The Doc Is In : good mood, reading

Move From What to Why!

drpezz — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 00:32:26 GMT

We and our students are immersed in media today. Look at the numbers: 80% of children under six watch at least two hours of TV or other screen media a day. The average American is inundated with 11.8 hours of information a day. 57% of an American’s information...(read more)

Another Book Bites the Dust

drpezz — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 03:49:58 GMT

I posted a brief about the books I’ve been reading recently and thought I’d update my list with a couple additions. I finished Fragment by Warren Fahy and have to admit that the fast-paced action interrupted by some scientific theories captivated me,...(read more)

Upcoming in January

drpezz — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 04:18:38 GMT

I just finished planning for January, and I’m going to be teaching the following this month. American Literature : First, we’ll review the Edgar Allan Poe writings (“The Raven” and “Masque of the Red Death” and “The Tell Tale Heart”) as well as Nathaniel...(read more)

Casual Reading

drpezz — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:30:40 GMT

When students ask me what I do outside of school, I tell them that “I read Shakespeare and study the dictionary.” Of course, they believe me until I tell them I’m just kidding. However, I do throw the books I read up on the book shelves in my classroom...(read more)

Trying to Teach Tone or Mood or Irony?

drpezz — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 03:53:41 GMT

If you are trying to teach tone, irony, or mood, Grady Hendrix’s Slate.com article “Giant Squid” could be a fun one. Seeing if the kids can catch the fact that the writer is not serious and if the kids can catch the humor throughout the piece would be...(read more)

Going to be a Good Week

drpezz — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 03:16:30 GMT

After such a long week this past week, I’m psyched for our four-day week ahead. First, I get to start teaching my favorite Shakespearean play: The Tragedy of Julius Caesar . We have already learned some background information through a video and a history...(read more)

One Week Down

drpezz — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 16:48:37 GMT

I had a great start to my week! I absolutely enjoy my classes, and my new collegaues seem to be adjusting and fitting in well. Here’s how my week went with some key lessons. College in the H.S. (American Lit.) I started the kids with a dozen literary...(read more)

Curriculum Work

drpezz — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:29:01 GMT

At last, I will be able to prepare for my classes today! The last three weeks have been nothing but department and building issues; “putting out fires” is what I tell people I’ve been doing. We have one English position to fill, which will be filled with...(read more)

The Matrix in Class

The Doc Is In — Thu, 22 May 2008 04:09:02 GMT

I purchased some movie units from Michael Vetrie, an alternative high school teacher in Sun Valley, CA, and I’m going to try one tomorrow. I will show The Matrix in half-hour segments, so the students can do the following: compose a double-entry journal,...(read more)

Next Up

The Doc Is In — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 04:33:04 GMT

I am very excited to teach The Tragedy of Julius Caesar this week. I love this play! We finished up quite a bit of historical context last week and will begin Act I on Wednesday. The opening scene is so dense introducing some of the play’s major themes...(read more)

Great Week Ahead

The Doc Is In — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 18:14:38 GMT

I have a fantastic week ahead. In my American Literature course we are finishing Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” and “The Raven.” Then the students get to finish their final projects, which they created for themselves. In my College in the H.S. class...(read more)

Stress Reducer

The Doc Is In — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 04:21:54 GMT

One of my absolute favorite stress reducers is taking my current bubble-gum novel (you know, the ones you can chew on and then spit out at any time), sitting in a quiet spot in a restaurant, and then reading my book. A quiet meal with a good story is...(read more)

Loving My Students

The Doc Is In — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 16:19:00 GMT

My classes were awesome this week! American Literature: These kids have jumped right into The Crucible and explored the play wholeheartedly. They're asking the right questions and seem genuinely enthused to start each day. I think the groups I created...(read more)