Propp’s Propaganda

Thank you Dana and HappyChyck!  Great Ideas!

As the days wind down to the first day of school, my mind is spinning with what to do with 84 minute class periods.  We had a day of training and something that came up was warm up activities or sponge activities.  As I have done in the past I look to all the fantastic educators who read and write for blogs for help and guidance. 

I searched the Internet for both words and from what I can gather, these activities are to start the class right away, get the students thinking.  I get that part.  Now, does the activity ALWAYS have to relate to what we are doing or have done in class? Should it be class subject related?  And, my biggest question, what do I do with it?!  Is it something that I collect, grade, discuss after, do I give a time limit?  I need all the help I can get in order to fill this time, especially in September as the students and I will be adjusting to the new schedule.  Please help!

My seniors next year will be a class that is split between those students who will be receiving college credit and students who will not.  Oddly, the majority of the students in the class will NOT be obtaining credit from a local community college.  After receiving a positive response of offering the same material to all the students in the class, I also received from the majority of students registered, the summer assignment.  Now, some students have voiced their concern about taking the class while not gaining that ultimate prize of college credit.  I understand where some of these students are coming from.  As juniors, my honors class had some of the best writers I have seen in a while.  The test results shocked me. 

 I just want to stress the importance of one’s senior high school year.  Colleges are interested in seeing the types of classes one takes all through high school.  I get the impression that some students think that their senior year should/could be a “blow-off”.  I feel the opposite is true!  First, the class will be weighted; this is a bonus right?  Second, they can continue on the honors track by staying in a class that will provide a challenge and other students who want to learn, grow and work hard.  All those are bonuses!  Third, all the students will be better prepared for college whether they are receiving upper level credit or not.  And, THAT is a bonus.  As far as I see it, taking the class is a win, win situation for all.  What I don’t think is being considered is their other option.  Have they thought about what that will be like?

I want to encourage everyone to work hard, be challenged and not to be tempted by the “easy way out”.  Ultimately, as young adults, each needs to make their own decision based on what is right for them.  I hope that once classes start and we all get into a routine, the positives will far out weight the negatives.