Awesome lesson

I had one today with that class where five kids were suspended from it a few weeks ago.

Eight weren't here because of some prospective high school visit. The rest wanted to learn about Rosh HaShanah, and I said I would teach them.

They came in and I had a note on the board: In honor of 9/11 we will be having class silently. I'm offering 200 points (we do a point system and 200 is how many they need for a party). Who will keep score?

I appointed one of the suspended ones to be the scorekeeper, had him come to the board, and then we chalk talked our way through the whole lesson. We had a long discussion, and I did not manage, I only read, called on people (I let them go to the board in twos or threes) and wrote occasional new questions. They all knew a lot, and while they did not get the whole connection to Rosh HaShanah, they did do a great job thinking and writing, and were respectful the whole time.

I am going to start Monday with donuts, and be proud that when they walked out of the room, no one said "That was stupid" and instead I heard them say "That was cool".

Yay for Engaged Learning Strategies!