For fear that you think that I'm always a whiner....

Here's what I love about teaching:

-The variety in my schedule. As much as I love routine and organization and being on top of my game, I couldn't stand anything but a rotating schedule like we have. Monday through Saturday are all different in class order, but every Monday is the same, every Tuesday is the same, etc.

-I love making fun of my kids. Not in a mean way!! I'm talking about the banter that goes on, or the teasing when they say something completely wrong, or just ridiculous and illogical. I poke fun at their pronunciation (oh my!) and make a fool out of myself when I show what NOT to do. Vowels are particularly difficult for kids, so I make it a point to call them out on their laziness. For example the French "tu" (subject pronoun 'you') is really tight and closed in your mouth, right at the front. But they say "two" with a big "w" at the end. Drives me crazy. Same with the past participle of the verb "to be able to", instead of "pu" they say "poo". Can't let it go.

-The banter happens outside of class too, like when I tease my former student about her and her boyfriend. I set them up of course. ;) Last year, I had mistaken them to be a couple when they were just friends, and she was so embarrassed by it. I used "Julie and Joseph" as examples the rest of the year, which always got a good laugh. After the summer, "Julie" runs up to me to tell me that they're dating now. I said "you're very welcome".

Another time just this week: one of my AP students who calls herself my favorite student asked me as she's leaving class: "How do you say in French 'you look really young'?" So I tell her, and she walks out the door to tell my CO-WORKER this!! She's not my favorite student anymore.

-Many of my students had been failing their weekly vocab quizzes. I know I was giving them a lot of words, but if you break it down to daily studying, it didn't add up to much. Lesson learned: most teenagers don't have the self-disciple to do so. I've since switched to daily vocab quizzes, and everybody's acing them, and the kids are excited about it. (what planet am I on?)

-Matt has given me good ideas on what he does in class. I have been able to adapt a few, like writing a personal ad (using the present tense, reflexive verbs, adjectives and adverbs and plenty of creativity). That was a hilarious class. Some kids were really romantic or just plain CHEESY on purpsose. Matt loves to get the kids to role-play under different stereotypes. He thinks it makes them more motivated to speak up and makes the class more energetic and fun. Some common stereotypes: the nerd, the jock, the preppy kid, the hipster, the class clown...

-I start my French 3 level with daily opinion questions (after the daily quizzes--leaving little time for actually teaching, but whatever). Our theme this unit is Media and its effect on us. I love hearing the kids' opinions, even if they claim that Tabloids are fun to read and Jersey Shore is the best show. Oh my.

-My AP class is my favorite. I'm barely teaching grammar, but I'll review concepts when they ask for a refresher. This unit, we're talking about human rights and the French law that forbids a person from wearing obvious religious signs in public. As you would expect, the Muslims have been the biggest target because their religious symbols are pretty obvious. Anyway, for the first time ever, I held a debate. They really got into it and raised some good points for both sides. It was impressive, but I think the government group won over the religious group.

Starting Saturday, they will tackle the new unit: advertizing and marketing. I'm going to have them analyze a French ad of their choice (dangerous, I know. I'll tell them to stay away from the yogurt ones...), then they'll present it to the class objectively. After long weekend, they'll MAKE an ad of their choice (1 minute long) with music, visuals, slogans, a scenario--whatever! They will record it like a true ad and we'll all watch them together. I'm super pumped about this. Another first timer for me!

-I love my lunch break, even though the cafeteria food isn't always the most delicious. I love the women I sit with and the random things we talk about. After all that time with teens, I love adult time.