The beginning of something colorful

Many of you already know how I am--heck, the only people who are actually reading this thing are my friends right now anyway. So, when the time of year rolls around where we are asked to sharpen our No. 2s and place our desks in nice, tidy rows, it's no surprise to anyone that I start to get antsy. Check that; downright anxious is more appropriate. No really. I am currently breaking into hives. I'd insert a photo, but that would not be attractive--nor would anyone be appreciative.

In years past I would begin making my copies of past exams ready to drill and kill thrill the kids with review packet after packet. Don't get me wrong. I was never a pick up your packet at the door and don't breath a sound until the bell rings kind of teacher. But, I will say that my mode of test prep was limited at best. Sure, I would occasionally deliver what was a mind-blowing lecture about the importance of adding elaboration to your paragraphs, but for the most part it was the kid and the exams. That has worked for me for over 12 years. This year, however, I have a different group of kids. This year, I have kids who aren't satisfied with the idea that the last three weeks of school should be about nothing more than silent practice. So I've changed.

Changed what I'm doing, changed how I'm delivering the materials, and hopefully, changing the outcome.

This week we finished reading Gatsby (yep, in time for the movie). I'm a sucker for film tie-ins. I knew that as soon as I finished the text it would be time to use up my allowance of paper for the year. But I just couldn't. I knew that this group of kids totally check out when they are lectured. I also knew that this group needs to be engaged in small group discussion in order to make progress. So what about my tried and true test prep methods? Out the window. And you know what, that felt. . . liberating. My mind started running wild with all the possibilities. There could be group discussion about what makes good writing. There could be arguments between children over what needed to be added to a paragraph.

There could be colored pencils!!!

So. That's what I did. I have jumped ship and am sailing according to my students' currents now. Join me on my journey.  I'll periodically post updates of our progress and some of the fun things we've been up to lately.