Today at School in the Therapeutic Day School Program

[Alan H]

I'm substituting two days in a row in theTherapeutic Day School, otherwise known at TDS. This is a program where kids who are learning handicapped (note: this does not mean they aren't smart, they may be dyslexic or have that peculiar variation on dyslexia that allows them to read numbers, but not associate them with the actual number, itself...stuff like that) or emotionally handicapped. For example yesterday we had a kid melt down, slam his books around and curse because he'd been told that he could do one thing during 3rd period (write an essay)...which he wanted to do, but the instructions that the teacher left had him doing math. His response was way out of proportion to the issue at hand. He's not a BAD kid, he doesn't abuse the other kids, he doesn't usually create problems, he hasn't "checked out" of school....he just has some emotional issues.

OK, get the picture? Four staff, twelve kids. They get breakfast and lunch when they come in. They do PE together. As a bunch, they are actually really nice, good kids. I like 'em.

OK, so the teacher is out for two days. I subbed in the classroom all day yesterday and we spent a lot of time talking about kilts and Scotland and Highland Games. I mean, these guys (and two girls) were really into it.

So I checked with the other staff and with the Principal, and I got the OK to forge ahead today.....which is a minimal (half) day.... with an idea I had.

I brought in a DVD of "Rob Roy"...the movie. If the kids are good on a regular day, they get 6th period free to do whatever they want inside the classroom. We'll watch 45 minutes of Rob Roy today, and then when I'm gone....say on Monday orTuesday, if they're good and they get some work done, then during 6th period they can watch the rest of the movie in installments.

I brought in my basket hilt claymore. They'll see those in the movie, eh? I brought in an old kilt, a belt and a sporran. We'll see if one of the bigger guys wants to wear it for an hour or two. It should be interesting for everyone when we get to the point where the kid has to drop his pants out from under the kilt, eh? **laughing** I brought in three stones....two sixteen pounders and a nine-pounder. For PE, I'm going to take them down to the throwing ring and show them how to put the stone. They saw the slideshow of the Heavy Event pictures from the Pleasanton games yesterday and a bunch of the guys were interested. I picked up a nine-pound stone from the Garden Supply place yesterday after school so the girls have something to throw, too.

I brought in a big map of Scotland with the Clan areas marked on it, and I brought in a CD of Mollys Revenge, one of the better local Celtic bands.

I think when we're done today, and after they see the movie, we'll have a classroom of about a dozen kids who know a LOT more about the history ofScotland and its culture, than they EVER expected.

[JimB]

That's very cool.
I like to see kids get lessons in history and culture.
Too bad there isn't more of this.
Good on ya.

[mddock58]

That's great!
This is what a lot of these kids need, real teaching and identification to back it up.

Again, another great sub! (wish there were more with your perspective!)

[macgreggor]

Great job to have Alan!

I get the feeling that being a sub is THE way to go. You have the liberty of not doing things the "STANDARD WAY", the kids son't seem to see you as "da man", and you get to do it all kilted!

As an added bonus, if your district is anything like ours, subs who can get ANYTHING done are in great demand so you become a valuable asset!

I'm thinking I need to get that B.A. in anything so I can sub.

Keep posting please, I am having fun by proxy. Thanks.

macG (Greg)

[beloitpiper]

Are you sure Rob Roy is a good choice? It's pretty graphic sexually and violently. Don't get me wrong, I think it is a much better movie than Braveheart, but it may be inappropriate for classrooms.

[mbhandy]

They have the edited version here in Utah.
Some where in Salt Lake.

MrBill

[sirdaniel1975]

Showing Rob Roy shouldn't be a problem, because schools have shown Schindler's List, Romeo & Juliet (60's version, the good one), Excalibur, Braveheart, etc.. If some scenes are an issue, that's what the skip button on the DVD remote is for...

Alan H, Bravo!

[Panache]

Showing Rob Roy shouldn't be a problem, because schools have shown Schindler's List, Romeo & Juliet (60's version, the good one), Excalibur, Braveheart, etc.. If some scenes are an issue, that's what the skip button on the DVD remote is for...

That made me laugh! (and I agress) I thought that Zefferelli also did a great job with "Hamlet"

Cheers

[Bill]

I remember our class being taken to Romeo and Juliet when it hit the theaters in the Phoenix valley. Rob Roy should be no problem for todays kids and yes that is what the skip buttons for.

Alan it's good to have innovative teachers who love what they do teaching our children keep it up!

Bill

[Alan H]

I just stood in front of the TV for the racy parts...*laughing*