Our 4th period is way too long. We have 2000 (or more) students at our school and they had to come up with something to feed everybody. They divide 4th period into four 30-minute time slots for lunches. Two of the time slots are for class, one segment is lunch time, and the remaining 30 minutes are for Voluntary Tutoring time or Study Hall time in their 4th period classroom. For my 4th period class it breaks down like this:
A Lunch = Students eat lunch (It's my lunch time too)
B Lunch = Tutoring/Study Hall
C&D Lunch = 4th Period Class Time
I really wish I could have had class time first and then lunch and study hall. But these are the cards I was given this year. So I am trying to make lemonade out of lemons.
Pretty much, that tutoring and study hall time has been non-productive time for my students. You could count on one hand how many students were actually studying or doing anything productive.
I love reading. One day, I really want to be a reading teacher. But that's another story.... Anyway, I decided I would read to my 4th period class during study hall time. I knew I would have to present it to them so they thought it was their idea or it would never happen. So, I asked them if there were any good books out there that they would like to read out loud during study hall. I told them that we would read any book they liked, and we could take turns reading it out loud, and I didn't mind taking a turn first. At first they moaned and groaned and said NO, they NEVER want to read out loud, and how BORING could that be, and they HATED to read books. So, I said well, I've got a lot of good books at home. How about if I bring some in and you can take a look at them and see if there is anything you think we might all enjoy. We can try it and if you don't like it, well, we can stop reading.
So, I picked out several books. One by Diana Gabaldon. Another by Janet Evanovich. One by Toni Morrison. And I brought in the book that is the compilation of the diaries that all the kids in the Freedom Writers movie wrote. I showed them all to 4th period and told them a little about the story lines from each of the books. At first they were still hesitant. Ms. Dial, we are not in elementary school! We don't want our teacher to read to us! Again, I told them that we could take turns reading if they liked, and that I would be happy to start. So, they decided they would like to read the Freedom Writers diaries. They liked it because it is not censored, the students wrote whatever they wanted to write in their diaries. I told them that I would read the book exactly as it was written, bad words and all, except I refused to say the "F" word or use the Lord's name in vain, so I would just say "F" or "GD" for those words, but all other words I would read. I asked if anyone would be offended by hearing all these "bad words." They laughed so hard they were rolling in the aisles, Ms. D, we hear a whole lot worse than that right here in the hallways.
So, I started reading to them. They made sure that I knew this was "just to see if we like it." If they didn't like it then I would stop reading. The first day I read to them for about 10 minutes. The next day, they came in the door wanting to know if I still had that book here and could we keep reading. It has been a week now, and everyday we have been reading the entire study hall time. They like for me to read to them. I bring a chair and sit down in the middle of the room. They sit all around me in their desks so each one can hear every word.
I am thrilled! They even want to hurry up and get done with our classwork so any leftover time we can keep reading. Word has spread, and I am now reading during "leftover time" to my 5th and 6th period classes too.
I hope I am not going to teacher-hell for reading this book and all the bad words too. But the students love it because it is real. These were real students with big issues and they poured their hearts out in their diaries. Some of them make you cry. Some make you laugh. But they are all real.
Somehow, I feel like I am helping my students with their reading skills. Even though I am the one doing the reading, they are still learning. It teaches them that books are good, that books are enjoyable. And, who knows, they just might decide to read a book just because...
I guess I should have cleared the selection of books with my principal first, but now I will just have to beg forgiveness if there is an issue. So far, so good. I sure hope I am not on my way to teacher-hell!
If you are still reading this blog, THANK YOU for sticking with it!
Connie
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question
1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
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3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
5 comments:
Mrs Connie,
It,s great that you are taking the time to read to these students.In the T.V. world today it's all about reality shows,so reading the book your reading is like a reality show to them.The kids can probably relate to these stories,and once they relate to one they can't wait to see what happens and maybe how it was delt with in the book.Keep up the good work.Oh yea I did finish reading your post.
i started somthing like that..i told my kids they could bring anything they wanted to read.book, magazine, etc..just no sears catalogs, etc..they will read to themselves 15 min each day...they didnt like it either but i todl them they didnt have a choice..i also told them i could find something much worse for them to do if they didnt participate..so far so good
Our school has "Magical Mondays" where the whole school shuts down for an assigned 20 minutes and EVERYONE reads...from the principal to the janitor to the students. If the mail carrier walks in the door, they are handed something to read for the time they are there. The kids hated it at first, but now they LOVE it. There are very few rules associated with it, the number 1 rule is the students get to pick what they want to read. A teacher cannot mandate their reading during that time. They cannot, however, bring porn! Most will choose to read a book that they have been assigned in a class because otherwise they would not read. Others will read a magazine or *gasp* their textbook!! I enjoy it as I've been able to finish a couple of books I had started over the summer that I ran out of time to finish due to NTI.
Connie,
I think that is great. I have never thought of reading with my students but I think it is a great idea. I am sure that the students love reading real stories about life situations. Students can learn alot from hearing about other teens and what they are going through. I don't think you will get in trouble. It would be a great thing if other teachers at your school caught on to this and starting doing the same thing.
Way to go Connie. That's a good idea. I have been cutting out various newspaper articles and discussing them with the class. I am going to get the diaries you mentioned and try letting them take turns with me reading. So,I guess that will be two of us going to teacher's hell. (smile ).
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