I taught a grade five class yesterday that I would love to teach forever. With some classes, getting them down to a dull roar is an achievement - with these kids, a dull roar cost them stars on their charts. It's funny: noise level in a classroom is all relevant. Of course, you always strive to get it to your ultimate level, but really, with some classes, especially as a sub, you eventually settle for what would normally be way too much noise. I guess that's the key: as a sub you do that. As a teacher, that is not going to happen in my class. I say that now, and then just watch, the first full-time position I get will be with the loudest class ever. (Please God, no!) But then, age matters too. It's much easier to control a loud grade three class than a loud grade ten class!
I get to teach my first kindergarten class on Monday at South Corman Park. How fun. I love the little ones. But my subbing experience has made me open my mind to the older classes. I think up to grade six or seven would be okay. Grade seven might be pushing it, because it's all a gamble as to whether they would be a nice grade seven or not. The seven's I've taught have all been more like bigger grade six's than smaller grade eight's, which is wonderful. Anyway, my point is that I am starting to see the advantages and disadvantages more clearly when comparing younger and older grades. At least subbing has taught me that I can do it all, if need be!!! (But I will still never apply for an upper middle school or high school position!)
Oh, I can't believe I almost posted without talking about last night!! "Les Miserables" was great!!!! There was a mix-up with the tickets, so instead of box seats, we had Grand Circle seats. Still excellent seats. It was funny because I was sitting next to a couple that was maybe ten years older than us, and they had obviously never even heard of the story, because parts that everyone knows they were commenting on. Two examples: at the beginning, when the bishop is kind to Val Jean and then Val Jean turns around and steals silver goblets from him, the guy beside me gasped and said, "No way!" And then nearer to the end, in the baracade scene, when everyone except Val Jean and Marius are killed - but Marius is injured and Val Jean lays flat for cover, looking dead - the guy says something like, " He can't be dead? Can he?" and the girl said back, "Maybe it's the end." There were other little comments to that were humorous - it added to my experience! Two comments to people from this province, though:
1. Why in the world can't people dress up properly for these things? Now, this wasn't everyone, and most people at least attempted to clean up a bit, but there were the not-so-odd ratty jeans and sweatshirts. In my opinion, an event like this warrants at the very least dark jeans, but more like dress pants and a dress shirt for guys and skirts and dresses for ladies. Maybe I'm too romantic, and that's why I feel this way, but I happen to think that in most cities, when you go to the theatre, you DO dress up.
2. If you are going to be half an hour late, you shouldn't be allowed to come in until the second act. I don't know how many times that side door opened to let people in, but it was truly ridiculous. If you pay that much money for you seat, chances are really good that everyone else around you has also paid that much, and it is rather rude and inconsiderate to the audience (and the actors!) to arrive late.
Okay, now I have said my piece. Other than that, the show was amazingly performed and it was wonderful to once again be swept into the world of Jean Val Jean, and to be challenged to once again think about the questions and problems that the book/play/musical presents to its audience.