It has been way too long since I last blogged about the exploits of my students and the work we are doing. I do apologize for that; I promise that I have the best of intentions it's just that I am a student in the "game" of school.
Let me explain. I learn right along beside them. Yes, I have degree. As a matter if fact, I have an advanced degree in Middle Level Education and am currently pursuing another add-on licensure in education in a specialized field. I am more than qualified to do my job, however I chose to sit down beside my students and work with them as opposed to standing over them. I feel this helps me to see things through a lens similar to the one their looking through. Yes, this process is very time consuming and if I would just assign them work I would have a lot more time to get the things done that I want to get done like maintain our classroom website, blog more frequently, grade papers, and go to the bathroom occasionally.
I am sure by now that it may seem to some that I am complaining, but I assure you that I am not. My only complaint is this wretched weather we are having; it is keeping us home from school. Right now we are completely engrossed in the most awesome writing project EVER!
We are writing historical fiction short stories. Each student, myself, and our assistant principal have chosen our favorite time period throughout history, we have also created round characters for that time period, and were in the process of working on the plot development when we left yesterday. The students are so excited about this writing assignment. I cannot wait to see the finished product. Their character development alone has been fabulous! Some have developed characters that could easily go from one story to a book.
My historical fiction short story is centered around a 14 year old boy growing up in the South Mountains of Burke County, during the depression era. Young Johnny lives with his mother and sister alone on what is called "The Old Cedar". Johnny's grandparents live within walking distance of the old home place, about a mile or so, and his father is not around as he abandoned the family sometime back. Johnny's grandfather is full of "big tales" or grandeur or so his mother thinks until one day when Johnny finds something hidden away in the rafters of the old barn. It might be just the thing to save the family.....
Let me explain. I learn right along beside them. Yes, I have degree. As a matter if fact, I have an advanced degree in Middle Level Education and am currently pursuing another add-on licensure in education in a specialized field. I am more than qualified to do my job, however I chose to sit down beside my students and work with them as opposed to standing over them. I feel this helps me to see things through a lens similar to the one their looking through. Yes, this process is very time consuming and if I would just assign them work I would have a lot more time to get the things done that I want to get done like maintain our classroom website, blog more frequently, grade papers, and go to the bathroom occasionally.
I am sure by now that it may seem to some that I am complaining, but I assure you that I am not. My only complaint is this wretched weather we are having; it is keeping us home from school. Right now we are completely engrossed in the most awesome writing project EVER!
We are writing historical fiction short stories. Each student, myself, and our assistant principal have chosen our favorite time period throughout history, we have also created round characters for that time period, and were in the process of working on the plot development when we left yesterday. The students are so excited about this writing assignment. I cannot wait to see the finished product. Their character development alone has been fabulous! Some have developed characters that could easily go from one story to a book.
My historical fiction short story is centered around a 14 year old boy growing up in the South Mountains of Burke County, during the depression era. Young Johnny lives with his mother and sister alone on what is called "The Old Cedar". Johnny's grandparents live within walking distance of the old home place, about a mile or so, and his father is not around as he abandoned the family sometime back. Johnny's grandfather is full of "big tales" or grandeur or so his mother thinks until one day when Johnny finds something hidden away in the rafters of the old barn. It might be just the thing to save the family.....