hot item of the week

I started explaining what I've been doing teaching yesterday because when I'm not substituting absent teachers' classes - my speaking classes have become the hot item of the month.  The eighth graders keep asking when I'm coming to their classes.

I'm famous in the middle school hallways, and it feels kind of good.

At least I was famous until I refereed the 8th grade Jeopardy match ... then I kind of lost popularity to "No fair!"  "We were first!" and so on.

My second part of the lesson has to do with what I call "the middle school problem" and what my colleagues call topic development.  Middle schoolers have lots of opinions and want to be seen as adults - but still have trouble developing a a cohesive thought.  I give two more strategies for this.  Don't just say it, prove it! (That really appeals to middle schoolers - I mean who doesn't love to prove themselves right?)  I give them the acronym RAFT from my NY teaching days - Restate the question, Answer the question, For example (give three), and Tie-it-up.  This is not jut an eighth grade speaking strategy this is a strategy I could use even now on a job interview.  It's a stressful event that I'm expected to give great answers - so when I'm asked, "Why did you become an English teacher?" I have have to give a great answer.  I have to because my job outcome depends on it.  Saying "because I love kids" is not enough, its weak and simple.  It's not the impression I want to give.  I became a teacher because I love kids, I love learning, and teaching exercises my creativity ... okay, this is better, but now I have to explain this more with examples to prove it's true, and to show why it's important to my teaching.. and I go into my examples.

When you're given a topic, think of three supporting ideas, or three sub-topics, or three details to add to your comment.  If you don't know what to say - think about who, what, where, when and why.  Think about the sensory details - what does your task look like, sound like, etc.

You have lots to say, so say it - and be smart about it.  The topic is to talk about an endangered species - don't launch into a speech about how we should save panda bears because they are cute.  Give me something meatier.  It will show your intelligence.  For example - what if I were to tell you to argue how we should save rats.  Brainstorm why (I'm writing these down as they call out:)
Because they're cute! (later I cross out because its an opinion)
They're disgusting! (opinion)
They're endangered! (not true)
They are part of the life cycle! (ding ding ding!)
(and a little bit later)
We use them for medical studies! (hooray! -now you are thinking like an adult).

I have had all of these eighth graders as fifth graders, and it is really satisfying to have them now - more mature, better English, and attentive (albeit because of the high stakes test).