Yes, it's Thursday. No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I've had a stuffy nose and a sinus headache since Tuesday. It is better, so I am thankful for that. It's been a rough week, though.
Tuesday 5th hour pissed me off SO. BAD. I was going to go over a few more things that would help them on their assignment but they just would not. shut. up. Their word vomit (aka saying everything that comes to mind...really loudly....while I am trying to talk) was out of control. So I essentially threw the assignment at them, explained it, and told them that I didn't want another word out of them. If you have a comment keep it to yourself, I don't care. If you have a question, raise your freaking hand! ARGH!
The sinus headache did not help, I'm sure. The next day was measurably better, but not perfect. Same goes for the cold.
Today was a trillion times better! Still not perfect, but they are middle schoolers with raging hormones. I can't ask too much. However, 2 students were gone from 5th hour (mind you, one of them is serving a 2 day out of school suspension) and it made all the difference. This class frustrates me more than any other because having just one or two students gone changes the whole dynamic of the class. Of the 3 7th grade classes they by far have the best discussion. These kids are smart but when all of them are together they can. not. focus!! Cue my frustration.
My summer internship at the Farms is shining through in these opening weeks. I can think of no better examples for the impact of human-environment interaction and movement than the history of the pioneers pushing further and further west and the impact that has had on the environment. It is so natural at this point for me to talk about it. At least I am getting a little out of it, since I won't still be teaching when the 8th graders get to that era in history.
Speaking of 8th graders, I came to a realization today. After 8th hour we have homeroom and one of the girls in 8th hour is also in our homeroom. After the students left she said "I bet you're glad to have that over with." What does she mean, you ask?
8th hour had been a bit of hooligans today. We were talking about life in Colonial America, which for me is exciting... I get to talk about clothes, and fun customs, food, herbs...things that I learned a lot about this year (for a slightly different time period, yes, but a lot of it can apply). They can be a chatty class and they were exceptionally so today, but not unmanageable. We had talked about the fact that gentlemen especially were expected to stand up when a woman entered the room or stood up from the table, etc. They thought it was stupid, and I attempted to teach them otherwise. Needless to say when my CT left the room they plotted to all stand up when she came back in. Distracting? Yes. Funny? Yes. It was a nice break in the monotony of saying the same thing 3 times a day.
Anyways, they got progressively rowdier and I powered through simply "shushing" them here and there. That is why this student asked me if I was glad it was over. My response?
Actually, I could handle a class like that any day as compared to 7th graders. For some reason a rowdy bunch of 8th graders is so much better. I don't know why, they should be equally as annoying. Simple fact of the matter is, they're not.
So the verdict for this week? I like 8th graders. I don't hate 7th graders, but they are just a completely different beast. Still stuck in elementary school, they are. Sorry, I'm not here to baby you anymore.
I am headed back to DSM tomorrow afternoon to finish up at the internship. I'm pretty excited to be back at the Farms for a weekend. It will be a nice change of pace! Plus, I have Monday off altogether. Woo hoo for made up holidays!!!
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