Cosmic Collisions

Class 714 is in big trouble. Apparently, while I was away, they just couldn't control themselves-- especially the boys who thought it was a good idea to "play fight" & touch each other in unusual ways. I've been known to make students walk down & back up three flights of stairs & form two perfect lines with everybody positioned like a soldier-- head straight, feet forward, shoulders back, & no leaning on the wall. And if anyone makes even the slightest sound and I mean even a whisper, we all walk back down the steps until this task is accomplished. Yes, I am aware of the fact that corporal punishment is illegal. No, this is a lesson on following instructions & how to walk in a school hallway. Teaching doesn't happen without these basic skills. Say what you wish, but first spend a day at an urban school.

I've been told that teachers shouldn't single kids out because it can scar them for life. Please! You better believe I point out negative behavior. "Ok class, we have to try this again because Kenny can't keep his MOUTH SHUT!" Then I glare at this daring pre-teen for what must seem like an eternity. In this moment of silence, each & ever face drops as if to say, "I can't believe Kenny did that. He's on his way to hell (aka, the worst possible high school in NYC)!" In the softest audible voice I can utter, the most horrible things roll from my lips in a very sweet chirpy tone. "This is not even a lesson plan. I'm trying to teach you about gravity so be quiet, form a line, and grow up! You're not getting away with anything in this class so get it right, right now!" I'm not trying to be mean, but guess what, this shock treatment get the desired response (i.e., refocused on being in school to learn) and reminds kids that there are consequences for their actions.  And, of course, my students get more positive reinforcement than anything else on most days.

I'm a midwest girl who started teaching six years ago in Crown Heights, Brooklyn & those kids learned science. I shocked the shit out of them. "Yo man, this white bitch is crazy. She so ghetto she eats chalk & made Jamel smell her armpit!" But everyday when they walked into science, big brown eyes were bulging & eager to find out what was goin' down. In the end, 98% passed the Biology regents exam.

So, there are bad days and then there are good days. I really love my students. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be spending so much energy contemplating their actions & insisting on positive change. Recently, we took a trip to the planetary at the American Museum of Natural History. Unfortunately, we had to leave behind a troubled foursome from class 714. At the museum, students saw the space show 'Cosmic Collisions', studied in the Hall of Planet Earth & ate lunch in Central Park. Fifty little seventh grade angels packed into one subway car to make the great journey to Manhattan. When Kevin received his ticket stub, he noticed how much the trip cost. "Mrs. L, you paid $330 for us? It better be worth it!" After the space show, we were all in awe. What a wonderful lesson on gravity!

*AMNH class trip pictures coming soon. The picture above is from last years city-wide science fair. To the right is Mrs. O who is now carrying the the torch for the 8th grade Honors Program & was my student teacher. Students thought we were sisters because of our blonde hair & complementary personalities (good memories). Zhaona, Samoy, Kazi & Amanda presented data from controlled experiments & suggested possible solutions for environmental problems for an aquatic pest & an endangered plant species. Also pictured is Puff Daddy at the 8th grade prom.