Educational Orgasm.

That's the only way I can explain the field trip I took my modified Am. Lit kids on today.

We went to see a stage production of Of Mice and Men which we read earlier in the semester. Overall, the kids loved the book, but LOVED the play even more. I've had some issues with this class - the boy who skipped and went to the ag-shop and got hurt - yup, he's in this class.

Generally speaking these kids are the "freaks and geeks" of my school. Most of them have failed one or more English class somewhere along they way, are too lazy to take regular Am. Lit or are special education students. Most of them hate (HATE) to read either because they are lazy or just plain can't read well. Because of this they are rowdy, obnoxious, don't turn in their work on time (or at all) and are a big pain in my ass most of the time.

But that's why when one of them says something like "you told us that we'd all see a bit of ourselves in Huck and I wasn't so sure. But now, I see that was right - there is a little bit of Huck in each of us" I get all sappy and tell them I've got goosebumps. They think I'm nuts, but believe it or not, those moments are coming more and more often as the semester goes on.

However, when I had a sub on Wednesday (because I had to spend 3rd and 4th hour having a meeting with all of hte other English 10 teachers about how we're going to get the kids to pass the absurd state standard tests), I was embarrased and irate when I returned to my classroom and bumbed into the sub. I was angry because I know this sub well and she told me, verbatim, "that 4th hour is a shitty class." I request her every chance I get because she knows what she's doing, is tough, and is a retired English teacher. She can take a lot of crap; that's why I request her. I've never had a bad sub report before, period. And I've had a lot of subs with Mock Trials always being held during school plus quite a few sick days.

I had the "I'm very disappointed in you and now I don't really know if I want to take you on the field trip" talk with them yesterday. I threatened that if even one of them stepped one pinky toe over the line at that play that I would not hesitate to march each and every one of them out of the theatre, while the play was still going on, get back on the bus, and head straight back to school. I was convinced that there would be issues. I was so sure. But they proved me utterly, completely, and totally wrong.

It started as I counted before the bus left. They were so quiet! I commented about the lack of jabbering, hollering, etc. and they told me that they didn't want to get in trouble. I chuckled and made my way to the front of the bus to settle in for the 45 minute ride up to St. Paul.

I've had quite a few bus rides in my few years of teaching with coaching both speech and mock trial, and I know how kids are on the bus, even the 'good kids'. But my kids today, they were so amazingly good! Unfortunately, I had been worried about traffic when I'd scheduled the bus, but there was none at all, so we arrived in the city about an hour early. What to do? This is where things could get dangerous in the misbehavior department: bored kids.

So we stopped at a BK for breakfast. They were so civilized, both my EA (who I brought as a chaperone) and I had a great time with the kids. Many donned BK crowns and chatted respectfully with the patrons. They got my EA coffee, and when she said she needed sugar, suddenly packets of sugar appeared on the table.

Once we got to the theatre things didn't get any worse - in fact they got better! I actually ran into a friend who I went to college with who also teaches English, and as we chatted my kids were of course convinced that I'd had an affair with him. They teased me and it was quite funny. My group of boys who are most at home under a car sat quietly at the other end of the theatre from me, and every time I glanced in their direction they smiled and waved at me. My heart was welling up with pride.

At intermission, the boy who has given me the most headaches in class (the one who disappered into the shop and got his hand cut) actually commented that there were quite a few disrespectful kids at the play from other schools. He even said that he knew how to behave because his good teacher knew how to control her kids. Sigh...

At McDonald's on the way home I exclaimed that I'd forgotten to grab come ketchup, and within seconds 20 packets appeard in front of me. The kids gobbled their food and came and sat with my EA and me while we finished our food. It was clear that they'd had an amazing time.

Finally, as we got off the bus they all said thank you to us and the bus driver. I couldn't believe what an amazing day we'd had. They all had great things to say about the actors, the production, and the trip. Many of these kids have never been to a play before, and may never get the chance again.

The thing that stuck out in my mind the most is the fact that my students from Somolia, who have escaped war in their country to come to the US for a chance at an education and a new life, and who had never been to a play before, had grins on their faces from ear to ear to match those of my other students - they had a common experience that I hope will stay with them for a long time to come. I know I'll remember today as one of the best I've had as a teacher yet. It's just too bad all days can't be like this!

The past week has been insanely busy. I haven't really thought about it much, but I've been arriving home at 7pm every night. The tree has been up since Saturday but it's undecorated. The dishes need to be done, our room is a mess, the bathroom needs to be cleaned, and I have no idea what I'm going to wear tomorrow. But, at school, I'm nearly caught up on grading, my to-do list is constantly getting shorter, and Mock Trial is in full swing.

It's been a bit of a struggle again this year with the beginning of the Mock Trial season - the problem I'm having is that I have 8-10 too many kids on the team. This is a good problem to have, but if I'd just registered for 3 teams for regions to begin with I wouldn't have such an issue - and I'd then have a 3/12 chance at sending a team to state versus the 2/12 chance I currently have. Also, the thought of cutting kids right before regions is making me sick. Already, this Saturday I had two kids crying because they either didn't get a spot on one of the two teams for the first invite or they were demoted to the B team because they have missed too many practices. I can't handle the crying! Just man up and get your rears to practice and you won't have any issues.

The video club recieved the grant today from Student Council so now we're set to finally purchase equipment, our editing program (Sony Vegas) and other assorted stuff like mics, etc. I'm wondering what the hell I've gotten myself into, but also stoked when I look at what the kids have already done with just their equipment at home and a less than high-end editing program.

Check out the preview we showed at the pepfest at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVwstcziLus. There is another video that was shown this Monday in advisement, but they haven't posted it yet at youtube. I've got some highly talented students involved in this who are bound to teach me a thing or two (or a million) about editing and film.

I've had a lot of questions about the organization and if it is mostly video broadcasting or film oriented, and the best answer I have is that it will involve a bit of both. This is all new to school, to me, to the students - so it is going to be what we make of it. I am committed to providing a quality experience based on First Amendment rights and a journalistic experience, but I'm also willing to let the projects be based largely in an artistic mode. It will be interesting and I get the feeling that none of us will be able to predict where this will take us in the long run.

We are going to test out our production schedule on a project for the area chamber of commerce and Explore Minnesota - there is a contest out there asking MN schools to create videos that capture a list of favorite things/places in the state. Our local chamber has asked us to produce a video for them and has even offered to give us some funding to do some travel if ncessary. As cool as this opportunity is, I have no idea how this guy even heard about our organization starting up. We've done no advertising outside of the school and we've had one official 'pre-production' planning meeting. I fear this will get out of my hands and I won't have time to keep it all in check. But damn it, I'm going to do my very best because how cool will it be to be a part of something that can produce videos like the one on youtube? And, if that is what was put together just to advertise, as a preview, what is to come, can you imagine what these kids are capable of with more resources and time? That's enough to keep me going, even without pay for the time being.