My music bites. I need to find a different way to teach.
The first two comments came from my 7/8 period class, who come to class every day with the biggest chips on your shoulder you've ever seen. So I asked them this week for homework to write out exactly why they hate my class and why they hate me, and what I can do to fix these things. One person gave me some very helpful criticism. My music bites, and I need new music. Also I need to find a new way to teach them!!!
So I've experimented with music this week, since Juanes and Shakira obviously aren't cutting it. Anything with a syncopated beat will, but these kids just won't tolerate a straight pop beat. I wish I could play my wonderful Christian Spanish reggeaton, but it's a public school. I don't want to put on any more sexy/violent music than what they already listen to. Lil' Wayne is the artist of choice right now. I googled his lyrics and his music and about had to puke. The kids listen to that???????? Ugh!!! So I need to find some new and better music.
As for a different way to teach, oh how I need creativity!! But I wish I had time for it. After all the biggest fires are put out at the end of the day, I don't have any energy or any brain left to do any thinking. After just keeping track of 220 people a day I'm so exhausted it's hard to get through grading all their papers, let alone planning creative lessons.
I wish I knew more. I wish I knew more about where to draw the line. How hard do I come down on someone swearing in class (not at me?). I wish I knew more about where these kids are coming from, what their lives look like. I wish I knew a shortcut to getting them to enjoy Spanish, to pay attention, to listen.
Most of all, I wish I could just wave a magic wand and open their eyes to a better way of life. They don't have to live trapped in the violence, despair, and rebellion that consumes so many of them. I hope I can bring at least a ray of light to this darkness.
