Alan Sitomer's Groups
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ECN Book Group: Write ...
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Adolescent Literature
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ECN Book Club: Compreh...
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ECN Book Club: Newkirk...
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Poetry Round Table
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Alan Sitomer's Discussions
NCTE Reflections
Replied Nov 24
Twitter List for NCTE
Replied Nov 17
Alan Sitomer's Page
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The necessary question that seems to come from this is whether or not all bad kids can be reached, and if not, does labeling them as bad kids make it easier for those students to be neglected and dismissed.
We seem comfortable labeling good kids ...
I have no idea what I mean by the word "bad". It's just a word I hear all the time in the world of education. Just like I hear the word "good". As I said originally, these words are so vague that I literally ban their use in my class when my stude...
For me, I have to accept that there will be some kids I can't reach. That nothing I do will change them. There will also be kids that love me and will do everything asked of them. The majority of kids will fall somewhere in the middle.
The issue ...
We are struggling here with the word "bad." Alan, what exactly do you mean by that word?
I still hold with the term "messed up." Nobody starts out "bad." Something happens along the way to turn a delightful child into an unhappy, maladjusted, dan...
Of course there are bad kids, if "bad" has any meaning. I do think much of the modern project has to do with dissolving the line between goodness and badness, so anyone with recent training is likely to be bothered by calling anyone bad. However, ...
Is Amanda Knox "bad"?
Ask an Italian court or prosecutor and the answer is pretty clear.
Ask her parents and the answer is quite different.
Me, I don't know much about this case at all except that my take on the situation is probably based upon...
And what about all the "good" kids who only show us the side we find pleasant and ego-gratifying to see: they listen, they nod and smile at the right times, they take notes, they turn in work, they do well on tests. How many "good" kids shield us ...
Profile Information
- Where do you work?
- Lynwood High School
- What are you reading?
- Disrupting Class
Alan Sitomer's Blog
Gang Tours for Tourists
For the price of $65.00, starting in January, you will now be able to take a Los Angeles Gang Tour for Tourists. No joke... check out this article about it in the Los Angeles Times.My first reaction was, these pe… Continue
Posted on December 8, 2009 at 5:30am —
Is there such a thing as a "bad kid"?
Is there such a thing as "bad" kids?Walking the halls of school and chatting (as I get to do) with teachers from all over the country, I often hear the term "the good kids". They are the ones that (this is my own, rough definition here; one I am drawing by assumption) come to class, behave in a civil manner, make an attempt to respect… Continue
Posted on December 7, 2009 at 5:30am — 18 Comments
Meeting with the Big Kahunas at the State Department of Education
Earlier this week I flew up to the Department of Education in our state's capital, Sacramento, to get formally introduced to the new 2010 California Teacher of the Year Award winners.Let me tell ya, it was ROCKIN'!!
In attendance: Jack O'Connell, the state Superintendent of Education, former Teacher of the Year Award winners from day… Continue
Posted on December 5, 2009 at 5:30am —
The Campus Dope Man
I have become a "dealer" to my kids. A pusher. A peddler of ill repute. I serve up scandalous interactions, tortuous emotional dealings, torrid affairs, dangerous lies, inspirational heartbreakers and flat-out back-stabbing.The worse it gets, the better [sometimes].
Yep, I am The Campus Dope Man. And the drug I push: books.
I… Continue
Posted on December 4, 2009 at 5:30am — 10 Comments
Doctor Schmoctor
The New York Times just published an insightful piece on how "teenagers are different".Not to cast aspersions on this fine journalistic institution, but "No Duh!"
And then, in the field of adolescent brain biology, the Times ju… Continue
Posted on December 3, 2009 at 5:30am — 4 Comments
Comment Wall (31 comments)
- At 10:58am on November 24, 2009,
Lauren Goldberg said… - Hey-- that's ok. I don't need it. I work in an affluent, high-performing district (one of those very lucky 99% graduation rate schools), but even so, there are students who don't buy in. They see value in their own education, but are, as you said, waiting for the teacher to make them smarter. They want the answer (no ambiguity) and the grade, but several are generally skeptical of ideas and independent thinking; they spend all night playing Call of Duty. Your three presentations gave me a lot to think about. After Jeff's and Jim's, I'm thinking about how to engage my students in my introducion to Kafka's Metamorphosis in a visual way that is meaningful to them. I, too, have exhiliration/exhaustion. Have a relaxing Thanksgiving!
- At 4:15am on November 18, 2009,
Meredith S said… - ECN Gathering Locations- http://englishcompanion.ning.com/profiles/blogs/43-days-until-ncte-amp-ec-ning
- At 3:49pm on November 15, 2009,
Mark Childs said… - Hi Alan,
Thanks for the note: no worries, I didn't take offense and I've read enough of your posts to know you are a good guy.
Best,
Mark
- At 7:10pm on November 3, 2009,
Susan Stephenson, the Book Chook said… - Congratulations on the award for Homboyz - WOW!
- At 6:36am on November 1, 2009,
Daniel Sharkovitz said… - Alan,
Wow. Just read the TAT act. Do you think it has a chance to pass? Should we ask Jim about setting up on ENC some sort of process where we could nominate educational leaders in our districts who inspire teachers, who are inspired by teachers, who in turn create places where students are at the center of our work. Teachers could post and at some point ENC members could vote for an annual award.
Thank you.
Dan
- At 7:47pm on October 27, 2009,
Kelle said… - I want you to know that just today, and this is a regular occurrence, one of my male students said, "I want you to help me find another book like Homeboyz. I love that book." Thanks for everything you do make learning and literacy accessible for kids.
- At 7:17am on October 20, 2009,
Anna Buffat Poteet said… - Dear Mr. Sitomer,
I had the opportunity to attend the Alabama Teachers of English conference two weeks ago where you spoke and delivered what I thought to be an insightful and meaningful presentation about teaching students (ALL KIDS) how to connect to a text. I then had the unfortunate opportunity to read what your true thoughts on our state were from your blog post. I must say that I am sorry you had such a terrible less than 24 hours in our state (besides your black grouper, that is) and I am now curious to know why you decided to take down your blog post?
- At 6:42am on October 17, 2009,
Megan Kelly said… - Hi Alan,
I really enjoy reading your posts on the ning. Based on your posts, I bought The Hoopster and Hip Hop High School for our school library and the students LOVE them. These are rural Bahamian kids, most of whom will never be in an urban setting in their lives, and they relate so well to your characters. Bravo!
- At 7:24am on October 11, 2009,
Mark Childs said…
- Thanks Alan,
Now I can spend Sunday lamenting the gaping void in American letters:)
Best,
Mark
- At 12:46pm on October 10, 2009,
Mark Childs said…
- Hi Alan,
Thanks for having a sense of humor about this.
It's an odd thing to zap spammers (always that doubt that a new member might just be a real person), but no-one's message should be deleted: if people disagree here, I believe they should talk it out.
I looked and I don't see how I can restore your message: I emailed Jim in the hope that his ultimate Ningship might have the power to restore it.
As to which message it was: I don't know, because I didn't get to see it! I tend to click on your name automatically: I might not agree with every thing you say, but I enjoy reading your writing.
Best,
Mark
About
Latest Activity
Check out Joe Sacco's graphic novels: Palestine or Footnotes in Gaza.
Devon, I just came across EtherPad a couple of days ago and I think it has some great potential. You don't need an account or any login/sign-on, etc. It will save the writing to come back to later. You can export it in many formats (inclusing PDF,...
I have them list the pilgrims in order of Chaucer's respect for them. We read the entire Prologue, but you could probably do it with just the ones you've covered. They have to explain their list with support from the poem. It turns out there reall...
Hi Scott,
I am a graduate student (interning at a Middle School) - I just recently this semester became familiar with moodle - now that I know how to use it, I really like it. Actually a lot better than blackboard. I never actually thought of it b...
What amazed me most watching the workshop was how the students worked but also how Penny was not "managing" the class.
I know that establishing the expectations is key. I am not too effective in that yet.
In conferences, I find that I become foc...
Last year I taught British Lit and attempted to incorporate more writing workshop. This year I am teaching an AP Literature Course that covers the same broad, expansive canon -- not to mention all of the side texts and research that will make the ...
Great post, thanks.
I think a very important step would be to dis-associate the symbol with antisemitism. For hundreds of millions of Hindus the swastika is a sacred symbol of luck.
This is an ancient mosaic I photographed in Beyt Mere, Lebanon....
I gained quite a bit of insight on conferring after reading Carl Anderson's book How's It Going. I structure my conferences with my jr. high kids much like the ones in his book - half the time the kids are talking about their work as writers and h...
You can also call NCTE and talk with Sharon Roth about PD opportunities that would complement Pathways. Pathways is a great resource, but sometimes a kickstart really helps. Maybe a speaker related to that program would be a good idea.
How did this go?
The necessary question that seems to come from this is whether or not all bad kids can be reached, and if not, does labeling them as bad kids make it easier for those students to be neglected and dismissed.
We seem comfortable labeling good kids ...
I'd visit Heinemann's site and bring in a seminar or a speaker. You can target a need and if you do a seminar, everyone who attends gets the books that accompany it... so many good choices. ;)
It seems that many students don't attribute any more significance to anti-Semitism than they might to calling someone fat, ugly, stupid, or whathaveyou.
There was one particular student that I had that professed to agree entirely with Hitler's id...
I sometimes have my students write a film review. The thesis is "(director's name)'s film does a ____ job of portraying (author's name)'s novel." They examine any three elements: acting, settings, sound, lighting, plot, and theme. They must justif...
I know this is a dirty word and we all have our own ideas about how to assess student learning. I was wondering if anyone has a Julius Caesar test that uses brief passages and asks the students to pull information from those passages to answer mul...
How do you tie Huck Finn to Casablanca?
I would use European music from the 30's and 40's. Modern music sets a weird tone with this topic. I've taught the Holocaust, Anne Frank's diary, WWII many times, and if you want the right mood, use music from that era. That would be my suggestion!
As to comprehension, Jamestown Reading Navigator allows for a complex approach to reading that other programs sometimes do not capture. They also do progress monitoring. I like the program also because it can connect with in-class readings and tex...
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