Within a week I will have ventured through Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Mid-terms.
Our team went to a water polo tournament last Friday and Saturday, just south of Philadelphia. Coach Cassidy and I rented vans Friday during school, and each drove eight polo players to Pennsylvania. We played three games Friday and two Saturday. After returning Saturday evening, I can now say that I have driven on the New Jersey Turnpike and survived.
Mid-terms grades and comments were due today at 6:00 PM. I have a pretty good idea of how all my students are doing, and now just need to keep the material interesting. I am starting to see some students get into routines that I do not especially like: purposefully asking questions that lead the class in different directions, not being productive during group work, and complaining about notes. I tried to address some of those topics with my comments and have been working to change up the way class flows.
We are getting into some of the tougher-beginning concepts of economics: supply and demand, changes in demand vs. changes in quantity demanded, and graphing price as a dependent variable - even though it is much easier for them to think of it as an independent variable.
Today we beat Horace Mann, and now have a 4 and 6 record - I think? It is amazing how dirty and disrespectful some high school sports teams can be. Juan-Carlos De Jesus, one of our senior captains, got punched in the face in today's game - the player that did it was kicked-out (taken out of the game for 20 seconds, until a goal is scored, or until a change of possession),
Isiah, a junior, was headbutted and got a black-eye, one of the Horace Mann players spit on his hand before shaking our hands, and during the tournament last weekend one of the opposing players called Troy the N-word during a free-throw. It is kind of disheartening when things like those happen - I can imagine how a parent feels telling their kid not to start fights, but at the same time not wanting their kid to get beat up.
Saturday morning we will be going down to a tournament in Bethesda, Maryland. We will be taking a coach bus (praise be to God), so I will not have to drive during the four hour trip!
I enjoy being with the team and coaching, but sometimes I need a little time off. I look forward to the events on October 13th and 14th when Father Bob Koopmann comes out to NJ and NY. It will be nice to catch up with him and see what his new job is like.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
Last Weekend of Summer
Father Maynard was nice enough to take me down to Sea Girt, New Jersey this weekend. For the last thirty or so years he has spent his weekends in Sea Girt, giving mass at Saint Mark’s Church. From Newark, it is about an hour south. That short distance makes a world of difference. We took the freeway about half the way, and drove the rest along the shore. We passed through the cities of Deal, Asbury Park, Ocean Grove, Belmar, and Spring Lake before reaching Sea Girt. Each town/city had its own appeal. Deal, Belmar, Spring Lake, and Sea Girt where made up of modern Oceanside mansions. Asbury Park had remnants of abandoned apartment buildings cross-street from forgotten boardwalk hotspots like the Berkeley Hotel and the Paramount Theatre. Ocean Grove was a very interesting town. A strict Methodist community, the Victorian houses and narrow streets hint at its interesting past: it was founded as a religious community and for many years no cars were allowed inside the city on Sundays.
Father Maynard and I went for a walk along the boardwalk on Saturday, and spent the early afternoon of Sunday reading on the beach. Hopefully it was not the last weekend of “summer,” but if it was, it was beautiful: clear skies, a breeze now and then, and temperatures in the 70’s.
Saturday night Father Maynard and I went out to dinner with a parishioner named Collette. We ate at Maria’s in Sea Girt. I had an eggplant appetizer, a Beck’s, and Veal Saltimbocca. Collette had the Veal Saltimbocca as well, and Father Maynard had an artichoke appetizer and the Scrod. Every meal came with a bowl of pasta and a salad. Needless to say, I was stuffed.
As I write this, I am back in Newark, listening to “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got,” by William DeVaughn. If you are not familiar with this song, youtube it.
Father Maynard and I went for a walk along the boardwalk on Saturday, and spent the early afternoon of Sunday reading on the beach. Hopefully it was not the last weekend of “summer,” but if it was, it was beautiful: clear skies, a breeze now and then, and temperatures in the 70’s.
Saturday night Father Maynard and I went out to dinner with a parishioner named Collette. We ate at Maria’s in Sea Girt. I had an eggplant appetizer, a Beck’s, and Veal Saltimbocca. Collette had the Veal Saltimbocca as well, and Father Maynard had an artichoke appetizer and the Scrod. Every meal came with a bowl of pasta and a salad. Needless to say, I was stuffed.
As I write this, I am back in Newark, listening to “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got,” by William DeVaughn. If you are not familiar with this song, youtube it.
Teaching and Water Polo
I am teaching one 80 minute block each day of economics, and helping cover classes for absent teachers. Making lesson plans for each period has been a headache, so far. I know how much time I need to fill, but estimating how long each activity will take is hit or miss at the moment. I am having trouble gauging how much homework to give, how to grade it, and how challenging to make quizzes and tests. I hear after the first year it gets easier, but I spend about two hours each night working on class for the next day.
On Sunday the 13th, the water polo team had its first scrimmage of the year. We drove down to Rutgers, New Brunswick early that morning, played a game against a team comprised of Army club players, Rutgers club players, and some of our own players. It was fun to see, but it was hard to get an impression of the team, considering the opponent. This last Wednesday, we had our first real game. It was at home, against a high school from Pennsylvania. We had a good start in the first quarter with a couple early goals, but fell apart in the second quarter. Down by four goals in the third period, we rallied to a 15-14 victory! I know the general rules of water polo, but really need to see some games before I feel comfortable leading a team – thankfully I will not have those responsibilities unless, as coach Cassidy jokingly pointed out, he gets ejected. We have games at home on Monday the 21st, and Wednesday the 23rd. This Friday we will be going to a tournament, lasting until Saturday. We lost our game today – 14-12. Hopefully it will motivate the team to get focused and practice harder.
On Sunday the 13th, the water polo team had its first scrimmage of the year. We drove down to Rutgers, New Brunswick early that morning, played a game against a team comprised of Army club players, Rutgers club players, and some of our own players. It was fun to see, but it was hard to get an impression of the team, considering the opponent. This last Wednesday, we had our first real game. It was at home, against a high school from Pennsylvania. We had a good start in the first quarter with a couple early goals, but fell apart in the second quarter. Down by four goals in the third period, we rallied to a 15-14 victory! I know the general rules of water polo, but really need to see some games before I feel comfortable leading a team – thankfully I will not have those responsibilities unless, as coach Cassidy jokingly pointed out, he gets ejected. We have games at home on Monday the 21st, and Wednesday the 23rd. This Friday we will be going to a tournament, lasting until Saturday. We lost our game today – 14-12. Hopefully it will motivate the team to get focused and practice harder.
Week-long Break
At the end of August we had a weeklong break from classes. The other volunteers spent time travelling, but I stayed around. I visited Hoboken once, Manhattan a few times, Brooklyn twice, and Munsee, NJ.
My goal for the week was to find a guitar to buy. I visited a shop in Hoboken, one in Brooklyn, and one in Manhattan. Not really satisfied with the options available, I turned to Craigslist. I found a great Spanish-made classical with solid Cedar top and Rosewood back and sides for $200. Knowing the guitar would not come with a case, I went to Guitar Center on 14th St in Manhattan, bought a soft-shell case, and took the subway to Brooklyn. The guy I bought the guitar from had been given it by a friend who gave up trying to learn. About ten minutes after getting off the train, I had the guitar and was on my way back to Manhattan. Later the night, guitar in hand, I met up with a fellow teacher from Saint Benedict’s at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village. We saw some so-so live music, but it was nice to see a historic concert venue.
My goal for the week was to find a guitar to buy. I visited a shop in Hoboken, one in Brooklyn, and one in Manhattan. Not really satisfied with the options available, I turned to Craigslist. I found a great Spanish-made classical with solid Cedar top and Rosewood back and sides for $200. Knowing the guitar would not come with a case, I went to Guitar Center on 14th St in Manhattan, bought a soft-shell case, and took the subway to Brooklyn. The guy I bought the guitar from had been given it by a friend who gave up trying to learn. About ten minutes after getting off the train, I had the guitar and was on my way back to Manhattan. Later the night, guitar in hand, I met up with a fellow teacher from Saint Benedict’s at the Bitter End in Greenwich Village. We saw some so-so live music, but it was nice to see a historic concert venue.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Break
The "Summer Phase" ended Friday. School began July 27th, and I spent the last month doing several things:
I shadowed/helped teach a documentary film course with Dr. Wolf. The class was comprised of students from 10th-12th grade, and vastly different skill levels. The aims of the course were to study the development of documentary film conventions, view examples of these conventions (Nanook of The North, Triumph of The Will, Fahrenheit 911, When We Were Kings, Street Fight, and Born into Brothels), develop a vocabulary of technical film terms, and for students to write their own documentary film proposal.
This was a very valuable experience in many ways: I have never studied teaching, nor have I ever tried to teach multiple people at once - I quickly became aware of the difficulties of keeping students of varying capabilities on-task, interested, and pushed to learn - all while trying to placate a unruly students. By speaking with other teachers, I have been trying to absorb many of the lessons learned through years of teaching - without having to make those mistakes firsthand. Something I have picked up on is the importance of setting the tone for the course in the beginning and being consistent.
I plan to be strict for the first week (having pre-thought-out reactions for tardiness, walking around the class, being disruptive, etc...). Hopefully I can establish clear expectations for behavior, and not have to waste time disciplining instead of teaching. I do think I have an advantage over some other teachers, though: I will be teaching an elective for upper division students. Also, since Saint Benedict's is a private school, students often have at least one person in their lives who care for them and is willing and able to pay at least some portion of the tuition. This is very helpful in responding to students who know how to play the game (push buttons, disrespect teachers in front of the class, test a teacher's willingness to enforce rules - and sometimes exploit the knowledge that grades are about progress: starting a semester with bad behavior and showing progress at the end can result in a passing grade - and usually requires less actual work than what is required). In these situations, having the ability to call someone's mom is amazingly helpful.
I have also spent every weekday from 2:30-5:15 coaching water polo. It has been nice to get to know kids outside of a classroom setting. There are more than 50 players, about thirty of which are JV/beginning to swim. I work with these younger guys - mostly working on swimming skills. I enjoy coaching in small groups, but addressing the whole team, or large numbers of polo players is taxing for me. Right now, commanding respect and getting everyone to be quiet when I want to give directions is draining - I don't look forward to this part of every practice. Hopefully, over the course of the year this will become a skill I don't shy away from. After practice, I eat dinner with the students living on campus, go to Vespers, and am free at about 7:30.
I have this next week off - kind of. I will be preparing my syllabus, the first two weeks of lesson plans, coaching water polo in the morning. I plan to spend a few days visting Manhattan and Brooklyn this week. Also, in the next few weeks I would like to go to the Jersey coast with some of the monks.
Today, my record of the day is Mighty Love, by The Spinners.
I shadowed/helped teach a documentary film course with Dr. Wolf. The class was comprised of students from 10th-12th grade, and vastly different skill levels. The aims of the course were to study the development of documentary film conventions, view examples of these conventions (Nanook of The North, Triumph of The Will, Fahrenheit 911, When We Were Kings, Street Fight, and Born into Brothels), develop a vocabulary of technical film terms, and for students to write their own documentary film proposal.
This was a very valuable experience in many ways: I have never studied teaching, nor have I ever tried to teach multiple people at once - I quickly became aware of the difficulties of keeping students of varying capabilities on-task, interested, and pushed to learn - all while trying to placate a unruly students. By speaking with other teachers, I have been trying to absorb many of the lessons learned through years of teaching - without having to make those mistakes firsthand. Something I have picked up on is the importance of setting the tone for the course in the beginning and being consistent.
I plan to be strict for the first week (having pre-thought-out reactions for tardiness, walking around the class, being disruptive, etc...). Hopefully I can establish clear expectations for behavior, and not have to waste time disciplining instead of teaching. I do think I have an advantage over some other teachers, though: I will be teaching an elective for upper division students. Also, since Saint Benedict's is a private school, students often have at least one person in their lives who care for them and is willing and able to pay at least some portion of the tuition. This is very helpful in responding to students who know how to play the game (push buttons, disrespect teachers in front of the class, test a teacher's willingness to enforce rules - and sometimes exploit the knowledge that grades are about progress: starting a semester with bad behavior and showing progress at the end can result in a passing grade - and usually requires less actual work than what is required). In these situations, having the ability to call someone's mom is amazingly helpful.
I have also spent every weekday from 2:30-5:15 coaching water polo. It has been nice to get to know kids outside of a classroom setting. There are more than 50 players, about thirty of which are JV/beginning to swim. I work with these younger guys - mostly working on swimming skills. I enjoy coaching in small groups, but addressing the whole team, or large numbers of polo players is taxing for me. Right now, commanding respect and getting everyone to be quiet when I want to give directions is draining - I don't look forward to this part of every practice. Hopefully, over the course of the year this will become a skill I don't shy away from. After practice, I eat dinner with the students living on campus, go to Vespers, and am free at about 7:30.
I have this next week off - kind of. I will be preparing my syllabus, the first two weeks of lesson plans, coaching water polo in the morning. I plan to spend a few days visting Manhattan and Brooklyn this week. Also, in the next few weeks I would like to go to the Jersey coast with some of the monks.
Today, my record of the day is Mighty Love, by The Spinners.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
1st Photo
I went to Millburn Music today, thanks to Father Albert Holtz. In the monastery there is rarely music played during prayer, but occasionally Father Albert plays classical guitar to accompany the singing/chanting. Looking to buy a guitar myself, I inquired about the guitar and any shops nearby. Father Albert mentioned that he got a good deal on it from a guitar store in Millburn, NJ, and that he has had a relationship with the store for many years. It was very thoughtful of Father Albert to drive me out there today, but unfortunately the store only had new guitars – not what I was hoping for. After the trip, Father Albert suggested I get in contact with the school’s band director since he has a working relationship with someone who supplies musical instrument to the school. I will be sure to do so this week.
Today the volunteers had a group photograph taken by Saint Benedict’s Prep – I stand corrected; we have had a photo taken since we arrived.
Today the volunteers had a group photograph taken by Saint Benedict’s Prep – I stand corrected; we have had a photo taken since we arrived.
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