Day 4: More successes w PA

Each day has been consecutively better than the last. On Wednesday we did some ice-breakers. On Thursday J observed me and had very little to say. I guess is was shock? She always seems to think I'm too "nice," but the iron fist won't work for this group, nor will it for me as it's not my style. I am curious though, because she went back to see their behavior w/ Mr B--it's as if she doubts my classroom management style, either because
a) it's not perfectionist enough (i don't believe it's worth the strain nor even possible to have students working quietly/silently)
b) she hasn't really had to deal w/ these kinds of students so it's a whole different meaning of the word project management.

She did suggest having them read Camus, which would be great, but not this term! I think this term is all about breaking down barriers and building trust, and taking advantage of the election to get them to read.

So the exciting part of today is that the project advance kids came up with a great idea today--to write a book together about "212." (They have so quickly taken a group identity to the room, including finger signs for it.) I'm hoping to have them include all sorts of personal writings, have readings w/ VIPs invited, and bind it / copy it at kinkos. Fun stuff.

Also, I think it helped that I read my two books to them--the one I wrote for my mom and the one I wrote for Beck--was a huge success. We had a discussion about what is the right age to have kids (most said mid 20s, whew), and how many they'd like to have.

Ah, the first week is over!!

Terra