no seconds

everything there is is a first time for.

stop thinking and read.  there are no repeat experiences.  simply the fact you have "experienced" something once (or a hundred times) changes your next encounter.  the only way we could ever justify grouping anything together is by the broadest, blandest concept of "the same."

i've had a real job for almost three weeks.  every day has been different.  every day will be different.  you think i'm naive? i think you're over.

i did something rash today.  i opened up to 8B, my third period Medieval History class.  I only have one eighth grade class, and they are solid gold.  their biggest problem is that they are too quiet.  we have class in a seminar format — the 23 of us sit in a big square of tables.. there is so much potential it's been driving me crazy.

the last week and a half i've been genuinely frustrated over that class.  by this time, i have a decent idea how to teach my seventh graders: write a lot on the board, review often, and discipline as necessary.  but eighth grade?  i've been all over the place.  they do the homework, know the answers, and never cause trouble.. but, there's no connection.

at some point in the last week, i decided the solution was to make myself more vulnerable.  i wanted to tell them i have no teaching experience.  it's hard to explain, but i felt like i would almost gain credibility by doing it.  i figured i knew the kids well enough by now to predict how they would react, and i decided they would be more comfortable in class.  we had a test yesterday, so today seemed like good timing.

we spent about half the class talking about my immediate history, and the other half discussing what it meant to be "awkward."  my column from last fall was supplementary reading (This is not awkward, but you are).

i won't lose them. trust me.