I have been experimenting with role plays in my classes. The students like them, and they seem to learn from them. They are fun for me, because I get to use some creativity and humour in creating them.

Creating The Constitution

Scene 1: Philly, 1787

Virginia: Man, we beat those English up dawg! We got some problems though. Our country isn’t doing so great.
New Jersey (NJ): True. The Articles of Confederation are whack. Each of the states tries to do their own thang, and ain’t nobody in charge.
Virginia: Yeah, we gotta establish a government that divides power between the States and the National Government . . .
NJ: That’s Federalism.
Virginia: And also has three branches that will keep each other in check.
NJ: That’s the legislative (AKA Congress), the Executive (AKA the Prez), and the Judicial (AKA the Supreme Court).
Virginia: We are agreeing on a lot of stuff NJ.
NJ: I feel the same way. Let’s go get a drink homey.
Virginia: Aight then.

Scene 2: In Da Club: Philly, 1787
NJ: Cheers to agreeing on so much.
Virginia: Right on! [NJ and Virginia toast each other]. Now, about the legislative branch…
NJ: You mean Congress?
Virginia: Yeah, same thing. I think their should be 2 houses of Congress. It should be bicameral.
NJ: Hold up.
Virginia: Let me finish. There will be two (2) houses. Each state will get representation based on their population and how much cash they give to the National Government.
NJ: You selfish punk!
Virginia: Excuse me?
NJ: You would want it to be that way. That way large states like you will have the power. How can states like me and my homey Delaware compete? We don’t have large populations or too much cash. Each state should have equal representation.
Virginia: Well. . . tough luck.
NJ: I should backhand you!
[Connecticut enters and gets in between Virginia and New Jersey]
Connecticut: Stop this violence brothas! Where is the love?
Virginia: But he wants to have equal representation. C’mon Connecticut, obviously big states should have big power.
NJ: Whateva Virginia! Power should be equal so big bullies like you don’t dominate the Congress.
Connecticut: Please boys, stop the hate! We must compromise. You know what compromise means?
Virginia: Of course! It’s when you agree.
NJ: Yeah, when you settle a conflict.
Connecticut: Well, I gotta compromise for you two knuckleheads. We’ll have 2 houses. We’ll call one the Senate. Representation in the Senate will be equally divided among the states.
NJ: I like that.
Connecticut: And Virginia, the other house will be called the House of Representatives. Representation in the House will be decided by population.
Virginia: I like that.
Connecticut: Aight guys?
NJ: Aight then.
Virginia: Aight.
[Virginia and NJ give a high five]

I haven't posted in a while for two reasons.

First, school really sucks. My kids yell and make fun of me every day. The hallways are out of control (Speaking of, I think I caught a new security guard finishing smoking a cigarette or joint today. I couldn't prove it because he was at the end of the hall. However, it turns out the guy has done some time.) Pressure from my administration sucks. I'm exhausted during the week. I feel like I'm giving a bad impression of the situation when I blog about it. It bothers me when I reflect on my blogging sometimes. I don't want to reinforce negative stereotypes of what inner-city black people are like.

I also haven't posted for awhile because I have been busy with women.

So, I'm going to keep this post completely positive.

Coral Walker is a smiling, talkative, slightly overweight student who wears black shoes, black pants, and a white "A-rab" that usually bears pit stains. He is bookishly smart. The students would make fun of him if I was not in the room. Stefan Elleby is a comedic class clown of sorts who retains information as good as any of my students but reads and writes at 8'th grade levels. He knows current events better than I do. His phone rang in class the other day and he did a routine pretending it was Condoleeza Rice. Not a great student, but a very smart young man.

Coral and Stefan put on a show yesterday in third period. We were doing a mock trial of McCulloch vs. Maryland. Coral played a lawyer for the state of Maryland. Stefan played a lawyer for McCulloch which was representing the National government. They argued heatedly, interjecting their lucent thoughts on State vs. National powers with cracks on each other's hairdos. I laughed along with my students for the whole period. I loved my job at that point.

I used a "football system" in my eighth period today that worked really well. Each row was represented on the board at the 50 yard line. One inzone was titled "CANDY". The other was titled "PUNISHMENT (warning, referral, etc.)". The rows could move up or down depending on their behavior. It was one of the calmest days ever! Those kids love candy I guess. I'm going to offer granola bars next time.

In other good news, I'm going to San Francisco to see my family tomorrow. I cannot wait. I'm excited to get back to the West Coast and be with the people I love.