Fully Fledged

How was it that I found myself sitting in the library reading the paper at 10 AM this morning?

It was time to let the intern working with me take a solo.

How did it go?

Well, let's just say that, tomorrow?

I'm going to get a lot of work done!

Look Up, America

When we were children, my mother used to sing us a song on nights when the moon was out:

I see the moon;
the moon sees me;
the moon sees the one
that I want to see.

From where I stood this evening, not even 3 miles from the White House, I could hardly fail to notice the crescent moon and the evening star pinned against the dying day in the early night sky. It was impossible to mistake the image, and equally impossible to consider how, to so many people around the world, these are symbols of progress and light, respectively.

God bless the moon,
and God bless me,
and God bless the one 
that I want to see.

Dumplins

Not another dog name (although it could be!), but rather a traditional dish to celebrate the lunar new year. This weekend billions of folks around the world ring in the year of the Fire Rooster, and dumplings are made and eaten to bring us wealth. Plus? They are delicious! At least mine were-- beef and ginger, and shrimp with black beans and water chestnuts.

恭喜发财 !!

Wherefore Art Thou?

Sweet Potato
Scarlett
Lucy
Ginger
Button
Ruby
Finch
Pepper
Jelly Bean
Cricket
Mabel
Jo

Lately the conversation frequently turns to the same topic whenever Heidi and I walk.

What should we name our next dog?

Like Minds

"What are we going to do next?" a student asked me today as he finished his literary essay.

"Oh, you guys are going to get to apply what you've learned about argument to a topic you really care about personally," I told him.

He frowned. "Like what?"

"Well," I said, "say you think the Affordable Healthcare Act should be repealed." I gave the first example that came into my mind.

His eyebrows shot straight up. "What??" he gasped. "Who thinks that??" He looked at me suspiciously. "Do you really think we should get rid of it?"

A little taken aback by his passionate reaction, I shook my head in an of-course-not no, but then recovered somewhat. "I'm really not supposed to discuss my personal political opinions," I laughed, because it was already too late, "so, no comment, but..."

His wide eyes met mine, and I continued to shake my head.

He nodded, both in conspiracy and relief.

"Maybe you should write about that one," I suggested.

Get On Your Feet

Movement opportunities are essential in middle school, and I use an activity where, after working on their own to answer questions or gather ideas, students circulate through the room as music plays. Then, in musical chairs fashion, when the tune stops they must put a hand up, find a partner, and share their thinking.

We used this method at the end of reading class this morning, and with my new bluetooth speaker and iPhone, I was able to switch the song with alacrity in between sharing sessions. I started with a little Miles Davis Quintet, which the kids are used to, since I frequently use jazz to get them on their feet. My next choice? An early 70s pop song by the Cufflinks, called Tracy.

"What's my name?" I called as they shimmied through the room.

"Tracey!" they chorused.

Next up? Redemption Song by Bob Marley. It was obviously unfamiliar to most. "Yeah! Country music!" cried one student.

And finally we heard My Prerogative, which provided both an energetic groove and a vocabulary teaching moment.

When the bell rang the students left chattering happily after sharing several essay ideas with four other kids, but it might have been my intern who was most impressed.

"Wow!" he said, "Nice. Choice. Of music!"

Buy Stock in Apple

The intern working in my classroom designed a mini-lesson on counter-arguments for our essay unit today. To illustrate the concept he composed a short paragraph in praise of his mobile phone, and to engage the students he posed a quick question: How many of you guys have iPhones?

At least 4 out of 5 kids raised a hand in each class.

And while I was impressed by his ability to hit that particular target with his audience... 

Folks! 

We're talking 11 and 12-year-olds here!