I have found the perfect combination: peanut butter creme filled Oreos. An even more lethal combination? Peanut butter creme filled Oreos crumpled up and mixed in with vanilla ice cream.
I'll give you a minute to wipe the drool off of your keyboard.
Life is beginning to slow down, and at the same time pick right back up again in a different way. The TWS is finished. I just have to get my examples of student work put together, print if off again after some proofreading, make a copy of it (AKA kill a lot of trees).
At this point I am a lot more focused on planning (which is a good thing). Trying to figure out some fun activities with the Lewis and Clark/Expansion Unit. Nothing is fun to 8th graders, though, if it means they have to learn. Imagine that.
"Was Napoleon the guy that sold the Louisiana Purchase to the U.S?"
"Do you see this strange looking figure on your desk in front of you? It's called a book. And it's MAGIC. Do you know why it's magic? If you open it and read it, it will tell you ALL of the answers!"
"Do you mean we have to actually read?"
mmmhhmmmm
Adolescence. It's a beautiful thing.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
update
Quarter: Over
Grades: Posted
Teacher Work Sample: One more section! Almost. There.
Tomorrow's lesson: Planned. For the most part.
Resume: Looks pretty good.
Online Application: Completed.
Sanity: What sanity? Nothing a nice cold drink can't cure.
Grades: Posted
Teacher Work Sample: One more section! Almost. There.
Tomorrow's lesson: Planned. For the most part.
Resume: Looks pretty good.
Online Application: Completed.
Sanity: What sanity? Nothing a nice cold drink can't cure.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
progress
Only one more section on the TWS to do!!! I have only left my apartment once since I got home from school yesterday, but that is beside the point.
In fact, I've hardly left the chair I am currently sitting in. Progress has been made. Onward!!
Only 140 or so short answer tests to grade and enter into the gradebook before Monday.
And I still need to plan for 8th grade.
But there has been serious progress made this weekend, people. Believe it.
And the Hawks won today. Denard who?
In fact, I've hardly left the chair I am currently sitting in. Progress has been made. Onward!!
Only 140 or so short answer tests to grade and enter into the gradebook before Monday.
And I still need to plan for 8th grade.
But there has been serious progress made this weekend, people. Believe it.
And the Hawks won today. Denard who?
Friday, October 15, 2010
one million
....is the number of things on my to-do list. If you couldn't already tell from the last post.
I ended by saying "Does this mean I've made it?"
I feel like I had another one of those moments today. Yesterday, I sent a student down to the counselor because she was refusing to do anything on the exam I was giving them (one required by the district). This morning, our counselor told me that she said that she didn't understand what she was supposed to do (I explained it to the class), and that she didn't think that I liked her because I never called on her. Ooohh my the perception of 7th graders is so far off base it is hard to deal with sometimes. First of all----ask me to re-explain it when I come to you and ask what the problem is and why you aren't doing anything. Second of all----I do call on you. Just not every. time. you. raise. your hand. There are other students, my dear.
7th graders are extremely self absorbed---part of it is the entitlement of society today and part of it is just that they are 12 and 13 and pre-teens tend to be self absorbed in general. So, the counselor recommends that in order to have her more comfortable I sit down not one on one with her but also with my CT (she says she likes my CT---DUH!! All she does is sit in the back of the room. I am the one that disciplines, so of course it is harder to like me) But I maintain I would like to chat with her on my own and if that doesn't work then I will do the other. Have to be an advocate for yourself from time to time.
Long story short---the chat seemed to go very well. We cleared the air, she seems to understand that I have to make sure the WHOLE class is learning, not just her. And we have had a nice chat about having a better attitude--stopping the eye rolling, and the pouty tone.
One of my other students is potentially getting expelled. She has been in 3 physical altercations at school, is on a restricted hall pass, and can no longer ride the bus because of fights that have happened on the bus. I have never once referred this girl to the office. We started out with a good relationship. I saw a lot of promise from her. She is a smart girl. She can be quite sweet. However, she is aggressive and does not know when to be quiet. She argues with everyone and it has only gotten worse since she came back from her last suspension. We have butted heads a lot. I treat her the same as every student (no you can't go to your locker because you didn't bring your things to class--I don't let anyone do that). She does not see it that way (again, that 7th grade perception thing).
SO today--I take her work as she is sitting in the office waiting to be picked up. This is as I am picking up 5th hour to bring them back from lunch. One student (also a trouble maker who may not last at this school) asks on the way up if the other student has been expelled. First--not your business. But, I tell her I don't know (which we really don't for sure), but that I was told to take her work. She FLIPS out "you can't expel her!! waa waa waa" I choose to ignore her and simply tell her to turn her voice off. She proceeds to yell to another student (as she's pointing at me) "It's her FAULT that she's getting expelled."
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh, my. I love 7th graders. You're right. I, a student teacher, have so much power that I walked into the principal's office and told him he should expel her. I HAVE NEVER EVEN REFERRED HER TO THE OFFICE!! I did my best, actually, to try and keep her in the class and get her turned around.
I am not the one who punched someone yesterday in the middle of the last class of the day. I am not the one who cannot control my temper. I am not the one making poor choices on a daily basis.
But, it's my fault. And I'm willing to accept that. Now there are two people on our team to blame for everything. The science teacher because he is white, Republican, male, and Catholic. And me, because I am a mean, unfair, student teacher that got your friend expelled.
Shape up and shut up and I wouldn't have to continually discipline you. Simple. Done.
I think being called "unfair" means that I've made it. Because that means that I am teaching you to be accountable, to be responsible, and to be an adult. Welcome to the "Real World," life won't give you second, third, fourth, and even fifth chances like we do here.
Back to the TWS---it is eating me alive, but I'm on a role. I won't be sleeping this weekend.
I ended by saying "Does this mean I've made it?"
I feel like I had another one of those moments today. Yesterday, I sent a student down to the counselor because she was refusing to do anything on the exam I was giving them (one required by the district). This morning, our counselor told me that she said that she didn't understand what she was supposed to do (I explained it to the class), and that she didn't think that I liked her because I never called on her. Ooohh my the perception of 7th graders is so far off base it is hard to deal with sometimes. First of all----ask me to re-explain it when I come to you and ask what the problem is and why you aren't doing anything. Second of all----I do call on you. Just not every. time. you. raise. your hand. There are other students, my dear.
7th graders are extremely self absorbed---part of it is the entitlement of society today and part of it is just that they are 12 and 13 and pre-teens tend to be self absorbed in general. So, the counselor recommends that in order to have her more comfortable I sit down not one on one with her but also with my CT (she says she likes my CT---DUH!! All she does is sit in the back of the room. I am the one that disciplines, so of course it is harder to like me) But I maintain I would like to chat with her on my own and if that doesn't work then I will do the other. Have to be an advocate for yourself from time to time.
Long story short---the chat seemed to go very well. We cleared the air, she seems to understand that I have to make sure the WHOLE class is learning, not just her. And we have had a nice chat about having a better attitude--stopping the eye rolling, and the pouty tone.
One of my other students is potentially getting expelled. She has been in 3 physical altercations at school, is on a restricted hall pass, and can no longer ride the bus because of fights that have happened on the bus. I have never once referred this girl to the office. We started out with a good relationship. I saw a lot of promise from her. She is a smart girl. She can be quite sweet. However, she is aggressive and does not know when to be quiet. She argues with everyone and it has only gotten worse since she came back from her last suspension. We have butted heads a lot. I treat her the same as every student (no you can't go to your locker because you didn't bring your things to class--I don't let anyone do that). She does not see it that way (again, that 7th grade perception thing).
SO today--I take her work as she is sitting in the office waiting to be picked up. This is as I am picking up 5th hour to bring them back from lunch. One student (also a trouble maker who may not last at this school) asks on the way up if the other student has been expelled. First--not your business. But, I tell her I don't know (which we really don't for sure), but that I was told to take her work. She FLIPS out "you can't expel her!! waa waa waa" I choose to ignore her and simply tell her to turn her voice off. She proceeds to yell to another student (as she's pointing at me) "It's her FAULT that she's getting expelled."
HAHAHAHAHAHA
Oh, my. I love 7th graders. You're right. I, a student teacher, have so much power that I walked into the principal's office and told him he should expel her. I HAVE NEVER EVEN REFERRED HER TO THE OFFICE!! I did my best, actually, to try and keep her in the class and get her turned around.
I am not the one who punched someone yesterday in the middle of the last class of the day. I am not the one who cannot control my temper. I am not the one making poor choices on a daily basis.
But, it's my fault. And I'm willing to accept that. Now there are two people on our team to blame for everything. The science teacher because he is white, Republican, male, and Catholic. And me, because I am a mean, unfair, student teacher that got your friend expelled.
Shape up and shut up and I wouldn't have to continually discipline you. Simple. Done.
I think being called "unfair" means that I've made it. Because that means that I am teaching you to be accountable, to be responsible, and to be an adult. Welcome to the "Real World," life won't give you second, third, fourth, and even fifth chances like we do here.
Back to the TWS---it is eating me alive, but I'm on a role. I won't be sleeping this weekend.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
The end of the quarter is unbelievably overwhelming.
My Teacher Work Sample is nowhere near completed.
I don't know when I will have time to complete it.
It needs to be done by the 19th (Tuesday).
When do I teach?
Overwhelmed.
Grades are due by 5 PM on Monday.
Lots of students are slackers.
It is my fault because they turned it in and I lost it.
The other teachers lost all of their completed work, too.
Why can't I just teach?
Next Friday/Saturday is the Teacher Interview Fair in my district.
That means resumes and credentials need to be done.
I have a semi-completed, crap resume and no letters of rec yet.
I would really like to teach now....
Verbal recommendations? Check. Written?
....Do teachers and principals really have time for that?
Principal introduced me (and gave great praise to) the Asst. Superintendent.
Confidence boost.
Reminded twice (from Principal): make sure to send the Sup an email when you apply.
Check...and check.
Overwhelmed.
Do I get to teach now?
No. You must test, test, test.
But...but...why?
Because Big Brother told you so.
My big brother also told me when I was 6 that alligators lived in the sewers and would come up out of the toile.....oh
Not that big brother.
Too much time spent with 7th graders.
Sincerely,
A student teacher-turned-secretary-turned-parent-turned-absolutenutjobcrazypantsbecauseican'tthinkstraight-turned-SUPERWOMAN WHO CAN DO 10 THINGS AT ONCE FOR 15 DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!
Does this mean I've made it?
Disclaimer: this does not mean blog silence is completely broken. Stressful times call for drastic measures.
My Teacher Work Sample is nowhere near completed.
I don't know when I will have time to complete it.
It needs to be done by the 19th (Tuesday).
When do I teach?
Overwhelmed.
Grades are due by 5 PM on Monday.
Lots of students are slackers.
It is my fault because they turned it in and I lost it.
The other teachers lost all of their completed work, too.
Why can't I just teach?
Next Friday/Saturday is the Teacher Interview Fair in my district.
That means resumes and credentials need to be done.
I have a semi-completed, crap resume and no letters of rec yet.
I would really like to teach now....
Verbal recommendations? Check. Written?
....Do teachers and principals really have time for that?
Principal introduced me (and gave great praise to) the Asst. Superintendent.
Confidence boost.
Reminded twice (from Principal): make sure to send the Sup an email when you apply.
Check...and check.
Overwhelmed.
Do I get to teach now?
No. You must test, test, test.
But...but...why?
Because Big Brother told you so.
My big brother also told me when I was 6 that alligators lived in the sewers and would come up out of the toile.....oh
Not that big brother.
Too much time spent with 7th graders.
Sincerely,
A student teacher-turned-secretary-turned-parent-turned-absolutenutjobcrazypantsbecauseican'tthinkstraight-turned-SUPERWOMAN WHO CAN DO 10 THINGS AT ONCE FOR 15 DIFFERENT PEOPLE!!
Does this mean I've made it?
Disclaimer: this does not mean blog silence is completely broken. Stressful times call for drastic measures.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)