So it's been a LOONG time since I've last written... but I'm back in action!
In brief, I had a relaxing summer, and am basically ready to get back to work! I'm surprisingly anxious about tomorrow, but once I'm in "the flow" it'll be golden.
Random notes from the past few weeks:
1.) Teachers are HORRIBLE audiences. They're loud, annoying, and generally worse than the students they teach! (At our in-service last week, one of our teachers had her iPod going with BOTH earbuds in. And to make it worse, our principal was at the table and did nothing. Yikes. Minus 5 for both of them. How unprofessional.)
2.) This year's group seems impressive so far. As usual, we have a bunch of terrified children who aren't used to switching classes- and buildings- so it'll be fun for me! :) At open house last week, a lot of the students introduced themselves, looked me in the eye, and shook my hand. Nice!
3.) After an entire *weekend* of prepping, I STILL don't feel ready! However, I read somewhere that "Teachers are never done... You have to know when to let it go for the day." There's always more to do, and not enough time. Obvious, but comforting to admit it.
4.) My room looks AWESOME this year. I may post it on YouTube... I did a one-minute tour on my camera! :)
5.) Facebook has been updated, e-mails have been sent, materials have been organized, beer and pizza have been consumed... I'm gonna go to bed soon!
Cheers, and good luck to all who are going back to the classroom this year! :)
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
My new pet peeves...
1.) Swine flu. The kids have CRAZY "facts" about the virus. ("I heard one guy got it from kissing a pig..." OR my favorite: "President Obama has swine flu!!")
2.) Anonymous perfume sprayers. UGH. Someone in my homeroom today randomly sprayed perfume. Since I was working with a few students, I didn't hear the "pssst" of the spray... but then I smelled it, and it was STRONG. I soon got a headache, and was cranky for the rest of the hour. One girl admitted to doing it, and I kindly requested that she spray perfume outside or at home... Duh.
3.) Rumors in general. I'm sick of student and teacher alike talking smack behind each other's backs. Soooo immature.
4.) Hearing a question that I JUST answered. Ugh!! Children, you will drive me crazy!!!
Hmm... think that's it for now. I can't believe there are only 21 days left!
Cheers.
2.) Anonymous perfume sprayers. UGH. Someone in my homeroom today randomly sprayed perfume. Since I was working with a few students, I didn't hear the "pssst" of the spray... but then I smelled it, and it was STRONG. I soon got a headache, and was cranky for the rest of the hour. One girl admitted to doing it, and I kindly requested that she spray perfume outside or at home... Duh.
3.) Rumors in general. I'm sick of student and teacher alike talking smack behind each other's backs. Soooo immature.
4.) Hearing a question that I JUST answered. Ugh!! Children, you will drive me crazy!!!
Hmm... think that's it for now. I can't believe there are only 21 days left!
Cheers.
Friday, March 27, 2009
My accidental 4-day week
...
The title is a pun; I got into a car accident Tuesday (the 24th) that caused me to take that day off. Thus, an accidental 4-day week... Get it? (Feel free to groan.)
Anyway, this week has been pretty good. The kids have been fairly mellow, and I moved two "challenging" students to my "honors" class. (I use quotes for "honors" because it's not officially one, but almost ALL the students are advanced.)
We're getting ready for the dreaded AIMS test that will occur the next 3 weeks. (It's given in parts, the first of which will be writing.) I'm slightly nervous for my kids, since I'm not sure how they'll do...
Hmm... I've been pretty goofy with the kids for most of the week. Wednesday, I came back after my accident. I told each class (very animatedly, might I add) about my aforementioned accident. They were amused, and I had a blast telling the story. Thursday, I had not gotten much sleep the night prior, so I was pretty zany. Today, I came in after a good night's sleep AND a lot of caffeine, so I was hyper. I can't believe we only have 8.5 weeks left of class... It's going so fast!
If you're interested, the photos from my accident are posted below. Long story short, I rear-ended a car (at under 10 mph!!), my airbags deployed, my windshield was shattered, my bean burrito (breakfast) got splattered everywhere, and I escaped with very minimal injuries. Bleh. I also have to find a car now... If you have any ideas, let me know!! :) Now, I'm off to grade, lesson plan, make copies, then get my WEEKEND on! Cheers!
The passenger side airbag & resulting shattered windshield:
Both deployed airbags... with lovely bean burrito in between:
Another angle:
The ruined door frame:
Outside view:
The title is a pun; I got into a car accident Tuesday (the 24th) that caused me to take that day off. Thus, an accidental 4-day week... Get it? (Feel free to groan.)
Anyway, this week has been pretty good. The kids have been fairly mellow, and I moved two "challenging" students to my "honors" class. (I use quotes for "honors" because it's not officially one, but almost ALL the students are advanced.)
We're getting ready for the dreaded AIMS test that will occur the next 3 weeks. (It's given in parts, the first of which will be writing.) I'm slightly nervous for my kids, since I'm not sure how they'll do...
Hmm... I've been pretty goofy with the kids for most of the week. Wednesday, I came back after my accident. I told each class (very animatedly, might I add) about my aforementioned accident. They were amused, and I had a blast telling the story. Thursday, I had not gotten much sleep the night prior, so I was pretty zany. Today, I came in after a good night's sleep AND a lot of caffeine, so I was hyper. I can't believe we only have 8.5 weeks left of class... It's going so fast!
If you're interested, the photos from my accident are posted below. Long story short, I rear-ended a car (at under 10 mph!!), my airbags deployed, my windshield was shattered, my bean burrito (breakfast) got splattered everywhere, and I escaped with very minimal injuries. Bleh. I also have to find a car now... If you have any ideas, let me know!! :) Now, I'm off to grade, lesson plan, make copies, then get my WEEKEND on! Cheers!
The passenger side airbag & resulting shattered windshield:
Both deployed airbags... with lovely bean burrito in between:
Another angle:
The ruined door frame:
Outside view:
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Today's events, briefly
Here's the breakdown of today:
-arrived at school an hour before school started
-added significantly to lesson plan
-quickly learned that students do NOT know how to multiply/divide by powers of 10 (10, 100, 1,000, etc.)
-also learned that students do NOT know how to convert units of measure (e.g., feet to yards, inches to feet, etc.)
-had a decent morning
-got a lot done & relaxed a bit at lunch (though i forgot to bring food)
-after lunch: another girl fight... oy!
-had to watch 2 homerooms in fight's aftermath
-a math-challenged student of mine came in for extra help during my prep!! :)
-rest of day was mellow and enjoyable
-tonight: finishing this quarter's grades (they're due tomorrow)
-tonight: dinner w/ the new man, then my students' band concert!
-only 2 more teaching days left (Friday is a reward day)
yay!
-arrived at school an hour before school started
-added significantly to lesson plan
-quickly learned that students do NOT know how to multiply/divide by powers of 10 (10, 100, 1,000, etc.)
-also learned that students do NOT know how to convert units of measure (e.g., feet to yards, inches to feet, etc.)
-had a decent morning
-got a lot done & relaxed a bit at lunch (though i forgot to bring food)
-after lunch: another girl fight... oy!
-had to watch 2 homerooms in fight's aftermath
-a math-challenged student of mine came in for extra help during my prep!! :)
-rest of day was mellow and enjoyable
-tonight: finishing this quarter's grades (they're due tomorrow)
-tonight: dinner w/ the new man, then my students' band concert!
-only 2 more teaching days left (Friday is a reward day)
yay!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Notes on cheating
(First, holy crap, it's been almost 2 months since I've last written!! Second, I can't believe 3rd quarter is almost over...)
So today at the start of the first class of the day, I look in my classroom to see one girl frantically copying the homework from another student. I called out her first and last name very loudly. She looked up, a deer in headlights. When I pretended to look away (and then look back), she continued copying! I asked another teacher (we were in the hallway, welcoming our classes) what he does if he catches students copying.
"I crumple it up, throw it away, read the student the riot act, then give him or her a zero."
Interesting. So I walked up to my student and whispered, very calmly, "My dear, what you're doing is considered cheating."
She looked at me, and we were both uncertain of how it was gonna play out.
"Open to the front of your agenda, where you have the Student Handbook. Find the section about cheating." I let her sweat for a while.
We then had to start District-mandated benchmark tests to mimic the assessment the State gives in the spring. While monitoring the class, I noticed the offender writing a list. In part, it read:
NOTES:
1.) If you're ever cheating, make sure the teacher doesn't see you.
2.) [I couldn't read it in my quick walk-bys.]
3.) The teacher will get mean.
P.S. It's not that bad.
--
The "It's not that bad" part got to me. So here's a moment where a student could decide it's OK to cheat. I decided not to let that happen, so I immediately wrote an office referral. I gave it to the offender after I had filled it out, and her face grew pale. Mission accomplished.
I've not yet heard back from the office, so we'll see what punisment they have for her...
So today at the start of the first class of the day, I look in my classroom to see one girl frantically copying the homework from another student. I called out her first and last name very loudly. She looked up, a deer in headlights. When I pretended to look away (and then look back), she continued copying! I asked another teacher (we were in the hallway, welcoming our classes) what he does if he catches students copying.
"I crumple it up, throw it away, read the student the riot act, then give him or her a zero."
Interesting. So I walked up to my student and whispered, very calmly, "My dear, what you're doing is considered cheating."
She looked at me, and we were both uncertain of how it was gonna play out.
"Open to the front of your agenda, where you have the Student Handbook. Find the section about cheating." I let her sweat for a while.
We then had to start District-mandated benchmark tests to mimic the assessment the State gives in the spring. While monitoring the class, I noticed the offender writing a list. In part, it read:
NOTES:
1.) If you're ever cheating, make sure the teacher doesn't see you.
2.) [I couldn't read it in my quick walk-bys.]
3.) The teacher will get mean.
P.S. It's not that bad.
--
The "It's not that bad" part got to me. So here's a moment where a student could decide it's OK to cheat. I decided not to let that happen, so I immediately wrote an office referral. I gave it to the offender after I had filled it out, and her face grew pale. Mission accomplished.
I've not yet heard back from the office, so we'll see what punisment they have for her...
Monday, January 5, 2009
We're back in action...
... So up until this morning, I was dreading going back to school. Back to lesson planning, mean/indifferent/apathetic students, crazy amounts of work, etc. On the ride to school, though, I found myself excited to see my students; I actually missed a lot of them! :)
First period went off without a hitch. The kids (in their new seating arrangements) were quiet, friendly, and seemed relieved back to be at school. It was nice. Second period, however, was a different story...
Second period, I think, is my own personal Hell. The kids were absolutely 100% ridiculous. It was almost unreal. They were talking and mean and just completely annoying. It was the one time all day I raised my voice (though I still didn't yell!). Today was simple: review for bellwork, pre-test for the new quarter, quick discussion. That's it. Three things to get through. Not with second. Oh, no. It was like they were gremlins exposed to water. Oy.
I also re-vamped part of my discipline policy. After reading part of a new book, I have chosen to write the names of students who disrupt the class repeatedly. I put these names on a specific part of the board. If a student has his/her name, s/he has to stay after class and sit silently until I dismiss him/her. The students generally seemed to understand and respect the concept, and I had no problems with cooperation today.
Except second period.
So the breakdown of names on the board for each class:
1st period: None
2nd: SEVEN
3rd: None
4th: One
5th: Three
7th: Two
Yeah. SEVEN names. It was an absolute nightmare. I had to keep taking deep breaths so I didn't scream or burst out crying. The pre-tests, which were supposed to be done in silence, were not done silently. Far from it! Oy. The kids were being so ridiculous, I wondered if I was even really present. It was an out-of-body experience. I tried to play observer of the situation (and not a participant), and it was just a mess. I ignored as much as I could. Really. I quieted the small fires when I could. But I kept thinking to myself, "This is the seventh circle of Hell, specifically for me. Every time I did something wrong in my life, this is my punishment. Every time I lied or hurt someone... I'm paying for it now. In this class."
THANK GOD each class is only 50 minutes! THANK GOD I don't just teach one class anymore. THANK GOD 10:29am eventually rolled around, signifying the end of 2nd period.
My plan? To shake it off and try again tomorrow. I don't know why that class doesn't take me seriously. It's like they want to see how much they can annoy me. I'm not sure if I should come down on them hard, or brush it off, or what. They are truly the Class From Hell, and I'm not sure what to do. If each of my classes were like that, I'd quit in a hearbeat. Luckily, all my other classes are reasonable and good overall.
Phew. Time to lesson plan, grade some stuff, organize, then go cheer on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl!! Cheers.
First period went off without a hitch. The kids (in their new seating arrangements) were quiet, friendly, and seemed relieved back to be at school. It was nice. Second period, however, was a different story...
Second period, I think, is my own personal Hell. The kids were absolutely 100% ridiculous. It was almost unreal. They were talking and mean and just completely annoying. It was the one time all day I raised my voice (though I still didn't yell!). Today was simple: review for bellwork, pre-test for the new quarter, quick discussion. That's it. Three things to get through. Not with second. Oh, no. It was like they were gremlins exposed to water. Oy.
I also re-vamped part of my discipline policy. After reading part of a new book, I have chosen to write the names of students who disrupt the class repeatedly. I put these names on a specific part of the board. If a student has his/her name, s/he has to stay after class and sit silently until I dismiss him/her. The students generally seemed to understand and respect the concept, and I had no problems with cooperation today.
Except second period.
So the breakdown of names on the board for each class:
1st period: None
2nd: SEVEN
3rd: None
4th: One
5th: Three
7th: Two
Yeah. SEVEN names. It was an absolute nightmare. I had to keep taking deep breaths so I didn't scream or burst out crying. The pre-tests, which were supposed to be done in silence, were not done silently. Far from it! Oy. The kids were being so ridiculous, I wondered if I was even really present. It was an out-of-body experience. I tried to play observer of the situation (and not a participant), and it was just a mess. I ignored as much as I could. Really. I quieted the small fires when I could. But I kept thinking to myself, "This is the seventh circle of Hell, specifically for me. Every time I did something wrong in my life, this is my punishment. Every time I lied or hurt someone... I'm paying for it now. In this class."
THANK GOD each class is only 50 minutes! THANK GOD I don't just teach one class anymore. THANK GOD 10:29am eventually rolled around, signifying the end of 2nd period.
My plan? To shake it off and try again tomorrow. I don't know why that class doesn't take me seriously. It's like they want to see how much they can annoy me. I'm not sure if I should come down on them hard, or brush it off, or what. They are truly the Class From Hell, and I'm not sure what to do. If each of my classes were like that, I'd quit in a hearbeat. Luckily, all my other classes are reasonable and good overall.
Phew. Time to lesson plan, grade some stuff, organize, then go cheer on the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl!! Cheers.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Why?
Why do people have to be so mean to each other? Why am I in a profession that requires me to be a constant authority figure? I don't like having to police the students every 2 seconds. I don't enjoy confiscating every little thing from the students (e.g., today the students started folding paper into sturdy slinghots for rubber bands... they've been declared "weapons" by the vice principal).
I don't like that the kids are mean to each other, sass me, are disrespectful, messy, rude, and so forth. Of course, that's not all my kids. But there are a healthy number of students who just piss me off for kicks. I try not to let it get to me (they're eleven years old!!), but sometimes a full day of that gets draining.
Invariably, when I get a few peaceful moments in the classroom (with a class there), it's interrupted minutes later by a student who HAS to shout out something insipid. Then they go and say stuff like, "I'm bored," or, "This is stupid!" I should take it as a challenge to be a better teacher, but right now, I'm still pretty overwhelmed and tired. I'm just tired. And when the kids don't appreciate the efforts I take, it's incredibly frustrating. Bleh.
Aaaaanyway, that's it for now.
I don't like that the kids are mean to each other, sass me, are disrespectful, messy, rude, and so forth. Of course, that's not all my kids. But there are a healthy number of students who just piss me off for kicks. I try not to let it get to me (they're eleven years old!!), but sometimes a full day of that gets draining.
Invariably, when I get a few peaceful moments in the classroom (with a class there), it's interrupted minutes later by a student who HAS to shout out something insipid. Then they go and say stuff like, "I'm bored," or, "This is stupid!" I should take it as a challenge to be a better teacher, but right now, I'm still pretty overwhelmed and tired. I'm just tired. And when the kids don't appreciate the efforts I take, it's incredibly frustrating. Bleh.
Aaaaanyway, that's it for now.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)