Comments for Propp's Propaganda http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org High School English teacher discusses high school curriculum and student issues Wed, 20 Aug 2008 12:14:44 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 Comment on So Sad and Disgruntled Parent by Kimberly Moritz http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/18/so-sad-and-disgruntled-parent/#comment-100 Kimberly Moritz Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:09:01 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/18/so-sad-and-disgruntled-parent/#comment-100 Now consider that in your son's school (which is in a district I've worked in), there are students like the one you mention in the first part of the post. They're in the minority there but they still exist. That child gets to go to school and see the awesome projects created in homes with loving, caring, capable and financially flush parents. That child gets to feel like less than everyone else every day. While there I was on the diversity committee. The biggest source of diversity there is one of financial resources. Kids were mean to kids by saying things like, "you dress from Walmart and live in a trailer!" as if that was equivalent to having the bubonic plague. I'm thankful I'm here where kids don't have that pressure and they enjoy teachers like you who can listen and understand that there's no print at home, with flexibility. Now consider that in your son’s school (which is in a district I’ve worked in), there are students like the one you mention in the first part of the post. They’re in the minority there but they still exist. That child gets to go to school and see the awesome projects created in homes with loving, caring, capable and financially flush parents. That child gets to feel like less than everyone else every day. While there I was on the diversity committee. The biggest source of diversity there is one of financial resources. Kids were mean to kids by saying things like, “you dress from Walmart and live in a trailer!” as if that was equivalent to having the bubonic plague. I’m thankful I’m here where kids don’t have that pressure and they enjoy teachers like you who can listen and understand that there’s no print at home, with flexibility.

]]> Comment on So Sad and Disgruntled Parent by HappyChyck http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/18/so-sad-and-disgruntled-parent/#comment-99 HappyChyck Wed, 19 Mar 2008 14:07:13 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/18/so-sad-and-disgruntled-parent/#comment-99 Yeah...e-mailing is always an option in my classroom. It's a fight I don't bother with much anymore. Now what do you do about the student whose parents won't let them have a laptop like all other kids in our 1:1 program, doesn't have a computer at home and/or doesn't have an Internet connection at home. That kid has to work to succeed despite his parents! Only, sometimes, it's a financial matter...so, who can judge there? Just another thing that makes this gig complicated! Yeah…e-mailing is always an option in my classroom. It’s a fight I don’t bother with much anymore. Now what do you do about the student whose parents won’t let them have a laptop like all other kids in our 1:1 program, doesn’t have a computer at home and/or doesn’t have an Internet connection at home. That kid has to work to succeed despite his parents! Only, sometimes, it’s a financial matter…so, who can judge there? Just another thing that makes this gig complicated!

]]> Comment on Hamlet by Shannon http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/14/hamlet/#comment-97 Shannon Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:41:06 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/03/14/hamlet/#comment-97 I have to say that I LOVED watching the scenes today. I kept looking over at my 9th graders, and many of them were in awe of the "big seniors" who didn't seem scared or nervous, and were so sure of themselves. They did a great job! I'm looking forward to seeing them tomorrow, too. Thanks for the invite! I have to say that I LOVED watching the scenes today. I kept looking over at my 9th graders, and many of them were in awe of the “big seniors” who didn’t seem scared or nervous, and were so sure of themselves. They did a great job! I’m looking forward to seeing them tomorrow, too. Thanks for the invite!

]]> Comment on It’s Been A While! by david propp http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/02/18/its-been-a-while/#comment-96 david propp Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:19:18 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2008/02/18/its-been-a-while/#comment-96 I love this site I love this site

]]> Comment on Reading Level or Content? by Jana http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/11/17/reading-level-or-content/#comment-93 Jana Thu, 22 Nov 2007 16:40:52 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/11/17/reading-level-or-content/#comment-93 actually the novels we teach were set when I arrived four years ago... there's only been one change. We moved To Kill A Mockingbird from freshman to sophomore courses because it seemed to fit better with the theme of sophomore year. While I don't have a huge choice on what I do teach, I think more about what I'm using a particular book to teach, rather than the specific reading level. If I'm really wanting them to explore the theme and analyze how the author is creating that theme, a difficult reading level can hinder that goal, especially for those lower readers and concrete thinkers. actually the novels we teach were set when I arrived four years ago… there’s only been one change. We moved To Kill A Mockingbird from freshman to sophomore courses because it seemed to fit better with the theme of sophomore year.

While I don’t have a huge choice on what I do teach, I think more about what I’m using a particular book to teach, rather than the specific reading level. If I’m really wanting them to explore the theme and analyze how the author is creating that theme, a difficult reading level can hinder that goal, especially for those lower readers and concrete thinkers.

]]> Comment on A Novel on the Block by santagadess http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/10/15/a-novel-on-the-block/#comment-92 santagadess Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:02:17 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/10/15/a-novel-on-the-block/#comment-92 Hello, I just came across this post. If I could only be in your shoes!!! I taught HS English in a semester-based block for the past 11 years. This year despite much teacher protest, we are back in the 9 period day. Many of us are ready to commit hari-kari (sp?) over this regressive change. Please don't give up hope; the block offers a mind-boggling array of ways to instruct, esp. for our discipline. In terms of a novel, I only read key passages in class. But think of a block period as a way to cover a chapter (themes, plot progression, key quotes, character dev. etc.) in one day! The ability to do a pre, during, and post reading lesson all in one sitting is a beautiful thing, esp in this ADD, multi-tasking world we live in. One can access all four language arts in one class and your students will actually have time to think! . I remember it seeming like a lot of time to fill up, but it just requires us to rethink the way we plan. The ideas in the previous comment are great. If you need more advice, I have trained teachers moving to the block. Hello, I just came across this post. If I could only be in your shoes!!! I taught HS English in a semester-based block for the past 11 years. This year despite much teacher protest, we are back in the 9 period day. Many of us are ready to commit hari-kari (sp?) over this regressive change. Please don’t give up hope; the block offers a mind-boggling array of ways to instruct, esp. for our discipline. In terms of a novel, I only read key passages in class. But think of a block period as a way to cover a chapter (themes, plot progression, key quotes, character dev. etc.) in one day!
The ability to do a pre, during, and post reading lesson all in one sitting is a beautiful thing, esp in this ADD, multi-tasking world we live in. One can access all four language arts in one class and your students will actually have time to think! . I remember it seeming like a lot of time to fill up, but it just requires us to rethink the way we plan. The ideas in the previous comment are great. If you need more advice, I have trained teachers moving to the block.

]]> Comment on A Novel on the Block by Jana http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/10/15/a-novel-on-the-block/#comment-91 Jana Tue, 16 Oct 2007 03:59:27 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/10/15/a-novel-on-the-block/#comment-91 When I taught in block courses, I usually started with some sort of activity to get them going or remind them of what had been done on the previous day (3x5 Quiz, is a fav), then do reading and have some sort of activity to wrap up with - it might be writing a journal response, a letter to a character, Think-pair-share about something they read, draw an illustration, etc. Hope this helps! When I taught in block courses, I usually started with some sort of activity to get them going or remind them of what had been done on the previous day (3×5 Quiz, is a fav), then do reading and have some sort of activity to wrap up with - it might be writing a journal response, a letter to a character, Think-pair-share about something they read, draw an illustration, etc.

Hope this helps!

]]> Comment on This just isn’t working! by syb http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/22/this-just-isnt-working/#comment-90 syb Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:53:55 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/22/this-just-isnt-working/#comment-90 Carol, Apologies if I have already left this comment (or a similar one) I know I was reading somebody's blog recently who was experimenting (as you) w/ the block schedule We did it (for about 5 years) before chicking it for the standard length class (50 min or so) As a teacher, it was easier for planning and paperwork load per day. I also enjoyed the opportunity if offered for multiple activities. But, when we switched back to the +normal+ classes, I (and every other teacher) found that we had accomplished less (curriculum wise) in the lengthier classes. I can only surmose that there is more urgency to complete things when one has a shorter time frame. Best, SL Carol,

Apologies if I have already left this comment (or a similar one) I know I was reading somebody’s blog recently who was experimenting (as you) w/ the block schedule

We did it (for about 5 years) before chicking it for the standard length class (50 min or so)

As a teacher, it was easier for planning and paperwork load per day. I also enjoyed the opportunity if offered for multiple activities.

But, when we switched back to the +normal+ classes, I (and every other teacher) found that we had accomplished less (curriculum wise) in the lengthier classes. I can only surmose that there is more urgency to complete things when one has a shorter time frame.

Best,
SL

]]> Comment on A little ray of sunshine by Cait http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/26/a-little-ray-of-sunshine/#comment-89 Cait Tue, 02 Oct 2007 15:55:21 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/26/a-little-ray-of-sunshine/#comment-89 Mrs. Propp! Hi! I hope your Honors students know how lucky they are to have the block schedule time to discuss works thoroughly. I do wish we had the time available for our AP English class. How fun would that have been? Mrs. Propp! Hi! I hope your Honors students know how lucky they are to have the block schedule time to discuss works thoroughly. I do wish we had the time available for our AP English class. How fun would that have been?

]]> Comment on A little ray of sunshine by syb http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/26/a-little-ray-of-sunshine/#comment-88 syb Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:05:15 +0000 http://proppspropaganda.edublogs.org/2007/09/26/a-little-ray-of-sunshine/#comment-88 Being a vetaran of both block/non-block scehdule, I can say for a fact that less is accomplished in a year on a block schedule. I found it easier on me (the block) as I like a lot of different activities per class and plans for a sub are also wayyyy easier. GL, Syb Being a vetaran of both block/non-block scehdule, I can say for a fact that less is accomplished in a year on a block schedule.

I found it easier on me (the block) as I like a lot of different activities per class and plans for a sub are also wayyyy easier.

GL,
Syb

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