freewrite: ENGLISH II

I found out last week that I will be teaching English II. My principal unceremoniously walked into my room, and while my students were quietly working asked me "If the state test scares" me.  "No, not really" I replied, trying not to get my hopes up. "Well, it looks like you've got it for the spring". I almost did a backflip when he walked out -- I was grinning from ear to ear.

I can't wait to teach English II this spring, for a number of reasons.

 Number One - It is a class that carries with it a concrete challenge. Not to just "teach" and get the students to "learn" (which for a vast number of people mean incredibly different things), but to get as many students as possible to score as highly as possible on the state test.

Number Two - The kids who are taking English II are well aware of the implications. They know that if they do not pass this test, they will not graduate from high school. Their parents are also well aware of the implications. As a result, the kids are more focused, and more willing to work hard  -- they are scared into it.

Number Three - Sophmores are more mature than freshmen.

Number Four - I have been teaching "to the test" (i.e. focused tightly on the frameworks, and getting kids familiar with the way the objectives are tested) this fall with my 9th graders, so I am much more prepared than I would have been for the English III and Learning Strategies classes that I was originally teaching.

Number Five - The fact that they are transferring me to English II says that the administration trusts me to teach it well. I may not be a great English teacher, but they know I am not lazy, and that I work hard, and that I will not be a complete disaster. This makes me feel good.