John a French teacher!?

Yes, it's true. I drew the long straw Monday, Dec. 8 and taught French to Freshmen and Sophomores at Canyon Springs High School. I didn't get instructions until the first period class, so I was on my own for Early Bird at 7am. I just had them get their books out and read questions and give answers from the chapter they said they were studying. Then, when there was time left after that, I turned the page and saw a storyboard for a video and assigned parts and read through the story. It filled the time and gave them productive work. Plus, it was fun. And I had my usual brainteasers as well. Then after the teacher's instructions came, I showed a video in the other two classes...something about the deterioration of the African rain forest...and had them write and essay. It was more fun when I had no instructions. This students thought so, too.

Friday, Dec. 5 and Tues., Dec. 9 I was back in Ms. Moss's Foothill Honors English classes. They're really a dream. I had more brainteasers and they had good assignments. We even sang "Rudolph..." in one of the classes.

I put my name up as "Mr. Hanksnick." A few kids got it.

That last student in the last class, who always stays to pick things up but never talks to me, wrote this note on the board. I answered it and left it for her to see the next day.

Sweet!