THURSDAY!

Okay, I have crossed over to the dark side.

I've never considered myself a vengeful person per se, until around 2:00 pm today.  I was eagerly anticipating my honors sophomores Frankenstein debate, "Battle of the Brains" for the past 3 weeks.  We have dedicated one period per week since we started the novel.  The class was asked to debate whether or not they believed Victor Frankenstein's creation to be ethical or unethical.  And because I know, from life experience, that in order to successfully make your argument, you must understand both sides--they had to create a sound case for both as well.

Anyway, 6th hour went beautifully! I was so delighted at the level of their arguments, strategy, and wit that I went into 7th hour anticipating an even better debate.  As I listened to their vague statements, non-existent textual support, and lackluster plot knowledge...I eventually had to call the debate to a complete stop and tell them to meet with their groups, try it again--if they disappointed me a second time, I would cut them off and give them a zero.  Harsh. I know.  However, there was literally NO EXCUSE for this performance..they had everything right in front of them.

After class, Mrs. A suggested something I would never normally consider doing.  Why not reward 6th hour for their preparation and hard work by not giving them the final exam tomorrow.  I had previously attempted to make the final exam relatively straight forward and easy as a reward for their hard work..but as I watched them scramble to discuss the novel we've worked so hard on, my mind started flashing:

1. long essays
2. literary analysis
3. rip them apart
4. humble them

It's not laziness, it's arrogance.  Students these days are not used to being challenged or asked to think critically.  They are so smart, but so comfortable in their complacency.  I love these kids and I'm only asking them to perform.  To challenge themselves--to be scholars.  So I have crafted a series of short essay questions referencing what they have diligently been annotating for the past 5 weeks.  If they have really been doing their work and not BSing their way, they will be fine.  6th hour will be watching episodes from The Office and 7th hour will be writing essays from start to finish.  I both love and hate myself at the same time.  I've definitely crossed over to the dark side!


This week has flown by..I can't believe I am almost done with graduate school.  In January, I'm free.  I wonder what I am going to do...will I stay at BGCS and try and get the teen program position? Will I find a job at a newspaper? Will I be teaching? Traveling? I'm so excited to figure it out.

I can't wait for the weekend...I have to finish up my research analysis data and begin some of my formal reports..do some planning...and go to the gym...SLEEP. SLEEP. SLEEP.  E and K are both gone this weekend. Might be weird?

Anyway, this is something I wish I would've written myself..but it's always nice when you can find something that says how you feel better than you could say it:

"When I say you're amazing, I know the word is just a cover; a quick way for me to remember all the things that amaze me about you, a mask for the memories we share, a disguised version of our adventures together. And I really believe that you know, when I say I miss you, it's not just that. I miss you every moment, and I miss just what your name means to me. It means an alphabet of sounds and letters and words. But none of them really mean anything, because words are based on trust, they rely on how truly and deeply we feel. Remember, always, that they don't mean anything, they are letters and they are constructions, but we deconstruct them every day and we twist them; we manipulate them so that they say what we want them to. But no word, no shape, no photograph could ever twist so far that it could begin to explain even a little bit of how I feel."