In the groove

It's been a few weeks since I've written because it always takes some time to get back into the groove of being in school and the whole routine. The students are now adjusting to coming to class on time, turning off their cell phones, and leaving their gum at home. It's amazing how much trouble those things can be for middle school students.

Cell phones continue to be a big issue in schools. Since 9/11 parents want to be able to reach their children at any time, which is totally understandable but the school rule is that cell phones should be turned off and out of sight during school. This means that after school kids can use them to call parents if they need to but they won't disrupt the school day. Still there are kids who are texting each other during the day or some whose phone will ring during class. How can we reach a middle ground on this issue? In connections class there will be times when we will use our cell phones during a class lesson and many of us feel that texting is a form of writing. Some kids use their iphones to take notes or research online. Cell phones could possibly become one of the most useful school tools in the future but is that appropriate?

This year my classes will be completing a unit called "Digital footprint" and they will answer these questions about cell phones. A recent article in the NY Times discussed this same issue with Blackberrys (or is it Blackberries??) in the office. Adults use their Blackberrys all day long but is it appropriate to be on it during a meeting? How does the boss know that you are taking notes and not playing solitaire? These technological questions are confusing at best and it seems that it might take years to iron all this out.

To cell phone or not to cell phone? That is the question.

It's like we never left.

Every school year it AMAZES me that we have 10 weeks off in the summer and then after being back to school for only a few days we feel like we never left. The students are adjusting to their new schedules and lockers and teachers. I must say that the 8th graders seem to adjust better to this since they've already been here for two years.

Now that we're back in the swing of things it's time to get to work. Our first unit we're studying is called Self assurance and the students will be thinking about and analyzing who they are and how they are turning into young adults. We will be doing a lot of writing but also talking about who/what influences our lives. I think this will be an interesting and self revealing unit for both the kids and for myself. I am currently reading a great book called Eat, Love, Pray by Elizabeth Gilbert and in this book she chronicles her year of travel to Italy, India, and Indonesia. Her writing has certainly made me think about my life and how I live it and how I want to live it and I think that this book will play a part in how I teach the self assurance unit. Sometimes things like this just work out and it's exciting when something from my personal life, such as a book I'm reading, can become part of the classroom.

I'm anxious to see how the students respond when I ask them WHO they REALLY are since I know many many adults of all ages who still have no idea who they are and I guess the question that needs to be asked is, is there ever a time when we really truly know who we are or is this impossible because we're always changing? Sounds like a good writing prompt!

First Day!

It's here - the first day of school has arrived. So far I've had a study hall and one class and they were great. It was interesting to have kids that I've already taught, I already know them so it was nice and easy. There have been a few locker issues and some scheduling glitches but other than that we are good to go! Hope everyone has a great first day!