Wednesday, November 20, 2013

CHALK by Mike Akel – Real Time Notes 11-19-13

Watched video on Amazon.com
Caps at beginning of video:  50% of teachers quit within 3 years

Teachers are :  Mr. Stroop, Mr. Lowry, Miss Webb, and assistant principle (1st year) Movie reminds me of the way that “The Office” is put together.  Has video clips of each teacher talking and explaining.

First day of school.  Mr. Stroop explains his name to class; Coach Webb says – 2 things: “Show up & be prepared”; Mr. Lowry – 1st year of teaching, in class is reading words from the board, apologizes, lack self confidence

Principle/Assistant talking about what his teaching was like

Lowry trying to connect with students, trying to be funny, kids asking “how long you been a teacher”,  he says, “ been in the workforce many years, teaching about umm..an hour and a half”

Video clip of Stroop stating he took applied test that said he would be a good teacher.

Stroop and Principle going over what he is suppose to be working on this year.  “Sarcasism, cleaniness, organization”

School kids fighting, assistant yelling & breaking up fight, kids laughing at her

Lowry – my goal “I care about you” trying to interact with kids as kids are fighting in back of classroom, he can’t control class, asking questions from board: Are black people, people? Are immigrant people, people? Etc.

Break room:  teachers discussing, gym teacher Webb doing workout or yoga in corner on floor, trying to interact with Lowry because she “likes him”. Webbs thorn in side:  teachers that let late students in their classroom.  She actually calls a teacher on it and then tells her she is starting a “walking group” (teacher is heavy set) a little awkward… Video clip:  Webb: going through what she does in her class room

Lowry’s classroom:  kids giving him a hard time, hid the chalk, kids laughing and making fun of him, he’s very insecure. Lowry is at library checking out a “book on class management”

Web & Assistant are friends, Webb is always going to her with different situations especially the situation where “teachers let students in late” it infuriates her, but assistant won’t take her side as all the teachers are always complaining to her about the others.  Especially Webb demanding, outspoken, hard to get along with.

Teacher to Teacher meeting:  Stroop asked from Principle to quiz the other teachers on subjects to do with integrity.  He starts out saying “this is teacher to teacher, come on , tell me, Who checks emails between class; who takes paper from printer; has anyone taken petty cash; who’s borrowed the staplers –come on, my stapler is missing, you know how hard it is to staple a stack of papers, you don’t you use paper clips”, “know what I’m talking about now? Integrity” it’s got to stop!!

Christmas:  Webb asking Assistant “am I pushy”…assistant hesitates , “no, not pushy – passionate” (but thinking to herself, yes she is pushy as other teachers complain about her), but says, “maybe you should talk to this teacher”

Stroop having argument with Will on his work not being good, threatens to call father, and actually dials and pretends to speak to him and calls Will over to phone…then says, “he’s not there, but NEXT time he will be” now you are smart, try working!!”

Lowry in break room, semi sleeping and dreaming of him and Webb dancing in the hallway, when the assistant principle finds him and wakes him up.  He is a little flustered.  She asks him if he is seeing anyone, or if he is single (she’s trying to set him up with Webb).

Video clip: Lowry explaining he is divorced, 2 years now, not sure if it is time to start seeing someone as he is just teaching and has a lot on his plate.

Lowry in class upset with student that took a phone call in class. He yells at him and tells student to get out.  He then later goes over to the students mom to explain the “incident” but mom turns it around that it is Lowry’s inexperience as a teacher.  Student brings them wine and they drink a whole bottle.  Problem solved.

Teacher night out in pub.  Webb and Lowry next to each other all telling stories of classroom antics.

16 weeks until summer:

Stroop is up for teacher of the year award along with Mrs. Townsend.  He is pumping his students about possibly getting the award.  The Video clip shows him explaining “how hard it is to get the award” goes on in video clip with strategies on how to debate with the other teacher up for award.  Really wants to win, works hard.  Then he gets dejected as he looses the award and then looses it in class and yells and turns over a chair. 

Webb and assistant have argument about other teachers complaining about Webb. Webb says, “how would you know how to teach?” “You have never taught”.  Assistant stomps out and goes and play the piano roughly, then explains in the video clip that she taught 2 days this year and really enjoyed the kids who care.

Lowry and class come up with idea to have a spelling bee using the students words and the teachers as contestants.  It goes off fabulously, students are judges.  Lowry ends up winning, and making a break through with the students.

13 days left:
Lowry lets kids have last 5 minutes of class as “free time”.  They do a rap, and then get him to make a rap.  Great class time together, ends well.

Teachers around table discussing connecting with students and what to do different next year.  Lowry says, “set up year different” they say he has “come a long way”, Lowry, “feels like I’m respected a lot more”

Ending Video clip:
Webb –“ what did I learn?, I came on strong, I will find a different way to approach other teachers, try to encourage more”

Assistant principle: “Accountable”

Stroop: “lost election, worse, I lost it in front of class”

Lowry: “being a teacher is a gift” “maybe something you can learn, no ones taught me”

He tears down his room, turns out light, and leaves.

 

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