This morning, I worked on entering the names of my students into the mark book.  I had to figure out what the breakdown of the marks would be and if it worked with my marking scheme.  I figured I would separate the physical components that needed to be handed in because chances are, not all of them will complete it in time.

I visited the photo lab for the next period because I needed to learn more about photo.  I desperately needed a review and it helped for me to work in the darkroom even for one exposure.  The plan for the students was to make test strips out of one second intervals.  This will allow them to determine the exposure and how their film would turn out if they exposed it under the light for X amount of seconds.  The aperture of the enlarger lens was also a factor in determining how the photo would turn out.  I had to re-familiarize myself with the enlarger, timer, developer, fix, and stop.  I’m still apprehensive about teaching photo!

I need to revisit my photo project.  I originally had planned for them to make photo memes.  I think that with the amount of paper they are being given, I feel like they should make postcards instead.  Or something smaller.  Perhaps they can make “mood” postcards.  This is probably what I’ll do.  Take a picture of a happy scene, sad scene, funny scene, quiet scene..etc.  The kick is to make these postcards without people.  Maybe…I’m onto something.

At lunch I prepared to teach my Studio Art class.  I had planned a group discussion day around major social issues so they can start thinking about what they want to do for their comic.  My goal is to give them time to think their project over thoroughly without simply diving into it.  I want to see their creative process and their minds at work.  The discussion went well overall.  The first group had a lot more talkers while the second group was more subdued.  Either they were shy, not used to talking to non-friends, or faced language barriers.  I’m unsure as to how I can help the ELL students.  Perhaps I will need to talk to native language speakers who also speak English.  I can see if they can help buddy or partner up with the struggling student.  Another thing that irked me are students who appeared to “not care” or “try”.  I wonder why.  Is it because of their lack of motivation?  Do they really lack interest in the topic or do they dislike school?  Perhaps it’s a personal issue that is preventing them from focusing.  There were many checked out faces and it frustrates me.  I know this happens in all classes, but as a new teacher, it does drive me a bit nuts.  In any case, I will continue to try to break through.  I am very accustomed to university discussions where most people have the ability to contribute so when I went back to high school, I forget that many are still shy and are afraid to say the “wrong” things.  I hope that they will get accustomed to speaking up around me.

It was nice to see the students engage in social discussion with other members of their class.