by Bel Kaufman
I don’t understand them big words you use, and I’m busy after school. Every day. You’ll have to prove yourself on your own time.
Joe
(P.S. I wish I could believe you.)
Dear Miss Barrett,
Here is a copy of the English Syllabus; let it be your Bible. It discusses various ways to provide enrichment, etc.
Samuel Bester
Chairman, Language Arts Dept.
* * *
A GUIDING PRINCIPLE TO BE CONSIDERED IN ALL CLASSROOM PROCEDURES IS THE PROVISION FOR INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES AND NEEDS OF PUPILS. THE TEACHER SHOULD DISCOVER EACH PUPIL’S ATTAINMENT IN SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE–REGARDLESS OF GRADE PLACEMENT–AND THEN LEAD HIM FORWARD FROM THAT POINT.
* * *
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A READING HABIT BASED ON A LOVE OF READING MAY WELL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION THE SCHOOL CAN MAKE.
* * *
SPECIAL ATTENTION SHOULD BE GIVEN TO MAKING THE ENGLISH CLASSROOM AS ATTRACTIVE AS POSSIBLE. THERE SHOULD BE SHELVES AND TABLES FOR THE CARE AND DISPLAY OF A WIDE VARIETY OF BOOKS AND PERIODICALS. MOVABLE CHAIRS AND DESKS PROMOTE INFORMALITY AND FACILITATE GROUP WORK. PROVISION FOR THE USE OF A SCREEN AND A PROJECTOR, A TAPE-RECORDER, AND OTHER AUDIO-VISUAL AIDS IS DESIRABLE.
Mon., Oct. 5
Dear Ellen,
White brick sounds splendid for your fireplace, but I know nothing about flues except that they make me uneasy.
As a matter of fact, I’m also uneasy about teaching. Rumor has it that the ghost walks this week: Bester is on the prowl and is likely to observe my class. What will I do if he comes to see my Special-Slows?
Today, in connection with our study of Myths, I put on the board Edna Millay’s “Prayer to Persephone.” * Do you remember it?
Be to her, Persephone,
All the things I might not be;
Take her head upon your knee.
She that was so proud and wild,
Flippant, arrogant and free,
She that had no need of me,
Is a little lonely child
Lost in Hell,–Persephone,
Take her head upon your knee;
Say to her, “My dear, my dear,
It is not so dreadful here.”
At the sight of a poem, they groaned–it’s the thing to do. Yet when I asked who was speaking (lover about a loved one? mother about a child?), Vivian Paine raised a timid hand: “Maybe a teacher?”
There is a need for closeness, yet we can’t get too close. The teacher-pupil relationship is a kind of tightrope to be walked. I know how carefully I must choose a word, a gesture. I understand the delicate balance between friendliness and familiarity, dignity and aloofness. I am especially aware of this in trying to reclaim Ferone. I don’t know why it’s so important to me. Perhaps because he, too, is a rebel. Perhaps because he’s been so damaged. He’s too bright and too troubled to be lost in the shuffle.
I want to get to know him–all of them. One way is to help them say whatever is uniquely theirs in their own words, for words are all we have. I am eager to read their compositions, to empty the Suggestion Box, to listen.
You ask the silliest questions, darling! What do you mean, why must I float?–Because Mary Lewis uses my room for two of her classes. Why doesn’t she use her own?–Because another floater uses hers. We share the bulletin board and blackboard 50–50. I’m always curious to see what she’s got on her half.
She says she prefers my room because it has movable chairs–the kind with an arm rest for writing surface. Her room still has the small desks attached to the floor, from the days when the building was an elementary school. There is the problem of where to fit the students’ knees.
You want to know about Paul.
So do I. He’s clever and quick and, of course, marvelous looking, with that eyebrow. But there’s something about him that–eludes. He even hates to be touched by the kids; it’s almost a phobia he has about being jostled in the halls. He always waits until the hall traffic subsides before he leaves his room.
He has a devastating effect on the girls. “What I like about him,” one of my homeroom girls said, “is the way he always leans against his desk and sometimes he sits on top of it instead of behind.”
That may be it.
You and Mother are my most faithful correspondents. She worries about my living alone in the big city, without a real kitchen. And she keeps sending me clippings from the Johnstown, Pa. papers: rape, assault, murder. With one stark warning scribbled in the margin: “Be careful!” Only in school, she feels, am I safe.
I wonder.
Much love,
Syl
P. S. Did you know that only 21% of New York City’s budget goes for education, compared with as much as 70% in small communities?
S.
_____________________
* From Collected Poems, Harper & Row, Publishers. Copyright 1921, 1946 by Edna St. Vincent Millay. By permission of Norma Millay Ellis.
Scratch Paper English 33 SS
by Chas. H. Robbins Miss Barrett
My Best Friend
Chapter 1
My “best friend” is considered by what we do for each other. Of all the “friends” that I have only one (1) is my best friend and his name is “Tony” but I call him “Corkey”. When we go somewheres we are all ways together no matter where the place is. There are many things between he and I. If ever I would loose this “friend” I wouldn’t know what to do. Many boys and girls call us “brother” meaning that we never part with each other and are all ways together. That is why he is my “best friend”. (100 words exacly)
* * *
My Best Friend. Scrap paper, don’t count!
I have many best friend. One of who is Johnny. Johnny is 15 yrs. of age, about 5 ft. 4¼ in. has a charactor which consists as follows, he is smart, a fair player, never fights with his best friends. He wears glasses and is a rather cleancut boy. By cleancut I mean dresses very neat. Why I like him is because we’re great friends.
* * *
INTRASCHOOL COMMUNICATION
FROM: B. Schachter
TO: S. Barrett
Dear Syl–Let’s go out to lunch and splurge at Schraffts! Forget your Super-Slows and shake the chalk dust off for half an hour. I’m tired of coffee that tastes of paper. Here I sit in this draft, like Cerberus at the Gates of Hell–guarding what? And from whom? I’ll swap my Lobby Duty for your Hall Patrol any time! Say yes to the cherub who delivers this note, and let’s eat like ladies!
(I understand you may be observed this morning–Give them something to write, like “My Favorite Sport,” or “Sea Thoughts,” and relax!)
Bea
* * *
Dear Bea–Can’t make it today—sorry. Parent arriving lunch per. to ask why son got 35% on spelling test. Must answer him. How?
Syl
* * *
Dear Syl–Don’t try. There’s no communication; no one really listens. Every man is an island. Give him a container of coffee instead.
Bea
* * *
Scr. Paper Outline
* * *
Lesson Plan
Eng. 33 SS
Comps. wr. in class; approx. 100 wds: My Bst. Fr.
Emph. brevity & clarity
First draft on scrap paper; hand in cl. cpy
Remind: Topic Sent. & Concluding Sent.
On Blackbd: Impt. of Friendship:
I. Personal enrich.
A. Give & Take
B. Another’s pt. of view
C. Vs. loneliness
II. Social
(Man – gregarious animal)
III. Biz.
IV.
* * *
My Best Friend
Friendship is important. It gives us personal enrichment and it gives us the give and take of another persons point of view. Friendship is also vs. loneliness and social. Friendship is important because man is an animal in our society and in biz.
&
nbsp; only 43 words, need 57 more
* * *
My best friend is Me, Myself and I. I say this because you can’t trust any one. They tell you they’re your best friend and behind your back they call you names like fatso. This is why I have Me, Myself and I and I don’t care. I lost 4 lps. and I don’t even bother with the other girls because they’re all catty. I love Me, Myself and I for a friend.
* * *
MY BEST FRIEND
Man is a gregious animal.
* * *
Dear Sylvia–
The Ghost Walks today! Quick–put something on board & make sure there are no paper scraps on floor & that windows are open 4 inches from top! He’s just been in to observe me–I started a Punctuation TV Panel but it got out of hand. And I forgot to put assignment on board. Why don’t you let them write a composition in class? He gets bored & leaves. Pass the word. Remember windows & enrichment!
Henrietta
* * *
Composition. Should Cap. Punishment Be Abollished?
Scrap P.
I will write on this topic we discused very much in Soc. Studies and I think it should because what good is an El. Chair after the murder is allready too late to do any good and sets a good example for other crooks.
* * *
Pass to Lavatory–10:08 A.M.
S.B.
Returned to class: Only wooden passes honored.
JJ MCH
* * *
Memo: Due before 3: (Gen. Office)
Attendance repts, Truant slps, Absentee cards
Alph. list homeroom stdnts
Health cds (Vaccin. & Dental)
(Eng. Dept)
Number F’s last term
% Repeating Eng.
Raising standards (means of)
Switch Macbeth???
* * *
In Memory of Those Who Died Waiting for the Bell
* * *
Did you do Math?
Stop it, Stupid!
Drop Dead!
You to!
* * *
* * *
Admit to class–9:01 A.M.
Lateness Unexcused
Claims books fell on subway tracks.
JJ MCH
* * *
SCRAP PAPER
MY FAVORITE COMPANION. FIRST DRAFT. 103 WORDS.
I wish to state that my favorite companion is Munro. The real reason why I have attemted to choose him as my favorite companion is he knows how to conduct his self. He has no propensity to fight and he is the type of boy I can take over my house and not be ashamed of him. Every avarage boy has a propensity for a companion which he prefers and he will always try and get one well I have just finished writing about. P.S. In my opinion I think we should have less composition and more lunchroom. Also go home earlier.
* * *
CIRCULAR # 28
PLEASE KEEP ALL CIRCULARS ON FILE, IN THEIR ORDER
TOPIC: MAXIMAL GOALS
TO DEVELOP DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SPECIAL FUNCTIONS OF SECONDARY EDUCATION AND TO ENLARGE THE TEACHER’S CONCEPT OF THE MEANING OF EDUCATION IN OUR DEMOCRACY; TO ASCERTAIN AND BRING ABOUT NEEDED CHANGES THAT WILL FACILITATE THE IMPROVEMENT OF TECHNIQUES OF TEACHING AND COORDINATION OF INSTRUCTION; TO DIRECT EXPERIMENTATION IN PURPOSEFUL AND CONCOMITANT LEARNINGS; TO MAKE USE OF ALL ANCILLARY AGENCIES AVAILABLE TO SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY; TO MEASURE THE RESULTS OF TEACHERS’ ACTIVITIES IN TERMS OF PUPIL GROWTH TOWARD APPROVED GOALS.
* * *
My best friend is my dog. A dog is a man’s best friend. They are loyal and devoted all his life through thick and thin even though he can’t talk. No more ink in my fou
* * *
* * *
My best friend is a TV and if it every gets out of order I don’t know what to do with myself. Like all normal teenagers I have my specialities but I have so many different programs I can’t begin to talk about them all. They are too many but all are my best. When I sit around the house I am never lonely with TV.
* * *
Motivate Comp. Lesson:
Impt. of Communication
A. Need to express selves and be understood
B. Language as a tool of communication
Put on blackbd:
“What oft was thought but ne’er so well expressed”
(Pope?)
“Le style est l’homme”
Carfare …………………….15
Newsp. …………………....10
Coffee ……………………..10
Tuna sand. ………………. .60
Coffee …………..………... .10
Teachers’ Interest Com. ....1.50
2.55 (so far)
* * *
Admit to class–8:39 A.M.
Disciplined by me for whistling in the hall.
JJ MCH
* * *
Dear Miss Barrett,
Remember me? I was in your class the first week of school and tho I never came back due to moving I think I will never forget you and the time you talked to me on the subway. Altho english was not my best subject everything we did was nice and you were the only one who took an interest. You never made any bad remarks. How’s the old Alma Mater? How’s Dr. Clarke? Is he still a Dr? Well, lots of luck. Say hello to everybody for me and take care of yourself.
Your former loving pupil,
Iris Lefferts
* * *
The ghost walks! He’s in Rm. 301 now. Heading due north. Looks grim. Open your windows!
* * *
CIRCULAR # 27
PLEASE KEEP ALL CIRCULARS ON FILE, IN THEIR ORDER
TOPIC: ADDENDUM TO PUPIL PERSONALITY PROFILES
TO SECURE A MORE COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF PUPIL ORIENTATION TO HIS ENVIRONMENT, ADDITIONAL SPACE HAS BEEN PROVIDED ON THE ENCLOSED CHARACTER-ATTENDANCE RATING SHEETS IN ORDER TO INCLUDE
* * *
My best Friend. Well, well! Right of the bat, as soon as we sit down, our teacher Miss Baret gives us a com position to write! Well, well! to be frank with you, I do not like it. I do not like to write compositions when we could be discussing. Or dramatize or a speling bee, but not so much composition! It’s not fair to the Union! Ha-ha, joke!
* * *
MY BEST FRIEND
Last summer I visited my Ant on the beach. My ant has a cottach on the beach and every summer she invites me to visit her and I did. I had fun on the beach swiming and handball and getting the healthy benefit of the sun and broadwalk. I gained and went on the loop. I hope my Ant invites me again next summer.
* * *
Late Pass:
Admit to class–8:32 A.M.
Unexcused–Claims alarm didn’t go off.
JJ MCH
* * *
TO: Custodian
Dear Mr. Grayson–
My window-pole seems to be missing. Room 304.
Urgent! 2nd request.
S. Barrett
No one down here. Try after lunch.
* * *
ENGLISH DEPARTMENT MEETING AT 3 P.M. IN SCIENCE LAB 309 ON:
SELECTION OF MATERIALS OF INSTRUCTION FOR ENRICHING THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF THE PUPIL:
SHOULD MACBETH BE TAUGHT IN THE 6TH TERM INSTEAD OF THE 4TH?
* * *
Dear Mrs. Barnett,
Please excuse my son Arnold for not doing his English homework. He got in trouble with the Police last night and they kept him in the Station House. Hoping you will excuse him, I remain
Mrs. Rose A.
* * *
Scrape paper
A) My B. Freind
1. Name adress
2. What we do togeather
3. Why I like my b. freind
4. Why my b. freind likes me
5. Hobies
6. Concluding sent.
7. Man–gregarous animal
* * *
* * *
My best friend is my imaginary twin sister. She does everythin
g I tell her. She is beautifull and obeys me freely. We share and share alike (beautifull dresses, etc) Her name is Roseanne. We are closer than any body even if she is only in my mind. She is my twin and she never talks back.
* * *
BOOK ROOM
REQUISITION SLIP
Need 40 Syntax & Style for Eng. 33 SS
(Register–46
(Chronic truants–7
79 Romeo & Juliet for Eng. 52 & 56
S. Barrett–Rm 304
We have only 4 Syntaxes & 26 Romeos in Bookroom. Can you use Ivanhoes instead? There are 160 copies here.
* * *
* * *
My best friend is my boy-friend and he is tall, rich and handsome, he has a twotone Caddy convertable with white leather seats of genuine white leather and takes me danceing every night in nightclubs ect. He gives me orhcids and jewlry ect. and has a big yahct. He lives on Park ave with servants of which I will be mistress of and a ranch type house in Bev. Hills with a swimming pool ect. That is why I hope to meet him.