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!

The Countdown

So a week and a half ago I went into my classroom and got it all set up - and it looks great!! BUT I forgot my camera so I have no pictures to attach. Don't worry kids school starts in only three days and then you can see my classroom masterpiece for yourself! For teachers it starts tomorrow and although every new school year brings new opportunities to try something new and have a great time teaching and learning it's always just a little bit hard to get started again. So if you're feeling a little bummed to be coming back try not to worry because everyone feels that way in one way or another.

One interesting twist to this year is that for the first time ever I'm looping with about 1/3 of the students that I taught last year. I've been able to check my rosters to see who will be in my classes and I'm excited to spend another year with some great kids and I'm also excited to learn about some new students. I will see you all in a few days and I hope you enjoy the end of the summer. :)

The Countdown begins!

I can't believe that summer is almost over. Two weeks from tomorrow the doors of SMS will open and the students will come flooding in wearing their new school clothes and carrying their neat and organized binders. That crosses my mind because it's amazing how quickly those binders become a wild explosion of papers! Beginning a new school year is always exciting for both teachers and students and although I loved the summer and I don't want to leave my little guy Brayden, I do get excited for a fresh new start to the school year.

So today I went into school to unpack my boxes in my new 8th grade room. I had Brayden in tow so it was interesting! Brayden is one year old and just started walking so while I was unpacking books and supplies and trying to get organized he was throwing books around and dumping paper clips on the floor. We were there for a few hours and luckily I did get all my boxes unpacked and there is some organization started too! Tomorrow I'm going back without Brayden but I'm bringing a few of my cousins to help me hang up some posters and decorate so the room feels like home. I'll post some pictures of the finished classroom tomorrow!

The Green Fair Begins!

Today was the first day of the 2009 Green Fair! The kids were so excited and the first class did a great job. During their lunch period students visited stations that taught them about various green topics such as reusable bags, repurposing, green energy, energy efficient light bulbs, alternate fuel sources and green cleaning.

Each station was decorated nicely and the kids handed out information to the visiting students to help them become greener. The repurposing table was a hit and they showed kids how to make an ipod speaker out of a used Altoids container. They even raffled one off to a lucky winner.

Overall the first day of the Green Fair was a success. I'll post some pictures soon! I can't wait to see what the rest of the week will bring!

Going Green!

Earth day is almost upon us and we are beginning our "Going Green" unit. For the next two weeks the students will be working in groups to research a Green topic and prepare a station for the first Ruby Team Green fair! Some of the topics that will be displayed are recycling, repurposing, using reusable water bottles, hybrid cars, alternate fuel sources, and many more.

The students were very enthusiastic when they heard about the assignment and I think that we're going to get great results. Go GREEN!!