Today was the big day:  I introduced the Individualized Assignment to Photo II.  I really wanted to be observed for this and run it as a stand alone lesson.  However, the toner in the laser printer is out.   This is critical to having the Zine project completed by Thursday, so that I could introduce the Indie project when we return to school on Thursday or Tuesday.  That would leave me enough time to have my department head plan to observe me.

Well, it didn't happen that way.  The toner ran out.  The replacement was not ordered in time.  The replacement came yesterday and it was the wrong one, pushing printability back two more days.  the students cannot do their paste up without toner printed work.  It would be huge waste to print on Bertha.  And the nearest printer is also running out of toner and printing unevenly.  Not the best situation to be in.  So, I had to be flexible and not grumble.  I pushed the paste up due date and moved up the Indie introduction.

The Indie project is probably my favourite of the whole year.  I work at least a week on coming up with a unique assignment for each student.  I base my choice on how I know them - personality, strengths, weaknesses, talents, eagerness to try something new.  The assignments are personal.  Differentiated instruction plan if there ever was one.  They don't even necessarily use the same materials.  Some students are taught new methods by me strictly for this assignment.

I also like letting the kids know how I view them as individuals with the kinds of assignments I come up with.  I mean it to be complimentary to them, but a challenge.  It's kind of like my valentine to them.  I heard that some little kid's teacher gave the class Christmas cards with a unique message to each child.  This is my version of that, just way less mushy.  I love watching and hearing the reactions when I distribute the slips of paper to them.  Today, I did get a bit of positive feedback.  Some kids in period 5 wanted to talk to each other immediately - discuss strategy for their work.  The reactions in period 7 were the best.  Some were actually excited and understood the compliment as intended.

I know this is a challenging project for them.  However, as I always tell them, I do not expect of them anything I would not expect of myself as a teacher or student.