An archived stack of papers: May 2009
Beginning A Documentary
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 25
- 2009
About a month ago, Speech announced that they wanted to make a video. We quickly went to work on the AFI curriculum and watched several versions of The Door Scene that we shot. We did one where we just walked around campus, one where we walked up to the door without going through it, another where we actually opened the door, and a... read more
An Unsolved Problem
In a stack of papers called Connections.
- May
- 24
- 2009
Out for a run yesterday, I listened to Act One of a deeply disturbing episode of This American Life. In New York, there’s apparently a place called the Rubber Room. Essentially, teachers report there when the board decides that they shouldn’t be in the classroom.... read more
What Video Has Taught Me – Part 1
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 16
- 2009
In the Support class, we slowly piece together videos on things students like about San Jose. Speech works diligently on documentaries. Some incredibly cool stuff has happened as a result of me leading these two different classes through this work. That’s had a big impact on how I work with my English 3 students, even though they aren’t in on the video action. I’ve learned a lot over... read more
Patterns And Shapes
In a stack of papers called Instruction.
- May
- 06
- 2009
The Support class settles down into a rhythm once I put on the video to take notes to (Tuesday, Thursday) or announce that it’s time to read (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The same happens most days that I point out a Do First on the board. The time when they are the most out of control and, therefore, the most difficult to get back for the rest of the period are the times when I don’t have... read more