An Argument for Attending the KAKE Conference

Perhaps the most overwhelmingly influential break-out session at I attended at this years KAKE Conference was entitled "Honing Literacy Skills Through Argument". As of right now, I am in the homestretch of leading my students through the monumental task of writing their first serious high school essay. My CT warned me weeks before the unit began that it would be an arduous task that would involve plenty of hand-holding, and that while the finished product would be lovely that end would at times be difficult to hold on to. I was understandably concerned.

 To add to my overall nervousness concerning the Conference, while we attending this session, my students were in the thick of it. I was a little jumpy, knowing that my students would have to face that days hurdle without an extra mentor to guide them. I sat in my chair, sipping water and envisioning my cooperating teacher, dashing from table to table, answering the same manner of questions that had popped up seemingly every few seconds the day before, with three or four students desiring our complete attention and focus on their written words at once. Now, they had less adults whose attention the could utilize. Would Austin, a student who had missed class the day before and generally needed a generous helping of extra instruction when it comes to composition, catch up that day? Would Morgan develop a stronger confidence in her writing or keep changing her opening quote, not ready to move on to the meat of the essay yet? Who should I take outside to a desk in the hallway the next day for some one-on-one time outside the noisy room that was now bursting with twenty-nine kids? How could I best manage my time the following week?  Luckily, every single one of these necessary but anxiety-inducing questions were quieted once the presenters stepped up after handing out rather hefty packets to us.

  Mary Liebl and Ranay Alcorn quickly set about providing their lucky listeners with a plethora of helpful tips to help students write arguments, an area that my honors students were struggling with in particular.They were given the extra responsibility of adding a paragraph or two providing a solution to the problems presented in their essays. They were just now breaking the five-paragraph essay mold and it intimidated and surprised them. Using the advice given to me by Thursday's presenters, I was able to better lead my students the very next day,after breaking out before Friday's lunch to check up on my freshmen. In addition, I vastly appreciated Liebl's and Alcorn's inclusion of Common Core's new standards for argument not only for my grade, but every grade including kindergarten. Being able to follow the path of my students projected progress by just glancing at one packet in undeniably helpful and it serves as a reminder of what I must help prepare my students for now so they are better-equipped to handle their sophomore, junior and senior years.  In addition, I truly adore and plan on using their rubric idea: they present their students with the requirements to get an A or a '4' in all section, showing that they expect that of each student and not giving students the chance to look at the paper and decide that they would only do the steps required to get a '2'.

Overall, the KATE Conference was vastly enjoyable and just plain intriguing once I got over the not inconsiderable barrier of simply missing being in the classroom. The pure amount of high-quality resources I received at the event and the comfortable sense of comradery at the sessions made it extremely worthwhile. I would love to attend next year (how amazing is it to have the Conference in Wichita?!) though perhaps only for the first day, enough to rejuvenate my passion for teaching English and soak up the advice of my more experienced peers.  I hope to see you all there next year, with as all now able to joke about being on the other side as 'real' teachers!

*All student names herein have been changed.

Genre Reflection #1

YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE INSANELY GOOD TRICKS THIS TEACHER CAME UP WITH: 10 TIPS TO CREATE AN AWESOME CLASSROOM

An Article By Jake Johnson: Buzzfeed Editor

 Having braved the harsh environment of a Midwestern high school classroom for nigh on six weeks now, Ms. Pritchett, a pre-student teacher hailing from one of the bigger cities in one of those still somewhat forgettable flyover states has grown a good deal. Having overcome difficulties and experienced enough inspiring moments to make at least one or two Hollywood writers start typing away on a script for a Freedom Writer’s sequel, Ms Pritchett is ready to share some of her shocking secrets with you, our lovely readers. The college student has penned a list of advice for any other strong souls considering making educating our kids their highest calling.

Ms. Pritchett urges her peers to:

1. Work hard to withhold judgements that can be construed as negative. These teenagers are still discovering their own identities; who are we to assume we know what they are and will always be based on the first week or two of experiences? Quiet kids may start speaking up more and disruptive students may produce exemplary texts and provide a plethora of support to their peers, even if they do not always utilize the best sense of timing. Let’s be honest, some never seem to use the best sense of timing. Be patient anyways. Let them learn to be better students as you learn to evolve into a more productive teacher.
2. Do not become disheartened when it takes the class longer than perhaps anticipated to get your name down. Your last name may not be overly common (like say, Pritchett), nor is it present on the schedules handed down to your  group of students. They will, by and by, get it down and in the meantime it is actually pretty enduring to have the respect of being called ma’am.
3. Be confident and polite enough to ask student’s how to pronounce their names if it is not clear on the attendance sheet. Be open to any nickname they prefer.
4. When educating a student that loves to interact with everyone and craves attention, build special moments for them into  your lesson plan that allows them to use up some energy in a meaningful way without detracting from other’s learning
5. Do not become unnecessarily stressed out over introducing your own ideas into lessons. Be willing to do so on the fly. They may not always be incorporated immediately but presenting them as options creates a certain dynamic and asserts your place as an educator in the classroom.
6. Grade and return work as quickly as you can. Keep well-organized folders for each hour. Praise students as you hand back their projects; they will want to talk about them!
7. Make it a goal to pull aside one student every week to thank them for their effort. Keep written evidence to back up your compliments. Definitely focus in on students who you know are not doing so well in other classes.
8. Choose a day every month or two to discuss academic progress and concerns with your 7. students. Remind them point-blankly what they can do to be successful.
9. Spend a few quiet moments reflection on your own ‘participation’ at the end of the day.
10. Focus on one new teaching method a day; give it your all, don’t bite off more than you can chew.

By following these ten simple words of wisdom, you two can become almost as awesome as Ms. Pritchett!