I'm sitting in a teacher's lounge/copy room area of Whitman Middle School, making sure my paperwork is in order. In case you've never experienced running a Forensics team, heads up: there is a ton of paperwork involved. I'm happy to see the light at the end of that tunnel. I am not happy to see the end of the season, however. I feel like I haven't spent enough time with the students... all 72 of them. (Okay, that's an exaggeration. We only had 72 to START. I took an average of only 50 to tournaments. 36 are coming to State.) It's been impossible to see each and every one of them on a weekly basis. I've done my best taking on the Improv students and a few solo actors. Instead of rehearsing the improv entries separately, I put everyone interested in Improv all together in the same room to practice - observation is half the battle in this category. Some of my solo kids show up to watch Improv before we rehearse together, because yes, these kids are hilarious. It's one of my favorite hours of the week.
Today, to take a break from reading endless instructions and bylaws; wondering how I was supposed to know how many students, judges, and volunteers I have in attendance WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY knowing exactly what they want to eat for lunch two weeks from now; and worrying about deadlines... I escaped to the classroom where I coach the improv team, ready to blow off some steam.
I waited for my students to show up. 3 of them wandered in with their coats and backpacks already on. "Why would we practice if we didn't qualify for state?" they asked.
"Oh, cuz State is the ONLY reason why we do this?"
"Well, no..." they admitted. I let them know I was being facetious.
"I still have ideas for games," I suggested. "Let's say we meet next week?" They wandered away with half-committed smiles. Oh, middle school.
I immediately went back to the copy room and sent this e-mail:
Come one COME ALL!
COME PLAY IMPROV GAMES in Lab 101, Tuesday the 18th from 3:30 - 4:30
Without the pressure of timers or judges! Also we have this crazy experienced improv team to play with. They've had a WHOLE YEAR of training, guys.
Remember "Forensics Week", a million years ago? Like that! Only now we all know each other a little better, so working together as a team will be a PIECE OF CAKE.
....improv cake.
delicious, delicious improv cake.
Playtime. Why? Because fun. That's why.
-Gracie
Today, to take a break from reading endless instructions and bylaws; wondering how I was supposed to know how many students, judges, and volunteers I have in attendance WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY knowing exactly what they want to eat for lunch two weeks from now; and worrying about deadlines... I escaped to the classroom where I coach the improv team, ready to blow off some steam.
I waited for my students to show up. 3 of them wandered in with their coats and backpacks already on. "Why would we practice if we didn't qualify for state?" they asked.
"Oh, cuz State is the ONLY reason why we do this?"
"Well, no..." they admitted. I let them know I was being facetious.
"I still have ideas for games," I suggested. "Let's say we meet next week?" They wandered away with half-committed smiles. Oh, middle school.
I immediately went back to the copy room and sent this e-mail:
Come one COME ALL!
COME PLAY IMPROV GAMES in Lab 101, Tuesday the 18th from 3:30 - 4:30
Without the pressure of timers or judges! Also we have this crazy experienced improv team to play with. They've had a WHOLE YEAR of training, guys.
Remember "Forensics Week", a million years ago? Like that! Only now we all know each other a little better, so working together as a team will be a PIECE OF CAKE.
....improv cake.
delicious, delicious improv cake.
Playtime. Why? Because fun. That's why.
-Gracie