Congo Nerf Baseball October 2014
Advisory creates a community of students and teacher who help each other
stick to their goals. A support system that helps us feel safe and
comfortable being ourselves without scorn or disapproval. My advisory is like my second family or my camp cabin that works together to accomplish personal, academic or long term goals. Winning IM games, sportsmanship, improving our work habits, and focus in the classroom. Advisory meets every morning before first period. Advisory is my favorite time of day. I'm still drinking my "hot beverage" and the day has all it's potential and possibilities. I like seeing my students every morning, and talking with them about real things. What are "real" things to a middle school kid? They are sometimes simple, sometimes complicated, almost always embarrassing, and topped with a little confusion for good measures.
Baseball is my favorite sport. I especially love the pick up games, whiffle-ball, stickball, and softball are like a "hot beverage' for my soul. Nothing starts a day better than some "Congo's Nerf Baseball" game. The rules are simple, but sometimes complicated. Embarrassing things can happen, and confusion about the rules is a daily occurrence. The opportunities to talk with them about the real things in their lives is easier when the nerf ball is bouncing off the chickens for a home run and "the chicken rule" goes into effect which means the pitcher has to dance around like a chicken. The world is much simpler when a good pitch comes into your wheel house and you suddenly realize that opportunities don't come around every pitch and you better take advantage of each opportunity. Good sportsman ship is a must when you play Nerf Baseball, because nobody wants to be that guy who takes nerf too seriously. however the home runs do count and we do keep track of how many are hit by each student. And we have been keeping track for at least 5 years. Last year Jack Riley (class of 18) hit 34 home runs from Spring 2013 till the Fall of 2013. Last week, Otto Thom (class of 19) hit his 35th.... which is only half of Barry Bonds record breaking year. But still impressive non the less. The best part is his good attitude about it. Letting others bat before him and being a good leader in our advisory. So we made a movie about it to document this great occasion. We based it on Hank Aaron's 715 hit. Man, I love baseball!
