There's something about the number 10

If you look back a ways, you'll find an odd post about my Grade 10 class in Victoria. I wrote it after a particuarly troubling day, one which I was having some trouble analysing. I don't think it's a very flattering post. In any case, while it seems that I only had negative things to say about those Grade 10's, the fact is that they were a really fantastic class, with some really fantastic potential.

Which brings me to my current "10" thoughts. It appears that no matter where I go in the world, if a class has the number 10 in it, it's destined to cause some headaches. I've had a few trying classes with my current Year 10s. Both classes are approaching the mid to high 20s in terms of actual numbers, and a good half and half boys to girls. They are all, for the most part, quite wonderful. The boys can get quite distracted at times, and are very energetic in my rather unstructured space. But that's not say I don't appreciate what they're bringing to class. I'm rather hard on them sometimes about holding their concentration during activities, and focusing on what we're doing. And rightfully so, I believe. But I also understand that it's simply part of the game. I mean - "boys will boys" and all that, right?

I truly believe that in order to teach drama well to this age group, you have to have a really good understanding of Year 10 behaviour, allow for some things that would simply not fly in other classrooms (not EVERYTHING, mind you!!), and have absolute infinte patience.

My understanding is still growing... it's not complete yet.
I allow for some things that wouldn't fly in other classrooms... but not unreasonably.
Patience? Usually, I have quite a bit. It wears thin some days, but usually...

Don't worry 10s, we'll all be all right.
It's a good thing.

Year 9 and 10 Starter Questions

Hey there Year 9's and Year 10's!

In case you didn't finish copying out the starter questions for your first journal entries, here they are....



Year 9: http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hedivan/y9starterquestions.htm

Year 10: http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hedivan/y10starterquestions.htm

Have fun!

Year 12 Impressions

I'm going to give a lot of credit today to my Year 12s. Let's be honest - they're not all that far removed from Year 11. In fact, all that separates them is a few weeks of holidays. I'm not trying to make a judgement about what I think Year 11s are capable of - I'm just saying that even Year 12's are still in the beginning stages of maturity.
Don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to say nasty things about my 12s. Not at all! In fact, what I'm getting at (in a roundabout kind of way) is a compliment.
In only our second class together, I asked them to consider some rather abstract stuff. And they did.
I asked them to do some rather um... ethereal, movement activities. They didn't complain.
I asked them to listen while I explained about a man named Rudolf Laban and his theories. They listened.
They tried. They listened. They moved.
Then I asked them to think really hard about something really serious. And they thought really hard about something really serious.
Why is this significant?
Because I can hear what's going on in the other Year 12 class. And the Year 13 class. I know they're talking to their friends about what's going on in those classes. And I have these brief moments of doubt.... Will they accept some serious work right off the bat when it appears that other classes are doing "fluffy" stuff? Will they put their all into what I'm asking them to think about without wishing they were in the other class?
It appears that they do, and they have.

I appreciate the energy and the effort in my Year 12 class already. And I wonder how many of them will catch onto the double entendre in that statement. Come on Year 12's.... I appreciate the "effort" in class.

What?? You don't get it yet.

Okay... click the link to refresh your memory.

http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hedivan/Web/labaneffortaction.htm

The Beginnings of Paperless

In an effort to "go paperless" I will not give out course outlines on paper. They will be linked here, on this blog.



Need one? Come and get it. It will be right here.

I will try to do the same for any handouts or materials.



Let's all get behind this. Have you ever considered how much paper a school goes through in a day? I tell ya - it ain't pretty.



So here you go....



Drama 9 Course Outline: http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hedivan/year_9_drama.htm

Drama 10 Course Outline: http://homepages.slingshot.co.nz/~hedivan/year_10_drama.htm

The New Year and the New Start

And so it begins... again.
I have officially started another year of teaching what I consider to be the best subject in the world.
I've been out of the game for a while, having left my last job at the end of June, and spending the fall in Canada preparing for my move across the ocean.
But I'm here now, and pleased to be back into it.

Starting at a new school is never easy. I suppose that's as true for teachers as it is for students. There are new names to learn (students and staff), new procedures to become familiar with, new systems to sort out, new buildings to explore, new... well, everything. The first year in any new job is the most difficult for a teacher. I know that I am not established at Wanganui High School, and will have to spend time and effort "establishing" my presence. The students don't know me. What they do know (and something of which I am very aware) is that I have replaced someone who WAS established. Someone whom they knew, liked, trusted. For a Drama teacher, this is not an easy place to take. They are not always easy shoes to fill. I have nothing really to say about the person I have replaced - I didn't know her at all. But I will gladly acknowledge that she likely had many students who respected her, and learned from her. To those students, if you have ended up in MY class, I offer this: I will not try and replace your last teacher. I will bring a new perspective probably, and offer new ways of doing things. Hopefully, you will come to repect what I bring to your school. It's okay if that takes time. I understand that. This is not the first time I've done this.

School started back a couple of days ago. I have now had the opportunity to meet all of my classes, and have even seen one of them twice. I guess my initial reaction is mixed. I have to be honest.... it's hard not to think about all the wonderful students I left behind at my last school. Meeting all of my new students is wonderful. I really can't wait to get to know them, and to see what kinds of things they will do in my class. But in the back of my head over the last two days are the shadows of my Canadian students in Victoria. The experience is the same, of course, as when I last left New Zealand to return to Canada. Starting at the school in Victoria brought just as much excitement and apprehension. And just as much longing for the students that I had left behind. I do hope though, that I will not have to have a similar experience at any time soon. Meaning, so long as they'll have me, I hope to stay a while at Wanganui High School.

I am so far impressed with the enthusiasm of the senior students. True to form, the Year 11's and 12's are fired up for Drama in a really exciting way. It's refreshing, and relieving at the same time to know that even when the junior classes might give me some grief (and I know they will...!) that the Year 11's and 12's will be always be something to look forward to.

Also true to form, the Year 10 classes have been somewhat shy and reserved. I don't mean everyone in the class, but there is a general sort of feeling. An atmosphere, if you will. I think it's reflective of what I've talked about above. Knowing that I'm new. Knowing that they're new. And of course, being a somewhat awkward adolescent, always conscious of who is watching, and what they are potentially saying about you. This not true for everyone in these classes, obviously. There have been some real bright spots already. Students that I can tell have a passion for what we will be doing, and will likely always give it their best.

As for my Year 9's... well, it's hard to tell at first how things will turn out. Our first meeting was typical. I was as passionate, and excited as I could be, and they were as nervous, shy, and awkward as I would have expected them to be. It is a huge change, after all, to suddeny end up in a school of 1700 students, spread out over a huge area, with no idea often of where you are going or who will be there when you get there. But I do applaud them for their bravery on our first day. Congrats Year 9's! You are doing a fine job already. I sincerly hope that we can both keep it up.

I'm looking forward to the coming weeks and months. Getting back into the subject I love so much, with students who are passionate, in a large department with two other extremely passionate teachers.

Am I nervous? Sure I am. Who wouldn't be, really?
Am I scared? No, I don't think fear is right.
Am I excited? You bet.
Am I optimistic? For the first time in a while, yes I am!

More to come.

I will shortly post class outlines.