There was learning today. Less teaching, more learning. I am in the middle of a two day conference on teaching and scaffolding (or building up of background knowledge for you non-teacher folk) novels for English Language Learners in middle and high school. Yay! It's good to better one's self through education.I'm an educator who likes to be educated, what can I say.
Today we took a look at teaching two novels. Nothing but the Truth by AVI and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Both wonderful books that I've been meaning to read for a long time. The conference was an excellent way to get me all fired up about teaching novels to my kids, which I've needed a fire to do recently. I get easily wrapped up in what the kids are doing in class, and don't do enough teaching of my own in order to fit their individual language needs. More of that needs to happen. I am inspired by these books. Plus, I got free copies of both.
When I wasn't riveted in my seat and learning about how to help kids discuss themes from the book in small groups, I either silently cursed the woman on the other side of the room who thought it was acceptable to both A. answer her cell phone and have a conversation with her head under the table during a presentation, or B. talk to her group mates as if the place was her living room during the debriefing part. Ridiculous! Can't wait to see her again tomorrow. Anyway, when I wasn't doing those things I was looking out the window and this is what I saw.
After the conference I walked downtown to meet Dan in Union Square, bypassing Gramercy Park, which I hope to document later because it is one of my all-time favorite spots in NYC, the whole excursion turned into one great people-watching extravaganza. Seriously. The crazies were out today. I saw a truck all decorated in honor of Valentine’s Day promoting save lovin' and a guy singing "Wonderful Tonight" or something just as equally cracked out.
Then I noticed the insane lady yelling at people, droppin' F bombs as if her life depended on it as she entered, get this, Starbucks. Is this the place for that kind of thing? Well, it was the place for all kinds of things I guess, cause I got a tea and sat down to read until Dan was finished at school and found the only open table next to the door. It wasn't open long because a homeless/drunk young man came in and set his tin of board games on the table and when I looked up he said "may I?" At least he had manners. He promptly sat down across from me, slouched over and fell asleep.
I thought about just leaving him my Wild Orange tea, but it was just too good, so I just left and waited for Dan at Trader Joe's where we bought our weekly groceries. I toted them home, worked out, felt exhausted, and then began trying to plan what to actually do with myself next week during my mid-winter break from school. Oh sweet relief is coming!!!
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