I do everything I can to make my classroom - my instruction, my methods, my presentation, my class - special. I think many of my students, their parents, and my peers would agree that even if things aren't always the best, at least I make the effort.
And we really are special in our class. Our appearance is unique. The ambience is unique. The seating arrangement is unlike what I've seen everywhere else in the school.
We're engaged in learning. We don't give up. We smile. We are passionate and encouraging. And there are are surprises all the time. In a word, our class is special.
So I have a problem with referring to Music, Media Skills, Physical Education, and Art, collectively, as Specials (capitalized). No, I'm not saying these classes shouldn't or can't be special, too, but I'm not going to refer to them as a capitalized set, just for the sake of convenience.
We're special in our core classroom. Math is special. Reading is special. History, Science, and all of the ancillary core subjects are special, too. Saying that these other classes are Specials implies, to me, that they are elevated in some way to a higher status than my own. I'm too passionate about my students and their core learning to allow them to think that our homeroom class is not special, and I will not apologize for trying to make IT the most special part of their days.
And we really are special in our class. Our appearance is unique. The ambience is unique. The seating arrangement is unlike what I've seen everywhere else in the school.
We're engaged in learning. We don't give up. We smile. We are passionate and encouraging. And there are are surprises all the time. In a word, our class is special.
So I have a problem with referring to Music, Media Skills, Physical Education, and Art, collectively, as Specials (capitalized). No, I'm not saying these classes shouldn't or can't be special, too, but I'm not going to refer to them as a capitalized set, just for the sake of convenience.
We're special in our core classroom. Math is special. Reading is special. History, Science, and all of the ancillary core subjects are special, too. Saying that these other classes are Specials implies, to me, that they are elevated in some way to a higher status than my own. I'm too passionate about my students and their core learning to allow them to think that our homeroom class is not special, and I will not apologize for trying to make IT the most special part of their days.
