Googly Eyes!

After a much needed break from teaching... I'm back! Rested and relaxed, I walked into the second half of the year with new energy and zeal. Luckily I found that my students had not FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING like I nervously predicted! This is both a validation of their genius and a reiteration that my teaching style is making things "stick" for my students. (Release huge sigh of relief!)

We began with a review week since semester one exams are next week. This struck me as odd. Why give tests after a two week vacation from school? But I found that coming back into a review week was a very good way to ease back into the rigor of school. Kids were ready to show me what they remembered and prove that they could ace anything I threw at them. I'm sure they will do phenomenally well next week!

For the holidays my younger sister gave me a huge pair of googly eyes (which are very important and humorous items in our family) and I knew exactly how I could use them. Oliver the octopus is the newest addition to my classroom and the kids were shocked when they walked in and saw that he had taken over the back wall. His sign says "Ms. Landau SEAS you!". Obviously I had to use a pun; I am an English teacher after all! My kids know I'm ALWAYS watching for phones and distractions so this was perfectly appropriate. They love it and I even had some students bring their friends by after school to see Oliver and touch the giant googly eyes. (THANKS NICOLE!)


One thing I'm worried about in the upcoming semester is a the "senior slump". My 12th grade honors students should be receiving their college acceptances in the next couple of months and I know in high school I started slacking the second I got my first acceptance in November. My hope is that they will stay extremely engaged as I explain that they need to be prepared for the high caliber of college and university work. The expectations of them next year will be lofty and if they slump in my class they will not be able to cope with the upgraded difficulty they encounter in the fall.

Regardless, I'm excited for the next two texts: Frankenstein (for my seniors) and Animal Farm (for my freshmen). These two books are layered with depth of characters and exciting conflicts. I think my students will really love the writing and shifts of perspective as well as be able to apply all their prior knowledge to delve deeply into the themes.

That's all I've got for now! I'm thrilled to be back and ready to see where I can take these kids in the next five months, which I'm sure will fly by before I know it. Think back to the tough high school tests you took all those years ago and wish my kids good luck on their exams!

Cheers,

Danielle

(Ms. Landau)