March 16

I forgot to mention the day before that we would have a pre-quiz, but they seemed to take it pretty well. There was a lot of complaining about the pre-quiz, but it is just to see what they know; they will be able to retake this quiz at the end of the model congress simulation and take the better of the two grades. More than likely, the second grade will be amazingly better, but we just wanted to do a little pre-assessment to see what the students know.

Students went to the computer lab again today, but again, I think a lap top cart would have been better.

I worked with students a lot during both block 2 and 3 so that their bills were well done. I tried to get them motivated and excited about the simulation. I had to walk some students through the different parts of their bill; we identified points that they wanted to make for both their whereas and therefore sections. I also helped them clarify their thoughts so that their bill made sense and said what they wanted to say.

I really liked working with the students on a more one on one basis. Some students really had it together; they had done a lot of research and had it all typed up (JM). I was very impressed. I really enjoyed being the guide on the side instead of the sage on the stage; it was a nice switch. I feel like this position fits my personality and my content knowledge ability much better. I can help without lecturing and boring them. This revelation has made me realize that I may want to redo my Executive Branch Unit so that it is more student-centered.

I talked to my CT and I think I may try and teach a little Microeconomics next week. I just feel like I am bored when I get home; I am used to having so much stuff to do and the Model Congress requires very little planning because most of it has already been done. This next chapter in microeconomics is pretty easy, so I guess I will just jump into that on Monday. My CT and I talked through the chapter during fourth block so that I would be prepared, but I am definitely going to read the chapter and do some more research before I teach this on Monday. I am definitely worried that I am going to mess up and then the AP students won’t do as well as they could have on their exam, but I figure I always have my CT to bail me out if they don’t understand the concepts.

I spent most of first block finding bills that might be helpful to the students as they are writing their bills. I was hoping that by my putting in the effort to find things to help them out, the students would realize that I am trying very hard, and that I care if they succeed. I had one student (JOQ) make the comment that he didn’t like government and wasn’t very good at it (sad) but it wasn’t because I was a bad teacher (good!). I really hope that my taking a little extra effort will get him more involved and that maybe his grade will improve.