...time flies...

Holy cow the school year is a fourth of the way over.

This week was better than last week, but it was still quite stressful. I finally got my service day ironed out. I also graded all the honors papers. This week my freshmen were writing satires. From the ones I have read so far, they have turned out pretty good and funny! My sophomores were writing their own original short story. They also have been pretty good thus far. The downside of first quarter being over is the fact that I have to have all the grades in by 4:00 on Tuesday. Considering most of the short stories and satires won't even be turned in until Monday that will be quite a feat.

We also were asked to fill out a sheet about the Jan-Term class we will be teaching the first week of January. Honestly, I had not given a thought. Part of the problem was that no one ever really told me what it was exactly. One of the most frustrating parts of being a new teacher is the lack of communication. I only find out information about something if I ask someone about it. I guess this is why they have the mentor program in public school.

I didn't get my sheet filled out for Jan-Term, but now that I have gotten some more information about it, I think I have an idea of what I am going to do. I am going to have students meet at a different coffee shop each day. We are going to read, analyze, and discuss African American literature and history. There are very few black students in my school, and I think most of the white students have never been exposed to that culture. I wish when I was in high school that we had read some African American literature. I honestly cannot remember on text we read that was written by a black author. I think it is important for these kids to learn that they live in the world of privelege and not everyone does. From comments made in class, it is obvious these students need some instruction in race relations.

I am currently reading the book Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria. I am finding it fascinating. Most of what the author is saying are things that Alex and I have already discussed. While it is not easy to sit there and read a book that tells you that you are in a seat of privelege just for being white, it is the reality of the situation. Even if you do not feel that you are racist, you are living in a society that operates under a racist system. We all have gotten advantages that we don't even realize. I think I will be able to tie some of this into my Jan-Term class.

Otherwise, I know that I want to include Langston Hughes, Ralph Ellison, bell hooks, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, Richard Wright, and James Baldwin. I have some theorists I have been thinking of using also.

Today I am a bit tired and feel like I have a cold. Maybe it's from sitting outside in the cold and rain last night watching my kids' soccer game. I have about 6-7 kids on the team, and it seems to mean a lot to them when I go to the games. They won 8-0! Now I will probably have to go to the next game, Regional Finals. Maybe it will warm up...

Monday we start research papers. Yuck. But, until then, I will enjoy my weekend!