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This morning, Wednesday June the 25th, marks a milestone in my Institute experience.  That’s right.  It’s Half Way Day.  For the past 2.5 weeks I have lived, breathed, and loved TFA.  Part of me is thinking, “Just another 2.5 weeks?  Psh, I got this.”  But the other, ‘bigger’ part of me is thinking, “Just another 2.5 weeks…?  That’s not enough time…”  I have to make it enough time.

This week we delved into something that boggles many an English pro: Simple, compound, and complex sentences.  For the past 2 days my students have been trying to differentiate between FANBOYS and AAAWWUBBIS.  You think it’s easy?  Sure.  Most of us can probably look at a sentence and say, “Hmm.  Two simple sentences?  Comma, conjunction?  Compound.  Bam.” or “Simple sentence with a dependent clause?  Complex.  In the bank.”  But try explaining them to 24 12 year olds who barely know what a subject and a verb are.  Not so easy any more.

I learned two major things from this.  First, I need to plan more purposefully so that I can execute more effectively.  I can’t rely on my prior knowledge to get me through a lesson.  I have to practice.  I have to think ahead and anticipate misunderstandings.  I have to cater to every kind of learner, and I have to make them PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE.  When I’m comfortable with the 6th grade explanation, then I teach it much better.

Second, I have got to get behavior under control.  Are they bad students?  No.  Not at all.  As a matter of fact, they were little angels yesterday (comparatively).  I started off the class with an awesome quote, had them respond to it in their journals, and then tell them that  I know how tough this stuff is, but we’re not going to stop until everyone gets it.  I call this “Ms. Teater’s No Child Left Behind Act.”  Today we’re moving on, but not until I finally assess them on their progress via a Pop Quiz.  I know, it sounds mean, but I finally realize why teachers do this.  Not to torture the students, but to make sure no one’s getting left in the dust.

I sit with my kids every day at lunch.  We talk about my dog, we talk about their dramatic little 12 year old lives, and we talk about writing.  “Having a rough day?   Write it out.”  I love being a writing teacher.  Progression-wise, I’ve seen everyone improve since their diagnostic.  A couple of them have already met and surpassed their summer goals!  But that’s just a couple.  Out of 24.  Friday, while they write their rough drafts, we’re going to have individual conferences so everyone knows where they stand.  We’ll start at lunch, but I don’t want anyone in the dark about their progress towards their goal.  Hopefully they’ll use this as motivation to really push these next couple of weeks and write outstanding narratives.

On a non-TFA-related note, this weekend Ryan and I are celebrating our anniversary.  It’s hard to believe I’ve only been with the man of my dreams for one year.  What did I do before him?  I don’t even remember.