Wow. This has been a most interesting (and at times depressing) thread. I am simply impressed by the number of talented and creative middle school teachers we have on this list. I would have loved to be in your classes! Thanks to everyone who shared brilliant suggestions...I have forwarded many of them to friends at the middle school.
I think you are all right on about using what they know/like. My husband thinks I'm nuts because once a week I watch Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network just to stay in touch with what my students watch. A good friend of mine recently left middle school teaching for the high school. She adores middle schoolers, and is amazing with them, but (after almost 20 years) really just needed a break from them. She said they can be incredibly draining...I totally believe her. A toast to all of you teaching the raging hormones as we speak! Instead of a professional book, Bill, might I suggest a new calendar? One which is used to cross off the days until June. Hang in! Lisa, who is glad she teaches elementary 2/3 IL ____________________________________________________________________________________ Never miss an email again! Yahoo! Toolbar alerts you the instant new Mail arrives. http://tools.search.yahoo.com/toolbar/features/mail/ _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.