Lessons from Carmen.........

(1) Make them think you are crazy!

She had the infamous moment of overturning a desk on the first day to freak out her students. I think that is a golden idea. If they think you are insane, maybe they are less likely to do something.

(2) If they hate to read, give them an article on Lil' Wayne and just be glad they are reading.

Nothing can produce faster groans of distaste from our kids than asking them to take out a textbook. Reading is something they hate doing and it is something that they need the most work on. They cannot take their textbooks home and may have limited access to books so that makes it hard to improve their reading. I have had mixed feelings about dishing out a plethora of rap and basketball oriented material, but it is true that it does hold their attention. Carmen suggested that if you can just get them to read than you are winning the battle. I try to supplement a Lil' Wayne with a little Poe and Twain with moderate results.

(3) Use practice test questions as Do-Now's

We all do not want to teach to a test. We also realize how unprepared, shocked, and poorly they do on the standardized tests. Carmen said that she uses practice test questions as Do-Now's and then the students become familiar with the wording of the test questions and it provides for an introduction into an objective. I think it is a great idea.