates are characters. Tell me -- who do you think would be the protagonist?  antagonist?  friends?  enemies?  

My collection so far:

JAVA GIRL

ILUVMUD

INOITAL

6HOLSIN1

HUNTUDON

SHRDSLD

MS ABBY

Tell me … Where does she go?

She drove to the post office and mailed the bills. Their mail-in ballots (yes we want to tax marijuana sales) had two stamps — just in case. She left the letter to her daughter, one stamp, unmailed on the front seat of the car.

Pulling in to the empty parking lot, she placed her cell phone, purse, keys, and empty coffee cup on top of the unmarked letter and walked away.

From everything.

Determined — but without destination — she walked, figuring it would be about 9 hours before anyone wondered where she was.

Dear7th Grader

Of all the things I've said and wanted to say to the hundreds of students I've had -- it can be summed up in this: Language is the most powerful thing that exists.

Caught this on my way home from work.

Looking for caption ideas . . . 

Substantial books for 7th graders

Today was about making sure our students had a science fiction or fantasy book to read. There are so many titles published at a fast pace today, it is hard to find a book that is "meaty" and not "junk food". After discussions among staff, we reminded ourselves that 'rigor' (dare I use that exhausted and misunderstood word) begins with a book that has substance for discussion and analysis. It was exciting to get kids interested in titles that are modern classics -- Fahrenheit 451, The Giver, Animal Farm, and The Last Book in the Universe. What titles do you consider good challenges for YA readers?

The ominous Colorado rain storm. Feel like I am driving toward the end of an apocalyptic movie.

Teach a teacher to fish?

I embrace the old adage about teaching a man to fish . . . But I do have a question about teachers and technology.

Over the last few years I've started to find ways to use film to teach writing skills -- like how to write better transitions, how to separate the main idea from supporting details, and how to use repetition effectively.  It is my goal to share these ideas at education conferences.

Is it better to share with teachers how to prepare the film clips so they can make ones for their own writing lessons?  Or is it better to share the ones I've prepared and how to use those in the classroom?

I use two different softwares to capture and edit a film clip: iSkysoft iMedia Converter and iMovie.  It is time intensive compared to other lesson planning teachers do.  But -- this way teachers could prepare film clips for any writing lesson their students need.

At what point would teachers rather "buy the fish" than "catch the fish"? 

Young Adult Literature is written for what ages?

It is one of my goals this year to read at least one YA novel a month.  Books for young adults are published at a rate teachers can't keep up with -- and I am way behind what's new.

My 7th graders will read fantasy and utopian stories in September and October.  I picked up a new title -- All the Good Children by Catherine Austen.  The plot and protagonist are compelling and strong -- kind of a 1984 story for middle schoolers.

But -- there are a couple of F-bombs and scenes with name calling that leave me hesitant to recommend the book to anyone younger than 9th grade.  

Have you read the book?  What age do you think stories with language like this should be recommended for?

Feeling like this after the first week of 7th grade

Catching Up With Young Adults

I've been back to school for a few days -- today my 7th graders joined me. Like most teachers, my New Year's resolutions are made in August, not January. A resolution I have this year is to read more YA literature. It is published at an ever increasing rate and I am not sure where to start. Paranormal Romance is a growing and popular genre: being in a stable human relationship, I am not in love with these stories like a 7th grader. I do want to read something new. Last year I really enjoyed Uprising by Haddix and Orange Houses by Griffin. Should I read Sachar's Cardturner or Epitaph Road by Pateneaud first? What is the first YA title you will read this year?

A teacher goes back to school

I laugh at myself as I debate with other middle school English teachers why mechanical pencils are better than wooden and composition books are better than spirals. Those things do matter when you have to get 120+ students to produce writing. Now. For a grade. More serious though: I start back to school next week and have to decide which side of an important debate I will take. Do I let the newly published test scores define me and plan my lessons in lock step with the changing standards and tests? Or do I let my passion for writing define me and plan my lessons in lock step with students' needs and questions? When teachers return to school, the biggest question before us is what definition of "effective teaching" will you accept?

Pick the story line

Inspired by actual events, I am undecided about where this story should go.  Respond with your ideas.

Gist of it -- Half the businesses in a strip mall are empty, half are full.  One of the businesses is a hookah bar hosting a lingerie party upon the request of those who like the business on Facebook.  Some think it is a party at which you purchase lingerie.  Most know it is a party to which you wear lingerie.  Each of the business owners in the strip mall plan to go: a nail technician, a dog groomer, a pizza delivery guy, a bar tender, and an insurance salesman. 

Question -- Is this a short story about the actual party at the hookah bar?  Or is this a longer piece about the lives that intersect there?

An exploration of scale and levels of detail. How much or little is contained within the tiniest, most ordinary of moments.

I'm a Badass Teacher -- and love it.