Day Fifty-seven: Is this really happening?

Ah Monday. Finally got the bus situation straightened out. So we've got a bus. And a driver. And a place to go. And permission slips coming in. I'm still using the permission slips as a bribe to get students to do their work, and a few worked harder today as a result to get one. They know time is running out. Today one student changed his mind about going. I knew he would. The other day he told me he didn't want to go since he gave himself one chance to get a permission slip and didn't get one. Weird. Anyway. I told him that he just had to make progress the next day and he wouldn't have it. He was out. But reality is setting in. And he got to work today after saying, "Forget it, I want to go now."

The assignment for today:

For each scene in Sangre de un Angel, write down one sentence or phrase of dialogue that you think represents a key moment in the scene.

Some students barely wrote down one all period. One student finished in about 15 minutes, and had great answers. She's kind of a rock star, but got a little self-conscious when I pointed out to other students that she was already done. "Don't tell them what I'm doing. They can't be like me." Note to self...more one on one reinforcement. She came by later that day to say hi, so I think we're still good.

I spent my conference period having a Christmas party planning meeting with a few students who really wanted to be involved. We outlined the layout of the room and put together a wish list of supplies and decorations. We're hoping to get a tree donated that we can decorate and take to a family in need in our school. Anyone want to donate a few dollars so we can get some fake snow? :)

Today I also heard something I can't write about on here. It happens every once in a while. As a teacher, I battle with balancing privacy laws with the responsibility to share what it is like to work with the students I teach. I will, however, share how I handled it. I'm usually a stickler for things like cell phone rules. At the beginning of class I told my class that one of the students "...is having a rough day. So I'm not going to get on his case today, and won't say anything if his cell phone is out. Rules still apply for the rest of you." Most of them had heard something about the situation and didn't question it. He was quieter and more cagey than usual, which is saying something. Scared of anyone walking too close behind him. On top of that he just found out he didn't pass one of his TAKS tests, so he still can't graduate. It's been a discouraging week for him. Maybe someday I can share his story.