Changing Snapshots

Photography. How I love it so. Too long since I've snapped any (the summer in Morocco and Israel). Not sure why I let the things I care about slip away but will never forget about the trivial things -watching tv, snacking, and interneting. This week in my classroom photography took precidence. At the beginning of the year I asked the students to bring in images of themselves when they were younger. Of course these twelve year olds were super excited - how could not be? Weren't they the most adorable creatures ever? Serious competition. Anyway at that point in September I wasn't sure what lesson I would use them for, but thought no matter what snapshots of themselves will get them hooked.

After making sure EvERyone brought at least one in (not an easy task) finally we began the project. I quickly realized that actually the assignment is more interesting without the photos and with imagination: Showing change. What's one thing about yourself that has changed since you were younger and how will it change in the future? In four separate squares of paper the students drew how an interest or a part of their appearance looked like or will look like at different stages of their life. Amazing ow they view themselves in their changing world.

So what about photography? Well without camera we used the same compositional techniques and strategies applied to creating interesting photographs. Our big vocabulary word was magnify.

Aside from the constant complaints about writing my students seem really happy with their own work.

Classroom community is expanding :)

Darkness of Monday Mornings

Mondays never seem to get any easier. This morning I woke up startled by a strange beeping sound. A few seconds later I realized that this is my alarm clock and it is ringing the same noise I hear every morning. I know that leaving my warm, snugly bed before it's light out will never get easy, but cold, damp Monday mornings are painful.

My week ends so sweetly that each week when I head back to school I almost forget my routine. Just like my students, I too need a day to adjust back to the order. Unfortunately an adjustment period is not included in my contract. After a morning of trying to reacquaint myself with my teaching job, and attending a weekly faculty meeting, my Monday Headache kicks in. I can't quite figure out if it is a Caffeine/Sleep Deprived Headache, a My Students are Talking Louder than I can Remember Headache, or if (as I frequently think) an I'm Hungry Headache. Regardless the cause, the pain in my forehead doesn't go away until well after I've run out the front door and am sitting in a downtown subway car.

Slowly the reality of year two is settling in, but for now, all I can think is "four more days left"!

Peaceful thoughts reminding me of Friday 2:32 PM.

Why Grade?

Grading this year is so easy. Last year (my experimental year) I picked apart each project and its process while assessing and assigning each one a "number". Looking over my students work this week, I realized that so many fall in line exactly with the projects guidelines. Maybe I'm less strict. Maybe I'm a better teacher. Or maybe I'm starting to really see their strengths more. Whatever it is I'm happier, they are smilier. Still not sure what role assessment plays in the arts or how it helps my kids grow. But for inner city middle schoolers accountability is crucial. Regardless confidence is blooming as the leaves are falling. Happy autumn!

It's about time I take down my sweaters and put on some socks :)