Laughter on the Clock

During a student-judged round of Grammar Olympics: "Ms. H. (the student judge, called by her last name as I call them by too), come holla at us (reminiscent of the graffitti -- if you can call it that -- scrawled on the Bailey tennis courts, reading, "Holla atcha boi")!"

During analysis of a modern poem with the honors class, student JB says: "Ms. Nelson, is it OK if we do the suspended hand rule?" RW and I burst out laughing, becuase JB meant to say, as I always do, "we will suspend the raising hand rule for this activity."

Ahh, laughter on the job.

Goodbye, Ms. R.

Something really sudden and sad happened at our school. Well, all disappointments at school occur this way. Suddenness is implicit in urban school system functioning. The janitor on my hall got transferred to another school because of intra-staff conflict. I can't beleive she didn't tell me before she left. I hate the fact that her cozy janitor closet, down my hall by the stairs and library, where my 7th block and I make a pit-stop every other day, is now occupied by a stranger. The new lady is fine. But she is no Ms. R.

Ms. R. had a florescent spirit. She was loving, very intuitive about the students (she knew their business, somehow), and truly part of the faculty on the English hall. We adored her and happily threw our 10 bucks in every Christmas for her gift.

I am shocked and dismayed that precious human souls get tossed around carelessly in organizations. The way urban schools are set up (the employment structure, the way large numbers of state employes are managed) enables coworkers with a bone to pick to use the bureaucratic apparatus as a tool for personal vengence. It's so effective for disgruntled higher-ups because it's such a clean-cut way to stick it to someone. No blood, no malice, no unfair play....or so it seems.

Showing out and Sins of Omission

Ugh....what do those have to do with each other, you're wondering. Well, to be blunt, not much. Just two thoughts adjacent in my brain today.

Showing out: a colloquailism used in my school to mean, "acting up, making a scene, or exhibiting in some way unbecoming behavior." Or, sometimes, it is used jokingly to relay that you did something memorable that stood out. Well, a student told me I did this at prom. (It's amazing the reputation propogation Facebook pictures can accomplish, so non-prom goers (i.e., my underclassmen) can suddenly be vitual participants and commentators from afar. In fact, it's almost like you have to have vicarious experience in order to have a peanut gallery stance about it; if you were there, what need you say (to prove your inclusion)? OK, so a sophomore in the lunch line said to me today, "Ms. Nelson, I saw you at prom -- well, on Facebook. You had your dress and your red glasses. You blew up tuating."

Now, you're thinking, I really need explanation. This colloqialism is fresh off the conveyer belt, I believe. It's pronounced sh-ou(like "ouch)-a-ting. It means, you made an impression that was likeable and popular. Hmm. I'll take that as a compliment!

Two: I pray that in these last 6 class periods before the state test, I give my students everything I can to equip themfor the test. That I not be lazy and only just-enough-it. I know I would regret that! To live a regretless life...what a blessing that would be!

My Undergraduate Thesis

Check out THIS link!


Nelson, Jennifer. “The Church’s Doorstep, Networks and Sweet Spot: Sketching the Religious Ecologies of Urban, Monumental Cathedrals and Churches in New York City and Paris”.    (Senior Honors' Thesis in Columbia University Department of Sociology), 142 , 2008. Click here

Excerpts

(I assigned some of my classes the 31 Reverb journal prompts and gave them 31 days to compelte them. Odd, cruel, maybe, but I really enjoyed meeting my students through their writing. Hopefully excerpting some of my favorites doesn't break copyright or other laws?)

"The most joyful ordinary moment was when I was at JROTC practice. When we see each other mess up it is a hilarious and joyful moment." (JJ)

(Sunday a.m. ... more excerpts I don't want to forget.)

"2010 was a little rocky but fun. I am truly blessed to say I lived to see 2010." (AK) AMEN sister!! Great way to put that thought.

(Monday a.m. ... some more...)

"Dear my past self, First off you should study more because this scientist life takes a lot of knowledge. Also you should read everyday so you can become mindful of everything you should know. ... Just prepare yourself for the future." (MJ)

"The wisest decision I made this year was deciding to pass Miss Nelson’s English II class. It’s like trying to fit your foot into a shoe half your size. It’s hard, uncomfortable, and frustrating. Don’t get me wrong, Miss Nelson, you’re a fantastic teacher, but please do not become any more passionate than what ou already are. You’ve already killed me like, seventy million times. Ugh, chill out!

Even though I dread doing homework, projects are definitely included, I haven’t been so interested in class (for there to be no music). In my other classes I can’t pay attention for more than 15-17 minutes at a time without music. Unfortunately, I promised A that I’d pass your class (and I never break a promise) So I’m working on it." (RW)

"During this year I can recall a time when I became integrated with my body. [...] It's like a wave of intelligence just overtook my entire body. Every question they dished out at me I quickly responded back with a highly educated response. I don't know what it was, it just a part of my brain configured these facts and solutions from everywhere. As I was saying these things, I was thinking to myself, 'Is this really me and did I actually just say this?' That truly was a proud day." (BM)

Grammar 101, Perching in Chairs, and Being out of academic shape

Last week, I did a catch-all capitalization, quotes, semicolon, coordinate adjectives, etc. etc. etc. grammar review with my second block. I was amazed at the basics they didn't have. We spent a comfortable hour or more on these bread and butter things, and it was such a sweet lesson and time because they were all thirsting to know it! I can't describe how awesome that was, to feel the teacher-class connection that way. Didn't want to forget it.

Also, yesterday I allowed my 8th block to do partner work in analyzing an editorial. All of them got so wrapped up in it, they started crowding, hunching over and perching in their chairs, even the big kid. Again, awesome to see.

Last but not least, let me say I have failed to do my teacher's homework yet again this morning. Behind on reading. Yipes! I wonder if my elementary, middle or high school teachers ever did this....surely they did....

Great Mixed Words, and other exciting things on the horizon

I should be calling parents of failing children right now. But I need to write this down before I forget!!

One of my favorite students, one who's always earning detention, but who is plenty smart, and gets upset when I interrupt reading because he's getting so into it, said today, "oh, that's a misplaced metaphor." LOL! I love it! He meant misplaced modifier, of course. But surely, a misplaced metaphor is possible too. I misplace them all the time.

Yesterday my best friend said I present the gospel as persuasively as a businessman, i.e., "That's just like God! Just when you give up, that's when he comes in and saves you." I hope my persuasion and announcement of what God is like is more inviting than repulsive. I'm good at selling God...hmm, not sure how I feel about mixing religion and economics. That's a mixed metaphor. Or a misleading metaphor? But saying that on the tennis court, evangelizing there, that ain't no misplaced metaphor, no, never!

One last thing before I go. OK, two. One, JS squealed out euphorically after we finished The Giver today, "That's a good book!" Two, Tomorrow and Friday I'll be getting journal prompts in from my APAC classes- the 31 day challenge. I cannot WAIT to read em!