Reflections On My First Week At McKee

I’ve taught in NYC for the past nine years but this was my first week at McKee. I’d like to share some of my thoughts as well as catch you up on the recent doings in my English class.

I was happily surprised to see how high the attendance has been. As you know, you can’t pass if you don’t go to class. Let’s keep up the great showing.

An even nicer surprise was seeing how many of my students came prepared, on Day One, with notebooks, pens, and paper, ready to work. I’ve been very pleased with the students who walk into 419 and read the board, copy the homework, and begin the Do Now on their own. Thank you all. You’re already on the road to getting a high grade.

As much as I have enjoyed my classes, there are still some things that need work. At McKee, teaching goes from bell to bell. Opening notebooks, copying homework, starting the Do Now- those are all automatic. Some of you still need to be reminded to open your backpacks. And never pack up before the bell because I teach up to the bell.

Overall, I’ve seen that in my classes there are a lot of students who will do well. There are some smart young adults and good writers there. However, some students still need to remember that you are not in English class to talk to your friends. You are there to learn and when you ignore instruction and talk you are missing class time and are robbing yourself of the instruction and support to succeed, as well as the people you bother and distract. Period four, especially, needs to step up.

I’m going to use this blog to keep a record of past assignments and show how the homework ties in to the class work.

HOMEWORK #1 was a short explanation of five things you would do if you were elected President of the United States of America. This 3/4 page assignment was preparation for our first essay. It was the brainstorming stage before we began the first draft of an essay in class.

HOMEWORK #2 was a assignment to summarize any article that interested you from any newspaper. Completing this homework was critical to our next day’s class work as we used that as the beginning to a Read! Write ! Illustrate! exercise. If you skipped that homework you found yourself behind in class.

HOMEWORK #3 was simply to come to this website and leave a comment. This was to introduce you to my blog.

I will update this blog once or twice a week. It is my hope that this will become a good resource for my students, but also for their parents to keep track of the doings in my English class. Progress reports will be mailed soon and I hope to see you all next month on Open School Night.