Teaching Eighth Grade

So what is it that a bunch of 8th graders, sitting in Wisconsin, wonder about India when they read a chapter in their world geography textbook? Thanks to my friend and former roommate Jerome, now i know:

1) We read that animals like monkeys and cows are seen as holy in India and can pretty much roam the streets as they please; is this true and have you seen this happen? (Hannah, Sam)

2) How is it possible that India has a booming economy yet many many poor people? (Isaac, Preston)

3) Are arranged marriages still a big thing in India? Why does this happen?

4) How is the food in India? What is your favorite food to eat? (Michaela, Brady, Justice, Madyson, Isaac, Jake, Connor, Ryan, Morgan, Brittney)

5) Is India really that different from the USA (MacKenzie)

6) What is the most beautiful landscape in India (Nicole)

7) What was the biggest thing you had to get used to in India? (Abby, Amber)

8) What is education like in India? Year round school? Do they take SAT/ACT tests like we do? How long is a school day for kids? (Alex, Harley, Sara)

9) What is your living space like? (Jordan)

10) Why are certain animals so important to Hinduism? (Aaron)

11) Would you rather stay living in India or move back to Wisconsin?

12) Are you able to watch Packer games in India? (Alex)

13) Do people hunt for animals in India (Austin)

14) What are the dots on people's heads all about?

15) Does India have any major traditional dances?

16) Why is the country called India?

17) Are you having a good time in India? (Jordan)

18) What is the traffic like in India? (Jordan, Natey)

19) Are people nice to you in India? (Valerie)

20) Do Indians have a weird accent? (Laura)

21) What is the weather like in India? (Tara, Robert, Hannah)

22) Can you watch American TV shows there?

23) Does India have American stores? ie McDonalds, etc (Zach, Drake)

24) Is there a Bollywood sign like the Hollywood sign in the USA? (Hannah)

25) What is the most popular TV show in India? (Taylor)

26) Are you treated differently because you are American?

27) If cows are holy in India, does that mean people don't eat burgers there? (Kirsten)

28) Tell us about your job in India (Skylar, Cameryn)

29) Will the shantytowns and slum areas in India get better? (Abby)

30) Have you been to the Taj Mahal? (Lily, Kristin, Taylor, Christian)

31) What can you do for fun in India? (Casie)

32) Can you tell us about some interesting Indian traditions? (Taylor)

33) Who are some current famous Indians? (Emily)

34) What are the clothing styles like in India? (Bella, Carson, Sam)

35) Have you seen a cricket game in person in India? Do a lot of people play cricket there?(Landon, Elizabeth)

36) How does a major city in the USA compare to a major city in India? (Derek)

37) What sports do people like in India? (Kaylee, Michael)

38) Do you follow Hindu traditions while you are staying there? (Justice)

39) Have you visited Bollywood? (Parker)

40) What have you learned about in India? (Andrew)

So some consulate friends and I took the time to offer our opinions in video form, brining the sights and sounds (if not smells) of modern india to a little classroom in Green Bay.

My American Collegiate Adventures

Summer 2009, staying in Madison for the summer for the first time ever! Some clerking, some journal-finishing, etc, but mostly six weeks of teaching a pre-college enrichment program for some nice kids from out East, who come to Madison to learn that the midwest exists. The curriculums? Two session of writing to get A's, and one each of criminal justice and...strangely enough...sports reporting.

How I introduced myself to my new favorite mini-coastie friends:



I proposed learning "how to write to get A's" by diving into it. Worked, to mixed reviews.



The program was a great way for the kids to spend a summer in an awesome spot, tour the colleges of the Midwest and balance the chance to learn a bit with a healthy dose of fun.

Seven Months Spent

Student Feedback: On Why I Am Who I Am

I gave the pupils a perhaps unconventional opportunity to provide feedback at the end of the year. Of the well-intentioned two-page form that was taken at differing levels of seriousness, my favorite insight came from the section where I asked the students to speculate on why i am who i am, and why i was the teacher that i was.

1st Hour (Freshman & Sophomores)

I think that 90% of people turn out the way they are because of how their parents raised them

You are a wise, smart teacher…you were intelligent and kind for choosing Fondy High to teach our class and spend your time with us.

You are a person doing your own self-exploring. You took what you know about kids and taught like you would have at camp. You aren’t a traditional teacher and never pretended you were. I respect your unique (and rare) personality.

Because you liked to be sarcastic and loved to be joking around. You know how to handle people.

4th Hour (Juniors & Seniors)

You didn’t care what we or anyone else thought.

Because you’re open-minded, you like to think a lot, and you want to help others.

You are who you are because of how you were raised. You taught us more grammar because your dad’s an English teacher. You were tough on us because you’re super smart and thought it was easy.

You were the teacher you were because you’re a full-living, fun-loving guy.

You are who you are because of your past experiences. You lived life and had fun. You were the teacher you were because you didn’t set shit straight on the 1st day.

You didn’t quite know what to do and also because our class wasn’t the easiest to teach. I think you were trying to let the students know who you were, but sadly, most of the students don’t care.

You’re an enthusiastic person and a thinker.

You are not the kind of person qho gives up and wants to be like everyone else. That’s awesome. You’re different, as it should stay. You take chances and you try your best. Awesome. You taught us the way you did because it’s who you are. You were caring and charismatic. You were everything we needed with what we went through.

5th Hour (Freshman & Sophomores)

Because you want us to do our best.

Because that’s the person you are, you have fun with life and enjoy people.

You are who you are ‘cause that’s who you are. That’s why you taught us as you did.

Your mom and dad made you who you are.

7th Hour (Juniors & Seniors)

Because you are young and you always can have stories from when you were just like us to help us feel less embarassed about not understanding something.

You are a young, fun teacher, but you set us up poorly for 4th quarter. You are a good guy though.

Because of the experiences you had. You became a better person and shared it with us.

You expect a lot from us because you have too high of a standard for yourself.

‘Cuz of your past experiences, you have a lot of opinionated perspectives you like to voice.

The way someone turns out is based upon their environment and mindset.

It’s your decision to be whoever you want to be.

8th Hour (Freshman & Sophomores)

You came into an odd situation, but kept an open-mind about us and tried teaching us the best you could.

Because you are happy and very perky.

I think you were the teacher you were because of the students you had.

Mid-Terms

How do you say mid-term in German? Don't ask my German I class...

Expanding the Curriculum

Patty and the Statement of Purpose

Sometimes people wonder about the statement of purpose i wrote when applying to law school. Most often, of course, those who wonder are folks who are about to set out on writing the same in the very near future.

The story is the story of Patty. One of my favorites.

The Story List

First hour got a story every morning. Or at least every morning that they had perfect attendance, which happened less than once a week.