It looks like there's at least four inches of snow out there. It has not stopped, and like I said before, it's supposed to just keep on going. Is that all a blizzard is, just lots of snow without stopping? I thought it would be a stormy, frenzy of snow...or something.
I'm definitely thinking about the project deadline for Monday. With this snow, I'm not sure how we're going to do things. Or how I'm going to try and orchestrate it. I think I need to wait until tomorrow after the snow stops. I could let them turn things in on Wednesday, but no time in class to do it. There's a reason I made the deadline on a Monday, so that the kids could meet up and go to the library and everything. During the week, a bunch of kids do the after school program and don't get out until 6 or something, and then they and their parents complain about them not being able to get on a computer. There's no way I'm going to extend the deadline a whole week, especially since grades will be due next Tuesday. No, I think Wednesday might have to work, and they'll just have to do what they can to finish it up. Thank goodness it's a group thing and hopefully one person in each group has a computer and can type stuff.
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Regarding the most recent comment here:
"...You don't sound like you have the patience to be a teacher. If he is a problem child, you need to give him extra attention....i mean that's your job!"
I've been trying to think how to address this, without just reacting. Negative comments bug me for the obvious personal reasons, and sometimes I can let it go without defending myself. Because really, these people may read this, but they don't know me. They're not in the classroom with me. These kinds of personal judgments and name-calling, that's not okay with me. So here I am, I'm going to respond to this, to try to shed a bit more light on the issue.
I have several points I need to make, so bear with me. Let me know if I'm articulate enough.
1. Giving a struggling student extra attention is one thing. That IS my job. That's not the problem. The problem in this case has several aspects that you may or may not have gotten from my entries. First, most obviously, the abuse of my personal time. SIX PHONE CALLS IN LESS THAN TWENTY FOUR HOURS. That is not okay with me. Occasional calls to check up on things, or to clarify an occasional homework assignment, I have no problem with that, I'm more than happy to help. But that's not what this is.
I'm not getting calls from the student himself. I'm not even getting calls from his sister on his behalf. The calls are on HER behalf. Her words are always things like, "I don't understand what he's supposed to do," not something like, "He's confused about this part of the assignment."
Do you see the difference?
Here's one example from the Friday conversation. She told me that she asked him what his group said, but that she didn't understand him. So she was like, what should he do? I told her, "He needs to call his group and find out. *I* don't know what they said. It's up to him to remember or call them. I am not responsible for their work, THEY are. You need to talk to him, not me. "
Like I think I mentioned, this child's homework is clearly not done by him, so the phone calls are for her to tell the tutor what to do. Does this make sense?
If he was paying any kind of attention at all in class, he might have a clarifying question or two now and then. That's cool. But I get these calls on a regular basis. So clearly, he's not doing anything in class, and instead of making him responsible and accountable for what happens in school, she just calls me, asks me what to do, and then has the freaking tutor do it anyway.
He's not the one getting extra attention here. SHE is. He is the one that needs it. I let him know about my suspicions yesterday, and next week I plan on calling his sister and talking to her about it, to figure out how we can make sure he is understanding and doing the work. THAT IS MY JOB. My job is not to constantly answer redundant, repetitive questions. That is just dumb and it gets on my nerves. I don't deal well with people who act stupid or ignorant like that.
Let me see if I can help you understand this. Imagine someone coming up to you and asking you the time. You respond and say, "it's 2.45" or whatever. Then they stand there and say, "so do you know what time it is?" You try not to roll your eyes and repeat that it is 2.45. They reply: "So it's 2.45?" "Yes." "So you're saying it's a quarter to three?" "YES." Would that get on your nerves? I'm not joking, that's the type of conversation I had with her on Thursday AND Friday nights.
2. There's so much focus on students' progress and stuff (which, of course, is the whole point of school), but the teachers get ignored. It seems like there are a lot of idealists out there who believe that all teachers are or should be mellow, loving, hippy-dippy sorts.
Well, two things about that: one, any teacher like that, at ANY school level, in New York City schools would seriously get their asses handed to them. I'm not even mellow or loving, and these eleven-year-olds keep trying to walk all over me. My colleagues tell me over and over to get meaner and bitchier, to make them feel bad about themselves so they'll behave. It's a completely different world here than where I went to school.
Second, teachers are people too. We are not blank robots who spew out times tables or parts of speech without reacting to the students or teachers around us. We have emotions and problems and all that. Each teacher is a unique person with their own characteristic strengths and weaknesses, and as long as they are actually working hard and doing their job, there is nothing wrong with that. It sounds silly and obvious, but it's true. We are doing our best. I am doing my best. I am learning every day.
Patience IS a virtue. I would be the first to tell you that I am far from perfect, and that I have plenty of things to work on, in my personal and professional life. This job is beyond difficult, and anyone not in the profession really cannot empathize with that. If you think that reading the blog of a teacher enables you to know what that person actually goes through every day, and gives you the right to judge it and them, then you are mistaken. You are not in the classroom with me. Judge what you like from this site, but you need to realize that you are not making a fully-informed decision, as you only see part of the picture. Yes, often that picture is a frustrated one, because this is the toughest year of my life. So deal with it. That's all I'm trying to do.
If I hung up on her, or refused to answer her questions, or yelled at her, or some other inappropriate thing, then go ahead and tell me I'm not doing the right thing. I'd agree with you. But I'm standing up for myself, my integrity and privacy, and goddamn it, I have a right to do that. I'm also trying to stand up for the integrity of this kid. Projects and homework are not assigned for parents or siblings to DO for the students. Helping is one thing. DOING for them is wholly another.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
Blizzard Updates 2005
It is noon, and the snow is falling fairly gently here, nothing really sticking yet. I just heard on NBC that it will snow until noon tomorrow and there may be up to TWO feet of snow. I doubt that for around here, though. Maybe further out on the island. We'll see.
So last night was pretty ugly for me. My throat hurt really bad and I could hardly eat because swallowing was so painful. I finally went to bed at 12.30, but could not at all breathe through my nose. I hate that and I can't sleep that way. Plus, for some reason, my phone rang four times. The calling number was just listed as "425" which is the area code of my phone. Hm, suspicious. The last time, I woke up and answered it in time, but got no response. And then I just turned it off. No voicemails this morning.
All of that was around 2am. Then, at six, I was awake again, not being able to breathe. I popped some decongestant and returned to bed, tossing and turning.
At 8 I was awake again, and I got up that time. Good news is that swallowing is not as painful now, so I can eat normally again. Haven't done anything all morning, and also took a little nap.
Snow looks a bit thicker now. Eee!
So last night was pretty ugly for me. My throat hurt really bad and I could hardly eat because swallowing was so painful. I finally went to bed at 12.30, but could not at all breathe through my nose. I hate that and I can't sleep that way. Plus, for some reason, my phone rang four times. The calling number was just listed as "425" which is the area code of my phone. Hm, suspicious. The last time, I woke up and answered it in time, but got no response. And then I just turned it off. No voicemails this morning.
All of that was around 2am. Then, at six, I was awake again, not being able to breathe. I popped some decongestant and returned to bed, tossing and turning.
At 8 I was awake again, and I got up that time. Good news is that swallowing is not as painful now, so I can eat normally again. Haven't done anything all morning, and also took a little nap.
Snow looks a bit thicker now. Eee!
Friday, January 21, 2005
Blizzard Warning!
Between six and twelve inches of snow are expected to fall between tonight and Sunday. Whee! It has been years since I've seen that kind of snowfall. I'm excited. As you and I both know, I'm more than comfortable staying in my house all weekend.
So it's now Friday! I am thrilled, of course.
Thursday was a long, busy day. My throat hurt, but I could still talk fairly normally. I think my classes were okay. I went over the expectations for the final written proposal, the oral presentation, and the presentation board. Class C got all whiny and indignant about the typed requirement, which was just ridiculous because they knew about that back in December, as did their parents, if they actually read the notice I sent home with them. Grr.
While handing back drafts yesterday in Class B, I stopped by this one girl's desk and said to her, "[Student], you are such a great writer! You do a really good job of writing with voice and engaging the reader. I hope to see more work from you." She grinned and got all squirmy. It was cute.
After school, I talked to another first-year teacher who has some great resource books for test prep. Then, all too soon, it was time for the big meeting.
I think altogether eight parents showed up. That was good, I was happy with that. The parents seemed amenable to the AP's message: basically, the kids need to shape up. I showed them the ELA conduct sheet, and a parent made a couple suggestions to make it better. I agreed to redo it and try to get it out to all these kids at the beginning of next week (or possible the week after, since that will be the first week of the new quarter). Little C's cousin was there, she's also a new teacher and knows not to fall for Little C's sob stories about not feeling good. I already knew that because the day before, he'd tried to claim he felt sick. I told him straight out, "I do not believe you, because ten minutes ago, you were running around and wrestling in the hallway!" Anyway, she was nice.
Then, right as I was about to leave, another parent showed up and I talked to her and her son for another twenty minutes or so.
I left at six o'clock. Phew. My stomach had been rumbling for hours already, but right as I walked into my room to drop my stuff, the phone rang.
It was the sister of one of my struggling students. I get a lot of calls from her; she called me twice last night and tried to call FOUR TIMES today. She keeps asking the same questions over and over, not listening to my responses. She calls and asks me questions about what her brother is supposed to do. Either he does not pay any attention, or she's doing the work for him.
I very reluctantly just answered her most recent call. I was really irritated at last night's two calls, but I thought, ok, it's a new day, try to be patient. But then she went and asked me the same stupid questions over and over, and asking, "what should he do?" and "I asked him what to do and I couldn't understand him," and then, "so is the presentation board about the group project or his topic [the random tangent that he went off onto]?" After all the talk last night about group work, I was done. So I said, as stern as I could without being openly hostile, "Look. You need to talk to him. I don't know what he said. You keep asking me these questions that you should be asking him. Talk to him first, not me." Apparently she got the hint and said "um, okay, well, thank you, bye." This is what I get for calling people on my own cell phone and leaving my number too. So far no one has abused it, I've gotten a couple random calls from parents with questions, which is totally cool. But this? Calling four fucking times in one day? Not okay. She does not get any more of my personal time OR my daytime minutes. IT'S OVER.
Ohhkay. Deep breath, it's over, moving on.
How was today? It was Friday, and it was okay. Started off with Class A first period, and we did some quick test prep together. They were pretty good. Actually, quite good. I made sure to keep a very close eye on those boys whose parents I'd just seen, and praised and thanked them for their work. I've started making "good job" lists in my anecdote book, and I let the kids know when I'm putting their name on it. Then, they get a jelly bean at the end of class.
Once they went into group work, the group that includes Little K and Little C were not exactly model students. There was definitely time spent out of their seats and goofing around. Oh yeah: before class, Little C came up and said quietly, "Ms C, maybe next time we have new seats, I shouldn't sit with my friends, cause they distract me. And next time we do a project, maybe I'll take someone that does their work, because these kids distract me." I told him that I was sort of afraid that would happen, but I was glad he noticed and that he knew what he needed to do. It was very sweet. I was touched that he had the courage to admit that to me. He's a good kid.
Another group of girls has done not a thing in class all week long. The other group of boys that can be troublesome was fairly mellow today, if not exactly productive. The other three or four groups kept up their tradition of being mostly good students.
Altogether, pretty cool way to start the day.
Many kids had actually listened to my suggestion that they come in today at lunch to work on their projects. A few groups brought in their boards and got started cutting out letters for their titles, and figuring out their design. There must have been at least thirty kids in there, because there was a group crowded around each of the six tables. It was a bit chaotic. I tried not to get too cranky; I hate noise during lunch.
Class B was chatty, as usual. After waiting a good six minutes for them to get ready in the hallway before entering, it took awhile to go over the rubric checklist, so they had a mere four minutes to get in some logistical planning. Four minutes of chaos, and I just let it go. Probably not the best idea, but today is the last day of it, so I'm going to just relax and make sure to plan the next group project a lot differently.
Class C...I had to yell at them for excess chattiness and attitude. (I do my best to do it to keep them on their toes, not because I'm angry. I do get irritated, but I take it to the next step to keep them in line a bit. Like I've said before, it's kind of fun, putting on a mean teacher act.) They did well with the test prep, though. The group stuff was a little chaotic, but I guess I've seen worse.
With all this blizzard hullaballoo, I'm contemplating allowing them to turn things in a bit later. I won't tell them this, of course. We'll see how the weekend goes.
So it's now Friday! I am thrilled, of course.
Thursday was a long, busy day. My throat hurt, but I could still talk fairly normally. I think my classes were okay. I went over the expectations for the final written proposal, the oral presentation, and the presentation board. Class C got all whiny and indignant about the typed requirement, which was just ridiculous because they knew about that back in December, as did their parents, if they actually read the notice I sent home with them. Grr.
While handing back drafts yesterday in Class B, I stopped by this one girl's desk and said to her, "[Student], you are such a great writer! You do a really good job of writing with voice and engaging the reader. I hope to see more work from you." She grinned and got all squirmy. It was cute.
After school, I talked to another first-year teacher who has some great resource books for test prep. Then, all too soon, it was time for the big meeting.
I think altogether eight parents showed up. That was good, I was happy with that. The parents seemed amenable to the AP's message: basically, the kids need to shape up. I showed them the ELA conduct sheet, and a parent made a couple suggestions to make it better. I agreed to redo it and try to get it out to all these kids at the beginning of next week (or possible the week after, since that will be the first week of the new quarter). Little C's cousin was there, she's also a new teacher and knows not to fall for Little C's sob stories about not feeling good. I already knew that because the day before, he'd tried to claim he felt sick. I told him straight out, "I do not believe you, because ten minutes ago, you were running around and wrestling in the hallway!" Anyway, she was nice.
Then, right as I was about to leave, another parent showed up and I talked to her and her son for another twenty minutes or so.
I left at six o'clock. Phew. My stomach had been rumbling for hours already, but right as I walked into my room to drop my stuff, the phone rang.
It was the sister of one of my struggling students. I get a lot of calls from her; she called me twice last night and tried to call FOUR TIMES today. She keeps asking the same questions over and over, not listening to my responses. She calls and asks me questions about what her brother is supposed to do. Either he does not pay any attention, or she's doing the work for him.
I very reluctantly just answered her most recent call. I was really irritated at last night's two calls, but I thought, ok, it's a new day, try to be patient. But then she went and asked me the same stupid questions over and over, and asking, "what should he do?" and "I asked him what to do and I couldn't understand him," and then, "so is the presentation board about the group project or his topic [the random tangent that he went off onto]?" After all the talk last night about group work, I was done. So I said, as stern as I could without being openly hostile, "Look. You need to talk to him. I don't know what he said. You keep asking me these questions that you should be asking him. Talk to him first, not me." Apparently she got the hint and said "um, okay, well, thank you, bye." This is what I get for calling people on my own cell phone and leaving my number too. So far no one has abused it, I've gotten a couple random calls from parents with questions, which is totally cool. But this? Calling four fucking times in one day? Not okay. She does not get any more of my personal time OR my daytime minutes. IT'S OVER.
Ohhkay. Deep breath, it's over, moving on.
How was today? It was Friday, and it was okay. Started off with Class A first period, and we did some quick test prep together. They were pretty good. Actually, quite good. I made sure to keep a very close eye on those boys whose parents I'd just seen, and praised and thanked them for their work. I've started making "good job" lists in my anecdote book, and I let the kids know when I'm putting their name on it. Then, they get a jelly bean at the end of class.
Once they went into group work, the group that includes Little K and Little C were not exactly model students. There was definitely time spent out of their seats and goofing around. Oh yeah: before class, Little C came up and said quietly, "Ms C, maybe next time we have new seats, I shouldn't sit with my friends, cause they distract me. And next time we do a project, maybe I'll take someone that does their work, because these kids distract me." I told him that I was sort of afraid that would happen, but I was glad he noticed and that he knew what he needed to do. It was very sweet. I was touched that he had the courage to admit that to me. He's a good kid.
Another group of girls has done not a thing in class all week long. The other group of boys that can be troublesome was fairly mellow today, if not exactly productive. The other three or four groups kept up their tradition of being mostly good students.
Altogether, pretty cool way to start the day.
Many kids had actually listened to my suggestion that they come in today at lunch to work on their projects. A few groups brought in their boards and got started cutting out letters for their titles, and figuring out their design. There must have been at least thirty kids in there, because there was a group crowded around each of the six tables. It was a bit chaotic. I tried not to get too cranky; I hate noise during lunch.
Class B was chatty, as usual. After waiting a good six minutes for them to get ready in the hallway before entering, it took awhile to go over the rubric checklist, so they had a mere four minutes to get in some logistical planning. Four minutes of chaos, and I just let it go. Probably not the best idea, but today is the last day of it, so I'm going to just relax and make sure to plan the next group project a lot differently.
Class C...I had to yell at them for excess chattiness and attitude. (I do my best to do it to keep them on their toes, not because I'm angry. I do get irritated, but I take it to the next step to keep them in line a bit. Like I've said before, it's kind of fun, putting on a mean teacher act.) They did well with the test prep, though. The group stuff was a little chaotic, but I guess I've seen worse.
With all this blizzard hullaballoo, I'm contemplating allowing them to turn things in a bit later. I won't tell them this, of course. We'll see how the weekend goes.
"Why English Teachers Die Young"
I apologize for sticking an emailed forward in here. But this one, it's just too funny. I do apologize if it's been going around for months and you're tired of it.
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Actual Analogies and Metaphors Found in High School Essays.
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a six-foot-three-inch tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Grandpappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Jack. But unlike Jack, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
23. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells,as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
26. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser.
27. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs.
28. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.
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Actual Analogies and Metaphors Found in High School Essays.
1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.
2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.
3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.
4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. coli and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.
5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.
6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.
7. He was as tall as a six-foot-three-inch tree.
8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM.
9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.
10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.
11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p.m. instead of 7:30.
12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.
13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry them in hot grease.
14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p.m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p.m. at a speed of 35 mph.
15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.
16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.
17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant and she was the East River.
18. Even in his last years, Grandpappy had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.
19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.
20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Jack. But unlike Jack, this plan just might work.
21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.
22. He was as lame as a duck. Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame. Maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.
23. The ballerina rose gracefully en pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.
24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.
25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells,as if she were a garbage truck backing up.
26. Her eyes were like limpid pools, only they had forgotten to put in any pH cleanser.
27. She walked into my office like a centipede with 98 missing legs.
28. It hurt the way your tongue hurts after you accidentally staple it to the wall.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Y'all, it hurts, even more now
The throat, the glands, the headache....owww, and waaaahh.
Despite this unwelcome development in my health, I was a good, productive girl. I made those calls and then actually graded papers! Hurrah for me! (I'm proud of myself because I graded last night's homework on the train this morning, and then very hurriedly during a prep while simultaneously finishing an informal conference with Ms F. Bad me! No more procrastination!)
Between 8.20 and 9.00, a few of my brain cells died while watching the atrocious something Swimsuit Model Search something. Good lord, it was all either whining or gratuitous shots of bikini-clad young girls. LAME.
It's 9.05 now and I am going to bed. I'm not holding out for much improvement in the morning. I wonder how well I'll be able to talk? Oh jesus, there's no way I can call in tomorrow; I have that meeting at 4 with all those parents! Please help me get through all that, I think it's going to suck.
Despite this unwelcome development in my health, I was a good, productive girl. I made those calls and then actually graded papers! Hurrah for me! (I'm proud of myself because I graded last night's homework on the train this morning, and then very hurriedly during a prep while simultaneously finishing an informal conference with Ms F. Bad me! No more procrastination!)
Between 8.20 and 9.00, a few of my brain cells died while watching the atrocious something Swimsuit Model Search something. Good lord, it was all either whining or gratuitous shots of bikini-clad young girls. LAME.
It's 9.05 now and I am going to bed. I'm not holding out for much improvement in the morning. I wonder how well I'll be able to talk? Oh jesus, there's no way I can call in tomorrow; I have that meeting at 4 with all those parents! Please help me get through all that, I think it's going to suck.
"Help Meeeee" says my throat
Ooh, my throat feels weird. It hurts to swallow, but sort of like there's something squeezing my throat from the outside. And I can feel my lymph nodes, a bit swollen. Not to mention some sinus pressure. Waah, boo, etc.
So. Today was alright. They were supposed to write the Background/Historical Info section and get started on the Issue section.
Ms F came in for Class A this morning. Of course, they did excellently for the first half of class. The second half they were a bit chatty, naturally. Four or five students stayed on task the whole time. I gave them a jelly bean.
Ooh, I had a coverage fourth. That meant none of my lunchtime regulars could stay and get some work done. But the class was not too bad, actually. I brought in the BrainQuest that I got over the weekend, and played that in teams. They behaved pretty well and were involved. That's cool. What a difference!
Class B was not very ideal. Three students were on task the entire time. Big D might have his name changed to Dispicable Jackass. He absolutely does not deserve to be in school at all. I'm going to be writing a letter to the administration about the fact that he verbally and physically assaults other students, blatantly flouts the rules, and to top it off, does not even pretend to work.
Anyway. Class C was okay. Only one student was on task the entire time. Eh.
Shit, I need to make some phone calls. And grade papers. And then go to bed. I went to sleep at 10 last night but am still worn out.
Oh, I forgot--it snowed today, twice! For awhile during second period (it only briefly distracted the kids, thank god), and also after school. Whee, pretty.
This is classic: yesterday at our 6th grade ELA common planning (three of us are new teachers), someone mentioned midterms. As in, we have to give them. They get their own column in the report cards. Has ANYONE mentioned a WORD about midterms, at ALL? NEVER.
Then the "weekly circular" that was distributed yesterday says, "Midterms must be given the week of Jan 18." Yesterday was the 18th. That's this week.
Any of you out there want to call bullshit?
So. Today was alright. They were supposed to write the Background/Historical Info section and get started on the Issue section.
Ms F came in for Class A this morning. Of course, they did excellently for the first half of class. The second half they were a bit chatty, naturally. Four or five students stayed on task the whole time. I gave them a jelly bean.
Ooh, I had a coverage fourth. That meant none of my lunchtime regulars could stay and get some work done. But the class was not too bad, actually. I brought in the BrainQuest that I got over the weekend, and played that in teams. They behaved pretty well and were involved. That's cool. What a difference!
Class B was not very ideal. Three students were on task the entire time. Big D might have his name changed to Dispicable Jackass. He absolutely does not deserve to be in school at all. I'm going to be writing a letter to the administration about the fact that he verbally and physically assaults other students, blatantly flouts the rules, and to top it off, does not even pretend to work.
Anyway. Class C was okay. Only one student was on task the entire time. Eh.
Shit, I need to make some phone calls. And grade papers. And then go to bed. I went to sleep at 10 last night but am still worn out.
Oh, I forgot--it snowed today, twice! For awhile during second period (it only briefly distracted the kids, thank god), and also after school. Whee, pretty.
This is classic: yesterday at our 6th grade ELA common planning (three of us are new teachers), someone mentioned midterms. As in, we have to give them. They get their own column in the report cards. Has ANYONE mentioned a WORD about midterms, at ALL? NEVER.
Then the "weekly circular" that was distributed yesterday says, "Midterms must be given the week of Jan 18." Yesterday was the 18th. That's this week.
Any of you out there want to call bullshit?
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
The Friday Countdown starts early this week
Okay, yeah, I don't feel good. In mind or in spirit. It's still fucking cold inside. Okay, I just put gloves on. GLOVES ON. INFUCKINGDOORS!
My headache is still there, a little more dull, a little more achy. It sort of feels like it's in my sinuses too, or something. Uh oh, that's not good. Maybe the throat tickle (which is a little louder than a tickle) is not a fluke. Dammit, if I'm getting sick, I can't let myself take another day off. I just took on not even two full weeks ago. SHIT. Three more days until the weekend!
At the moment I'm just feeling defeated, down, depressed, and some other negative D words.
No, I'm not much more nutritioned than I was last week. Still not enough food, or sleep either. I think I will crash very early tonight, maybe that will help. See how icky I feel? I don't even care about television. True, I will be taping Scrubs and SVU, but normally I would watch The Amazing Race. I don't care about it anymore, though, so I might as well quit watching it and wasting time.
You know what I do want? Just a hug. Someone who will listen to me groan and reassure me that things will be fine and then give me a nice big cushy hug. It doesn't matter too much; a friend, a boy, a parent, I'm not choosy.
These gloves seem to helping my cold-ass hands. I guess that's something. Dangit, now I'm shivering (don't worry, it's probably more emotion than temperature; I'm pretty sure I can't get hypothermia indoors. The ice water probably does not help either).
My headache is still there, a little more dull, a little more achy. It sort of feels like it's in my sinuses too, or something. Uh oh, that's not good. Maybe the throat tickle (which is a little louder than a tickle) is not a fluke. Dammit, if I'm getting sick, I can't let myself take another day off. I just took on not even two full weeks ago. SHIT. Three more days until the weekend!
At the moment I'm just feeling defeated, down, depressed, and some other negative D words.
No, I'm not much more nutritioned than I was last week. Still not enough food, or sleep either. I think I will crash very early tonight, maybe that will help. See how icky I feel? I don't even care about television. True, I will be taping Scrubs and SVU, but normally I would watch The Amazing Race. I don't care about it anymore, though, so I might as well quit watching it and wasting time.
You know what I do want? Just a hug. Someone who will listen to me groan and reassure me that things will be fine and then give me a nice big cushy hug. It doesn't matter too much; a friend, a boy, a parent, I'm not choosy.
These gloves seem to helping my cold-ass hands. I guess that's something. Dangit, now I'm shivering (don't worry, it's probably more emotion than temperature; I'm pretty sure I can't get hypothermia indoors. The ice water probably does not help either).
Holy Numb Hands, Batman
It's another frigid day--according to Yahoo weather, it "feels like -1." I must say I agree. I was outside after school for perhaps four minutes without gloves or coat, and it was painfully cold. Even with coat and gloves, my hands went painfully numb (that may or may not be an oxymoron, but it's true nonetheless).
Last night there was no heat on inside, and I could hardly feel my hands, even after I'd been in my cozy bed. (My bed has a top sheet and then five blankets--no sane reason to be cold in there!) And it's not any better so far this evening. I can't tell you how much I loathe being cold when inside a house that should be warm. To get feeling into my fingers, I literally have to warm my hands over the flame of that yummy pear candle. RIDICULOUS.
Okay, moving on. Everyone knows that it's rude and gross to eat on the train, right? Well, on the F train this afternoon, there were two teenagers, a boy and a girl. They were conducting some kind of potato chip taste test. There were four or five small bags of chips, and they kept switching between them. "This one?" Crunch, smack, crunch. A few minutes later: "How about that one?" Crunch, crunch, smack. There was talk like, "One hundred calories." "TWO hundred calories." And more crunching and smacking. Not to mention the half-bag's worth of chips and pretzels littering the floor beneath their seat.
HATE!
Right, so continuing the day's journey backwards....
Today's lesson/work (in extended writing workshop--no reading) was to write the introduction and start the conclusion. I used another food metaphor--the Belgian waffle--to teach the introduction paragraph. (I don't think any of the kids had ever heard of a Belgian waffle, interestingly.) They all thought it was eggs or a donut or something. Anyway, my paper waffle had whip cream and a cherry.
The cherry represents the opening sentence to draw in the reader (I am quite pleased at how that worked out!). We quickly reviewed the strategies to engage the reader, and for two classes I played a couple of the songs that we had worked with back in the fall. Then each member of the group was supposed to use one of the strategies to write an opening sentence about their own topic. Then they'd have five engaging sentences to choose from.
The waffle is obviously the most important part of the breakfast treat, right? No Belgian waffle without the waffle. Just like you can't have an introduction without a thesis! Ta-da! Theses are tough to explain; my attempt was that it's a topic sentence that also includes a judgment. I helped the groups along and I thought they sort of got it. Or not. Who knows.
The whip cream follows the cherry, continuing the train of thought that then leads up to the waffle. Meaning, after the opening sentence, you have two or three general sentences that talk about the topic and then lead right into the thesis.
THEN, the conclusion is a Belgian waffle that fell to the floor, face down. Now the thesis (rephrased this time) is first, followed by two or three sentences that generally and quickly summarize the problem and solution, and last is the closing sentence, which also must be engaging.
So there's my lesson. I thought it was pretty clever, and also useful, and productive for the students, because if they did their work, their intro should have been done by the end of class, and the conclusion should not have been too tough after that.
By now you're on the edge of your seat--how did they do? Class B was first and second period.
They were good first period, and second period were chatty. Big D was great first period, but not on task second. Another troublesome boy, M, did very well both periods.
Class A was not good at all. Well, that's not true. More than half the class wanted to learn. The last eight boys, including The Asshole, Little K, Little C, Loud E, and a few more would not shut up or stay in their seats. Nothing really got done. At all. Boo. I was irritated at them and at me.
Class C did fairly well. They were chatty during eighth period, but most of them still got some work done.
I suppose the test is to see how many people turn in their intros and conclusions tomorrow (the homework).
I made a bunch of phone calls after school, letting parents know of behavior issues and the Thursday meeting. Did I talk about that already? The AP has set up a meeting for all the parents of all the students who have behavior problems. I'm very glad that he's supporting me on this, I just hope it works. If I had any pride to begin with, it's certain to be gone by then. I just had a parent imply that *I* was the problem because I couldn't control all the other problem students in the class--not caring about her own kid. Just because some kids are not doing the right thing does not mean that no one can.
I have a headache and feel slightly nauseated. And my throat hurts. Hm.
Last night there was no heat on inside, and I could hardly feel my hands, even after I'd been in my cozy bed. (My bed has a top sheet and then five blankets--no sane reason to be cold in there!) And it's not any better so far this evening. I can't tell you how much I loathe being cold when inside a house that should be warm. To get feeling into my fingers, I literally have to warm my hands over the flame of that yummy pear candle. RIDICULOUS.
Okay, moving on. Everyone knows that it's rude and gross to eat on the train, right? Well, on the F train this afternoon, there were two teenagers, a boy and a girl. They were conducting some kind of potato chip taste test. There were four or five small bags of chips, and they kept switching between them. "This one?" Crunch, smack, crunch. A few minutes later: "How about that one?" Crunch, crunch, smack. There was talk like, "One hundred calories." "TWO hundred calories." And more crunching and smacking. Not to mention the half-bag's worth of chips and pretzels littering the floor beneath their seat.
HATE!
Right, so continuing the day's journey backwards....
Today's lesson/work (in extended writing workshop--no reading) was to write the introduction and start the conclusion. I used another food metaphor--the Belgian waffle--to teach the introduction paragraph. (I don't think any of the kids had ever heard of a Belgian waffle, interestingly.) They all thought it was eggs or a donut or something. Anyway, my paper waffle had whip cream and a cherry.
The cherry represents the opening sentence to draw in the reader (I am quite pleased at how that worked out!). We quickly reviewed the strategies to engage the reader, and for two classes I played a couple of the songs that we had worked with back in the fall. Then each member of the group was supposed to use one of the strategies to write an opening sentence about their own topic. Then they'd have five engaging sentences to choose from.
The waffle is obviously the most important part of the breakfast treat, right? No Belgian waffle without the waffle. Just like you can't have an introduction without a thesis! Ta-da! Theses are tough to explain; my attempt was that it's a topic sentence that also includes a judgment. I helped the groups along and I thought they sort of got it. Or not. Who knows.
The whip cream follows the cherry, continuing the train of thought that then leads up to the waffle. Meaning, after the opening sentence, you have two or three general sentences that talk about the topic and then lead right into the thesis.
THEN, the conclusion is a Belgian waffle that fell to the floor, face down. Now the thesis (rephrased this time) is first, followed by two or three sentences that generally and quickly summarize the problem and solution, and last is the closing sentence, which also must be engaging.
So there's my lesson. I thought it was pretty clever, and also useful, and productive for the students, because if they did their work, their intro should have been done by the end of class, and the conclusion should not have been too tough after that.
By now you're on the edge of your seat--how did they do? Class B was first and second period.
They were good first period, and second period were chatty. Big D was great first period, but not on task second. Another troublesome boy, M, did very well both periods.
Class A was not good at all. Well, that's not true. More than half the class wanted to learn. The last eight boys, including The Asshole, Little K, Little C, Loud E, and a few more would not shut up or stay in their seats. Nothing really got done. At all. Boo. I was irritated at them and at me.
Class C did fairly well. They were chatty during eighth period, but most of them still got some work done.
I suppose the test is to see how many people turn in their intros and conclusions tomorrow (the homework).
I made a bunch of phone calls after school, letting parents know of behavior issues and the Thursday meeting. Did I talk about that already? The AP has set up a meeting for all the parents of all the students who have behavior problems. I'm very glad that he's supporting me on this, I just hope it works. If I had any pride to begin with, it's certain to be gone by then. I just had a parent imply that *I* was the problem because I couldn't control all the other problem students in the class--not caring about her own kid. Just because some kids are not doing the right thing does not mean that no one can.
I have a headache and feel slightly nauseated. And my throat hurts. Hm.
Monday, January 17, 2005
Service and giving
"It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result."
--Ghandi
I need to keep this in mind about my own teaching. I joined this program for a reason, and that reason is to make a difference, plant the seeds for future fruit (or something). I need to remind myself that even if the everyday struggles are tough, those seeds can still be planted and nurtured.
--Ghandi
I need to keep this in mind about my own teaching. I joined this program for a reason, and that reason is to make a difference, plant the seeds for future fruit (or something). I need to remind myself that even if the everyday struggles are tough, those seeds can still be planted and nurtured.
A Day ON, Not a Day Off
This morning, sometime between 1.30 and 8.30, it snowed! Only about an inch, but still, it made our street very pretty. It's been a lot colder the past couple days; the last three weeks have been nice and mild, so this cold comes as more of a shock. I mean, my hands are numb even with my newer, thicker gloves. Brrr.
This morning was the volunteer event with Children for Children. It was held in a gym in Manhattan, with a bunch of tables with different projects aimed to help different communities (kids in hospitals, homeless, elderly).
TWO of my students came to the event for extra credit! I was afraid that none would show up, so it was a relief. Plus, they seemed to have a good time. S and I worked putting together craft kits for hospitalized kids, and then stuffing 'surgery pal' dolls. F joined us later coloring 5x5 squares that became a mosiac mural. It was fun.
Even better than just volunteering, the organization had a Newsday reporter come out and interview us! The kids are really excited about that. (I'm a little excited about it, too, truth be told.) The reporter lady asked both of them how they felt about volunteering and Martin Luther King, Jr, and they both were articulate and heartfelt. Hurrah.
This morning was the volunteer event with Children for Children. It was held in a gym in Manhattan, with a bunch of tables with different projects aimed to help different communities (kids in hospitals, homeless, elderly).
TWO of my students came to the event for extra credit! I was afraid that none would show up, so it was a relief. Plus, they seemed to have a good time. S and I worked putting together craft kits for hospitalized kids, and then stuffing 'surgery pal' dolls. F joined us later coloring 5x5 squares that became a mosiac mural. It was fun.
Even better than just volunteering, the organization had a Newsday reporter come out and interview us! The kids are really excited about that. (I'm a little excited about it, too, truth be told.) The reporter lady asked both of them how they felt about volunteering and Martin Luther King, Jr, and they both were articulate and heartfelt. Hurrah.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
"If you die, love continues..."
"Peace of mind is not only affordable, but priceless." "Rates of life insurance:..."
Whuh? That ad goes in about ten directions at once, and pretends to be all poignant and evocative, when really, it's just stupid.
Here's another one. A blurb on the cover of one of those women's lifestyle magazines:
"Walk the weight off" or something. Underneath, in smaller letters, "In 7 easy steps."
Um, how does walking to lose weight require seven steps? Unless they mean, like, TAKE seven steps, with your feet, out of your own door.
I say, two steps at the most: Start walking. Then walk a little more. DONE.
Needless to say, I had to see more of this charade. So I opened up the magazine, and Step 1 was: Commit to walking. Um, okay. That's reaching a bit, but I can see where they're coming from. Step 2: Start walking! "Dumbshit!" I add mentally. How are they going to stretch this out to seven steps? Step 3: Keep walking. No, really. I have no words. Then, they threw in a twist with Step 4: Add strength training. Steps 5, 6, and 7 I didn't really look at, because obviously they're stretching stuff out.
There was a sidebar blurb about a woman who had weighed 240 pounds, but with this fitness regime and diet, got down to 120. I was duly impressed, but was confused at the part when she talked about "I never thought I could lose weight in my own tiny living room, but I did it." Huh?
The gist? This regime is the 'brilliant' brainchild of some fitness guru with a walking tape. I am going to say that again so you can appreciate just how ridiculous it is. YOU ARE MEANT TO BUY THIS WOMAN'S WORKOUT TAPE AND THEN, SOMEHOW, WALK OFF THE WEIGHT. IN YOUR LIVING ROOM.
God forbid you get your lazy, pale ass out into the sunshine (or rain! Someone invented umbrellas for just that reason!) and see the light of day while moving your muscles to and fro.
"But...it's hard!" "I have kids and a job and stuff!" Whatever, it's not rocket science, you certainly DON'T NEED TO BUY A FREAKING TAPE, you just go outside and walk around. Got little kids? Strap them into a stroller and take them with you. Got bigger kids and no job? Go outside during the day. Got kids and a job? It's called a lunch break. Or go to work an hour earlier or stay an hour later, just fit it in somewhere.
JUST GO OUTSIDE. I did it just about every day, rain or shine, for six months. It made me feel better, it reminded me that my job was not the end all, be all of my existence, it let me smell delicious blackberries in the heart of summer, it made my legs more toned, and it gave my mind a break from all the silly bullshit that goes on the rest of the day. I took it to the next level, changing shoes and clothes and stuff. If I was five or ten minutes over an hour, no big deal.
I really miss my daily lunchtime walks. It's a lot tougher as a teacher; I can't leave on my lunch break, because we aren't allowed to leave school grounds, and you can't be late to teach a class. So I get in a bit of walking on the way to and from the train/school. I need to work on that more, because it doesn't really have the same relaxing effect. For one, the scenery is not pretty or interesting. No blackberry bushes, no gurgling brown stream, though there are trees and regular bushes. And eight minutes of regular walking each way probably does not have the same aerobic effect as forty-five to fifty-five minutes of stronger walking. But still, it's something. I do know it has contributed to my size-eight ass and thighs.
Whuh? That ad goes in about ten directions at once, and pretends to be all poignant and evocative, when really, it's just stupid.
Here's another one. A blurb on the cover of one of those women's lifestyle magazines:
"Walk the weight off" or something. Underneath, in smaller letters, "In 7 easy steps."
Um, how does walking to lose weight require seven steps? Unless they mean, like, TAKE seven steps, with your feet, out of your own door.
I say, two steps at the most: Start walking. Then walk a little more. DONE.
Needless to say, I had to see more of this charade. So I opened up the magazine, and Step 1 was: Commit to walking. Um, okay. That's reaching a bit, but I can see where they're coming from. Step 2: Start walking! "Dumbshit!" I add mentally. How are they going to stretch this out to seven steps? Step 3: Keep walking. No, really. I have no words. Then, they threw in a twist with Step 4: Add strength training. Steps 5, 6, and 7 I didn't really look at, because obviously they're stretching stuff out.
There was a sidebar blurb about a woman who had weighed 240 pounds, but with this fitness regime and diet, got down to 120. I was duly impressed, but was confused at the part when she talked about "I never thought I could lose weight in my own tiny living room, but I did it." Huh?
The gist? This regime is the 'brilliant' brainchild of some fitness guru with a walking tape. I am going to say that again so you can appreciate just how ridiculous it is. YOU ARE MEANT TO BUY THIS WOMAN'S WORKOUT TAPE AND THEN, SOMEHOW, WALK OFF THE WEIGHT. IN YOUR LIVING ROOM.
God forbid you get your lazy, pale ass out into the sunshine (or rain! Someone invented umbrellas for just that reason!) and see the light of day while moving your muscles to and fro.
"But...it's hard!" "I have kids and a job and stuff!" Whatever, it's not rocket science, you certainly DON'T NEED TO BUY A FREAKING TAPE, you just go outside and walk around. Got little kids? Strap them into a stroller and take them with you. Got bigger kids and no job? Go outside during the day. Got kids and a job? It's called a lunch break. Or go to work an hour earlier or stay an hour later, just fit it in somewhere.
JUST GO OUTSIDE. I did it just about every day, rain or shine, for six months. It made me feel better, it reminded me that my job was not the end all, be all of my existence, it let me smell delicious blackberries in the heart of summer, it made my legs more toned, and it gave my mind a break from all the silly bullshit that goes on the rest of the day. I took it to the next level, changing shoes and clothes and stuff. If I was five or ten minutes over an hour, no big deal.
I really miss my daily lunchtime walks. It's a lot tougher as a teacher; I can't leave on my lunch break, because we aren't allowed to leave school grounds, and you can't be late to teach a class. So I get in a bit of walking on the way to and from the train/school. I need to work on that more, because it doesn't really have the same relaxing effect. For one, the scenery is not pretty or interesting. No blackberry bushes, no gurgling brown stream, though there are trees and regular bushes. And eight minutes of regular walking each way probably does not have the same aerobic effect as forty-five to fifty-five minutes of stronger walking. But still, it's something. I do know it has contributed to my size-eight ass and thighs.
Random stuff from this weekend
Last night I had a dream about being in France. Specifically, at Versailles (that looked nothing like the real Versailles, of course), with a group of people including my mom. We left the complex and I asked some guard/gatekeepers where the metro was (in French). The man guard said something, but he was speaking fast and there was background noise, so I couldn't hear/understand him. And so he goes, "I speak English, why don't you speak English!" Then the lady guard took us and told us at first that the metro was over there, but closed.
Then, by exploring and stuff, we found two metros, both open. The signs were yellow circles with the letter F, but marked something in French. And so obviously I was irritated at the lying guardlady, and tried to tell her that she was small. Yeah, I don't know.
Then I was at a circular track, riding an ATV. Within the track was a giant elephant, and some friends of mine were swinging from the elephant's trunk, going three thousand feet into the air, coming down on the other side of the elephant, then swinging back again.
Oh, and another dream was school-related. In this dream, I had started the year teaching at a school, doing math and other things. Then, I had switched to what I thought was a permanent classroom somewhere else doing English. But I got a call to return to the first school. I had plan a math lesson and I was nervous and felt unprepared. But I got to the room and it started okay. Before much time had passed, I was told to leave and go back to my 'permanent' school and class. I was so confused! There was a dream very similar to this awhile back, but without the second return.
Very odd mind I have.
Yesterday, I learned a new word, solipsism. It's a philosophy wherein the only thing you can fully prove and believe in is the self. Interesting.
I also decided to come home for a visit over midwinter break in February! It will be for four nights, I think. I'll still have a whole weekend before and after to relax here and do some work (or pretend to, anyway). Anyway, I am excited. It should be fun.
While verifying the dates of break, I noticed that our spring break is a week later than we'd thought--meaning we need to change our reservations asap. I got the hotel changed, and it actually saved us nearly two hundred dollars altogether. The airfares, however, have gone up a lot in only six days. No matter what, we'll have to pay more. We may also get less time in Vegas because of the cheap flight times.
Yesterday I stopped by the library and then went to Target. I bought a VCR, Taboo for Kids, a yummy pear-scented candle, and some other random things.
Today, let's see. I went to the grocery store, finally. I picked up some cables and tried to figure out the VCR. It took a few tries with different outlets and things, but now it's all hooked up. Woohoo! Better reception than the TV alone, too.
It is so fantastic to know that I still have another day of weekend. I have a lot of work to do, and I have done none at all so far. I really need to get started on those holiday packets that have been sitting on my floor for two weeks. Then there are lessons for next week to be written. God, I just don't want to do anything. But I better start kicking my own ass into gear, because it's going to be trouble if I stay so unmotivated and unproductive.
Then, by exploring and stuff, we found two metros, both open. The signs were yellow circles with the letter F, but marked something in French. And so obviously I was irritated at the lying guardlady, and tried to tell her that she was small. Yeah, I don't know.
Then I was at a circular track, riding an ATV. Within the track was a giant elephant, and some friends of mine were swinging from the elephant's trunk, going three thousand feet into the air, coming down on the other side of the elephant, then swinging back again.
Oh, and another dream was school-related. In this dream, I had started the year teaching at a school, doing math and other things. Then, I had switched to what I thought was a permanent classroom somewhere else doing English. But I got a call to return to the first school. I had plan a math lesson and I was nervous and felt unprepared. But I got to the room and it started okay. Before much time had passed, I was told to leave and go back to my 'permanent' school and class. I was so confused! There was a dream very similar to this awhile back, but without the second return.
Very odd mind I have.
Yesterday, I learned a new word, solipsism. It's a philosophy wherein the only thing you can fully prove and believe in is the self. Interesting.
I also decided to come home for a visit over midwinter break in February! It will be for four nights, I think. I'll still have a whole weekend before and after to relax here and do some work (or pretend to, anyway). Anyway, I am excited. It should be fun.
While verifying the dates of break, I noticed that our spring break is a week later than we'd thought--meaning we need to change our reservations asap. I got the hotel changed, and it actually saved us nearly two hundred dollars altogether. The airfares, however, have gone up a lot in only six days. No matter what, we'll have to pay more. We may also get less time in Vegas because of the cheap flight times.
Yesterday I stopped by the library and then went to Target. I bought a VCR, Taboo for Kids, a yummy pear-scented candle, and some other random things.
Today, let's see. I went to the grocery store, finally. I picked up some cables and tried to figure out the VCR. It took a few tries with different outlets and things, but now it's all hooked up. Woohoo! Better reception than the TV alone, too.
It is so fantastic to know that I still have another day of weekend. I have a lot of work to do, and I have done none at all so far. I really need to get started on those holiday packets that have been sitting on my floor for two weeks. Then there are lessons for next week to be written. God, I just don't want to do anything. But I better start kicking my own ass into gear, because it's going to be trouble if I stay so unmotivated and unproductive.
Saturday, January 15, 2005
Tsunami: A Concert of Hope
So Madonna is not a very good live singer. I know, big shocker.
1-800-HELP NOW--that's the American Red Cross phone number. So if you call, it's not just a middleman organization that is getting your money.
Holy crap, Brad Pitt, Jane Seymour, Leo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon are answering phones? Maybe I'll call just for that. What, what's that? That's the whole point of having famous operators? No way!
I kind of thought this would be a concert, like Live Aid. But it's totally a telethon. That's sort of disappointing. It's pretty awesome that so many celebrities joined the effort, though. Way to go, celebs!
Maroon 5 is a little annoying. I know, big news.
Norah Jones, however, is awesome. I love anything that she does. And now she takes the stage with just a guitar, a backup vocalist, and a violin player. Sweet. Hurrah, acoustic music is not dead along with MTV Unplugged.
Shut up, Chris Matthews. I've never really seen you before, only Darrell Hammond's impression of you, and apparently you really are that much of an ass. Who cares where the money comes from? Isn't the point of this whole thing to join together as a global community, where things like nationality and politics don't matter? (Obviously I know that would never actually be the case, because our wonderful government always has some kind of agenda, but this is the idealistic picture the media want us to buy.)
Good job, Red Cross President. I have seen firsthand the work the Red Cross does, and she's right, they will get the stuff out, whatever it takes.
"You can't give, and remain the same," says Robert DeNiro. I can't tell you how true that is. If you know me in person, you already knew that, and hopefully have participated in giving yourself. Volunteering changes you even more than just opening your wallet. Please, do some work in your community. Global change begins with a single person!
Sorry, Mary J Blige, but you can't sing.
I like that they are showing before and after satellite photos.
No way, Sarah McLachlan? And singing a song from 1998, too! Although I suppose singing "Train Wreck" would not exactly be appropriate for this occasion.
That's cool that Jay Leno is having the famous folk sign everyday things to sell to high donators. (Erm, people who donate a lot of money, not people donating while high on things.) First a coffee mug, now a phone. I wonder what next?
Speaking of high peope, hi, Robert Downey Jr! You are adorable! Hope you are doing well with rehab and acting and stuff.
I think Goldie Hawn was hypnotized before her speech.
Josh Groban really has an amazing voice. It's gotten lost in the "adult contemporary" genre, but really, he's fantastic. I still remember when he was "debuted" on Ally McBeal.
Quentin Tarantino keeps waving at the camera like a starstruck geek.
A village population going from 3800 to 142? Wow. That is serious decimation.
Ooh, Don Cheadle!
I love John Mayer's music, but man, is he goofy-looking when performs.
Is that Nelly? Whoever it is, he's totally ripping off Usher's look. Not to mention doing something weird to a very good song (True by Spandau Ballet, right?) that's already been ripped off by PM Dawn in the early 90s. Was he saying "NBC" at the beginning? The whole thing wasn't too bad, actually, it was a pretty mellow interpretation.
Hey, no one told me I'd have to hear COUNTRY. Mute button!
Johnny Depp and Lucy Liu, too. The phone lines are so jammed that it's giving me a dial tone instead of ringing. Hi, Tim Robbins!
PLEASE DONATE. If not now, then soon. Just donate. Jay Leno just brought up something very important: what if every person watching donated just a dollar out of the change in their pocket? What a difference that would make! People think it's hard to "make a difference," but when millions of citizens come together like this, a tidal wave of giving is created. Anyone can give a dollar, most of us can afford $25 or $50, and every bit will count. Please, click to the link on the right. If you don't trust me, type in redcross.org and get to it.
1-800-HELP NOW--that's the American Red Cross phone number. So if you call, it's not just a middleman organization that is getting your money.
Holy crap, Brad Pitt, Jane Seymour, Leo DiCaprio, and Matt Damon are answering phones? Maybe I'll call just for that. What, what's that? That's the whole point of having famous operators? No way!
I kind of thought this would be a concert, like Live Aid. But it's totally a telethon. That's sort of disappointing. It's pretty awesome that so many celebrities joined the effort, though. Way to go, celebs!
Maroon 5 is a little annoying. I know, big news.
Norah Jones, however, is awesome. I love anything that she does. And now she takes the stage with just a guitar, a backup vocalist, and a violin player. Sweet. Hurrah, acoustic music is not dead along with MTV Unplugged.
Shut up, Chris Matthews. I've never really seen you before, only Darrell Hammond's impression of you, and apparently you really are that much of an ass. Who cares where the money comes from? Isn't the point of this whole thing to join together as a global community, where things like nationality and politics don't matter? (Obviously I know that would never actually be the case, because our wonderful government always has some kind of agenda, but this is the idealistic picture the media want us to buy.)
Good job, Red Cross President. I have seen firsthand the work the Red Cross does, and she's right, they will get the stuff out, whatever it takes.
"You can't give, and remain the same," says Robert DeNiro. I can't tell you how true that is. If you know me in person, you already knew that, and hopefully have participated in giving yourself. Volunteering changes you even more than just opening your wallet. Please, do some work in your community. Global change begins with a single person!
Sorry, Mary J Blige, but you can't sing.
I like that they are showing before and after satellite photos.
No way, Sarah McLachlan? And singing a song from 1998, too! Although I suppose singing "Train Wreck" would not exactly be appropriate for this occasion.
That's cool that Jay Leno is having the famous folk sign everyday things to sell to high donators. (Erm, people who donate a lot of money, not people donating while high on things.) First a coffee mug, now a phone. I wonder what next?
Speaking of high peope, hi, Robert Downey Jr! You are adorable! Hope you are doing well with rehab and acting and stuff.
I think Goldie Hawn was hypnotized before her speech.
Josh Groban really has an amazing voice. It's gotten lost in the "adult contemporary" genre, but really, he's fantastic. I still remember when he was "debuted" on Ally McBeal.
Quentin Tarantino keeps waving at the camera like a starstruck geek.
A village population going from 3800 to 142? Wow. That is serious decimation.
Ooh, Don Cheadle!
I love John Mayer's music, but man, is he goofy-looking when performs.
Is that Nelly? Whoever it is, he's totally ripping off Usher's look. Not to mention doing something weird to a very good song (True by Spandau Ballet, right?) that's already been ripped off by PM Dawn in the early 90s. Was he saying "NBC" at the beginning? The whole thing wasn't too bad, actually, it was a pretty mellow interpretation.
Hey, no one told me I'd have to hear COUNTRY. Mute button!
Johnny Depp and Lucy Liu, too. The phone lines are so jammed that it's giving me a dial tone instead of ringing. Hi, Tim Robbins!
PLEASE DONATE. If not now, then soon. Just donate. Jay Leno just brought up something very important: what if every person watching donated just a dollar out of the change in their pocket? What a difference that would make! People think it's hard to "make a difference," but when millions of citizens come together like this, a tidal wave of giving is created. Anyone can give a dollar, most of us can afford $25 or $50, and every bit will count. Please, click to the link on the right. If you don't trust me, type in redcross.org and get to it.
Friday, January 14, 2005
Woohoo! Friday! AND a long weekend!
Class A:
B: Miss, you put 2004...
Me: Oh, dangit! Sometimes I'm a little dumb. But that's okay.
J: Why is that okay?
Me: Because I can admit it. Isn't it freeing to be able to admit your mistakes?
Later...
Kids: blah blah blah...
D: The military is gay.
Me, scornfully: You're gay, shut up.
[and he sure did, while the other boys at the table cracked up.]
Others: Good one, Ms C!
Bwah!
Today was actually a decent day. Did a little different kind of test prep. They sat in their regular seats and I modeled reading a test passage and answering questions. Then they did a page of test, practicing making predictions. For writing workshop, they made predictions about themselves and wrote a four-square about what they want to be when they grow up.
First period, Class A was very decent. Little K, Little C, and The Asshole did really well. Second period, not quite as much, but oh well. Three or four stayed on task the entire time (including Loud E!), about half the class was working about half the time, and the rest (Little K and Little C, unfortunately) weren't really doing anything at all.
Oh, this was awesome. I had a coverage third period, and it was Girls Gym. I picked it up in the morning, and was like, "Wha? Gym? How...?" and the office people were like, "Yeah, the girls gym. You'll just be assisting, you're not in charge or anything." I said, "There's a girls' gym?" "Yeah, on the fifth floor." "Yeah...I've never been to the fifth floor."
Anyway, so I made it up there, it's a teeny-tiny gym, even smaller than the auxiliary gyms from my high school. Five or seven classes worth of sixth-grade girls were in there, seated on the floor in ten rows.
I 'monitored' the (tiny) locker room to get the slowpokes moving. They had about ten minutes of activity, where each girl got to, one time, practice dribbling and shooting a soccer ball. Then they had to get back to the locker room.
Again, it was awesome. I really had no responsibility, didn't have to worry about anything, it was great. Plus, since Mom was a PE teacher for so much of my life, it felt very normal. Ooh, and there was a broken-down, upside-down balance beam in one corner, and I kept eyeing it on the off chance I might get to run around on it. Heh.
So. Back to the real world. Fifth period, Ms F came in to do a sample modeling with Class B. They did very well, and it was great for me to see.
Seventh period, I did the same thing that Ms F did, with Class C, and really, they were awesome. Everyone was paying attention, and a bunch of them kept chiming in to my "think aloud." Eighth period writing, they were quite chatty. I had to keep yelling at them to "WRITE! DON'T TALK!"
Then, the day was over! Cue sound of angels on high.
I am so tired. But I'll probably stay up late, just because I can! Because tomorrow I can sleep in! Good lord, I am so excited.
B: Miss, you put 2004...
Me: Oh, dangit! Sometimes I'm a little dumb. But that's okay.
J: Why is that okay?
Me: Because I can admit it. Isn't it freeing to be able to admit your mistakes?
Later...
Kids: blah blah blah...
D: The military is gay.
Me, scornfully: You're gay, shut up.
[and he sure did, while the other boys at the table cracked up.]
Others: Good one, Ms C!
Bwah!
Today was actually a decent day. Did a little different kind of test prep. They sat in their regular seats and I modeled reading a test passage and answering questions. Then they did a page of test, practicing making predictions. For writing workshop, they made predictions about themselves and wrote a four-square about what they want to be when they grow up.
First period, Class A was very decent. Little K, Little C, and The Asshole did really well. Second period, not quite as much, but oh well. Three or four stayed on task the entire time (including Loud E!), about half the class was working about half the time, and the rest (Little K and Little C, unfortunately) weren't really doing anything at all.
Oh, this was awesome. I had a coverage third period, and it was Girls Gym. I picked it up in the morning, and was like, "Wha? Gym? How...?" and the office people were like, "Yeah, the girls gym. You'll just be assisting, you're not in charge or anything." I said, "There's a girls' gym?" "Yeah, on the fifth floor." "Yeah...I've never been to the fifth floor."
Anyway, so I made it up there, it's a teeny-tiny gym, even smaller than the auxiliary gyms from my high school. Five or seven classes worth of sixth-grade girls were in there, seated on the floor in ten rows.
I 'monitored' the (tiny) locker room to get the slowpokes moving. They had about ten minutes of activity, where each girl got to, one time, practice dribbling and shooting a soccer ball. Then they had to get back to the locker room.
Again, it was awesome. I really had no responsibility, didn't have to worry about anything, it was great. Plus, since Mom was a PE teacher for so much of my life, it felt very normal. Ooh, and there was a broken-down, upside-down balance beam in one corner, and I kept eyeing it on the off chance I might get to run around on it. Heh.
So. Back to the real world. Fifth period, Ms F came in to do a sample modeling with Class B. They did very well, and it was great for me to see.
Seventh period, I did the same thing that Ms F did, with Class C, and really, they were awesome. Everyone was paying attention, and a bunch of them kept chiming in to my "think aloud." Eighth period writing, they were quite chatty. I had to keep yelling at them to "WRITE! DON'T TALK!"
Then, the day was over! Cue sound of angels on high.
I am so tired. But I'll probably stay up late, just because I can! Because tomorrow I can sleep in! Good lord, I am so excited.
Thursday, January 13, 2005
More Miscellany
1. Found out the other night that the landlord is hoping to sell the house, and the third-floor lease is up June 1st. Niiiice. Right in time for the stress of teaching in warm weather, plus end of year chaos.
2. Looked up my fall semester grades, and I got an A in math, and an A- in science. Rock on! My cumulative GPA is now 3.85, with 12 credits. There are only 39 in the program, so that's nearly a third done already. Whee!
3. I miss boys. :(
2. Looked up my fall semester grades, and I got an A in math, and an A- in science. Rock on! My cumulative GPA is now 3.85, with 12 credits. There are only 39 in the program, so that's nearly a third done already. Whee!
3. I miss boys. :(
So, wait...it's not Friday yet?
Dagnammit, I kept thinking it was the weekend now, instead of tomorrow!
Today was another day. Heh, I meant, another "meh day." You know, it's just a day, nothing good, nothing terrible.
The group of kids that comes to my room at lunch has gotten pretty big, and a bit out of hand, so today, I demanded that everyone leave the room and stay out in the hallway. I gave them all a lecture: "If you're in here, you're doing something. You're not running, yelling, spilling. You can help clean up, you can do homework, you can check the newspapers, you can play one of my games. But you have ONE CHANCE. If you run, hit, yell, whatever, BYE."
So today's lunch was quieter. They love Apples to Apples. I'm glad, because I love it too. Also, there are great conversations. The first couple times, I led the thing and judged, but now kids are doing it, and they do well. I love their rationalizations and discussions. (God, if only I could get them to have that kind of talk in class!) About the category "huge" and the subject "rainbows": "Aw, you've been watching too many Skittles commercials."
So we started with Class B, and they were quite chatty. Big surprise, right? Actually, yeah, sort of; when I have them first period they are normally rather quiet and well-behaved. Oh man, Big D is such a pain in my ass, I can't even tell you. He does no work, and doesn't even pretend about it most of the time. No notebook, no reading book. He yells at people, he calls inappropriate names, he hits, throws, and otherwise endangers other students and himself. And frankly, I've had it. I was irritated, so I decided to put on a little show for him. I bent down to his desk, so I was kind of in his face, and I yelled at him, and slapped the desk loudly for emphasis: "Listen! I am going to talk to the AP and principal about you--I am going to get you OUT OF THIS SCHOOL! Clearly you don't want to be here! I have HAD IT with your behavior! IS THAT CLEAR?" He answered meekly, "Yes, ma'am."
It was kind of awesome.
The whole class was noticeably quieter for the next two minutes, probably in awe of my display of anger or whatever....but then they went right back to goofing off.
I forgot that I had Class A right after Class B, whoops. That felt weird, I sort of felt ill-prepared.
Class A was okay. The Asshole and Little K made a concerted effort today; both of them actually sat in their assigned seats. For the first time since this new seating chart. I made sure to notice and tell them that I liked that. Yesterday and today, for some reason, I have been high-fiving kids that do something good on random occasions. So, The Asshole got one when I told him I noticed about the seat he took. Little K got one when he answered a question correctly, using big words. One of the normally-talkative girls from Class C got one yesterday when I noticed how quietly and well she was working. It's kinda fun. Maybe I'll make it my "thing."
Anyway, so Class A did okay. I already said that. Oh, wait! When we did the moving to project groups, they did it quietly!
Have I already talked about how I do that? I start counting, they start moving. I keep a little chart on notebook paper on the board; it has the number of times it took, how long it took, and what the noise level was. Last week, I made them just keep doing it if it was loud. Now, I only give them three chances to get it right. It's kind of neat, because they motivate each other and themselves to get quiet so that I'll start counting, and then they're all, "No, we can do it faster! Do it again!" I must start finding more things like that where they can take ownership of their own behavior and have fun too. Because they totally think this is fun. And good lord, that part of class could potentially be a nightmare. I'm glad this is working out this way.
Had lunch, with the aforementioned lecture and game, then the one prep all week when I have my classroom all to myself. I spent it figuring out the book order stuff. There is already $80 worth of orders! I am totally going to buy stuff, because it's cheap, and I so loved book orders when I was a kid.
Class C did pretty good. There was an assembly eighth period, so I did writing workshop during seventh with them. The second time they moved into their groups, they actually did it quietly, but not with very good time. So about half of them wanted to try it again, and they cut down on their time, but they were loud. For the work period, most of them were not really working. I knew that would happen, I obviously can't be standing at all six tables at once, so I just did what I could and made note of the students not even attempting to do anything.
Ms F gave me a ride home. That's cool. I was all, "oh, I'm going to actually be productive tonight! After not doing shit all week, I really need to get back into the game of, you know, working. But um, now it's been more than an hour and a half, and I'm still goofing around on the net. Ahem. Not a nerd.
Actually, I've been indulging in some Ameri-blogging. Found a livejournal message board about NCCC, and so all the comments/posts are by alums or current corps members. I found one site of a guy at the DC campus right now, with pictures, and I just felt such a sense of loss and longing. Seeing anyone in those khaki trousers and gray shirts feels like seeing myself and my old friends. I suppose that's what the "brotherhood" of the military and Greek system is all about. It feels like I know them, because I know their experience. What an experience.
Fire 4 Schmire 4, I miss you!
Today was another day. Heh, I meant, another "meh day." You know, it's just a day, nothing good, nothing terrible.
The group of kids that comes to my room at lunch has gotten pretty big, and a bit out of hand, so today, I demanded that everyone leave the room and stay out in the hallway. I gave them all a lecture: "If you're in here, you're doing something. You're not running, yelling, spilling. You can help clean up, you can do homework, you can check the newspapers, you can play one of my games. But you have ONE CHANCE. If you run, hit, yell, whatever, BYE."
So today's lunch was quieter. They love Apples to Apples. I'm glad, because I love it too. Also, there are great conversations. The first couple times, I led the thing and judged, but now kids are doing it, and they do well. I love their rationalizations and discussions. (God, if only I could get them to have that kind of talk in class!) About the category "huge" and the subject "rainbows": "Aw, you've been watching too many Skittles commercials."
So we started with Class B, and they were quite chatty. Big surprise, right? Actually, yeah, sort of; when I have them first period they are normally rather quiet and well-behaved. Oh man, Big D is such a pain in my ass, I can't even tell you. He does no work, and doesn't even pretend about it most of the time. No notebook, no reading book. He yells at people, he calls inappropriate names, he hits, throws, and otherwise endangers other students and himself. And frankly, I've had it. I was irritated, so I decided to put on a little show for him. I bent down to his desk, so I was kind of in his face, and I yelled at him, and slapped the desk loudly for emphasis: "Listen! I am going to talk to the AP and principal about you--I am going to get you OUT OF THIS SCHOOL! Clearly you don't want to be here! I have HAD IT with your behavior! IS THAT CLEAR?" He answered meekly, "Yes, ma'am."
It was kind of awesome.
The whole class was noticeably quieter for the next two minutes, probably in awe of my display of anger or whatever....but then they went right back to goofing off.
I forgot that I had Class A right after Class B, whoops. That felt weird, I sort of felt ill-prepared.
Class A was okay. The Asshole and Little K made a concerted effort today; both of them actually sat in their assigned seats. For the first time since this new seating chart. I made sure to notice and tell them that I liked that. Yesterday and today, for some reason, I have been high-fiving kids that do something good on random occasions. So, The Asshole got one when I told him I noticed about the seat he took. Little K got one when he answered a question correctly, using big words. One of the normally-talkative girls from Class C got one yesterday when I noticed how quietly and well she was working. It's kinda fun. Maybe I'll make it my "thing."
Anyway, so Class A did okay. I already said that. Oh, wait! When we did the moving to project groups, they did it quietly!
Have I already talked about how I do that? I start counting, they start moving. I keep a little chart on notebook paper on the board; it has the number of times it took, how long it took, and what the noise level was. Last week, I made them just keep doing it if it was loud. Now, I only give them three chances to get it right. It's kind of neat, because they motivate each other and themselves to get quiet so that I'll start counting, and then they're all, "No, we can do it faster! Do it again!" I must start finding more things like that where they can take ownership of their own behavior and have fun too. Because they totally think this is fun. And good lord, that part of class could potentially be a nightmare. I'm glad this is working out this way.
Had lunch, with the aforementioned lecture and game, then the one prep all week when I have my classroom all to myself. I spent it figuring out the book order stuff. There is already $80 worth of orders! I am totally going to buy stuff, because it's cheap, and I so loved book orders when I was a kid.
Class C did pretty good. There was an assembly eighth period, so I did writing workshop during seventh with them. The second time they moved into their groups, they actually did it quietly, but not with very good time. So about half of them wanted to try it again, and they cut down on their time, but they were loud. For the work period, most of them were not really working. I knew that would happen, I obviously can't be standing at all six tables at once, so I just did what I could and made note of the students not even attempting to do anything.
Ms F gave me a ride home. That's cool. I was all, "oh, I'm going to actually be productive tonight! After not doing shit all week, I really need to get back into the game of, you know, working. But um, now it's been more than an hour and a half, and I'm still goofing around on the net. Ahem. Not a nerd.
Actually, I've been indulging in some Ameri-blogging. Found a livejournal message board about NCCC, and so all the comments/posts are by alums or current corps members. I found one site of a guy at the DC campus right now, with pictures, and I just felt such a sense of loss and longing. Seeing anyone in those khaki trousers and gray shirts feels like seeing myself and my old friends. I suppose that's what the "brotherhood" of the military and Greek system is all about. It feels like I know them, because I know their experience. What an experience.
Fire 4 Schmire 4, I miss you!
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
Getting close...
Two more days until the three-day weekend! Hallelujah!
Some miscellany:
a. At lunch yesterday, two of the girls from Class C drew on the board: "Ms C is the BEST ELA Teacher!" Aw, how sweet is that? They are both really sweet, attentive kids.
b. Another girl from Class C seems to make a point of greeting me quietly. Yesterday, their class came in when I had a prep, so I was at my desk doing whatever, and she said, 'Hi, Ms C. How is your day going?' And I made a face and said something like, 'Is it Friday yet?' She smiled. Then, as we were all walking outside to the fence exit, she came up next to me and said, 'At least the day is over already.' She is a very nice little girl, quiet and earnest.
c. All the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition stuff this week was in the Pacific Northwest, near Poulsbo. It was beautiful, and all the people exclaimed over the natural wonders of the surroundings. Aw, I miss home!
Today was another okay day. Not horrible, not great. Like I said before, I think it's a matter of how thick my skin is, and how high my patience level is. It seems like yesterday and today has been better than Monday (some me and some the kids). By no means have the classes been good, don't misunderstand me. Class A is still rowdy as ever, but I guess I am just putting up with it better right now. Who knows.
Anyway, so I had them do a bit of copying off the overhead, because although it is manipulative and dumbing down, it is an easy way to get peace and quiet, and get them all working. I say, that's all they know how to do: copy things down into their notebooks. All the higher-level thinking I want them to do, that's why they're out of control...their hands aren't busy.
Class A actually had some moments of quiet while copying. Hallelujah! It was short-lived, of course. I kept a small group of the more disruptive boys in at lunch and had them write me an apology letter, and an explanation letter to their parents too. The Asshole kid was one of them, and of course he refused to do anything. See, after I announced that there would be people staying in at lunch, he tried to turn around his behavior. It was definitely better, but still not ideal, and hello, he does not get off scot-free just because the threat of trouble changed his mind! Anyway.
I do want to give myself props for staying patient after the bell for lunch rang. Three of the boys I told to stay in clustered up near the door, declaring with some attitude, "I ain't stayin'." I just calmly stood rigth on the doorknob and told the rest of the class that I couldn't let anyone go at all yet. In a few minutes, all the boys sat down and waited for me, and none of them rushed for the door to escape! You might remember that's a problem I'd had earlier in the year, but look how my patience won out! Hurrah!
I had Class B after lunch for two periods. They were fairly chatty during reading, and during writing too, I guess. The AP popped in for a second, and I had him stick around while they had their last chance to beat their record of getting into their project groups quickly and quietly.
Class C is getting good at cleaning. What I've done is stop class five minutes early, dispatch volunteers to work on the board, floor, and notebook collecting, and then dismiss tables to the lockers. It goes pretty fast that way. The last thing to work on is making sure they get their stuff and then get in line, quickly and quietly. But it's cool that we're making progress.
I'm really glad that I end with Class C every day, because they are the easiest to deal with. It's such a relief to get to the end of the day because of that. Imagine if I had Class A at the end of every day! God, that would be horrid.
I ran home right away, because there was supposed to be a cable-internet installation guy coming...but no one came. In any case, it was excellent to be at home for such a long time. Naturally, I did not take the opportunity to get any work done, and I just this minute remembered I need to come up with a reading lesson for the morning...erm, yeah, no clue yet what I'll do. But I'm exhausted and Alias is on, I'm going straight to bed after that. So I'll see what I can do during commercials or the half-hour before school tomorrow.
Some miscellany:
a. At lunch yesterday, two of the girls from Class C drew on the board: "Ms C is the BEST ELA Teacher!" Aw, how sweet is that? They are both really sweet, attentive kids.
b. Another girl from Class C seems to make a point of greeting me quietly. Yesterday, their class came in when I had a prep, so I was at my desk doing whatever, and she said, 'Hi, Ms C. How is your day going?' And I made a face and said something like, 'Is it Friday yet?' She smiled. Then, as we were all walking outside to the fence exit, she came up next to me and said, 'At least the day is over already.' She is a very nice little girl, quiet and earnest.
c. All the Extreme Makeover: Home Edition stuff this week was in the Pacific Northwest, near Poulsbo. It was beautiful, and all the people exclaimed over the natural wonders of the surroundings. Aw, I miss home!
Today was another okay day. Not horrible, not great. Like I said before, I think it's a matter of how thick my skin is, and how high my patience level is. It seems like yesterday and today has been better than Monday (some me and some the kids). By no means have the classes been good, don't misunderstand me. Class A is still rowdy as ever, but I guess I am just putting up with it better right now. Who knows.
Anyway, so I had them do a bit of copying off the overhead, because although it is manipulative and dumbing down, it is an easy way to get peace and quiet, and get them all working. I say, that's all they know how to do: copy things down into their notebooks. All the higher-level thinking I want them to do, that's why they're out of control...their hands aren't busy.
Class A actually had some moments of quiet while copying. Hallelujah! It was short-lived, of course. I kept a small group of the more disruptive boys in at lunch and had them write me an apology letter, and an explanation letter to their parents too. The Asshole kid was one of them, and of course he refused to do anything. See, after I announced that there would be people staying in at lunch, he tried to turn around his behavior. It was definitely better, but still not ideal, and hello, he does not get off scot-free just because the threat of trouble changed his mind! Anyway.
I do want to give myself props for staying patient after the bell for lunch rang. Three of the boys I told to stay in clustered up near the door, declaring with some attitude, "I ain't stayin'." I just calmly stood rigth on the doorknob and told the rest of the class that I couldn't let anyone go at all yet. In a few minutes, all the boys sat down and waited for me, and none of them rushed for the door to escape! You might remember that's a problem I'd had earlier in the year, but look how my patience won out! Hurrah!
I had Class B after lunch for two periods. They were fairly chatty during reading, and during writing too, I guess. The AP popped in for a second, and I had him stick around while they had their last chance to beat their record of getting into their project groups quickly and quietly.
Class C is getting good at cleaning. What I've done is stop class five minutes early, dispatch volunteers to work on the board, floor, and notebook collecting, and then dismiss tables to the lockers. It goes pretty fast that way. The last thing to work on is making sure they get their stuff and then get in line, quickly and quietly. But it's cool that we're making progress.
I'm really glad that I end with Class C every day, because they are the easiest to deal with. It's such a relief to get to the end of the day because of that. Imagine if I had Class A at the end of every day! God, that would be horrid.
I ran home right away, because there was supposed to be a cable-internet installation guy coming...but no one came. In any case, it was excellent to be at home for such a long time. Naturally, I did not take the opportunity to get any work done, and I just this minute remembered I need to come up with a reading lesson for the morning...erm, yeah, no clue yet what I'll do. But I'm exhausted and Alias is on, I'm going straight to bed after that. So I'll see what I can do during commercials or the half-hour before school tomorrow.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
Another day done
Whew.
Today was good, for a not-that-great day. I don't know, I guess I had a better shell today.
Oh, first, let me remind myself that yesterday after school, Ms F, Ms C and I booked our trip to Las Vegas for spring break! We got cheap fares on my old friend Jetblue, and found a cheap rate for the MGM through them, too. I can't believe I will be going on a trip, and have it planned more than three months in advance!
Last night I stayed up again until 11, so I could watch Medium and finish my book, and I felt like ass getting up this morning. I need 10 hours of sleep a night. GOD, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LONG WEEKEND!
So today was another unstructured, boring lesson courtesy of America's Choice. I gave them some new charts to fill in that will help them synthesize their knowledge and research. I knew that it would be chaos, but it needed to get done. In each class, I spoke quickly about how to fill in the chart, and then let them go. I went around to each group to make sure they were getting started. There was much noise, yelling, and nonwork going on all around me.
Okay...let's see. Class B started off today. They did alright today, I suppose. Definitely better than yesterday. But not good or anything.
At lunch, a little group of kids from each of my classes came to my room. We played some Apples to Apples, and some of them ran around noisily. To be fair, several of them also made sure to help tidy the room before the "fun" started. That's cool.
Class A was after lunch. They were noisy and stuff. Somehow, there were a couple moments of silence. I think it was just that seven-minute lull...or else the AP peeked in the window or something.
Class C did well. For reading workshop, I did the "I see" poem as a visualization exercise, and they did very well. They were pretty noisy for the work period, but that's not really a shock or anything.
Let's see. Tomorrow they will read a sample proposal and discuss its merits, or something like that. I haven't really planned it yet. (Don't worry, I know that my lack of energized lesson-planning is contributing to my lack of classroom control. Yeah, yeah. I'm tired, dude, so let's move on.)
So now I'm home, have done no work or anything, but...yeah, don't care. I do want to actually "plan" for tomorrow before I go to bed, which means before Gilmore Girls and The Amazing Race, assuming I don't crash in the next two hours.
Going now. Bye.
Today was good, for a not-that-great day. I don't know, I guess I had a better shell today.
Oh, first, let me remind myself that yesterday after school, Ms F, Ms C and I booked our trip to Las Vegas for spring break! We got cheap fares on my old friend Jetblue, and found a cheap rate for the MGM through them, too. I can't believe I will be going on a trip, and have it planned more than three months in advance!
Last night I stayed up again until 11, so I could watch Medium and finish my book, and I felt like ass getting up this morning. I need 10 hours of sleep a night. GOD, I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE LONG WEEKEND!
So today was another unstructured, boring lesson courtesy of America's Choice. I gave them some new charts to fill in that will help them synthesize their knowledge and research. I knew that it would be chaos, but it needed to get done. In each class, I spoke quickly about how to fill in the chart, and then let them go. I went around to each group to make sure they were getting started. There was much noise, yelling, and nonwork going on all around me.
Okay...let's see. Class B started off today. They did alright today, I suppose. Definitely better than yesterday. But not good or anything.
At lunch, a little group of kids from each of my classes came to my room. We played some Apples to Apples, and some of them ran around noisily. To be fair, several of them also made sure to help tidy the room before the "fun" started. That's cool.
Class A was after lunch. They were noisy and stuff. Somehow, there were a couple moments of silence. I think it was just that seven-minute lull...or else the AP peeked in the window or something.
Class C did well. For reading workshop, I did the "I see" poem as a visualization exercise, and they did very well. They were pretty noisy for the work period, but that's not really a shock or anything.
Let's see. Tomorrow they will read a sample proposal and discuss its merits, or something like that. I haven't really planned it yet. (Don't worry, I know that my lack of energized lesson-planning is contributing to my lack of classroom control. Yeah, yeah. I'm tired, dude, so let's move on.)
So now I'm home, have done no work or anything, but...yeah, don't care. I do want to actually "plan" for tomorrow before I go to bed, which means before Gilmore Girls and The Amazing Race, assuming I don't crash in the next two hours.
Going now. Bye.
Monday, January 10, 2005
Just gonna count down until the long weekend...
because if I think too hard about this week it's going to put me over the edge.
Today sucked. Class A was extremely rowdy, loud, talkative, and I'm at my wits' end. I don't know what to do. They don't listen to anything I say, and I'm really going to start losing the good ones soon. It's been four full months already, and there hasn't been much, if any, improvement in that class (excepting the students that have been switched out).
Class B was also rowdy and loud. Also, there was another fight. Thank god, the Dean answered my call, and the AP and other discipline guy also found us quickly. They grabbed out the offenders.
Class C was okay. They got ready really fast at the end of the day, which was cool.
I made sure to sit down with the AP today and tell him that I really need help with Classes A and B. My rules and consequences have no effect on them whatsoever. Notes, calls home, they don't give a shit. It's the same handful (a big handful) in each class, every day, that creates a problem. Anyway, he suggested having a mandatory meeting with the parents of troublesome students, and streamlining the procedures. Still no advice on dealing with in-class disruptions or incidents.
I chatted quickly to the math teacher, and you know what? Class A was in there, quietly doing their work.
Clearly the issue is me and the lack of something in my room. I don't know how to fix it. I really don't know if I can.
I also chatted quickly to the Dean after school, and I told him that last week I was at the point of considering quitting. He was very surprised, and also said that now it's an administration problem. That was nice to hear.
I need help, yo. I feel like I'm letting down the students, because the good kids are really losing their patience. So am I. I keep telling myself that next year has to be better, but how do I get through this year? How do I make a success out of the good kids if I can't ever actually teach them because the "bad" kids won't shut the hell up?
Surprisingly, I haven't cried today. I just feel frustrated and depressed and disappointed in myself. And really fucking tired.
Today sucked. Class A was extremely rowdy, loud, talkative, and I'm at my wits' end. I don't know what to do. They don't listen to anything I say, and I'm really going to start losing the good ones soon. It's been four full months already, and there hasn't been much, if any, improvement in that class (excepting the students that have been switched out).
Class B was also rowdy and loud. Also, there was another fight. Thank god, the Dean answered my call, and the AP and other discipline guy also found us quickly. They grabbed out the offenders.
Class C was okay. They got ready really fast at the end of the day, which was cool.
I made sure to sit down with the AP today and tell him that I really need help with Classes A and B. My rules and consequences have no effect on them whatsoever. Notes, calls home, they don't give a shit. It's the same handful (a big handful) in each class, every day, that creates a problem. Anyway, he suggested having a mandatory meeting with the parents of troublesome students, and streamlining the procedures. Still no advice on dealing with in-class disruptions or incidents.
I chatted quickly to the math teacher, and you know what? Class A was in there, quietly doing their work.
Clearly the issue is me and the lack of something in my room. I don't know how to fix it. I really don't know if I can.
I also chatted quickly to the Dean after school, and I told him that last week I was at the point of considering quitting. He was very surprised, and also said that now it's an administration problem. That was nice to hear.
I need help, yo. I feel like I'm letting down the students, because the good kids are really losing their patience. So am I. I keep telling myself that next year has to be better, but how do I get through this year? How do I make a success out of the good kids if I can't ever actually teach them because the "bad" kids won't shut the hell up?
Surprisingly, I haven't cried today. I just feel frustrated and depressed and disappointed in myself. And really fucking tired.
Sunday, January 09, 2005
Because I haven't done one of these in about two years, and Rae's was pretty entertaining.
---------------DESCRIBE---------------
YOUR HERITAGE: I don't know all of it, but on one side, north/western Euro mutt (French, English, Norwegian)
THE SHOES YOU WORE TODAY: slippers!
YOUR EYES: blue
YOUR WEAKNESS: junk food and books
YOUR FEARS: spiders
ONE THING YOU'D LIKE TO ACHIEVE: world peace! haha, just kidding. Um, being an effective teacher, I suppose.
---------------WHAT IS---------------
YOUR THOUGHTS FIRST WAKING UP: god, do I have to?
THE FIRST FEATURE YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX: Shoulders and/or ass.
YOUR BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: my legs and/or bum.
YOUR BEDTIME: not nearly early enough (between 10 and 11pm on school nights).
YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: getting through college, AmeriCorps, and hopefully, my first year teaching.
YOUR MOST MISSED MEMORY: I really have no idea what this means. At all.
---------------YOU PREFER---------------
PEPSI OR COKE: neither. I avoid caffeine, and if I drink soda, I like orange or root beer.
MCDONALD'S OR BURGER KING: definitely McD's. although I've been really good about not eating any fast food lately.
SINGLE OR GROUP DATES: can't really say, because I don't think I've ever done either.
ADIDAS OR NIKE: no idea. they're both expensive, fancy-pants shoes and I can't afford either.
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA: definitely chocolate. Yum.
CAPPUCINO OR COFFEE: neither. See above re caffeine. Also, I hate anything coffee-related.
---------------DO YOU---------------
SMOKE: ew, no.
CUSS: yep, probably too much. I'm afraid that one day a bad word will pop out while I'm teaching. Heh.
TAKE A SHOWER EVERYDAY: Normally, yes. Weekends or vacations, all bets are off.
HAVE A CRUSH(ES): hm, sort of.
WHO ARE THEY: people in my program. yes, more than one.
DO YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN IN LOVE?: looking back, probably not.
WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE: already did, and now I'm in grad school. Way more fun the first time.
LIKE HIGH SCHOOL: if by "like" you mean "loathe", then yes, absolutely!
WANT TO GET MARRIED: not any time soon.
TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS: yep. Thank you, PAWS!
GET MOTION SICKNESS: not that I know of.
THINK YOU'RE ATTRACTIVE: very rarely.
THINK YOU'RE A HEALTH FREAK: ha, ha, ha, you make me laugh.
GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS: yes. Like many young people, that really started after I moved out to go to college.
LIKE THUNDERSTORMS: I suppose so.
PLAY AN INSTRUMENT: Piano for less than a year once, and the cello for about five years.
---------------IN THE PAST MONTH DID/HAVE YOU---------------
DRANK ALCOHOL: yep. Not nearly enough of it, either.
SMOKE(D): yuck, no way.
DONE A DRUG: nope.
HAVE SEX: no.
MADE OUT: no.
GO ON A DATE: no. Okay, you're just making me feel bad about myself now. It's been a slow year, okay?!
GO TO THE MALL: yeah, I took my mom to Queens Center over break.
BEEN ON STAGE: I teach every day.
BEEN DUMPED: not applicable, unfortunately.
GONE SKATING: yes, for the first time! It was so much fun, and I was pretty decent!
MADE HOMEMADE COOKIES: sha, right.
BEEN IN LOVE: no.
DYED YOUR HAIR: no, but my mom cut it for me.
STOLEN ANYTHING: not that I know of. I have too much of a conscience to let myself do something like that.
---------------HAVE YOU EVER---------------
FLOWN ON A PLANE: hundreds of times.
MISSED SCHOOL BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING?: no. What an odd question.
TOLD A GUY/GIRL THAT YOU LIKED THEM?: only once, cause it was really bugging me. I didn't want anything out of it, I just wanted to get it off my chest. All the other times, I flirt or obsess about it. Much healthier that way. ;)
CRIED DURING A MOVIE?: Many times. Though, I just saw Phantom of the Opera (the movie) and for the first time, I did not cry at the end with the little cymbal-playing monkey.
EVER THOUGHT AN ANIMATED CHARACTER WAS HOT?: Trent on Daria.
HAD AN IMAGINARY FRIEND: no. Not nearly imaginative enough for that.
CUT YOUR HAIR: yeah, once in high school and once last June.
PLAYED A GAME THAT REQUIRED REMOVAL OF CLOTHING: heh, yeah, Strip Uno.
BEEN TRASHED OR EXTREMELY INTOXICATED: no.
BEEN CAUGHT "DOING SOMETHING": does that mean something naughty? No.
BEEN CALLED A TEASE: hm, I'm not sure. It's a possibility.
GOTTEN BEATEN UP?: no.
BEEN IN A FIGHT: only with siblings.
SHOPLIFTED: no. Didn't we already go over this?
---------------OPPOSITE/SAME SEX---------------
BEST EYE COLOR: who cares?
SHORT OR LONG HAIR: depends on the person.
BEST HEIGHT: taller than me.
BEST WEIGHT: height/weight appropriate.
BEST FIRST DATE LOCATION: can I dream and say Paris?
BEST FIRST KISS LOCATION: again, how about the Eiffel Tower? Cheesy and cliche, but come on, you know it would be awesome.
---------------NUMBER OF---------------
NUMBER OF BOYFRIENDS/GIRLFRIENDS YOU'VE HAD: 2.
NUMBER OF KISSES YOU'VE GIVEN: seriously stupid question.
NUMBER OF DRUGS TAKEN ILLEGALLY: zero.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE I COULD TRUST WITH MY LIFE: I have no idea. I suppose family people.
NUMBER OF PIERCINGS: two in each ear.
NUMBER OF TATTOOS: none. I want one someday, though. Haven't decided one that would be important enough.
NUMBER OF TIMES MY NAME HAS APPEARED IN THE NEWSPAPER: hm, several times involving the gymnastics team. Once, there was a "feature" "interview" of me in a tiny community newspaper, complete with awkward photo.
NUMBER OF SCARS ON MY BODY: god, who knows. I have one on my wrist from surgery, a few others from scratches and such.
---------------FAVORITES---------------
SHAMPOO: sebastian laminates. It's expensive though, so I never buy it. I like the Dove stuff a lot.
FAVE COLOR: pink, red or purple
DAY/NIGHT: definitely night.
SUMMER/WINTER: summer, I suppose. Though I appreciate the "romance" of a silent evergreen forest blanketed in snow.
LACE OR SATIN: satin.
FAVE CARTOON CHARACTER: um...
FAVE FOOD: don't make me choose! French fries, chocolate gelato, pickles...
FAVE MOVIES: The Worst Witch, The Princess Bride, Monty Python/Holy Grail, the Boondock Saints
FAVE SPORT: gymnastics. surprising, eh?
---------------RIGHT NOW---------------
WEARING: pajamas, bathrobe, slippers (cozy!)
DRINKING: nothing.
THINKING ABOUT: trying NOT to think about school this week.
LISTENING TO: Billy Joel.
---------------IN THE LAST 24 HRS---------------
CRIED: don't think so.
WORN JEANS: nope.
MET SOMEONE NEW ONLINE: no. that never happens.
DONE LAUNDRY: no.
DROVE A CAR: not in months and months.
TALKED ON THE PHONE: yes.
---------------DO YOU BELIEVE IN---------------
YOURSELF: sometimes.
YOUR FRIENDS: I don't know what that means.
SANTA CLAUS: no.
TOOTH FAIRY: no.
DESTINY/FATE: definitely.
GHOSTS: not sure.
UFO'S: no, but that weird thing we all saw freshman year sure was bizarre.
GOD: not as any religion defines it/Him.
---------------FRIENDS AND LIFE---------------
DO YOU EVER WISH YOU HAD ANOTHER NAME?: I guess. I think "Julie" is kind of a silly name, at least in English pronunciation.
DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND?: nope. God, I already feel miserable and single as it is, thank you!
DO YOU LIKE ANYONE?: already went over that.
WHICH ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS ACTS THE MOST LIKE YOU?: no clue.
ARE YOU CLOSE TO ANY FAMILY MEMBER?: I talk to my mom just about every day.
WHO DO YOU HANG AROUND THE MOST?: me, and the girls at school. I think I'm actually becoming friends with them, which is pretty great.
WHAT'S THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD?: making people laugh, helping someone learn something new (whether or not I'm their teacher)
WORST FEELING?: feeling ignored.
WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?: 6.09pm, EST
---------------CURRENT---------------
CURRENT MOOD: eh.
CURRENT MUSIC: Billy Joel.
CURRENT TASTE: peanut butter and honey that I just ate from a spoon.
CURRENT HAIR: ponytail.
---------------HAVE YOU EVER OR DO YOU---------------
HAVE A DREAM THAT KEEPS COMING BACK?: no; I have had one-time dream "repeats" though, where I know that I recognize the situation but it's different this time.
REMEMBER YOUR FIRST LOVE?: n/a.
STILL LOVE HIM/HER: n/a.
BELIEVE IT'S POSSIBLE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL FOREVER?: I'm totally the wrong person to ask. Haven't cheated or anything like that, I just have trouble believing in long-term relationships.
CONSIDER YOURSELF TOLERANT OF OTHERS?: yes, unless they are stupid, xenophobes, liars, or full of attitude. Does that still count as tolerance?
CONSIDER LOVE A MISTAKE?: huh? A distraction, sometimes, but why would it be a mistake? Again, wrong person to ask, though.
LIKE THE TASTE OF ALCOHOL?: not at all. That's why I drink the froufy girly drinks.
HAVE A FAVORITE CANDY?: hm, good question. Kit-Kats, maybe.
DO WELL IN SCHOOL?: yes. Though I do procrastinate, I always get it done.
WEAR HATS?: in winter, when I'm outside, all the time. As a fashion accessory that's part of an outfit, never.
CLOSE FRIENDS?: not really, I guess.
WISH ON STARS?: don't think so, though more because I just don't think of it.
LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?: ha, it's like I have multiple personalities when I'm holding a writing utensil.
CARE ABOUT LOOKS?: whose, mine? Yes, I suppose so. Others'? Sometimes.
---------------LOVE AND STUFF---------------
GAY? STRAIGHT? BI? NULL?: Straight. (What does "null" mean?)
FIRST CRUSH: God, probably Darren Lamont in second grade. Hundreds more since then. (After high school, I randomly worked in a coffee shop with a girl who was going out with Darren Lamont! Small world.)
EVER BEEN IN A THING CALLED LOVE?: again, I don't think so.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?: not really.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN "THE ONE?: I guess not.
---------------ARE YOU A---------------
WUSS: sometimes. I don't always stand up for myself or my beliefs as much as I want to. And I am a champion excuse-finder.
DRUGGY: not at all.
DAYDREAMER: yes, when I'm: in a long, boring class; wistfully remembering my travels; thinking about cute boys from the past. Sigh, like the cute Aussie from the Paris hostel...
FREAK: occasionally.
DORK: big time.
BRAT: only in that I have high standards for myself and others (NOTE: not material standards, moral/personality ones)
SARCASTIC: are you kidding?!
SHY: too often.
TALKATIVE: too often, if you can believe it.
ADVENTUROUS: not as much as I'd like to be.
JOKER: not enough.
---------------LAST---------------
LAST BOOK YOU READ: The Two Princesses of Bamarre, by Gail Carson Levine. I read a lot of books, and this year I've been able to read a lot of quality young adult fiction.
LAST MOVIE YOU SAW: Phantom of the Opera. It was meh.
LAST THING YOU HAD TO DRINK: A mojito last night.
LAST TIME YOU SHOWERED: Yesterday late afternoon.
LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: my friend last night so we could meet up.
YOUR HERITAGE: I don't know all of it, but on one side, north/western Euro mutt (French, English, Norwegian)
THE SHOES YOU WORE TODAY: slippers!
YOUR EYES: blue
YOUR WEAKNESS: junk food and books
YOUR FEARS: spiders
ONE THING YOU'D LIKE TO ACHIEVE: world peace! haha, just kidding. Um, being an effective teacher, I suppose.
---------------WHAT IS---------------
YOUR THOUGHTS FIRST WAKING UP: god, do I have to?
THE FIRST FEATURE YOU NOTICE IN THE OPPOSITE SEX: Shoulders and/or ass.
YOUR BEST PHYSICAL FEATURE: my legs and/or bum.
YOUR BEDTIME: not nearly early enough (between 10 and 11pm on school nights).
YOUR GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: getting through college, AmeriCorps, and hopefully, my first year teaching.
YOUR MOST MISSED MEMORY: I really have no idea what this means. At all.
---------------YOU PREFER---------------
PEPSI OR COKE: neither. I avoid caffeine, and if I drink soda, I like orange or root beer.
MCDONALD'S OR BURGER KING: definitely McD's. although I've been really good about not eating any fast food lately.
SINGLE OR GROUP DATES: can't really say, because I don't think I've ever done either.
ADIDAS OR NIKE: no idea. they're both expensive, fancy-pants shoes and I can't afford either.
CHOCOLATE OR VANILLA: definitely chocolate. Yum.
CAPPUCINO OR COFFEE: neither. See above re caffeine. Also, I hate anything coffee-related.
---------------DO YOU---------------
SMOKE: ew, no.
CUSS: yep, probably too much. I'm afraid that one day a bad word will pop out while I'm teaching. Heh.
TAKE A SHOWER EVERYDAY: Normally, yes. Weekends or vacations, all bets are off.
HAVE A CRUSH(ES): hm, sort of.
WHO ARE THEY: people in my program. yes, more than one.
DO YOU THINK YOU'VE BEEN IN LOVE?: looking back, probably not.
WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE: already did, and now I'm in grad school. Way more fun the first time.
LIKE HIGH SCHOOL: if by "like" you mean "loathe", then yes, absolutely!
WANT TO GET MARRIED: not any time soon.
TYPE WITH YOUR FINGERS ON THE RIGHT KEYS: yep. Thank you, PAWS!
GET MOTION SICKNESS: not that I know of.
THINK YOU'RE ATTRACTIVE: very rarely.
THINK YOU'RE A HEALTH FREAK: ha, ha, ha, you make me laugh.
GET ALONG WITH YOUR PARENTS: yes. Like many young people, that really started after I moved out to go to college.
LIKE THUNDERSTORMS: I suppose so.
PLAY AN INSTRUMENT: Piano for less than a year once, and the cello for about five years.
---------------IN THE PAST MONTH DID/HAVE YOU---------------
DRANK ALCOHOL: yep. Not nearly enough of it, either.
SMOKE(D): yuck, no way.
DONE A DRUG: nope.
HAVE SEX: no.
MADE OUT: no.
GO ON A DATE: no. Okay, you're just making me feel bad about myself now. It's been a slow year, okay?!
GO TO THE MALL: yeah, I took my mom to Queens Center over break.
BEEN ON STAGE: I teach every day.
BEEN DUMPED: not applicable, unfortunately.
GONE SKATING: yes, for the first time! It was so much fun, and I was pretty decent!
MADE HOMEMADE COOKIES: sha, right.
BEEN IN LOVE: no.
DYED YOUR HAIR: no, but my mom cut it for me.
STOLEN ANYTHING: not that I know of. I have too much of a conscience to let myself do something like that.
---------------HAVE YOU EVER---------------
FLOWN ON A PLANE: hundreds of times.
MISSED SCHOOL BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING?: no. What an odd question.
TOLD A GUY/GIRL THAT YOU LIKED THEM?: only once, cause it was really bugging me. I didn't want anything out of it, I just wanted to get it off my chest. All the other times, I flirt or obsess about it. Much healthier that way. ;)
CRIED DURING A MOVIE?: Many times. Though, I just saw Phantom of the Opera (the movie) and for the first time, I did not cry at the end with the little cymbal-playing monkey.
EVER THOUGHT AN ANIMATED CHARACTER WAS HOT?: Trent on Daria.
HAD AN IMAGINARY FRIEND: no. Not nearly imaginative enough for that.
CUT YOUR HAIR: yeah, once in high school and once last June.
PLAYED A GAME THAT REQUIRED REMOVAL OF CLOTHING: heh, yeah, Strip Uno.
BEEN TRASHED OR EXTREMELY INTOXICATED: no.
BEEN CAUGHT "DOING SOMETHING": does that mean something naughty? No.
BEEN CALLED A TEASE: hm, I'm not sure. It's a possibility.
GOTTEN BEATEN UP?: no.
BEEN IN A FIGHT: only with siblings.
SHOPLIFTED: no. Didn't we already go over this?
---------------OPPOSITE/SAME SEX---------------
BEST EYE COLOR: who cares?
SHORT OR LONG HAIR: depends on the person.
BEST HEIGHT: taller than me.
BEST WEIGHT: height/weight appropriate.
BEST FIRST DATE LOCATION: can I dream and say Paris?
BEST FIRST KISS LOCATION: again, how about the Eiffel Tower? Cheesy and cliche, but come on, you know it would be awesome.
---------------NUMBER OF---------------
NUMBER OF BOYFRIENDS/GIRLFRIENDS YOU'VE HAD: 2.
NUMBER OF KISSES YOU'VE GIVEN: seriously stupid question.
NUMBER OF DRUGS TAKEN ILLEGALLY: zero.
NUMBER OF PEOPLE I COULD TRUST WITH MY LIFE: I have no idea. I suppose family people.
NUMBER OF PIERCINGS: two in each ear.
NUMBER OF TATTOOS: none. I want one someday, though. Haven't decided one that would be important enough.
NUMBER OF TIMES MY NAME HAS APPEARED IN THE NEWSPAPER: hm, several times involving the gymnastics team. Once, there was a "feature" "interview" of me in a tiny community newspaper, complete with awkward photo.
NUMBER OF SCARS ON MY BODY: god, who knows. I have one on my wrist from surgery, a few others from scratches and such.
---------------FAVORITES---------------
SHAMPOO: sebastian laminates. It's expensive though, so I never buy it. I like the Dove stuff a lot.
FAVE COLOR: pink, red or purple
DAY/NIGHT: definitely night.
SUMMER/WINTER: summer, I suppose. Though I appreciate the "romance" of a silent evergreen forest blanketed in snow.
LACE OR SATIN: satin.
FAVE CARTOON CHARACTER: um...
FAVE FOOD: don't make me choose! French fries, chocolate gelato, pickles...
FAVE MOVIES: The Worst Witch, The Princess Bride, Monty Python/Holy Grail, the Boondock Saints
FAVE SPORT: gymnastics. surprising, eh?
---------------RIGHT NOW---------------
WEARING: pajamas, bathrobe, slippers (cozy!)
DRINKING: nothing.
THINKING ABOUT: trying NOT to think about school this week.
LISTENING TO: Billy Joel.
---------------IN THE LAST 24 HRS---------------
CRIED: don't think so.
WORN JEANS: nope.
MET SOMEONE NEW ONLINE: no. that never happens.
DONE LAUNDRY: no.
DROVE A CAR: not in months and months.
TALKED ON THE PHONE: yes.
---------------DO YOU BELIEVE IN---------------
YOURSELF: sometimes.
YOUR FRIENDS: I don't know what that means.
SANTA CLAUS: no.
TOOTH FAIRY: no.
DESTINY/FATE: definitely.
GHOSTS: not sure.
UFO'S: no, but that weird thing we all saw freshman year sure was bizarre.
GOD: not as any religion defines it/Him.
---------------FRIENDS AND LIFE---------------
DO YOU EVER WISH YOU HAD ANOTHER NAME?: I guess. I think "Julie" is kind of a silly name, at least in English pronunciation.
DO YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND/BOYFRIEND?: nope. God, I already feel miserable and single as it is, thank you!
DO YOU LIKE ANYONE?: already went over that.
WHICH ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS ACTS THE MOST LIKE YOU?: no clue.
ARE YOU CLOSE TO ANY FAMILY MEMBER?: I talk to my mom just about every day.
WHO DO YOU HANG AROUND THE MOST?: me, and the girls at school. I think I'm actually becoming friends with them, which is pretty great.
WHAT'S THE BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD?: making people laugh, helping someone learn something new (whether or not I'm their teacher)
WORST FEELING?: feeling ignored.
WHAT TIME IS IT NOW?: 6.09pm, EST
---------------CURRENT---------------
CURRENT MOOD: eh.
CURRENT MUSIC: Billy Joel.
CURRENT TASTE: peanut butter and honey that I just ate from a spoon.
CURRENT HAIR: ponytail.
---------------HAVE YOU EVER OR DO YOU---------------
HAVE A DREAM THAT KEEPS COMING BACK?: no; I have had one-time dream "repeats" though, where I know that I recognize the situation but it's different this time.
REMEMBER YOUR FIRST LOVE?: n/a.
STILL LOVE HIM/HER: n/a.
BELIEVE IT'S POSSIBLE TO REMAIN FAITHFUL FOREVER?: I'm totally the wrong person to ask. Haven't cheated or anything like that, I just have trouble believing in long-term relationships.
CONSIDER YOURSELF TOLERANT OF OTHERS?: yes, unless they are stupid, xenophobes, liars, or full of attitude. Does that still count as tolerance?
CONSIDER LOVE A MISTAKE?: huh? A distraction, sometimes, but why would it be a mistake? Again, wrong person to ask, though.
LIKE THE TASTE OF ALCOHOL?: not at all. That's why I drink the froufy girly drinks.
HAVE A FAVORITE CANDY?: hm, good question. Kit-Kats, maybe.
DO WELL IN SCHOOL?: yes. Though I do procrastinate, I always get it done.
WEAR HATS?: in winter, when I'm outside, all the time. As a fashion accessory that's part of an outfit, never.
CLOSE FRIENDS?: not really, I guess.
WISH ON STARS?: don't think so, though more because I just don't think of it.
LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?: ha, it's like I have multiple personalities when I'm holding a writing utensil.
CARE ABOUT LOOKS?: whose, mine? Yes, I suppose so. Others'? Sometimes.
---------------LOVE AND STUFF---------------
GAY? STRAIGHT? BI? NULL?: Straight. (What does "null" mean?)
FIRST CRUSH: God, probably Darren Lamont in second grade. Hundreds more since then. (After high school, I randomly worked in a coffee shop with a girl who was going out with Darren Lamont! Small world.)
EVER BEEN IN A THING CALLED LOVE?: again, I don't think so.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT?: not really.
DO YOU BELIEVE IN "THE ONE?: I guess not.
---------------ARE YOU A---------------
WUSS: sometimes. I don't always stand up for myself or my beliefs as much as I want to. And I am a champion excuse-finder.
DRUGGY: not at all.
DAYDREAMER: yes, when I'm: in a long, boring class; wistfully remembering my travels; thinking about cute boys from the past. Sigh, like the cute Aussie from the Paris hostel...
FREAK: occasionally.
DORK: big time.
BRAT: only in that I have high standards for myself and others (NOTE: not material standards, moral/personality ones)
SARCASTIC: are you kidding?!
SHY: too often.
TALKATIVE: too often, if you can believe it.
ADVENTUROUS: not as much as I'd like to be.
JOKER: not enough.
---------------LAST---------------
LAST BOOK YOU READ: The Two Princesses of Bamarre, by Gail Carson Levine. I read a lot of books, and this year I've been able to read a lot of quality young adult fiction.
LAST MOVIE YOU SAW: Phantom of the Opera. It was meh.
LAST THING YOU HAD TO DRINK: A mojito last night.
LAST TIME YOU SHOWERED: Yesterday late afternoon.
LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE: my friend last night so we could meet up.
BLAH, BLAH, BLAH
Both because of my rambling post from yesterday and also my general mood all weekend.
It is 4pm on Sunday, and I have done absolutely no work whatsoever all weekend. While it feels lovely to relax, sleep, read, etc, I am feeling a bit of anticipatory stress for the upcoming week.
I need to get back to the Seven Habits of Effeficient Readers as well as the list of Literary Devices. So, in Reading Workshop tomorrow, I will ask the students to review the habits we have done so far. And then we will practice "visualization." I'm not really sure how I should teach that, what sort of notes I should have them write down for it, but oh well. I'll do what I can. I figure I'll read a passage and talk about what I'm seeing in my head. Then they can read their books and draw a scene from there as a "response."
For writing, I'll start on Monday with filling in the research chart in class. Then, if nothing else, Monday night I can figure out what to do the rest of the week. Yikes.
Last night, I went out to the city. Ms J had a birthday gathering. I joined them, met some other new teachers, had a nice time. We started at Negril's for a Caribbean dinner, then went to the club 40/40. I left soon after that, because while the music was decent, it was really loud. And I'm old.
Then, I met up with another friend and his friends. Just sat at a bar and talked about whatever. Met a girl who is in school for education at the moment, so we talked about that for a bit.
I got to bed at 3.30 and made myself get up at 11.30 this morning. Like I said, I have done nothing all day. Watched a program called "Visions of England" and part of "The Queen's Story" on PBS. Excellent stuff.
I'm tired. I don't want to work.
It is 4pm on Sunday, and I have done absolutely no work whatsoever all weekend. While it feels lovely to relax, sleep, read, etc, I am feeling a bit of anticipatory stress for the upcoming week.
I need to get back to the Seven Habits of Effeficient Readers as well as the list of Literary Devices. So, in Reading Workshop tomorrow, I will ask the students to review the habits we have done so far. And then we will practice "visualization." I'm not really sure how I should teach that, what sort of notes I should have them write down for it, but oh well. I'll do what I can. I figure I'll read a passage and talk about what I'm seeing in my head. Then they can read their books and draw a scene from there as a "response."
For writing, I'll start on Monday with filling in the research chart in class. Then, if nothing else, Monday night I can figure out what to do the rest of the week. Yikes.
Last night, I went out to the city. Ms J had a birthday gathering. I joined them, met some other new teachers, had a nice time. We started at Negril's for a Caribbean dinner, then went to the club 40/40. I left soon after that, because while the music was decent, it was really loud. And I'm old.
Then, I met up with another friend and his friends. Just sat at a bar and talked about whatever. Met a girl who is in school for education at the moment, so we talked about that for a bit.
I got to bed at 3.30 and made myself get up at 11.30 this morning. Like I said, I have done nothing all day. Watched a program called "Visions of England" and part of "The Queen's Story" on PBS. Excellent stuff.
I'm tired. I don't want to work.
Saturday, January 08, 2005
Stamina
A teacher in the office Friday morning mentioned that this time of year requires a whole different kind of stamina from teachers. That's totally what's going on. The fall flies by, with getting to know your kids, and holidays all over the place. Then, all of a sudden, it's January, it's bleak and seems like the time until June will just be a never-ending slope of work and no fun.
I have no idea what happened with my classes on Thursday. The students that I asked about it couldn't even remember the sub, except that she was a "bigger lady." Oh well.
I got up at 5.15 on Friday morning, anticipating that my room would be trashed and I would need to fix it up and stuff. When I arrived at 6.45, it actually was pretty much the same as when I left it. Meaning, no more trashed than normal. Grr.
I made copies of things for the test prep stuff, and did the daily morning things that I do in my classroom.
First period was Class A (it's the only day that I have them right away when school starts). They were a bit noisy, but the testing thing got going eventually. The Asshole seemed to be making an effort to be a bit more cooperative, which of course I appreciated. I saw him actually doing the work, and doing it well. Other students were chatty here and there, but overall, it has been much worse, so I guess it wasn't too bad.
Oh, and the principal stopped by my room while they were working, to ask about the bulletin board, why it wasn't up yet. I explained that I was out the day before, I would be doing it on my preps, and it would be up by the end of the day. I grabbed a copy of the write-ups I did about the Asshole incidents and gave it to him. He skimmed it and was appropriately shocked and upset by it. I was gratified by that, and also by the way he said that even though he's dealing with the kid on a counseling level, this inappropriate behavior definitely needs to be addressed. Hurrah for a supportive principal! He asked me to give a copy to the counselor too, and I said I would do that.
Second period, I was getting ready to do the "differentiated instruction" work that I'd come up with, when a couple kids reminded me that the announcements had said for the sixth-grade teachers to bring their classes to the auditorium second period. It took us awhile to get ready and down there, but at least we weren't the last ones to arrive.
The assembly was mostly about reminding the kids of what behavior is acceptable and what isn't. The AP, Dean, and Principal gave lectures about not putting up with things at this point in the year. One of them announced that several students have been kicked out for their behavior, and there will be more.
One of them they announced was a kid who was first in Class A, then in December switched to Class C. He was a big, consistent behavior problem, and his mother thought that all the teachers were just picking on him. Yeah, right. (Isn't it ironic that the one parent we need the most support from offers none?) Anyway, he was gone all the last week before break, and all this week too, but no one told me anything. So, now I know, he's been kicked out! It was all I could do not to cheer out loud.
In other good news, that tiny bitchy girl from Class C got transferred to another, smaller special ed class. When the inclusion told me at the beginning of class one day, I was like, "Really?!" and a student next to us apparently noticed my barely-contained glee. Heh. So relieved. She was full of a completely inappropriate attitude. (She's the one who was out of her seat, with her hand on the door to leave without permission, and when I mentioned that I would be writing a letter to the admin about her, rolls her eyes and goes, all snotty and exasperated, "Good for you, want a biscuit?" Good lord, I could not believe. Moments like that I am grateful I've never been a person leaning towards violence, because holy shit, did she need a good shake or slap right about then.)
Whee! So Class C should be a little easier to deal with without those two now. Much relief!
At lunch, I had a bunch of kids in my room. The normal three from Class A (Tall T, Little C, and Quiet Z), plus one from Class B, and a few from Class C. It was a little more chaotic than I'm used to, but we got some work done.
Class B was only one period, and I yelled at them a bit at the beginning of class. And actually, this week I have been yelling at classes, not just raising my voice. But I'm changing up my voice level and tone, too. For example, they were chatty at the very beginning. So I yelled, "I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH THE NOISE. I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH THE NOISE!!" Right away switching to a normal volume and pleasant tone, I said, "Anyone have any questions on that?" Heh, I hope they think I'm a little weird and crazy. Cause I am.
Class C...hm. We got a new student, another special ed/inclusion girl with a boy-sounding voice. She seemed pleasant enough. During the test, they actually did fine. Like I've said before, they respond pretty well to teacher bullying/guilt, so after some stern and loud words at the beginning, they were very good and stayed on task, quietly. Except for a table that was talking to each other about the test and I had to tell them three times that it's a TEST and if you are talking to someone, that is CHEATING and means they will FAIL. Geez.
Finally, I got to give them the varied instruction folders. The two "help with fundamentals" groups did vocab tic-tac-toe (the other teacher and I stayed with them to make sure they could actually get the vocab), and the rest read a passage and then matched up vocab and were supposed to answer comprehension and analysis questions. I really don't think any of those groups did any work, but it was too hard to leave the really-needs-help group to check on the others. Altogether, I stopped the class and told them the noise level was far too loud. We passed out some letters and the book orders. I went over the homework and they got ready to go. I decided to keep all the boys for two minutes of silence, because they were ready, but not in line and being really loud. They did okay with the quiet after that.
After school, Ms F, Ms C, Ms J and another Ms F, and I sat around talking about Las Vegas in April. It was fun, figuring out where to stay, if we should do a package deal, etc. I love travel stuff. Then, at the end, I got all wistful and excited about Europe, and the cheap package trips that could be done at midwinter break. Dangit, I hate not having money.
Last night, I watched tv, read, and perused TWoP all the way until 1.30am.
Now it's Saturday. Hurrah! I slept until 11.30, and have done absolutely nothing even mildly productive since.
I have no idea what happened with my classes on Thursday. The students that I asked about it couldn't even remember the sub, except that she was a "bigger lady." Oh well.
I got up at 5.15 on Friday morning, anticipating that my room would be trashed and I would need to fix it up and stuff. When I arrived at 6.45, it actually was pretty much the same as when I left it. Meaning, no more trashed than normal. Grr.
I made copies of things for the test prep stuff, and did the daily morning things that I do in my classroom.
First period was Class A (it's the only day that I have them right away when school starts). They were a bit noisy, but the testing thing got going eventually. The Asshole seemed to be making an effort to be a bit more cooperative, which of course I appreciated. I saw him actually doing the work, and doing it well. Other students were chatty here and there, but overall, it has been much worse, so I guess it wasn't too bad.
Oh, and the principal stopped by my room while they were working, to ask about the bulletin board, why it wasn't up yet. I explained that I was out the day before, I would be doing it on my preps, and it would be up by the end of the day. I grabbed a copy of the write-ups I did about the Asshole incidents and gave it to him. He skimmed it and was appropriately shocked and upset by it. I was gratified by that, and also by the way he said that even though he's dealing with the kid on a counseling level, this inappropriate behavior definitely needs to be addressed. Hurrah for a supportive principal! He asked me to give a copy to the counselor too, and I said I would do that.
Second period, I was getting ready to do the "differentiated instruction" work that I'd come up with, when a couple kids reminded me that the announcements had said for the sixth-grade teachers to bring their classes to the auditorium second period. It took us awhile to get ready and down there, but at least we weren't the last ones to arrive.
The assembly was mostly about reminding the kids of what behavior is acceptable and what isn't. The AP, Dean, and Principal gave lectures about not putting up with things at this point in the year. One of them announced that several students have been kicked out for their behavior, and there will be more.
One of them they announced was a kid who was first in Class A, then in December switched to Class C. He was a big, consistent behavior problem, and his mother thought that all the teachers were just picking on him. Yeah, right. (Isn't it ironic that the one parent we need the most support from offers none?) Anyway, he was gone all the last week before break, and all this week too, but no one told me anything. So, now I know, he's been kicked out! It was all I could do not to cheer out loud.
In other good news, that tiny bitchy girl from Class C got transferred to another, smaller special ed class. When the inclusion told me at the beginning of class one day, I was like, "Really?!" and a student next to us apparently noticed my barely-contained glee. Heh. So relieved. She was full of a completely inappropriate attitude. (She's the one who was out of her seat, with her hand on the door to leave without permission, and when I mentioned that I would be writing a letter to the admin about her, rolls her eyes and goes, all snotty and exasperated, "Good for you, want a biscuit?" Good lord, I could not believe. Moments like that I am grateful I've never been a person leaning towards violence, because holy shit, did she need a good shake or slap right about then.)
Whee! So Class C should be a little easier to deal with without those two now. Much relief!
At lunch, I had a bunch of kids in my room. The normal three from Class A (Tall T, Little C, and Quiet Z), plus one from Class B, and a few from Class C. It was a little more chaotic than I'm used to, but we got some work done.
Class B was only one period, and I yelled at them a bit at the beginning of class. And actually, this week I have been yelling at classes, not just raising my voice. But I'm changing up my voice level and tone, too. For example, they were chatty at the very beginning. So I yelled, "I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH THE NOISE. I'M NOT PUTTING UP WITH THE NOISE!!" Right away switching to a normal volume and pleasant tone, I said, "Anyone have any questions on that?" Heh, I hope they think I'm a little weird and crazy. Cause I am.
Class C...hm. We got a new student, another special ed/inclusion girl with a boy-sounding voice. She seemed pleasant enough. During the test, they actually did fine. Like I've said before, they respond pretty well to teacher bullying/guilt, so after some stern and loud words at the beginning, they were very good and stayed on task, quietly. Except for a table that was talking to each other about the test and I had to tell them three times that it's a TEST and if you are talking to someone, that is CHEATING and means they will FAIL. Geez.
Finally, I got to give them the varied instruction folders. The two "help with fundamentals" groups did vocab tic-tac-toe (the other teacher and I stayed with them to make sure they could actually get the vocab), and the rest read a passage and then matched up vocab and were supposed to answer comprehension and analysis questions. I really don't think any of those groups did any work, but it was too hard to leave the really-needs-help group to check on the others. Altogether, I stopped the class and told them the noise level was far too loud. We passed out some letters and the book orders. I went over the homework and they got ready to go. I decided to keep all the boys for two minutes of silence, because they were ready, but not in line and being really loud. They did okay with the quiet after that.
After school, Ms F, Ms C, Ms J and another Ms F, and I sat around talking about Las Vegas in April. It was fun, figuring out where to stay, if we should do a package deal, etc. I love travel stuff. Then, at the end, I got all wistful and excited about Europe, and the cheap package trips that could be done at midwinter break. Dangit, I hate not having money.
Last night, I watched tv, read, and perused TWoP all the way until 1.30am.
Now it's Saturday. Hurrah! I slept until 11.30, and have done absolutely nothing even mildly productive since.
Thursday, January 06, 2005
Here is a sample five paragraph essay
Have you ever felt like you just needed a break from your everyday life? Sometimes I do, but I just get through it anyway. In this essay I will discuss why finally taking a mental health day was a very smart thing to do.
First, I got to sleep in. Since I have averaged six to seven hours a night all week, I was pretty tired. Because I took a mental health day, I got to sleep for more than ten hours! I feel happy as a lark that I got to sleep in.
Second, I can get some work done. I have already marked one of the homework assignments. It's the one for writing a persuasive essay that will go up on the bulletin board when I get to school tomorrow. Overall, I am impressed with the students' work. I think a couple studenets have noticeably improved! That feels amazing. Plus, right now it's only 1pm, so there is still a lot of time to cut out letters for the bulletin board, finish marking as much homework as I can, and maybe even updating my grades in the computer.
Third, I will have some time to relax, too. I plan on watching at least one episode of Felicity, now that I have already gotten some work done. I can read a book if I want to. Possibly, I might even want to take a nap later!
As you can see, I really needed to take a day for myself, personally and professionally. I will be able to sleep in, get some work done, but also relax, too. My friend and colleague Ms C called to check in with me, and she agreed that the kids moving their seats and desks is a problem that I need to talk to the administrators about. That helps me feel like I have some support in my job environment, from colleagues, and in theory, from the superiors. I hope you liked my essay. Maybe next time you're feeling worn down to a thread, you too can think about giving yourself a mental health day.
First, I got to sleep in. Since I have averaged six to seven hours a night all week, I was pretty tired. Because I took a mental health day, I got to sleep for more than ten hours! I feel happy as a lark that I got to sleep in.
Second, I can get some work done. I have already marked one of the homework assignments. It's the one for writing a persuasive essay that will go up on the bulletin board when I get to school tomorrow. Overall, I am impressed with the students' work. I think a couple studenets have noticeably improved! That feels amazing. Plus, right now it's only 1pm, so there is still a lot of time to cut out letters for the bulletin board, finish marking as much homework as I can, and maybe even updating my grades in the computer.
Third, I will have some time to relax, too. I plan on watching at least one episode of Felicity, now that I have already gotten some work done. I can read a book if I want to. Possibly, I might even want to take a nap later!
As you can see, I really needed to take a day for myself, personally and professionally. I will be able to sleep in, get some work done, but also relax, too. My friend and colleague Ms C called to check in with me, and she agreed that the kids moving their seats and desks is a problem that I need to talk to the administrators about. That helps me feel like I have some support in my job environment, from colleagues, and in theory, from the superiors. I hope you liked my essay. Maybe next time you're feeling worn down to a thread, you too can think about giving yourself a mental health day.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
I did it
I called in to say that I will be absent tomorrow. Good lord, I am actually taking a day off! This is the first of this school year, and the first one in a long time, period.
Right now I am very glad to know that I won't need to get up early, because I have that nasty, dull, long-lasting headache that comes after a good bout of crying. Also, I know I am exhausted and worn out.
Thank you so much for the encouraging comments/replies. They really helped me feel better, and feel okay about taking time for myself. Hugs to you!
I did get a tiny bit of work done. I looked at the homework (most of it are things that need to just be checked off rather than actually graded, if that makes sense) that needs to be corrected. No, that's really all I did; I took it out of my bag, put the piles on the floor, looked at them in despair, and actually said out loud, 'I can't do this right now.'
I made some phone calls to a couple parents. I wonder if any effect of that will be voided by me not showing up tomorrow. I talked to the Asshole's guardian. She was shocked and embarrassed when I told her what he said. She has been in contact with the principal about his behavior, since it clearly stems from his home/personal life. The kid is supposed to be starting counseling any time now. And I said that I totally understand that he's going through an awful time, but that this behavior, in context with the greater pattern, is unacceptable and out of line. She didn't really want to hear that. I don't know. At least now I know her side of things. I need to talk to the principal, let him know my side of things, and talk more about what the counseling stuff can help with.
I also made preparations for the bulletin board. It's totally due tomorrow, and the kids turned in their persuasive essays today. If I were a better, more-prepared teacher, I could have stayed at school and graded them and at least put those up, and then waited on the decorating part. But no. Last month, I only quickly glanced at them and then threw the good ones in a pile to go up.
As my mom told me, if I choose to take time for myself, it should be constructive. So I will finish the preparation for the bulletin board, plan for Friday's test prep (though Ms F already started helping me with some great things), and wade through at least some of the homework.
Right now I am very glad to know that I won't need to get up early, because I have that nasty, dull, long-lasting headache that comes after a good bout of crying. Also, I know I am exhausted and worn out.
Thank you so much for the encouraging comments/replies. They really helped me feel better, and feel okay about taking time for myself. Hugs to you!
I did get a tiny bit of work done. I looked at the homework (most of it are things that need to just be checked off rather than actually graded, if that makes sense) that needs to be corrected. No, that's really all I did; I took it out of my bag, put the piles on the floor, looked at them in despair, and actually said out loud, 'I can't do this right now.'
I made some phone calls to a couple parents. I wonder if any effect of that will be voided by me not showing up tomorrow. I talked to the Asshole's guardian. She was shocked and embarrassed when I told her what he said. She has been in contact with the principal about his behavior, since it clearly stems from his home/personal life. The kid is supposed to be starting counseling any time now. And I said that I totally understand that he's going through an awful time, but that this behavior, in context with the greater pattern, is unacceptable and out of line. She didn't really want to hear that. I don't know. At least now I know her side of things. I need to talk to the principal, let him know my side of things, and talk more about what the counseling stuff can help with.
I also made preparations for the bulletin board. It's totally due tomorrow, and the kids turned in their persuasive essays today. If I were a better, more-prepared teacher, I could have stayed at school and graded them and at least put those up, and then waited on the decorating part. But no. Last month, I only quickly glanced at them and then threw the good ones in a pile to go up.
As my mom told me, if I choose to take time for myself, it should be constructive. So I will finish the preparation for the bulletin board, plan for Friday's test prep (though Ms F already started helping me with some great things), and wade through at least some of the homework.
Sometimes I hate being at school
Sometimes I hate trying to teach my classes. I feel like I'm getting to the point of actually hating some of my students. Isn't that awful? I can't believe it, myself. But some of them are so fucking rude, disrespectful, insubordinate, sometimes even violent.
I have been sobbing for nearly forty-five minutes. I am literally shaking. I feel like I am very close to reaching the end of my rope. I am about at the point where I'm okay with shelling out a thousand bucks to reimburse the city (the "fine" you have to pay if you leave the Fellows program before it's over). This is ridiculous.
Here's the thing. Actually, there are several. Here goes:
--I have not been getting very much sleep. I also have not really been eating much. Those things are probably why I just don't feel like me, anymore. Over break, I felt much more normal, and like myself again. Now that I am trying to teach and plan, and deal with kids, and not eating or sleeping, I'm like some other, more unhappy person.
--I had a coverage (subbing for one period) today, like I do on many Wednesdays. I cannot tell you how much I despise doing coverages. I only cover 7th grade classes, and I DO hate them all. They are completely rude and disrespectful. They do not even pretend to make an effort.
--In Class A, my first one today, the Asshole, Little K, and several other students were throwing paper, talking, and getting out of their seats. Multiple times each. I told them they will have lunch detention tomorrow (because I had a goddamn coverage fourth period today), but they just kept on doing whatever the fuck they wanted. So at one point, I said, "[Asshole kid], stop talking." You know what he said? "Suck my dick." Oh no, you fucking didn't. I immediately walked to the phone and called the AP, and told him that that student had just said an obscene phrase to me. Guess what the AP said. "I'm in a meeting right now." I sent the kid out anyway, but he was back in the room five minutes later.
--In Class B, before I had even begun class, a fight broke out. A kid ran to get someone, I ran to the phone. Called AP--no answer! Called the dean--no answer! Just then the messenger arrived with one of the counselors, and he took them away.
--In all my classes, these jerkoff kids have moved the desks (meaning they actually undid the tape that I put around the legs of the desks!), removed the name tags, moved the name tags, 'mutilated' the name tags, and just generally disrespected the room and, in turn, me.
I started writing a letter about the asshole kid, but realized that I needed to actually type it out, so that I could make sure everything got in there. That kid has to not be in my room. I don't know how to phrase it without making me look like an asshole myself, but you know what? I've had enough. Someone pointed out that that is sexual harassment. Not only that, but that other incident, where he blocked me to the chalkboard? I'm done. No fucking more.
That Asshole, combined with the general fuckers that are my students, has me at the end of my rope. I can't even make them sit in their assigned fucking seats!
I realized that all of my "good" days have been flukes, because someone else was in the room for all of those. Not once has any class completely behaved for me. Obviously they are not doing their job, which is one thing. But clearly I am not able to do mine, either. That is problem for all involved.
I think I might take a Mental Health Day tomorrow. But then I would have to come back right away the next day, and it would then be Test Prep Friday, which is always the worst day of the goddamn week. I am so fucked.
I have been sobbing for nearly forty-five minutes. I am literally shaking. I feel like I am very close to reaching the end of my rope. I am about at the point where I'm okay with shelling out a thousand bucks to reimburse the city (the "fine" you have to pay if you leave the Fellows program before it's over). This is ridiculous.
Here's the thing. Actually, there are several. Here goes:
--I have not been getting very much sleep. I also have not really been eating much. Those things are probably why I just don't feel like me, anymore. Over break, I felt much more normal, and like myself again. Now that I am trying to teach and plan, and deal with kids, and not eating or sleeping, I'm like some other, more unhappy person.
--I had a coverage (subbing for one period) today, like I do on many Wednesdays. I cannot tell you how much I despise doing coverages. I only cover 7th grade classes, and I DO hate them all. They are completely rude and disrespectful. They do not even pretend to make an effort.
--In Class A, my first one today, the Asshole, Little K, and several other students were throwing paper, talking, and getting out of their seats. Multiple times each. I told them they will have lunch detention tomorrow (because I had a goddamn coverage fourth period today), but they just kept on doing whatever the fuck they wanted. So at one point, I said, "[Asshole kid], stop talking." You know what he said? "Suck my dick." Oh no, you fucking didn't. I immediately walked to the phone and called the AP, and told him that that student had just said an obscene phrase to me. Guess what the AP said. "I'm in a meeting right now." I sent the kid out anyway, but he was back in the room five minutes later.
--In Class B, before I had even begun class, a fight broke out. A kid ran to get someone, I ran to the phone. Called AP--no answer! Called the dean--no answer! Just then the messenger arrived with one of the counselors, and he took them away.
--In all my classes, these jerkoff kids have moved the desks (meaning they actually undid the tape that I put around the legs of the desks!), removed the name tags, moved the name tags, 'mutilated' the name tags, and just generally disrespected the room and, in turn, me.
I started writing a letter about the asshole kid, but realized that I needed to actually type it out, so that I could make sure everything got in there. That kid has to not be in my room. I don't know how to phrase it without making me look like an asshole myself, but you know what? I've had enough. Someone pointed out that that is sexual harassment. Not only that, but that other incident, where he blocked me to the chalkboard? I'm done. No fucking more.
That Asshole, combined with the general fuckers that are my students, has me at the end of my rope. I can't even make them sit in their assigned fucking seats!
I realized that all of my "good" days have been flukes, because someone else was in the room for all of those. Not once has any class completely behaved for me. Obviously they are not doing their job, which is one thing. But clearly I am not able to do mine, either. That is problem for all involved.
I think I might take a Mental Health Day tomorrow. But then I would have to come back right away the next day, and it would then be Test Prep Friday, which is always the worst day of the goddamn week. I am so fucked.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
Got through another day
Last night I stayed up watching Medium and then flipped through newspapers looking for articles relevant to our proposal project. Went to bed around 11.30, which is very late for me on a school night.
Today was fine, though. I got through it. My lesson was about 'shopping for vegetables,' ie, looking for facts and statistics. I handed out a research matrix, calling it a 'shopping list.' I modeled how to do it with an article, and then, tomorrow because I ran out of time in all three classes, they will get into their project groups and do research. They were supposed to bring in resources (saw some good reference books and stuff) on their topic, and I'll distribute my pile of newspapers for them to look in.
All the classes were chatty. I have noticed that I just dread Class A. It breaks my heart, because there are at least three students who always are attentive and on task, but a third of the class is chattering and frittering away time.
I suppose that the situation is not horrible, exactly. Frustrating and sometimes it seems pointless to teach, because they just keep talking. So far, this week, I feel like I'm doing a fair job of staying focused but not taking things too much to heart. It's like, just get through the day, and do my best. I'm happy with this salad metaphor, I think it will be easy to continue with that during the rest of the unit lessons.
We had common planning today, and I shared my Proposal Salad bowl and chart with my colleagues. They said that they thought it was really great. Possibly was just "sure, sure, fine, whatever," but even so, it was nice to hear.
I think what I'm trying to convey is that I feel sort of disconnected. Not during class or during instruction or anything, but I'm not excited or bummed about anything. Trying to be an oily duck (repelling water or something). A little bit blah.
On a positive note, there were a number of donations for the Red Cross. Many students that forgot today said they will bring in money tomorrow. A boy in Class B donated $21, and a girl in Class A donated $23! I was so proud of them for making a big contribution. I wonder how much we can collect by the end of the week? I'm writing the donations on the big envelopes they're putting the money in, so it will be easy to keep track of while still keeping the money safe. (Did I say yesterday that someone in all three classes asked, "How do we know that you won't steal it?" or "How do we know that you'll really send it to them?" I couldn't believe it. Later, I wondered if they are used to people just taking money for themselves, or stealing it, or whatever. Maybe that's what they do! Who knows. Anyway, I will do my best to show them how to do the right thing.
So I didn't really do any work after school or at home today. Still no homework corrected. But I'm okay with that. An oily duck, that's me.
Today was fine, though. I got through it. My lesson was about 'shopping for vegetables,' ie, looking for facts and statistics. I handed out a research matrix, calling it a 'shopping list.' I modeled how to do it with an article, and then, tomorrow because I ran out of time in all three classes, they will get into their project groups and do research. They were supposed to bring in resources (saw some good reference books and stuff) on their topic, and I'll distribute my pile of newspapers for them to look in.
All the classes were chatty. I have noticed that I just dread Class A. It breaks my heart, because there are at least three students who always are attentive and on task, but a third of the class is chattering and frittering away time.
I suppose that the situation is not horrible, exactly. Frustrating and sometimes it seems pointless to teach, because they just keep talking. So far, this week, I feel like I'm doing a fair job of staying focused but not taking things too much to heart. It's like, just get through the day, and do my best. I'm happy with this salad metaphor, I think it will be easy to continue with that during the rest of the unit lessons.
We had common planning today, and I shared my Proposal Salad bowl and chart with my colleagues. They said that they thought it was really great. Possibly was just "sure, sure, fine, whatever," but even so, it was nice to hear.
I think what I'm trying to convey is that I feel sort of disconnected. Not during class or during instruction or anything, but I'm not excited or bummed about anything. Trying to be an oily duck (repelling water or something). A little bit blah.
On a positive note, there were a number of donations for the Red Cross. Many students that forgot today said they will bring in money tomorrow. A boy in Class B donated $21, and a girl in Class A donated $23! I was so proud of them for making a big contribution. I wonder how much we can collect by the end of the week? I'm writing the donations on the big envelopes they're putting the money in, so it will be easy to keep track of while still keeping the money safe. (Did I say yesterday that someone in all three classes asked, "How do we know that you won't steal it?" or "How do we know that you'll really send it to them?" I couldn't believe it. Later, I wondered if they are used to people just taking money for themselves, or stealing it, or whatever. Maybe that's what they do! Who knows. Anyway, I will do my best to show them how to do the right thing.
So I didn't really do any work after school or at home today. Still no homework corrected. But I'm okay with that. An oily duck, that's me.
Monday, January 03, 2005
First Day Back...dun dun DUNNNN
A pretty decent day, actually.
I started by waking up at 5am. FIVE IN THE MORNING. GAH!
I got to school at 6.40 and got a lot done. The floors had been cleaned over break, and all the chairs/desks were off to the side. So I repositioned them, in groups of five this time. Then I taped the legs of the desks together so the kids won't be able to fidget them around. Then I taped on the nametags I made last night.
For each class, I reviewed the Magic Phrases (I'll post a pic of the poster later) and what to do when I put up two fingers (the peace sign): Immediately stop talking, Look at me, Put up your own hand. Simple. They already know it, I just want to enforce it explicitly. I also made a point of not talking over the chatter, so I'd just stop and wait. I do that sometimes, but not enough, because I get impatient and nervous that they'll just keep talking and I'll just stand there ALL DAY waiting for them to shut up, meaning I'd never teach and they'd all fail everything and I'd be fired.
Class A was a bit obnoxious for "reading" workshop, but once I started on the Proposal Salad lesson, they were engaged and well-behaved. They really got it. Briliant! My mentor, Mr A, was there that period and he told me it was the best he's ever seen from me, including what I did with discipline etc (though that still needs TONS and TONS of work). Hurrah. Some kids stayed in at lunch and they helped redo the reading notebook bags.
Class B was after lunch for only one period. They wanted to be good, but there was too much chatter, so I stopped the lesson before I was through. Despite that, I think they were interested and got it, too.
Class C was so-so. We had a good discussion about the tsunami disaster (one part of tonight's homework is to bring in up to/more than one dollar to donate to Red Cross). For the Proposal Salad, they seemed to enjoy it but were too chatty. Then I asked them to clean up and they got REALLY chatty and just loud. So I made them sit quietly for five minutes after the bell rang and the room was tidied. After that they did very well staying quiet, go figure.
I stayed for two hours after school, finishing the chart and gluing the salad together, and whatever else.
I feel good about today. I felt fairly calm and rather capable, too. I was proud of my lesson, and I am very happy that it went over well. I will be continuing the theme with the rest of our lessons, so it will definitely come in handy.
Blah blah, I'm sure there's more, but I want to go now. Bye.
I started by waking up at 5am. FIVE IN THE MORNING. GAH!
I got to school at 6.40 and got a lot done. The floors had been cleaned over break, and all the chairs/desks were off to the side. So I repositioned them, in groups of five this time. Then I taped the legs of the desks together so the kids won't be able to fidget them around. Then I taped on the nametags I made last night.
For each class, I reviewed the Magic Phrases (I'll post a pic of the poster later) and what to do when I put up two fingers (the peace sign): Immediately stop talking, Look at me, Put up your own hand. Simple. They already know it, I just want to enforce it explicitly. I also made a point of not talking over the chatter, so I'd just stop and wait. I do that sometimes, but not enough, because I get impatient and nervous that they'll just keep talking and I'll just stand there ALL DAY waiting for them to shut up, meaning I'd never teach and they'd all fail everything and I'd be fired.
Class A was a bit obnoxious for "reading" workshop, but once I started on the Proposal Salad lesson, they were engaged and well-behaved. They really got it. Briliant! My mentor, Mr A, was there that period and he told me it was the best he's ever seen from me, including what I did with discipline etc (though that still needs TONS and TONS of work). Hurrah. Some kids stayed in at lunch and they helped redo the reading notebook bags.
Class B was after lunch for only one period. They wanted to be good, but there was too much chatter, so I stopped the lesson before I was through. Despite that, I think they were interested and got it, too.
Class C was so-so. We had a good discussion about the tsunami disaster (one part of tonight's homework is to bring in up to/more than one dollar to donate to Red Cross). For the Proposal Salad, they seemed to enjoy it but were too chatty. Then I asked them to clean up and they got REALLY chatty and just loud. So I made them sit quietly for five minutes after the bell rang and the room was tidied. After that they did very well staying quiet, go figure.
I stayed for two hours after school, finishing the chart and gluing the salad together, and whatever else.
I feel good about today. I felt fairly calm and rather capable, too. I was proud of my lesson, and I am very happy that it went over well. I will be continuing the theme with the rest of our lessons, so it will definitely come in handy.
Blah blah, I'm sure there's more, but I want to go now. Bye.
Sunday, January 02, 2005
I don't WANNA go back to school!
Gah, I'm dreading it. I feel underprepared and tired in anticipation. Waah!
Yesterday I wrote a lesson plan. I couldn't do much more than that, because we are missing pages from the America's Choice book that the lessons come from. I got all fidgety and frustrated because I just didn't know what to do or how to do it, and only gave myself two weeks in which to do it. Wah! Called Mom, and she suggested a review of what we have already done so far, but do it with a fun theme like food or something.
Well, fantastic idea, of course. So I came up with a big salad metaphor, and cut up construction paper for the visual. (All of her visit, Mummy dearest kept drumming things like "Visuals!" into my head. Irritating, but good and necessary nonetheless.) I'm pretty pleased with it.
Tuesday I will do the fancy reading workshop I came up with already, and help the kids with research stuff in class.
So, only two other days of real lessons to plan, and then test prep. You know what? I wonder if I can get out of test prep for the next two weeks. There's already not enough time to get this proposal done. I'd actually forgotten about it until just now. If I have to do test prep, we really won't finish on time.
If I push the due date back, I have to still make it after a weekend, because the parents get all whiny about library usage during the week if they work or the kid does YMCA after school. But, my due date is the 18th (Tuesday after a long weekend), and the last day of the quarter is the 21st, that Friday. Pushing it back til the 24th means that the grade won't get in before the quarter is over.
Friday night and Saturday night, Ms C invited me to hang out with her and her family. It was a lot of fun. Lots of adorable kids running around, and bingo-playing.
Both nights I was a naughty girl and stayed up very late. And now it's a school night and I just know I'm not going to get much sleep.
Today I finally got around to making a new seating chart. I drew up a template and then printed out name tags for each desk, which I then traced with marker to make it stand out more.
I went to Staples, got markers and tape, and had transparencies made of the Google pages I'm using in Tuesday's reading workshop. I also bought some half-price calendars at Barnes & Noble. Hurrah for sales, I only wish I could have done lots more shopping.
It is seven p.m. I might watch me some Felicity, or read. I should prepare more for school. I so wish I could have gone in yesterday. I need to move the desks around, tape on all the name tags, plus all the regular morning things. I might try to get there even earlier than normal...if I can bear to get up early. Ugh.
Yesterday I wrote a lesson plan. I couldn't do much more than that, because we are missing pages from the America's Choice book that the lessons come from. I got all fidgety and frustrated because I just didn't know what to do or how to do it, and only gave myself two weeks in which to do it. Wah! Called Mom, and she suggested a review of what we have already done so far, but do it with a fun theme like food or something.
Well, fantastic idea, of course. So I came up with a big salad metaphor, and cut up construction paper for the visual. (All of her visit, Mummy dearest kept drumming things like "Visuals!" into my head. Irritating, but good and necessary nonetheless.) I'm pretty pleased with it.
Tuesday I will do the fancy reading workshop I came up with already, and help the kids with research stuff in class.
So, only two other days of real lessons to plan, and then test prep. You know what? I wonder if I can get out of test prep for the next two weeks. There's already not enough time to get this proposal done. I'd actually forgotten about it until just now. If I have to do test prep, we really won't finish on time.
If I push the due date back, I have to still make it after a weekend, because the parents get all whiny about library usage during the week if they work or the kid does YMCA after school. But, my due date is the 18th (Tuesday after a long weekend), and the last day of the quarter is the 21st, that Friday. Pushing it back til the 24th means that the grade won't get in before the quarter is over.
Friday night and Saturday night, Ms C invited me to hang out with her and her family. It was a lot of fun. Lots of adorable kids running around, and bingo-playing.
Both nights I was a naughty girl and stayed up very late. And now it's a school night and I just know I'm not going to get much sleep.
Today I finally got around to making a new seating chart. I drew up a template and then printed out name tags for each desk, which I then traced with marker to make it stand out more.
I went to Staples, got markers and tape, and had transparencies made of the Google pages I'm using in Tuesday's reading workshop. I also bought some half-price calendars at Barnes & Noble. Hurrah for sales, I only wish I could have done lots more shopping.
It is seven p.m. I might watch me some Felicity, or read. I should prepare more for school. I so wish I could have gone in yesterday. I need to move the desks around, tape on all the name tags, plus all the regular morning things. I might try to get there even earlier than normal...if I can bear to get up early. Ugh.
Saturday, January 01, 2005
Please help the relief efforts
The American Red Cross
A list of other charity organizations accepting donations for tsunami victims
This proposal report my students are working on is all about community. when we get back to school, we will talk about the global community issues too.
I'm hoping that my school can get a drive together. I figure, if every student and teacher brings in one measly dollar, that will really add up. Plus, the students can begin feeling like active citizens and members of the global community.
I am proud of the way that the US and its citizens have jumped on board with the relief efforts. Keep it up, folks.
Happy 2005.
A list of other charity organizations accepting donations for tsunami victims
This proposal report my students are working on is all about community. when we get back to school, we will talk about the global community issues too.
I'm hoping that my school can get a drive together. I figure, if every student and teacher brings in one measly dollar, that will really add up. Plus, the students can begin feeling like active citizens and members of the global community.
I am proud of the way that the US and its citizens have jumped on board with the relief efforts. Keep it up, folks.
Happy 2005.
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