Ten Things

Millikan Middle School
Ms. Poncin’s Class, Per.3
02-08-07

TEN things that I was VERY pleased with regarding today’s class (a big improvement from last week):
1. Getting the kids to LISTEN (!)
2. Getting all the kids to participate and explore the exercise
3. The kids asking questions about the project – like they really cared about doing it right and well
4. Seeing Christian – who is usually the trouble maker – finish first before all the other kids and starting the new project before the next class, and seeing him get involved about his own work
5. Seeing Christian’s eyes light up when he realized he could paint
6. The effect that ‘sticking to enforcing the rules’ has on class behavior
7. Seeing light bulbs go on inside the kids’ heads once they realized that they could mix colors
8. Talking to Ms. Poncin, and her being really happy about the class, and her compliments for getting the class to listen and participate
9. Having almost everyone complete a color wheel successfully
10. Seeing kids actually turn in their homework. ☺

Today the kids took a big step in learning a new skill – painting and using color. And I finally learned, after teaching three classes with those kids, that the kids are most focused when they are away from their peers. They need to be as far away from each other as possible! I separated everyone, and granted there was still talking; but it was like an excuse for them to focus most of the time, and to enjoy their art process.

I realize that this experience is completely different from my experience with John Muir Middle School. And I think that one reason (thought definitely not the only one) that it is different is because of the class size and the space. It is so much easier to conduct a class with only ten students… in Sherman Oaks… where there are so many desks that each kid could have 2.5 desks. At Muir, some kids sat on the floor, and the class had close to thirty kids. That’s more than double the class size I have now. If I tried to do a lesson on painting in that class, I don’t want to think what would happen. But I know it almost wouldn’t even be worth it, which is sad, and I hate thinking that opportunities to explore new things are hindered because of stupid shit like that.

On a happier note, the kids learned a lot about themselves today; and I am very proud of each of them in different ways. I’m also proud of myself, and I’m learning that teaching is an art form, too. Every Thursday morning I go in unfinished and every Thursday at noon I leave unfinished, but I’m connecting more and more dots each time.