In 45 minutes I will teach my 20th Century Lit class. I will see if the students have done their final art project for "My Name is Asher Lev." I will ask for money back from the lunch we had at Canter's Deli yesterday. I will scold them all for leaving garbage in the commons yesterday. I will give them an essay test.

Then I will be done with that part of the day, and it will be time to prepare for tomorrow, and next week, and the rest of this semester. I try to plan, but I get so tired at the end of the day... I can see how being younger would be helpful to a new teacher. I am 47, and I feel old many days.

But I am enjoying the kids so much. Yesterday on the field trip I tested their musical knowledge, and none of them could identify Carole King, James Taylor, David Bowie, CSN, Neil Young, and not even Shawn Colvin on my cd player. They knew the songs, but not the artists. Shocking.