I think that Wednesday is my favorite "teaching" day of the week. Its our designated "writing" day and even though that includes grammar (which is, quite easily, my least favorite part of English/Language Arts), it's the day when I get to do mostly writing with my students, which I enjoy. Sometimes, depending on the schedule we switch it up, like last Friday when I gave a writing assignment to my 7th-9th graders. They were to choose an ethical topic, such as abortion, marriage/divorce, suicide, war, etc. etc. and to write an in-class "essay" taking a stand either yes or no and supply Biblical evidence to defend their stand. Its really fun, for me, to watch their personal opinions taking shape and being able to defend their decision. So I'm thinking that we're going to do more of those... like coming up with Robin Hood (which we're in the middle of), I think I'll have them write a short little essay on whether or not the Robin Hood mystique (robbing the rich to give to the poor) makes him a thief... and if that's bad thing. Tee hee.
PTC count to date: 10
Group therapy -- instead of typical English class today, in the 8th grade, we had a group therapy session. They're drama-ridden, nit-picky, hormone-filled, teenagers. I'd forgotten what it was like to be 13, or 14. Thank God I'm over that age. I don't envy them... thats for sure. I tried to talk to them about holding grudges and life being too short and I told them that I prayed for them, and I do. It was fun, actually. There's so much more to an education than just the classes they take. I think that if I can talk to them on their level... get them to focus and pay attention that they'll learn more from that than forcing ancient and medieval lit down their throats. It's so strange... with a school the size of Veritas you literally know every kid's name (I mean, I think I have 40 students total +-) and there's not but like 11 girls TOTAL in the 5th-9th grades. Good odds, I suppose, for the boys in the school. There's already been about 5 "couples" who've come and gone, and some even switching partners. Drama. Bah.
It sure is an education though, for me. I don't really like to play the politics game, but I guess I'm better at keeping my mouth shut and defending myself and my actions when necessary. I definintly don't like having to censor my thoughts though. That bugs me, on a personal level and on a professional level. Censorship... of thoughts, of books, of the written word... thats so offensive to me on a writer's level. I struggle with that. Sometimes, I really want to throw things, because I'm so frustrated at something I can't do anything about. Its like what I've said before. I'm afraid of making the parents angry, because I do personalize and internalize everything. Making it personal. My boss says that I shouldn't do that. I don't know. I think that when my work becomes impersonal, thats when we have a problem and I should get out of teaching... because if its not personal, its not me and I'm then not doing what I was called to do.
And I know that I take my work home with me because I worry about these kids.. I stress over these kids and care about them. I still hate PTC's... even though I should be used to them by now. I think they're my least favorite part of the job. No... no think... I KNOW they're my least favorite part. I'd rather be in the classroom, talking to my students about life. They know so much and yet... at the same time... so little. At least they think they know alot. Its so funny... their respective personalities.
I probably share too much of myself with them but thats how I relate to them and they to me.
I think its funny though, people who automatically assume that thoughts or comments are directed at them. I always thought that meant you felt guilty.
Oh well. Different musings for a different day, I suppose.
