After a rough week last week, it’s been a blessing this week.
I’ve had really good days this week. Let’s recap..
So last Thursday, there was a drama production where I was almost falling off my seat laughing. It was a good one..
Then Friday, was the redneck hoedown.. I supervised with the principal. It was a good night. She and I really got to know each other, talked on a personal level. Good bonding.
Weekend, I tried my best to get caught up.. I got some done.. and hung out with my sister.. So that was a plus.
Although this week, alot of kids have been missing.. most of them are working well.
Math 8 activity, I did a horse race derby game and deal or no deal game.. Wow were they ever into that. I was reeling in the excitement.
Math9 however, today I tried doing a 3acts with starbursts.. it was a bust. My kids were not into it. They found it pointless.. and I could see why.. it wasn’t really learning.. it wasn’t really fun. I followed the script and everything. The hype wasn’t there. So I was kind of dissapointed about that. I don’t know if I did it wrong or not.. or if the kids just wasn’t into it or not.. ??
But my other classes are going great.. all in all a really good 4 day week of work..
We’re not learning, we’re being trained.
For real though, we are. All school is is teaching you how to behave in a socially acceptable manner. I learned all about it in a teaching class.
That last comment is such a mind-numbing paradox that i have no idea what to do.
Interesting.
So, I just broke down infront of my class like a big wuss. It was a bad breakdown too.. shaking and crying and all. Why do I let my emotions show so much? Why do I wear my heart on my sleeve?
It started with me handing back the tests. One of the girls did not too well. I didn’t realize she was upset until her friend said she needed help. As I went up to her, she got mad and shut her book and said “I quit” and left the room. So I didn’t know what I could have done to resolve the issue. I let her leave, did not go and talk to her.
So I continued on working with kids on the board. Did not realize another kid asked for help apparently 20 mins ago. She went in a huff and closed her book. That’s when I lost it.. I felt like a complete jerk for not helping them. I had no idea on what I did was wrong. I felt like I was being blamed for something that was out of the blue. I broke down, and hid behind my desk.. it was a low point for me, as a teacher.. and person.. I needed to be stronger and not let it affect me.. but it did.. I felt weak.. that I cried.. I felt like a blubbering loser..
It was not a proud moment of mine.
I’m like:
So, it’s amazing how fast April flew by and how May is just dragging on until summer.
It’s been pretty good these past weeks. I’m starting to get used to my Math10 class. They’re warming up to me. Their attitudes are starting to shift to positive.. So that’s a plus. I put a seating plan in place, so that has helped alot. They’re trying.. the majority of them are, and I appreciate that.
My 7’s on the other hand.. particularly 3 boys.. are becoming a burden these days.. It depends on them.. if they’re in the mood of working.. two of them will work well.. it’s just the talking back that I can’t stand anymore.. They’re getting too comfortable, I feel. Hopefully they start to buckle down and smarten up soon.
My other classes though are going great. It’s funny to think how much the 8 and 9’s have matured over the year. They got me a card and present last Thursday.. out of the blue! It was a thoughtful gesture. I was surprised this group was organized and even thought of others instead of themselves for once. It was really nice.
The 12’s are working on their borrowing money project. I don’t feel like I implemented it very well. I hope they do get something out of it though at least. I feel unprepared, because I’m not the most financially knowledgeable person to be teaching others about money. So that was a downer for me.. cause I’m pretty sure I said, “I’m not really sure about that..” alot of times..
Oh well..
The 11’s are the same.. I love their energy.. It’s so bubbly.. they’re a funny bunch..
I went to the SUM conference last week.. with Dan Meyer as a keynote.. it was good.. I got alot of practical info from it.. I also presented.. which was nerve wracking.. problem.. we got a lot of stares.. it’s hard to talk about the experience of the twittersphere..
Snow is beginning to melt.. so spring is finally here.. It’s inching closer and closer to summer.. I can’t believe how fast this second year went.. counting the days..
Sidenote: I have a never-ending amount of marking to do..
EVERY. TIME.
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Can you take this paper to the office?
(Source: from-student-to-teacher)
This is for all of you who teach the arts and have seen this action. Check outhttp://edut.to/YGUY8C for more research that supports what most already know — The arts matter.
(Source: threecheersforsweetcaffeine, via greenandpurplesharpies)
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So it was an oddly good first day back after Easter Break.. Where to begin…
So I got back 2 days before Monday.. and I got my website updated with the proper notes and assignments uploaded. It took some time to figure out where to update.
Monday rolled around, and weirdly I missed the kids’ conversations. It was good to be back in the swing of things.
Math 8 and 9’s worked well. I gave my post assessment for my 8’s and surprisingly, the majority of them were scoring not bad from the first couple of questions.
Next period, the kids finished their fakebook assignment, and man could I see the creativity in some kids. It was really neat to just watch them create stories from their posts and status updates. I can’t wait to read them.
Next was my “prep” period.. not really.. I have a pre-calc 30 kid.. and he started an assignment from before the break, and he not surprisingly couldn’t remember what he was doing.. He asked me an intriguing question, “How do you remember all this stuff, I mean after the break and all..”.. and I pondered it for a while.. and I couldn’t give him a distinct answer.. I told him, no one’s really asked me that before.. Maybe my mother once in a while.. but she just figured I learned it all in University..
It was an interesting question.. how do I know this stuff?? Why do I remember how to do it from a year ago? I don’t do it everyday.. so really how?
Anyways, after was math10 and that went decent.. the same girls on their phones.. chatter… but there were some quiet points once in a while..
Now, last period.. was good.. I mostly had grade elevens cause most of the twelves were still getting back from Europe.. so I implemented the cheat game with two deck of cards with my elevens.. It was so neat to see the strategies they were developing while playing this game.. watching them use their reasoning skills to deduce a concrete decision.. It was a beautiful teacher moment.
The day did consist of some drama amongst my homeroom.. so their issues were being played out over the course of the day.. drama queens.. I avoid confrontation especially when it’s none of my business..
So it was an interesting first day back.. I’ll try to keep up with this blog..
Problem Solving!
(Source: from-student-to-teacher)
