So, we had to sign up for a club to be a part of for the summer school. Step Club immediately piqued my interest because I stepped in high school. When I volunteered, I got a few looks from some people like, "Why is DK signing up for step club?" Yeah, the football and baseball player likes rhythm and step. I have to keep it versatile! Nevertheless, I was excited about step club. One of the biggest influences on my excitement was the cloud of skepticism that hovered over the step club. There were some who didn't want the step club to even happen this year. Our second-year teacher had to plead to get the step club for this summer. I, along with the other four teachers, drilled the steps in the Northgate Courtyard the day before summer school started so that everything would be put together when we presented it to the students.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Freewrite: STEP CLUB!!!
At the onset, we met some major opposition from the students. Apparently they signed up for step club thinking we could just dance or play around. This was a rude awakening for some because they thought they would have a free period. Being the only male teacher in the group, I took the position of being the "in-house police" for the club. That involved some detentions and punishments; I had to make sure that we established an atmosphere of work and respect. The next obstacle was the ridiculous amount of social referencing. All the students do is talk about how much of an individual they are, and then they always look around to see who's watching them, and what they think. The boys didn't want to seem "girly." And the girls were worried about how they looked in comparison to the other girls. Next, everybody said, "that's too hard!" "we can't learn that stuff!" It took about a week of serious prodding to break the kids' barriers down and show them that they can learn something new and look good while doing it. The kids finally began to learn the steps and gain confidence while doing it. They even began to start helping each other because they knew that there was a collective growth aspect to our club. Plus, they also had their Friday presentation looming and they did not want to embarass themselves.
On Friday at the end of the second week, we took the kids out to the front of the school to step for all passers-by. They started slowly, but picked it up as more people stopped to watch because they did not want people to make jokes or talk about them. We brought them into the area by the lunchroom and they performed very well. The Photo Club took pictures and the kids felt great about themselves.
We are now learning new steps and implementing some fun things for our performance on Friday. I CAN'T WAIT!!!
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I'm so glad that you chose to be in Step Club. It is very important for these kids to have a male presence in a club like Step, you are becoming a great role model for those students. I'm sure when the kids see you step, they realize that stepping is pretty cool. Most of these kids need positive role models in their lives, especially male role models. I'm excited to see the final performance of Step tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteDK- so excited to read of your time in Step Club. It would be easy to sign up for something like that, and not expect anything of substance to take place. These kids are actually doing good work, and will have the satisfaction of presenting it during the final club time. Who knows what it will mean to them during the school year, or five years from now even, but your laying down of the law has definitely created an environment for learning and growth. Solid work.
ReplyDeleteD.K., man I have so much respect for your style and I wish I could pull off some of the things you pull off in the classroom. I had a chance to witness the step club firsthand. From what you describe about how the kids felt in the beginning was nothing like what I saw in the ladder stages of the step club.. You had those students rocking which was evident by the performance that was put on in the assembly. Mr. King, MTC HIT A LICK WHEN THEY FOUND YOU!!! Keep doing your thing young man and dont change.
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