In an article I read, "roller derby has one of the highest percentages of participants with advanced degrees of any sport."

Studies consistently show that a huge portion of derby players are teachers, librarians, social workers, nurses, and other helping professionals. The sport attracts intelligent, independent women who want an outlet that's completely different from their day jobs.

One interesting thing about Roller Derby is that a common misconception is that it is only for "alternative or tough women" and that it's not fake (like professional wrestling).

My dad remembers there being a Roller Derby presence in Cincinnati and it being televised on Sunday afternoons. So I looked up the Cinci Rollergirls and they have a presence in Cincinnati, KY and Columbus, Ohio.

I think that with any topic in any classroom, it is so imperative to introduce students to things they may have zero schema or prior knowledge about. I would often use things like a random roller derby video or a chess competition and have students write in their journals about it. It's an opportunity for students to think outside of themselves, hear from classmates who may be connected to it, and a way for them to grow a more global perspective. I love exposing my students to things that aren't "mainstream!"

I had a lot of fun with this one!

I'm imagining this assignment as one for an elective course. This wasn't an easy lesson to build. Suggestions welcome.

Overall, I would love suggestions on assessments for this. I am trying to avoid a lot of essays, etc. My principal has encouraged the new junior teachers (our only junior teacher retired last year, so I and my colleague are picking up a few classes) to do whatever it takes to keep them engaged and butts in seats. Juniors are our toughest class in terms of attendance right now, especially for college prep English. We essentially have free rein to watch movies, incorporate music, etc. as long as it is standards-based.

My biggest struggle is feeling worried/nervous about exploring social justice topics. I push the envelope a lot at my school, but race always gets parents screaming at our principals and superintendents. I want to explore these ideas in the classroom despite all of that, but I think maybe my anxiety about such things got in the way of creative ideas. I talk some more about this in the doc.

As usual, comments/suggestions are welcome.

I thought about this lesson because I am looking to get into the WNBA world since the Golden State Valkyries are brand new and tick all my boxes: bay area team, purple and silver colors, and Valkyries? come on. so cool. But I know jack about basketball and especially the WNBA, so I'd love some kind of WNBA 101 spectator guide. So many of my students are "experts" on their sport/hobby/etc. and it would be fun to see how they'd explain things.

Feedback I'd love: Is this overly complicated? I am sure I could make this a simpler assignment, but I love the mentor text approach so much.

Also, if anyone has any resources for "101" style articles, podcasts, or videos, I'd love to hear them. I'm working on finding my own right now and crowdsourcing from friends.

I welcome anything you can think of!

Side note - I am in awe of the incredible lessons, thinking, pushback, and feedback you all have shared this week. Just WOW!

I also dabbled with the visuals like Ervick had, although it's going to be difficult to do that for each "section" of my sports story.

I bridged my sports story with my two try-on's from this course. I did some heavy editing, added a few interesting ideas, and condensed many of the recurring ideas into more discrete, articulate sentences. I want to know how it turned out. Do you think it's clean? Can you see the "seams?" Does it need a different conclusion tacked onto the end? Does it work well as a unified piece? Any other suggestions would be very appreciated.

I welcome any and all feedback on lesson sequencing and the timing. I do like how my textbook breaks this stuff down, and I always add my own thinking in. A lot of what I do is modeling on the whiteboard or through the document camera.

Feedback is welcome!

You've all been amazing. I have nothing but love for all of you and wish you the best of luck as you move on with yourselves into whatever may come.