Snaps

So, I have always made fun of our friends in the illustrious Jefferson Society for their "snapping" instead of clapping. It seemed to add so much silly pretentiousness to an organization that, in my opinion, does not suffer from an excess of humility. But, I am having to stick my foot in my mouth a little today, because I have met another group that uses the snaps--the children at my school--and I actually appreciate them. The first is simply practical: there are many times when children want to (and should be allowed to) applaud in class, and snaps are much easier to talk over than clapping. From a managerial standpoint, it's a great system, because it is hard for a classroom to be snapping so much that they get out of my control. :) The second reason is more philosophical: the snaps are a little gentler, and thus seem appropriate more often, as a way to give encouragement rather than just commendation or extreme enthusiasm. So, for instance, the students at our school are taught to snap when a child raises his or her hand to answer a question, but then can't remember or needs time to think. When that awkward pause starts, rather than staring at the poor kid or immediately shooting up their hands to prove that they, unlike their unfortunate classmate, are on their toes, the students snap to offer their friend a reminder that they believe in him or her. It wouldn't be appropriate to applaud in that instance; it would be too much of a reaction. But snaps can be both a means to give praise and also a way to demonstrate confidence in a stammering and stuttering friend, who may (for the moment) have lost all confidence in him or herself.

So this post has two real purposes: 1) to apologize to the members of the illustrious Jefferson Society for my many years of mocking, and 2) to elicit snaps on my own behalf. Why? Because I just got a new job! I am no longer the all-purpose-assistant-teacher who can be called in at any time to teach 8th grade math (or worse, my nightmare, sex ed!) Instead, I have been hired for next year as the 8th grade English teacher--totally a dream come true. It happened last week, and I already have stacks of books to read through and begin planning my curriculum. But at the same point I am terrified and wondering who in the world really thought I was equipped to do this--who called on me? And was I even raising my hand? (In this case, I definitely wasn't, since I didn't apply for this job, but they offered it to me anyways. I think they figure that I may not be the most qualified, but at least I haven't gone crazy in the five weeks I've been working there, and that's a start!) So I need snaps largely of the second variety--snaps of encouragement and confidence that I do not have in myself, but will need in 6 short weeks when a classroom of 8th grade students suddenly is relying on me to teach them how to read, write, and, most importantly, pass the MCAS.

(Also, any suggestions for books that absolutely must--or must not--be read in 8th grade would be welcome! I do not promise to take your suggestions, but I certainly will add it to my lovely summer reading list.)