The most important thing I learned this week is that my kids really respond to my moods. When I am sick, tired, or cranky, they turn it back on me. And they can tell before I can.
This week, I saw the best and worst of my classes.
One of my classes has been great this week. We've covered material, they've been on task uniformly, and the quiz grades weren't terrible. I look forward to seeing them, and it shows in their response.
My homeroom class had some issues this week, but they've improved considerably and I've figured out how to solve some of the problems. The beginning of the week was rough, but Wednesday I rearranged the assigned seats and they improved immediately. Today, my TFA adviser observed class and gave me some advice. He pointed out that I am getting a great performance from the front of the class, because I am holding them to higher standards than the back of the class, who I allow to get away with some chatter. Chatter leads to distraction, which leads to confusion in class, which leads to more distraction. I need to pay better attention to the class. This also creates resentment in the kids in the front of the room who get more consequences than those in the back.
My half class, that had kids missing due to the TAG program, was awesome. They were asking science questions, and I was leading discussion to the answers. Some topics covered: how healing and platelets work; how the skull forms in pieces so childbirth can occur more easily; why domestic cats show some behavior of cats in the wild; and how to check sources on internet information.
I spent most of my week giving and grading exams, which is really, really time consuming. The grades were not very good, but I gave students the opportunity to revise their answers for some credit, and was happy with the results.
Next week, I am starting a new unit with my 8th graders (Forces and Motion) and giving my 7th graders their Unit 1 assessment. I'm excited to teach real material. I am also excited to use the package of scratch-n-sniff stickers I bought to reward students.
WEEKEND!
Friday, September 30, 2011
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Surprise!
Blogging while watching Glee. I've got some hard core relaxing going on here.
Today started out really well. My double period this morning was one half quiz, one half new material. Before the quiz, I had a quick review session, which helped a lot (I haven't graded yet, but I'm hopeful). After the quiz, I began a lesson on making line graphs. The hardest part was explaining how to create a scale for each axis. I explained once, to a load of confused looks. Fortunately, the students were willing to raise their hands to express that they were confused. I then improvised a scaffolded (building-up from a smaller example) example...
...and then the principal and Bridgeport school superintendent walked it. I knew he was walking around the building, and that we should be on our best behavior, but I was told not to expect a personal visit. I guess I should have. I was terrified.
Fortunately, at that point in the lesson, visible Eureka moments were occurring as students were beginning to understand graphing, and were excited to answer my questions and help guide the rest of the students. Of course, the students were on their best behavior for the principal. It was beautiful, and reminded me why I'm here. The visitors left a few minutes later.
During lunch duty, the principal told me I did a good job. I know that it was really an AWESOME job.
The rest of the day was all testing. It ranged from kids all working hard, to me having to take away tests and fail students because they were talking/cheating. Who does that?
There has been one change in the daily routine, which is that students can no longer use the bathroom during class. Each class gets to go at the start of fourth period. This takes away 15 minutes of instruction, but keeps the hallways much, much quieter.
After school, I had a TFA investment meeting, which made me think and inspired a bit, but I was very anxious about the exam-grading time I missed. Now it's after 8PM. No work allowed after 8. Time for Glee, fish sticks, sake, and iPad games.
Today started out really well. My double period this morning was one half quiz, one half new material. Before the quiz, I had a quick review session, which helped a lot (I haven't graded yet, but I'm hopeful). After the quiz, I began a lesson on making line graphs. The hardest part was explaining how to create a scale for each axis. I explained once, to a load of confused looks. Fortunately, the students were willing to raise their hands to express that they were confused. I then improvised a scaffolded (building-up from a smaller example) example...
...and then the principal and Bridgeport school superintendent walked it. I knew he was walking around the building, and that we should be on our best behavior, but I was told not to expect a personal visit. I guess I should have. I was terrified.
Fortunately, at that point in the lesson, visible Eureka moments were occurring as students were beginning to understand graphing, and were excited to answer my questions and help guide the rest of the students. Of course, the students were on their best behavior for the principal. It was beautiful, and reminded me why I'm here. The visitors left a few minutes later.
During lunch duty, the principal told me I did a good job. I know that it was really an AWESOME job.
The rest of the day was all testing. It ranged from kids all working hard, to me having to take away tests and fail students because they were talking/cheating. Who does that?
There has been one change in the daily routine, which is that students can no longer use the bathroom during class. Each class gets to go at the start of fourth period. This takes away 15 minutes of instruction, but keeps the hallways much, much quieter.
After school, I had a TFA investment meeting, which made me think and inspired a bit, but I was very anxious about the exam-grading time I missed. Now it's after 8PM. No work allowed after 8. Time for Glee, fish sticks, sake, and iPad games.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Fingerprints!
My mommy said I had to go running before I was allowed to blog, so I did. I ran about a mile. It wasn't thrilling, but it made me more relaxed.
I then arrived home to receive my health insurance card (finally) and a notice from the school district telling me I have to report for new-hire fingerprinting...on Thursday afternoon. Nope. Not happening. I will be outta here. I will be home from Wednesday night until Thursday night for the holiday. So, not only do I have to wait until tomorrow to call HR, but I will be anxious about it all night until I can reschedule.
Today was pretty uneventful (except, of course, for the fight in the next room, but this doesn't thrill me anymore). My first class had a double period (I have a different class each day for a double period 1st and 2nd). First period was a test, which ran smoothly, and second period was Mythbusters! It was the episode that tested the Coke and Mentos myth, which my class seemed to enjoy.
I spent my double prep making copies of worksheets that I will use when the class is not cooperating or I am not feeling well. It is good to know I now have a gradable assignment to threaten them with, when they don't stop talking.
My next class did pretty well through the first half of the period, for a "fun" review game, but then they wouldn't settle down and I made them write notes for a grade.
The third class was really good. They had earned 15 class points, so I rewarded them with donuts. Each student got 2 mini-donuts from Stop and Shop, and I had a handful of donuts remaining that I gave out for right answers. We finished last Friday's lesson, and although I haven't looked at the exit tickets yet, I think they'll be good.
And then the last class was a little rowdy. I went through the review game with about half the class, while everyone else chatted in the back. I wasn't in the mood to fight with them about it, and they were chatty because of some more bathroom stall graffiti. I've heard rumor that they will lose their bathroom privileges, and have to go as a class once a day. I don't know how it will work, but it's better than letting them nag me all class to go to the bathroom, and then spend ten minutes roaming the halls.
Tomorrow, all four of my classes have either a test or a quiz, which should make my day not-too-hard. We do have the superintendent walking through the building tomorrow, so I have to make sure my kids are on their best behavior.
It frustrates me that kids keep getting into fights. So many of them seem to think that fighting is the only way to solve their problems. I hope they learn better before they turn 18.
This week, I hope to teach my kids a quick lesson about Rosh Hashanah, so they know why they get a day off Thursday. I already bought the apple slices. I would NEVER let them eat honey in my classroom, so I think we'll do apple slices dipped in sugar. Not too bad for a Bridgeport Rosh Hashanah. I'm already thinking about the jelly donuts for Hanukkah...
I then arrived home to receive my health insurance card (finally) and a notice from the school district telling me I have to report for new-hire fingerprinting...on Thursday afternoon. Nope. Not happening. I will be outta here. I will be home from Wednesday night until Thursday night for the holiday. So, not only do I have to wait until tomorrow to call HR, but I will be anxious about it all night until I can reschedule.
Today was pretty uneventful (except, of course, for the fight in the next room, but this doesn't thrill me anymore). My first class had a double period (I have a different class each day for a double period 1st and 2nd). First period was a test, which ran smoothly, and second period was Mythbusters! It was the episode that tested the Coke and Mentos myth, which my class seemed to enjoy.
I spent my double prep making copies of worksheets that I will use when the class is not cooperating or I am not feeling well. It is good to know I now have a gradable assignment to threaten them with, when they don't stop talking.
My next class did pretty well through the first half of the period, for a "fun" review game, but then they wouldn't settle down and I made them write notes for a grade.
The third class was really good. They had earned 15 class points, so I rewarded them with donuts. Each student got 2 mini-donuts from Stop and Shop, and I had a handful of donuts remaining that I gave out for right answers. We finished last Friday's lesson, and although I haven't looked at the exit tickets yet, I think they'll be good.
And then the last class was a little rowdy. I went through the review game with about half the class, while everyone else chatted in the back. I wasn't in the mood to fight with them about it, and they were chatty because of some more bathroom stall graffiti. I've heard rumor that they will lose their bathroom privileges, and have to go as a class once a day. I don't know how it will work, but it's better than letting them nag me all class to go to the bathroom, and then spend ten minutes roaming the halls.
Tomorrow, all four of my classes have either a test or a quiz, which should make my day not-too-hard. We do have the superintendent walking through the building tomorrow, so I have to make sure my kids are on their best behavior.
It frustrates me that kids keep getting into fights. So many of them seem to think that fighting is the only way to solve their problems. I hope they learn better before they turn 18.
This week, I hope to teach my kids a quick lesson about Rosh Hashanah, so they know why they get a day off Thursday. I already bought the apple slices. I would NEVER let them eat honey in my classroom, so I think we'll do apple slices dipped in sugar. Not too bad for a Bridgeport Rosh Hashanah. I'm already thinking about the jelly donuts for Hanukkah...
Friday, September 23, 2011
I Keep Loving Fridays
Today ranged from horrible to amazing, with everything in between. Although, looking back on it, the worst wasn't TOO bad.
I had my homeroom for a double period today, and they just wouldn't settle down. I decided to teach those who wanted to be taught, and leave the others to themselves. I ended up doing a lab with about 2/3 of the class, and it looked like a lot of them understood the material (independent and dependent variables). The other kids were ignored, although they left a mess of papers on the floor.
My next two classes were really good, and one of them reached fifteen class points! I guess they're getting munchkins on Monday.
My last two classes were not as good, though. For one class, I had put together a review Jeopardy!...but I couldn't get them to settle down long enough to get started. So, instead, I had them copy down the questions and answers for a quiz grade. They were unhappy, but eventually they realized that they needed to get to work. By the end of the period, I had the entire class writing (and almost completely quiet). The last class was a little chatty, but I got some material done. I haven't graded the exit tickets yet, but they looked, for the most part, good.
And then, I signed my contract! Awesome, although I'm stuck in a 21-paycheck year cycle for the year, which means I get paid more during the school year rather than less but for 12 full months. That means I have to put some extra effort into saving and budgeting, which I guess I enjoy anyway.
The best news of the day: when I came home, I learned that my boyfriend got accepted into medical school! With a scholarship! He will be a real, live doctor, and in less than five years! It was his "safety" school (as "safety" as it can get in the world of medical school admissions), but it's not too shabby. Hooray! Way to kick off the weekend!
I had my homeroom for a double period today, and they just wouldn't settle down. I decided to teach those who wanted to be taught, and leave the others to themselves. I ended up doing a lab with about 2/3 of the class, and it looked like a lot of them understood the material (independent and dependent variables). The other kids were ignored, although they left a mess of papers on the floor.
My next two classes were really good, and one of them reached fifteen class points! I guess they're getting munchkins on Monday.
My last two classes were not as good, though. For one class, I had put together a review Jeopardy!...but I couldn't get them to settle down long enough to get started. So, instead, I had them copy down the questions and answers for a quiz grade. They were unhappy, but eventually they realized that they needed to get to work. By the end of the period, I had the entire class writing (and almost completely quiet). The last class was a little chatty, but I got some material done. I haven't graded the exit tickets yet, but they looked, for the most part, good.
And then, I signed my contract! Awesome, although I'm stuck in a 21-paycheck year cycle for the year, which means I get paid more during the school year rather than less but for 12 full months. That means I have to put some extra effort into saving and budgeting, which I guess I enjoy anyway.
The best news of the day: when I came home, I learned that my boyfriend got accepted into medical school! With a scholarship! He will be a real, live doctor, and in less than five years! It was his "safety" school (as "safety" as it can get in the world of medical school admissions), but it's not too shabby. Hooray! Way to kick off the weekend!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Live From the Bridgeport DMV
Now I will attempt to write a not-too-cynical blog entry. While waiting at the DMV. On my phone. And the app has already crashed once.
Today and yesterday were especially challenging as far as classroom management. The kids have been extra bouncy. I've written 6 referrals, 4 for leaving class without permission and 2 for kids hitting other students. I was never like that in middle school!
Otherwise, they've been very chatty. Some of it is understandable, as a result of a student's private problem (which won't be described, for her sale) which became public as a result of an attention-seeking not-so-good friend and the teen's propensity to communicate on bathroom walls. I feel awful for her, but understand the class's rowdiness.
Two of my classes have been taken to the gym for a paper plane lab. It should have been fun for the kids and an opportunity to practice the scientific process, but resulted in less-than-exemplary behavior and a significant loss of participation points (apparently today is Express-Yourself-in-Hyphenated-Euphemisms Day).
I have begin teaching regular content to all my classes, though, which is nice. I also got to participate in a meeting that led to the creation of am IEP, which was interesting. My day ended in a review of my first formal performance review by the assistant principal, which went surprisingly well. I was commended on my ability to engage the kids in the material in an exciting way. She then recommended a couple of ways to help smooth out some procedural issues and to push the kids towards higher-order thinking with probing questions. I'll have to work on that, when I'm no longer preoccupied with the zillion other things on my mind...like lessons and management and...they're calling my number, time to register my car.
And now I have new license plates and I will begin to ponder ways to scrape my NY registration and inspection stickers off the car. TV and relaxing times await.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Bureaucracy
I think I forgot to blog yesterday. Oops. My dog ate it. I'll bring it in tomorrow. I left it in my locker.
This weekend, I had a great dinner adventure with my parents (Hi!), a half-glass of wine with an unexpected mentor (Hi!), and sat at my fire house and graded exams. I spent four hours straight grading. During those hours, I grew to hate my white cloudness (i.e. the fact that when I am within my fire department city limits, not a single person needs an ambulance). I wanted to get out with lights and sirens. No luck for me (I guess, luck for everyone else, though).
Oh, also, I got an IPAD! It's awesome! So far, it has improved my classroom by maintaining my mental health. There are some good games available for it. I let a friend play with it, and when I got up to leave the fire house, he said, "I'm gonna have to give this back, huh? But I haven't killed all the pigs yet!"
Yup, I now have a $500 Angry Birds console.
School yesterday was, for the most part, pretty good. None of my classes was a total disaster. I was really nervous going in, because I had slept terribly and I was prepared to teach four different lessons to my four classes. It ended up pretty good. My last class finished the quiz. Two classes received progress reports, which let them know how their missed assignments and lost participation points are affecting their grades.
I got some material done. I didn't finish any of my lessons, but I'll blame that on the time spent explaining the progress reports. It's nice to teach new material, but I need to speed it up if I have any hope of finishing (or coming close to finishing) the curriculum this year.
After school, I eagerly ran out of the building and headed to City Hall, like I was instructed to on Friday, to sign my contract. Then, I remembered that I'm dealing with bureaucracy here. Which, although it is a beautifully spelled word, is a PITA (It's an acronym. Google it.). I was told that the woman I needed to see had just left for a meeting and would not be returning. But, don't worry, they'd email me with an appointment time and date. Which they did, later that night, for a time that conflicts with my obligatory faculty meeting. Reschedule.
Angry, I went home and ran two miles. I cooked some crockpot lentils and roasted every vegetable in my fridge. Not a bad evening.
Today went pretty smoothly, although some classes were very unhappy about their progress reports. We'll see if they take the opportunity to work harder.
This evening is Open School Night. We're not expecting a big showing, but I'm still nervous. I'll let you know how it goes.
This weekend, I had a great dinner adventure with my parents (Hi!), a half-glass of wine with an unexpected mentor (Hi!), and sat at my fire house and graded exams. I spent four hours straight grading. During those hours, I grew to hate my white cloudness (i.e. the fact that when I am within my fire department city limits, not a single person needs an ambulance). I wanted to get out with lights and sirens. No luck for me (I guess, luck for everyone else, though).
Oh, also, I got an IPAD! It's awesome! So far, it has improved my classroom by maintaining my mental health. There are some good games available for it. I let a friend play with it, and when I got up to leave the fire house, he said, "I'm gonna have to give this back, huh? But I haven't killed all the pigs yet!"
Yup, I now have a $500 Angry Birds console.
School yesterday was, for the most part, pretty good. None of my classes was a total disaster. I was really nervous going in, because I had slept terribly and I was prepared to teach four different lessons to my four classes. It ended up pretty good. My last class finished the quiz. Two classes received progress reports, which let them know how their missed assignments and lost participation points are affecting their grades.
I got some material done. I didn't finish any of my lessons, but I'll blame that on the time spent explaining the progress reports. It's nice to teach new material, but I need to speed it up if I have any hope of finishing (or coming close to finishing) the curriculum this year.
After school, I eagerly ran out of the building and headed to City Hall, like I was instructed to on Friday, to sign my contract. Then, I remembered that I'm dealing with bureaucracy here. Which, although it is a beautifully spelled word, is a PITA (It's an acronym. Google it.). I was told that the woman I needed to see had just left for a meeting and would not be returning. But, don't worry, they'd email me with an appointment time and date. Which they did, later that night, for a time that conflicts with my obligatory faculty meeting. Reschedule.
Angry, I went home and ran two miles. I cooked some crockpot lentils and roasted every vegetable in my fridge. Not a bad evening.
Today went pretty smoothly, although some classes were very unhappy about their progress reports. We'll see if they take the opportunity to work harder.
This evening is Open School Night. We're not expecting a big showing, but I'm still nervous. I'll let you know how it goes.
Friday, September 16, 2011
Day of Firsts
Today was interesting. First of all, I made it through my first full week. It's been exciting, stressful, and rewarding. I think I'm in the right place.
Second, it was the first fight in my classroom. When my third period class entered the classroom, one student (tall female) was hitting another student (small male, one who had at one time asked to be excused from class because he was getting angry). The male student picked up a binder and chucked it across the room at the girl. It missed her, and hit another student. Then he grabbed an empty crate that I use to collect homework, and I tried to take it from him. He followed the girl out of the room, at which point my students and a teacher broke them up.
I had another teacher cover my class, while I went to the principal's office to fill out paperwork, which led to another first: the first time I cried at school. I was upset, I was frazzled, and my students all crowded around me to comfort me. The assistant principal said it was okay, and that it helped to show my students I was human. I hope so.
I also had my class observed by the assistant principal, because I'm a first-year teacher, and she had great things to say. She said that my lesson was well-planned and that the kids were engaged.
Most of my classes went smoothly, though. I gave them a quiz, and most of them worked quietly. A couple of classes finished the quiz early, and were rewarded with an RC helicopter demonstration. They loved it! My last period class was a little tough, but I'm antsy too at the end of the week.
I then joined the staff of my school for happy hour and Tex-Mex.
I think I'm gonna like this job, warts and all.
Second, it was the first fight in my classroom. When my third period class entered the classroom, one student (tall female) was hitting another student (small male, one who had at one time asked to be excused from class because he was getting angry). The male student picked up a binder and chucked it across the room at the girl. It missed her, and hit another student. Then he grabbed an empty crate that I use to collect homework, and I tried to take it from him. He followed the girl out of the room, at which point my students and a teacher broke them up.
I had another teacher cover my class, while I went to the principal's office to fill out paperwork, which led to another first: the first time I cried at school. I was upset, I was frazzled, and my students all crowded around me to comfort me. The assistant principal said it was okay, and that it helped to show my students I was human. I hope so.
I also had my class observed by the assistant principal, because I'm a first-year teacher, and she had great things to say. She said that my lesson was well-planned and that the kids were engaged.
Most of my classes went smoothly, though. I gave them a quiz, and most of them worked quietly. A couple of classes finished the quiz early, and were rewarded with an RC helicopter demonstration. They loved it! My last period class was a little tough, but I'm antsy too at the end of the week.
I then joined the staff of my school for happy hour and Tex-Mex.
I think I'm gonna like this job, warts and all.
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Okay, Okay
I have heard from my fans that they are eagerly awaiting a post for today. I could respond the way I respond to a student when they ask a question about something they really can't be expected to know, but it's the end of the day and I'm tired: Don't expect a post every day! Or, I could respond the way I SHOULD respond to students all the time when they have the courage to ask a question: I'm working on it, and will have it out as soon as possible. I may not have the time or material to blog every day.
I had an interaction with a student today that I can't figure out if it was flattering or embarrassing. After school, one of my students came over to me in the hallway on the way to her after-school activity. It was a nice girl who sits towards the back of the room, is a little chatty, but is not especially disruptive. She suggested that I might want to put a suggestion box in the class so they could suggest labs that weren't as boring as the bubble gum lab. And Miss, the participation point system doesn't work.
Uh...okay. I explained to her that I didn't choose the labs, but that they were required by the state, and that I would try to make them as fun as possible. As for the points, I assured her that once the class saw their first progress report, which reflected their participation grades, they'd learn their lesson.
I don't know whether to be embarrassed that a student found it necessary to comment on my classroom management system, or flattered that she felt comfortable enough speaking to me.
I don't know whether I should take her suggestions, and to what degree. I still have to do the state labs, and I still think the point system shows promise, but I could revamp them.
At the very least, I think I made a friend, even if I don't follow her advice.
And then, I was super productive. I now have a new driver's license, a verified VIN, AND I went to the gym.
Dinner awaits.
I had an interaction with a student today that I can't figure out if it was flattering or embarrassing. After school, one of my students came over to me in the hallway on the way to her after-school activity. It was a nice girl who sits towards the back of the room, is a little chatty, but is not especially disruptive. She suggested that I might want to put a suggestion box in the class so they could suggest labs that weren't as boring as the bubble gum lab. And Miss, the participation point system doesn't work.
Uh...okay. I explained to her that I didn't choose the labs, but that they were required by the state, and that I would try to make them as fun as possible. As for the points, I assured her that once the class saw their first progress report, which reflected their participation grades, they'd learn their lesson.
I don't know whether to be embarrassed that a student found it necessary to comment on my classroom management system, or flattered that she felt comfortable enough speaking to me.
I don't know whether I should take her suggestions, and to what degree. I still have to do the state labs, and I still think the point system shows promise, but I could revamp them.
At the very least, I think I made a friend, even if I don't follow her advice.
And then, I was super productive. I now have a new driver's license, a verified VIN, AND I went to the gym.
Dinner awaits.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Balance
The hardest part of teaching is finding the right balance. Too nice? Too mean? Most importantly, I am having trouble finding the balance between expecting compliance from students before I teach new material, and teaching new material so the students are interested enough to be compliant. It's tough, and I find myself leaning too much in one direction or the other. I need to have high standards for them, but I also understand what it's like to be sitting in class at 2pm on a Friday as a 13-year-old.
Today I did a lab with my challenging class, and it went well. It was slow to start, but they really got involved in it. At the very least, every group seemed to learn how to use triple beam balances. I am looking forward to reading the lab reports when they hand them in on Friday.
I have decided that Tue/Thurs/weekend will be my running schedule and Wednesday will be my manicure day. Although I don't love paying 10 whole dollars (plus tip) for a manicure, I found a place that treats me well and does a $25 mani/pedi (or $32 mani/pedi/10-min-massage!). On Wednesdays, we have a faculty meeting from 3:15-4pm, which kind of ruins my work momentum, so I might as well relax. And I can't help it if the nail place is right next to the Chinese take-out restaurant. Sometimes, you want some nice quality Chinese food. And sometimes you want to wipe grease off of your hands while wondering what country really invented with crab rangoons.
Today I did a lab with my challenging class, and it went well. It was slow to start, but they really got involved in it. At the very least, every group seemed to learn how to use triple beam balances. I am looking forward to reading the lab reports when they hand them in on Friday.
I have decided that Tue/Thurs/weekend will be my running schedule and Wednesday will be my manicure day. Although I don't love paying 10 whole dollars (plus tip) for a manicure, I found a place that treats me well and does a $25 mani/pedi (or $32 mani/pedi/10-min-massage!). On Wednesdays, we have a faculty meeting from 3:15-4pm, which kind of ruins my work momentum, so I might as well relax. And I can't help it if the nail place is right next to the Chinese take-out restaurant. Sometimes, you want some nice quality Chinese food. And sometimes you want to wipe grease off of your hands while wondering what country really invented with crab rangoons.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Trickery
Today, I had a good moment with my challenging class. Several kids came late, and the assistant principal stopped by to comment on that.
In the remaining time, I did an investment activity with a sneak attack of science. I drew a stick figure in a skirt on the Smartboard, and wrote "Who is Mrs. Zelman?" I then asked my kids what they thought of me. The first answers were "science teacher" and "nice". I then added some of my own: "sometimes mean." "Talks a lot." This stimulated some more honest answers. "Too many rules." "Takes off points for every little thing." "Yells a lot." "Doesn't give us choices." I wrote them all down.
Then, I asked why. The first response was, "Because we're bad kids." Finally, after a minute, we got to "Because you want to teach us." They came up with that on their own.
I explained to the kids that everything on the board is correct, with two exceptions: they do have choices, and they are not bad kids.
And then I threw in the kicker: they just did science. They asked a question, made observations, and proposed explanations for those observations. Bam!
One of my most challenging students stood up and shouted, "Yo, Miss, you tricked us again! I didn't mean to do science!" Success. I smiled the whole way home.
After school, I ran about 1.5 miles, and it was rough. My legs felt heavy and my nose was runny. I better get used to being tired. At least I was able to come home to a stuff-in-my-fridge stew in the Crockpot.
I was getting some work done, and realized that one of the textbooks I bought for my SCSU classes is the wrong one. Amazon Prime to the rescue! I guess I'm done with work for the night. I'm all planned out. Good day tomorrow, I hope.
In the remaining time, I did an investment activity with a sneak attack of science. I drew a stick figure in a skirt on the Smartboard, and wrote "Who is Mrs. Zelman?" I then asked my kids what they thought of me. The first answers were "science teacher" and "nice". I then added some of my own: "sometimes mean." "Talks a lot." This stimulated some more honest answers. "Too many rules." "Takes off points for every little thing." "Yells a lot." "Doesn't give us choices." I wrote them all down.
Then, I asked why. The first response was, "Because we're bad kids." Finally, after a minute, we got to "Because you want to teach us." They came up with that on their own.
I explained to the kids that everything on the board is correct, with two exceptions: they do have choices, and they are not bad kids.
And then I threw in the kicker: they just did science. They asked a question, made observations, and proposed explanations for those observations. Bam!
One of my most challenging students stood up and shouted, "Yo, Miss, you tricked us again! I didn't mean to do science!" Success. I smiled the whole way home.
After school, I ran about 1.5 miles, and it was rough. My legs felt heavy and my nose was runny. I better get used to being tired. At least I was able to come home to a stuff-in-my-fridge stew in the Crockpot.
I was getting some work done, and realized that one of the textbooks I bought for my SCSU classes is the wrong one. Amazon Prime to the rescue! I guess I'm done with work for the night. I'm all planned out. Good day tomorrow, I hope.
Getting the Hang of--Whoops
I thought I was getting the hang of this, I really did. I guess there will be no entirely smooth days, and there will be no easy days.
Yesterday, three of my classes were good to great. I even did a lab with one of them! The lab was a little challenging, because I didn't give them clear enough instructions, but it was definitely not chaotic. Students were mostly trying.
The lab was pretty simple, with the goal of teaching students how to use a ruler and triple beam balance. They were to measure and mass chewing gum before and after chewing, and record data. The chewing gum was very exciting, since it is not allowed in school. They didn't all get to all parts of the lab (some forgot to measure before chewing, and some never took it out of their mouths to measure afterwards), but I could have done a better job of explaining each step.
The other two good classes went well, and I got through a lesson on the Scientific Method, which is really the most important part of any science class.
Then came my last period class. I could not get ANYTHING done. They wouldn't stop talking. When I gave them consequences, they mocked me. A few kids participated, but I got nothing from the rest. It was rough.
I got some advice from other teachers, which included reminding the students that I was there to help them and getting some of the louder students on my side.
Today I am optimistic, as I prepare for them seventh period. If I have trouble with them, the assistant principal has offered to stop by.
My other classes started well, although I had trouble with one of them because I ran out of material before the end of the period, and they couldn't sit still through an impromptu review.
Also, while I was only lunch duty, one of the parents stopped by to introduce herself to me, and commented that her daughter said I was often frustrated because the class doesn't listen to me. Great. Awesome. That's embarrassing.
Don't be cranky for the afternoon classes, that's what I keep saying to myself.
Yesterday, three of my classes were good to great. I even did a lab with one of them! The lab was a little challenging, because I didn't give them clear enough instructions, but it was definitely not chaotic. Students were mostly trying.
The lab was pretty simple, with the goal of teaching students how to use a ruler and triple beam balance. They were to measure and mass chewing gum before and after chewing, and record data. The chewing gum was very exciting, since it is not allowed in school. They didn't all get to all parts of the lab (some forgot to measure before chewing, and some never took it out of their mouths to measure afterwards), but I could have done a better job of explaining each step.
The other two good classes went well, and I got through a lesson on the Scientific Method, which is really the most important part of any science class.
Then came my last period class. I could not get ANYTHING done. They wouldn't stop talking. When I gave them consequences, they mocked me. A few kids participated, but I got nothing from the rest. It was rough.
I got some advice from other teachers, which included reminding the students that I was there to help them and getting some of the louder students on my side.
Today I am optimistic, as I prepare for them seventh period. If I have trouble with them, the assistant principal has offered to stop by.
My other classes started well, although I had trouble with one of them because I ran out of material before the end of the period, and they couldn't sit still through an impromptu review.
Also, while I was only lunch duty, one of the parents stopped by to introduce herself to me, and commented that her daughter said I was often frustrated because the class doesn't listen to me. Great. Awesome. That's embarrassing.
Don't be cranky for the afternoon classes, that's what I keep saying to myself.
Friday, September 9, 2011
Blind Computers
I think I'm going to have to get used to the fact that my daily moods will be determined by the moods of a smattering of seventh and eighth graders. And that means mood swings. Today was as good as yesterday was bad.
Although I shouldn't be happy about this, I found out that the two kids that got suspended from my class yesterday decided to start their in-school suspension by stealing food from the cafeteria and trashing the assistant principal's office, and now they're both suspended for eight days. That's eight days of a much more manageable class. For everyone. I'm also a little happy that I'm not the only one responsible for their suspension.
My first three classes went great. I had a double period with my homeroom. At the start of class, we had a special September 11 ceremony. The kids were lined up in the hallway, and the principal spoke over the loudspeaker. All in all, a very clever way to present to a bunch of kids without a space big enough to hold more than a third of them at any time. We listened to a short speech, the Pledge of Allegiance (a few scattered kids were given flags to hold), and then we listened to God Bless the USA. The moment of silence had a few giggles, but all in all, it went smoothly. I may or may not have been holding back tears.
We began class with a group activity. I gave each table (six tables in all, four to five kids at each) a slip of paper with one of my classroom rules. They had ten minutes to prepare a one minute presentation to the class, teaching them the rule. They would be the teacher. The presentations weren't thrilling, with a lot of reading the slip of paper for the class, but the class was cooperative overall. They seemed to enjoy NOT listening to me talk for forty minutes straight.
One particular group presentation was memorable though. I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but I have a blind student in my homeroom class. He has a small typewriter-looking thing with him at all times, and today I learned that it can read text out loud to him via headphones. When it was his group's time to share, he pulled his headphones out of the computer and had his computer read the description of the rule to the class. It was all computer-y sounding. It was cool. And the class loved it.
My next class is usually a HANDFUL. Today, they were incredible. They were quiet when they were supposed to be quiet, and their presentations were fantastic. I was laughing at some of their role plays of me. The class that followed was also enjoyable, with one of my trouble students imitating me yelling at the class, during his skit.
Another pleasant surprise: the assistant principal, who continues to be wonderful, brought me a bag of small teacher tools, like homework passes and templates for notes home. She is great.
The last two classes were, respectively, meh and awful. The last class had a group of girls that mocked me the entire time and a couple of boys that would not stay seated. I yelled a bunch, but it wasn't a distaster.
Now it's the weekend. I will enjoy it.
Although I shouldn't be happy about this, I found out that the two kids that got suspended from my class yesterday decided to start their in-school suspension by stealing food from the cafeteria and trashing the assistant principal's office, and now they're both suspended for eight days. That's eight days of a much more manageable class. For everyone. I'm also a little happy that I'm not the only one responsible for their suspension.
My first three classes went great. I had a double period with my homeroom. At the start of class, we had a special September 11 ceremony. The kids were lined up in the hallway, and the principal spoke over the loudspeaker. All in all, a very clever way to present to a bunch of kids without a space big enough to hold more than a third of them at any time. We listened to a short speech, the Pledge of Allegiance (a few scattered kids were given flags to hold), and then we listened to God Bless the USA. The moment of silence had a few giggles, but all in all, it went smoothly. I may or may not have been holding back tears.
We began class with a group activity. I gave each table (six tables in all, four to five kids at each) a slip of paper with one of my classroom rules. They had ten minutes to prepare a one minute presentation to the class, teaching them the rule. They would be the teacher. The presentations weren't thrilling, with a lot of reading the slip of paper for the class, but the class was cooperative overall. They seemed to enjoy NOT listening to me talk for forty minutes straight.
One particular group presentation was memorable though. I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but I have a blind student in my homeroom class. He has a small typewriter-looking thing with him at all times, and today I learned that it can read text out loud to him via headphones. When it was his group's time to share, he pulled his headphones out of the computer and had his computer read the description of the rule to the class. It was all computer-y sounding. It was cool. And the class loved it.
My next class is usually a HANDFUL. Today, they were incredible. They were quiet when they were supposed to be quiet, and their presentations were fantastic. I was laughing at some of their role plays of me. The class that followed was also enjoyable, with one of my trouble students imitating me yelling at the class, during his skit.
Another pleasant surprise: the assistant principal, who continues to be wonderful, brought me a bag of small teacher tools, like homework passes and templates for notes home. She is great.
The last two classes were, respectively, meh and awful. The last class had a group of girls that mocked me the entire time and a couple of boys that would not stay seated. I yelled a bunch, but it wasn't a distaster.
Now it's the weekend. I will enjoy it.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Law of Large Numbers
Today was a challenging day also, but I think I like the challenge.
When I was doing research in college, my adviser always reminded me of the Law of Large Numbers. Working with bacteria, I dealt daily with numbers of individuals in the billions and trillions. My adviser, with a background in computer science, always said that bacteria behaved like computers. Since there are so many bacteria in a sample, their behavior should "average out", and overall, the population should do what it "should", given the parameters/instructions you've set forth. And, like computers, they tend to do exactly what you instruct them to do, which is not always (and usually not) exactly what you want it to do. Anyone who has ever programmed computers understands this. If the program doesn't work, it's because you made a mistake.
I am trying to approach my teaching this way. Today I had a hard day, but I think a lot of it is because I didn't always make the best decisions. The kids respond to the way you teach. There were difficult circumstances beyond my control, but I didn't respond to them in the best way.
This morning, during my double period class, there were some standardized testing logistical issues that required me to take my class downstairs and stand in the hallway for about ten minutes. Twice. Now, I don't know if you were ever thirteen, but how would you feel about standing in line in a hallway? Silently?
I pressed the issue too much. The class was behaving wonderfully in my classroom, but once we had to wait they fell apart. But I continued to manage them like we were in a classroom. I expected them to wait, in line, silently. Looking back on it, this was an unfair expectation of a bunch of eighth graders in that situation at that time, and resulted in a whole lot of confrontations between me and students who are merely chatty, and not usually confrontational.
Of course, this process kept me busy until another teacher relieved me so I could go receive my next class, who had been standing out in the hallway for ten minutes at this point. Once again, instead of accepting that the day was off to a bad start, I expected perfection. Once again, confrontations.
At this point, I had lunch, which involves a bunch of teachers sitting around compounding complaints and frustrations about students. It feels good sometimes, but today it wasn't a good idea for me. The only advice I managed to pull away from it was "Be mean. It doesn't matter what else you do, but start off mean." I took it and ran with it.
The next class was my homeroom, the class that I've built the strongest relationship with. I spent forty minutes yelling at them. I was horrible. It felt horrible. Students that had already grown to trust me were mumbling behind my back. I was too aggressive, and students misinterpreted my what-is-your-name look with staring them down. I ended up with two students openly defying me in the classroom, and sent them to the assistant principal. Not a great way to start the year.
My last class was visited by my TFA adviser. It ended up not being so bad, except that I was a little nervous and fumbling. And cranky. And then my students asked if he was my boyfriend. I had a nice talk with my adviser after class, and received good advice. I need to be less confrontational. I need to address class problems to the class, rather than trying to pick out every little whisper. I need to leave my cranky at home (but not actually at home--home is for relaxing). He also suggested that if I give my students clearer expectations, they will know in advance what the rules are, rather than waiting for my criticism. And, if I don't expect them to sit and listen to me talk at them for forty minutes, they are less likely to get antsy. I need to plan more group activities, or at least get the students involved more in the lesson.
It didn't help my day that I had to go to the DMV after school to get a CT license. And that I needed a Social Security card, which I didn't have. And I learned that after waiting in line for an hour.
There were a couple of tears, and I got as far as I-95 in the direction of my parents house, before calming down a bit and realizing that sitting in traffic for three hours was not worth it today. Even if I go to the DMV tomorrow and use the little card I got that would let me skip the line, it wouldn't be worth sitting in traffic today. Not today.
I went home, changed my clothes, and headed to the gym. A little sweating is good for everything. I am never more motivated to work out than when I know I have unpleasant work to do at home. Tonight, I have to call four students' parents with not-good things. I've already called two of those, and left voicemail. I kind of hope that I won't get called back, but that they'll get the message. The message was certainly not aggressive, it was more of "I would like to introduce myself; it seems we've gotten off to a rough start; I would appreciate suggestions on how I can better invest your child; thank you for your time."
The one thing I know is that if you threaten to call home, you gotta follow through. Two down, two to go.
Tomorrow I won't be as aggressive. Tomorrow, I'll let the kids participate more in the lesson. I need to make sure to not go in to school and apologize to my kids, even though I want to. Tomorrow I'll try something new and it might be better. But tonight, I'll make a couple of phone calls, and one of those calls will be to order Chinese food.
When I was doing research in college, my adviser always reminded me of the Law of Large Numbers. Working with bacteria, I dealt daily with numbers of individuals in the billions and trillions. My adviser, with a background in computer science, always said that bacteria behaved like computers. Since there are so many bacteria in a sample, their behavior should "average out", and overall, the population should do what it "should", given the parameters/instructions you've set forth. And, like computers, they tend to do exactly what you instruct them to do, which is not always (and usually not) exactly what you want it to do. Anyone who has ever programmed computers understands this. If the program doesn't work, it's because you made a mistake.
I am trying to approach my teaching this way. Today I had a hard day, but I think a lot of it is because I didn't always make the best decisions. The kids respond to the way you teach. There were difficult circumstances beyond my control, but I didn't respond to them in the best way.
This morning, during my double period class, there were some standardized testing logistical issues that required me to take my class downstairs and stand in the hallway for about ten minutes. Twice. Now, I don't know if you were ever thirteen, but how would you feel about standing in line in a hallway? Silently?
I pressed the issue too much. The class was behaving wonderfully in my classroom, but once we had to wait they fell apart. But I continued to manage them like we were in a classroom. I expected them to wait, in line, silently. Looking back on it, this was an unfair expectation of a bunch of eighth graders in that situation at that time, and resulted in a whole lot of confrontations between me and students who are merely chatty, and not usually confrontational.
Of course, this process kept me busy until another teacher relieved me so I could go receive my next class, who had been standing out in the hallway for ten minutes at this point. Once again, instead of accepting that the day was off to a bad start, I expected perfection. Once again, confrontations.
At this point, I had lunch, which involves a bunch of teachers sitting around compounding complaints and frustrations about students. It feels good sometimes, but today it wasn't a good idea for me. The only advice I managed to pull away from it was "Be mean. It doesn't matter what else you do, but start off mean." I took it and ran with it.
The next class was my homeroom, the class that I've built the strongest relationship with. I spent forty minutes yelling at them. I was horrible. It felt horrible. Students that had already grown to trust me were mumbling behind my back. I was too aggressive, and students misinterpreted my what-is-your-name look with staring them down. I ended up with two students openly defying me in the classroom, and sent them to the assistant principal. Not a great way to start the year.
My last class was visited by my TFA adviser. It ended up not being so bad, except that I was a little nervous and fumbling. And cranky. And then my students asked if he was my boyfriend. I had a nice talk with my adviser after class, and received good advice. I need to be less confrontational. I need to address class problems to the class, rather than trying to pick out every little whisper. I need to leave my cranky at home (but not actually at home--home is for relaxing). He also suggested that if I give my students clearer expectations, they will know in advance what the rules are, rather than waiting for my criticism. And, if I don't expect them to sit and listen to me talk at them for forty minutes, they are less likely to get antsy. I need to plan more group activities, or at least get the students involved more in the lesson.
It didn't help my day that I had to go to the DMV after school to get a CT license. And that I needed a Social Security card, which I didn't have. And I learned that after waiting in line for an hour.
There were a couple of tears, and I got as far as I-95 in the direction of my parents house, before calming down a bit and realizing that sitting in traffic for three hours was not worth it today. Even if I go to the DMV tomorrow and use the little card I got that would let me skip the line, it wouldn't be worth sitting in traffic today. Not today.
I went home, changed my clothes, and headed to the gym. A little sweating is good for everything. I am never more motivated to work out than when I know I have unpleasant work to do at home. Tonight, I have to call four students' parents with not-good things. I've already called two of those, and left voicemail. I kind of hope that I won't get called back, but that they'll get the message. The message was certainly not aggressive, it was more of "I would like to introduce myself; it seems we've gotten off to a rough start; I would appreciate suggestions on how I can better invest your child; thank you for your time."
The one thing I know is that if you threaten to call home, you gotta follow through. Two down, two to go.
Tomorrow I won't be as aggressive. Tomorrow, I'll let the kids participate more in the lesson. I need to make sure to not go in to school and apologize to my kids, even though I want to. Tomorrow I'll try something new and it might be better. But tonight, I'll make a couple of phone calls, and one of those calls will be to order Chinese food.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Ketchup
Who would give kids ketchup? After lunch duty with third-graders, it was everywhere. Everywhere.
Today was productive. At least, it felt productive. I saw three classes. Two of them took the diagnostic. The diagnostic looks disastrous, but there appears to be some knowledge here and there. These kids do not know how to take a test. Who leaves multiple choice blank?
Fortunately, I also introduced my system of consequences. Each student begins the day with 5 Participation Points. For each misbehavior, chatting in the back, or speaking out of turn (or unpreparedness or rude behavior, etc), a student loses a point. I keep track of them on a post-it. At the end of the week, students are graded in participation based on the number of points they have left out of 25 for the week. For some reason, students find this to be motivation to behave. Sure, why not?
The weird part is that one of the veteran teachers asked me for details about this plan. It's new to me, so I can't guarantee success, but I was proud to share this management idea that I stole from another TFA CM.
Now I've got to get back to planning.
Today was productive. At least, it felt productive. I saw three classes. Two of them took the diagnostic. The diagnostic looks disastrous, but there appears to be some knowledge here and there. These kids do not know how to take a test. Who leaves multiple choice blank?
Fortunately, I also introduced my system of consequences. Each student begins the day with 5 Participation Points. For each misbehavior, chatting in the back, or speaking out of turn (or unpreparedness or rude behavior, etc), a student loses a point. I keep track of them on a post-it. At the end of the week, students are graded in participation based on the number of points they have left out of 25 for the week. For some reason, students find this to be motivation to behave. Sure, why not?
The weird part is that one of the veteran teachers asked me for details about this plan. It's new to me, so I can't guarantee success, but I was proud to share this management idea that I stole from another TFA CM.
Now I've got to get back to planning.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Helicopter
Today, I thought I'd share some pictures. One is of my classroom and one is of my helicopter (story to follow).
I left school today with the counting-down-the-days mindset. Four hours later, I had an "I love this job" moment. Here's the story.
Today was challenging. I learned a lot, but had a lot of difficulty. My homeroom class was really hard. I gave out locker assignments today, so much of the ENTIRE DAY was spent helping kids open their lockers. They were late to every class, as were the kids who got their locker assignments last week. From what I've heard, that is to be expected until about Christmas.
Later, when I saw my homeroom class, I gave them assigned seats. I put their folders at the right seats, and asked the students to sit there. Ha. I gave them a minute, and looked up to find them seated, with their folders, not in their assigned seats. I got angry. I made them stand up and resat them. The whole process took thirty minutes out of a 42 minute period. I swiftly went through the rules and consequences, and called it a day.
I learned today that each class has about fifteen minutes of quiet learning time before I need to plan other activities. And I used this fifteen minutes well for three of my classes. Three of my classes have appeared to learn observation and inference. They were engaged in a Powerpoint I found on the internet. It was a good one that had a lot of good examples to illustrate the concepts of observation (information taken with five senses) and inference (explanation of observation based on prior knowledge). I then gave them a quick demo of a lit candle covered with a beaker (poof!). Most of them understood that candles need oxygen, but it helped teach them the difference between and observation (candle goes out) and inference (the flame ran out of oxygen/air). The principal happened to visit during the engaging Powerpoint part. The kids were well-behaved and I was proud.
The homeroom class chaos happened after this, and then bus dismissal was rough as usual.
Also, it was rainy, which means no sunshine for the day. That always makes me sleepy and cranky.
After school, it got better quickly. I visited the local cheese shop. I made friends and bought 3 kinds of cheese and a baguette. I sat in traffic and munched on bread. I sat in traffic in the rain for a bit. I spent the time figuring out how I am going to call the parents of each of my 130 students to introduce myself in the next couple of weeks. My dad suggested that I call one today two tomorrow, and so on. It'll take three weeks, but it feels manageable.
I arrived home and collected packages for a dish rack and a helicopter. Yeah, a helicopter. I found an RC helicopter for sale on Amazon.com. It was a $130 helicopter being sold for about $20. And today it came in the mail.
I ate some cheese while the helicopter charged via USB. I then got to play with it. First of all, it is challenging to fly a helicopter, even a six-inch one. Also, it's good it is durable toy, because I think I hit every surface of my apartment in the process.
I just thought I'd mention that I bought the helicopter with the intention of sharing it with my class. It's a great demonstration of many physics principles. I BOUGHT IT FOR CLASS. No, really. I love this job.
I left school today with the counting-down-the-days mindset. Four hours later, I had an "I love this job" moment. Here's the story.
Today was challenging. I learned a lot, but had a lot of difficulty. My homeroom class was really hard. I gave out locker assignments today, so much of the ENTIRE DAY was spent helping kids open their lockers. They were late to every class, as were the kids who got their locker assignments last week. From what I've heard, that is to be expected until about Christmas.
Later, when I saw my homeroom class, I gave them assigned seats. I put their folders at the right seats, and asked the students to sit there. Ha. I gave them a minute, and looked up to find them seated, with their folders, not in their assigned seats. I got angry. I made them stand up and resat them. The whole process took thirty minutes out of a 42 minute period. I swiftly went through the rules and consequences, and called it a day.
I learned today that each class has about fifteen minutes of quiet learning time before I need to plan other activities. And I used this fifteen minutes well for three of my classes. Three of my classes have appeared to learn observation and inference. They were engaged in a Powerpoint I found on the internet. It was a good one that had a lot of good examples to illustrate the concepts of observation (information taken with five senses) and inference (explanation of observation based on prior knowledge). I then gave them a quick demo of a lit candle covered with a beaker (poof!). Most of them understood that candles need oxygen, but it helped teach them the difference between and observation (candle goes out) and inference (the flame ran out of oxygen/air). The principal happened to visit during the engaging Powerpoint part. The kids were well-behaved and I was proud.
The homeroom class chaos happened after this, and then bus dismissal was rough as usual.
Also, it was rainy, which means no sunshine for the day. That always makes me sleepy and cranky.
After school, it got better quickly. I visited the local cheese shop. I made friends and bought 3 kinds of cheese and a baguette. I sat in traffic and munched on bread. I sat in traffic in the rain for a bit. I spent the time figuring out how I am going to call the parents of each of my 130 students to introduce myself in the next couple of weeks. My dad suggested that I call one today two tomorrow, and so on. It'll take three weeks, but it feels manageable.
I arrived home and collected packages for a dish rack and a helicopter. Yeah, a helicopter. I found an RC helicopter for sale on Amazon.com. It was a $130 helicopter being sold for about $20. And today it came in the mail.
I ate some cheese while the helicopter charged via USB. I then got to play with it. First of all, it is challenging to fly a helicopter, even a six-inch one. Also, it's good it is durable toy, because I think I hit every surface of my apartment in the process.
I just thought I'd mention that I bought the helicopter with the intention of sharing it with my class. It's a great demonstration of many physics principles. I BOUGHT IT FOR CLASS. No, really. I love this job.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Old
I have never in my life considered myself to be old. Yet, I keep finding examples of being much, much older than my students.
Most of my students are 12-13, which means they were born in 1998 and 1999. I have been playing video games since before they were born, and sometimes the same games! (Pokemon anyone?)
A student asked how I old I am. Of course, I don't think I should share something like that, but I asked her to guess anyway. The two guesses I got were 29 and 32. Ha.
This evening I was doing one of the more enjoyable busy tasks, which is putting together a sub folder. I want to have a folder in my desk for a substitute teacher. It will have worksheets and lesson plans for 3-4 days worth of work. This time, I was surfing through episodes of Mythbusters looking for something appropriate for class (no fighting or shooting, explosions okay), and I came across the phone book episode. It's one of my favorite episodes because it really shows the strength of friction. They show that if you take two phone book, and put them together so that each page alternates with a page from the other book, it is really hard to pull them apart. So hard, in fact, that it takes two heavy duty tanks driving in opposite directions to pull them apart. Unfortunately, I don't think my kids know what a phone book is.
Most of my students are 12-13, which means they were born in 1998 and 1999. I have been playing video games since before they were born, and sometimes the same games! (Pokemon anyone?)
A student asked how I old I am. Of course, I don't think I should share something like that, but I asked her to guess anyway. The two guesses I got were 29 and 32. Ha.
This evening I was doing one of the more enjoyable busy tasks, which is putting together a sub folder. I want to have a folder in my desk for a substitute teacher. It will have worksheets and lesson plans for 3-4 days worth of work. This time, I was surfing through episodes of Mythbusters looking for something appropriate for class (no fighting or shooting, explosions okay), and I came across the phone book episode. It's one of my favorite episodes because it really shows the strength of friction. They show that if you take two phone book, and put them together so that each page alternates with a page from the other book, it is really hard to pull them apart. So hard, in fact, that it takes two heavy duty tanks driving in opposite directions to pull them apart. Unfortunately, I don't think my kids know what a phone book is.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
2 Down, 181 to Go
I guess the shiny newness of it has begun to wear off already, but it's still fun. Today, my classes ranged from Super-Awesome to Why-Am-I-Here.
Before class started today, I discovered my mailbox in the main office, which was full of junk I need to look at. Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow.
My first class was a double period of eighth graders, and they were GREAT. They were enthusiastic about the material, learned procedures with humor, and were totally blown away by my demo (sodium polyacrilate + water in a styrofoam cup, and no water comes out!). The 90 minutes I had them flew by.
Then there was a class of seventh graders that just didn't get it. They were not cooperating. I couldn't get a word in amongst all of their side conversations. I had them practice lining up to exit for ten or fifteen minutes, because they couldn't do it without talking. By the end, I'm pretty sure they hated me. I even got a solid dirty look, the kind that can only be made by a twelve-year-old female in school.
Tomorrow is payday, but not for me. I have to wait another two weeks, due to some certification-pending stuff.
After school we had a meeting, which ran long, and in which we learned that we are expected to do a lot of extra work for our special education students. Not thoroughly surprising, but adding stress to the pile.
I also had to have the next two weeks of lesson plans prepared by tomorrow, which I've done. I've enjoyed doing it. You know you've found the right job when you enjoy the homework. Still, I'm going to take a couple of days to relax. Tomorrow is Friday, which means I teach 6 periods. It'll be long, my back will hurt, and my voice will get tired. I'm a little nervous about the first full day, but I just have to get through it and then it's the weekend! My first weekend as a teacher...I better make it count. I may even have a drink with dinner tomorrow.
I received my boxspring today; my apartment is almost complete. I only have a garbage can left to receive, and then it's finished! Also, some cleaning to do.
Before class started today, I discovered my mailbox in the main office, which was full of junk I need to look at. Tomorrow. I'll do it tomorrow.
My first class was a double period of eighth graders, and they were GREAT. They were enthusiastic about the material, learned procedures with humor, and were totally blown away by my demo (sodium polyacrilate + water in a styrofoam cup, and no water comes out!). The 90 minutes I had them flew by.
Then there was a class of seventh graders that just didn't get it. They were not cooperating. I couldn't get a word in amongst all of their side conversations. I had them practice lining up to exit for ten or fifteen minutes, because they couldn't do it without talking. By the end, I'm pretty sure they hated me. I even got a solid dirty look, the kind that can only be made by a twelve-year-old female in school.
Tomorrow is payday, but not for me. I have to wait another two weeks, due to some certification-pending stuff.
After school we had a meeting, which ran long, and in which we learned that we are expected to do a lot of extra work for our special education students. Not thoroughly surprising, but adding stress to the pile.
I also had to have the next two weeks of lesson plans prepared by tomorrow, which I've done. I've enjoyed doing it. You know you've found the right job when you enjoy the homework. Still, I'm going to take a couple of days to relax. Tomorrow is Friday, which means I teach 6 periods. It'll be long, my back will hurt, and my voice will get tired. I'm a little nervous about the first full day, but I just have to get through it and then it's the weekend! My first weekend as a teacher...I better make it count. I may even have a drink with dinner tomorrow.
I received my boxspring today; my apartment is almost complete. I only have a garbage can left to receive, and then it's finished! Also, some cleaning to do.
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