Naturally, I keep thinking of all things Australian. But somehow my subconscious knows there is no way for me to imagine another continent/hemisphere, etc. I will be crossing the int'l dateline, the equator...whew. So in my dreams, I only speculate on what I know...plane travel. Last night I dreamed of a cramped window seat (wearing a suit, too) next to a guy who spilled his coffee/extra thick hot chocolate on my shoes at the beginning of the flight. Still a ways away, and I don't even know the travel arrangements yet.
On the other hand, my family departs Sunday March 8 for New York. Don't come robbing the place, though, I will still be here, and will be bored enough to tussle with you. My break doesn't begin until the following week, the 16th I think it is. If I were a drinking sort, and anywhere near a celebration of any type, I might revel in the fact I have St. Patrick's Day off. And the lesser known, but special to me, St. Joseph's Day, two days later.
Today, another stupid day on the part of kids. Had the teacher next door come by while his homeroom was in my class to ask if anybody had left a cell phone in their bags. There was some noise, as if a phone were chirping. Then when the class he had had (I love typing that) came to my room, the chirping followed. And followed them into the hall when we assembled for bathroom break. Hmmm.....Nobody 'fessed up, though, and the noise continued every 4 minutes for the next 50. One girl was so upset about losing her bathroom break, she begged to be allowed to leave. No can do. Then she had an "emergency" and claimed she was going to throw up, complete with crying. I gave her a plastic shoppping bag. Minutes later, her stomach hurt so badly that she needed to leave to see the nurse. Again, request denied. After that, tears evaporated and she made no further requests. At the end of the class she whispered to me that she had the phone, and she had put it somewhere that required a trip to the bathroom to get out (basically the front of her underwear). No word on her final punishment, but for doing all that during a TCAP type test, she deserves the max, especially in light of her crocodile tear drama.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Another wasted week
Don't even know why I am trying to teach this chapter. Volume (yeah, probably ONE question on the TCAP), surface area...the kids don't care and it is next to impossible to teach without more classroom sets of things I don't have (and that would become projectiles). The week is a bloody mess as it is.
Formative assessment - the fourth of four. Helps predict the TCAP, which is in about 6 weeks....so this one, so soon after the third, is kind of pointless. But it does eat up two days I could be teaching. Then Friday is a Black History month program, which eats up another class period.
Maybe the week will fly by. Maybe the kids will cool down a little. They are getting pretty wild - I think it is stir crazy as the last gasp of winter hits. Once the sap starts REALLY rising, it will be much much worse. Three weeks to Spring Break.
Which reminds me. My break doesn't align with the girls' break. They have the week before mine. The original plan was for them to take some of the time while I was in Australia to visit NYC. Instead, since fares are low, they will fly up for the week of (their) Spring break, saving two days of driving each way. Means I will be on my own for a week, gearing down for my own break, during which I will not get to rest. Probably.
Formative assessment - the fourth of four. Helps predict the TCAP, which is in about 6 weeks....so this one, so soon after the third, is kind of pointless. But it does eat up two days I could be teaching. Then Friday is a Black History month program, which eats up another class period.
Maybe the week will fly by. Maybe the kids will cool down a little. They are getting pretty wild - I think it is stir crazy as the last gasp of winter hits. Once the sap starts REALLY rising, it will be much much worse. Three weeks to Spring Break.
Which reminds me. My break doesn't align with the girls' break. They have the week before mine. The original plan was for them to take some of the time while I was in Australia to visit NYC. Instead, since fares are low, they will fly up for the week of (their) Spring break, saving two days of driving each way. Means I will be on my own for a week, gearing down for my own break, during which I will not get to rest. Probably.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Tennis, anyone?
Every February, the tennis center near our house hosts a major championship. This is nice for the city and for the tennis fans. It is not so nice for those of us who live nearby, or have to drive past the facility.
It is a private tennis club. There are at most a few hundred parking spaces. The tournament draws thousands. Which means both sides of the street are parked full, including places that normally would get you ticketed/towed. Like within 50 feet of a sidestreet. On actual corners. In crosswalks. You get the picture. And when the visibility for cars turning onto the street is blocked by parked cars, you get drivers just tossing the dice and pulling into the street...then going 10mph hoping for a spot to park.
Yesterday it was raining, and as I am coming down the street, about 200 feet ahead I see the nose of a car pull forward from a parking lot entrance. The car pulls several feet into my lane, then pulls across my lane (making a left hand turn, toward me), but doesn't pull into the turn lane. Just leaves 3 feet of car in my lane. I honk and apply brakes, since the woman is not even checking my lane, just the lane she is trying to turn into. No response. 50 feet and she hasn't moved, and I am slower, but still maybe 20mph. I force the brakes, knowing what is about to happen, because of the rain. I skid, but still going nice and straight, pretty much going to smash her gas tank. Now that I am slower, I decide maybe I can get some traction to turn a bit, so now I am skidding forward, but the nose of the car will clear her bumper. I miss her by inches, but now my skid is taking me toward the (illegally) parked cars to my right. I manage to straighten out and actually finally stop without hitting anything. Ms. Oblivious is already toodling away in the opposite direction - probably didn't hear the horn, brakes or skid.
This is not the first time I have had to apply brakes and leave marks on the pavement during this event. I deliberately drive slower than the speed limit, and still I get people cutting me off with little or no distance to allow me to stop. Police only patrol the parking areas, to guard against people breaking windows to collect things the idiots leave in plain sight. They don't ticket, they don't direct traffic, although other times of the year they target the street for seat-belt crackdowns, slowing down all cars and pulling over those they want to ticket.
It is a private tennis club. There are at most a few hundred parking spaces. The tournament draws thousands. Which means both sides of the street are parked full, including places that normally would get you ticketed/towed. Like within 50 feet of a sidestreet. On actual corners. In crosswalks. You get the picture. And when the visibility for cars turning onto the street is blocked by parked cars, you get drivers just tossing the dice and pulling into the street...then going 10mph hoping for a spot to park.
Yesterday it was raining, and as I am coming down the street, about 200 feet ahead I see the nose of a car pull forward from a parking lot entrance. The car pulls several feet into my lane, then pulls across my lane (making a left hand turn, toward me), but doesn't pull into the turn lane. Just leaves 3 feet of car in my lane. I honk and apply brakes, since the woman is not even checking my lane, just the lane she is trying to turn into. No response. 50 feet and she hasn't moved, and I am slower, but still maybe 20mph. I force the brakes, knowing what is about to happen, because of the rain. I skid, but still going nice and straight, pretty much going to smash her gas tank. Now that I am slower, I decide maybe I can get some traction to turn a bit, so now I am skidding forward, but the nose of the car will clear her bumper. I miss her by inches, but now my skid is taking me toward the (illegally) parked cars to my right. I manage to straighten out and actually finally stop without hitting anything. Ms. Oblivious is already toodling away in the opposite direction - probably didn't hear the horn, brakes or skid.
This is not the first time I have had to apply brakes and leave marks on the pavement during this event. I deliberately drive slower than the speed limit, and still I get people cutting me off with little or no distance to allow me to stop. Police only patrol the parking areas, to guard against people breaking windows to collect things the idiots leave in plain sight. They don't ticket, they don't direct traffic, although other times of the year they target the street for seat-belt crackdowns, slowing down all cars and pulling over those they want to ticket.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Dread
For some reason, I dreaded today. Maybe because the lesson I planned to teach didn't have a lot of background to it, plus the kids didn't latch onto yesterday's lesson well. If I had my dream classroom, there would have been tons of manipulatives so they could discover volume of solids on their own. No luck. And they have never been especially good at memorizing, or even practicing using, formulas. Add to this the fact that these two sections were not part of the "official" curriculum (but I have seen questions on volume on tests before), and my excitement level was low.
But hey, two of my classes did pretty well with the idea. I got to explain it in different ways, and each class had a large handful engaged and interested, so I call that a win. My honors class got a nice talking-to from the guidance counselor. Heh. That might slow them down a bit in their disrespectful behavior, but probably not.
But hey, two of my classes did pretty well with the idea. I got to explain it in different ways, and each class had a large handful engaged and interested, so I call that a win. My honors class got a nice talking-to from the guidance counselor. Heh. That might slow them down a bit in their disrespectful behavior, but probably not.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Argh
Nothing like a hearty day of upchucking to strain stomach muscles. No matter what, I don't feel hungry now, my stomach hurts like I have eaten a too-big meal. Subsisting on soup, a banana for lunch, and even that makes me wonder if I can keep it down. Success so far.
This also makes it kind of hard to be upbeat at school. Starting a new grading period, a new chapter, and trying a new system of conduct. Some kids have warmed to it, others see it as a challenge to be as ass-tastic as possible, not caring at all what their conduct is. Naturally, these are the kids who really need to get the message the most.
But hey, grades are in. I only fudged a couple, since they had so many assignments they never made up after absences. Since those go to zeroes (or a 60 in the case of a test or quiz), it can pull things down quite a bit. Some pleasant surprises, a few kids getting As for the first time, and others who have steadily and quietly climbed up from lower grades. Definitely some positive things going on.
This also makes it kind of hard to be upbeat at school. Starting a new grading period, a new chapter, and trying a new system of conduct. Some kids have warmed to it, others see it as a challenge to be as ass-tastic as possible, not caring at all what their conduct is. Naturally, these are the kids who really need to get the message the most.
But hey, grades are in. I only fudged a couple, since they had so many assignments they never made up after absences. Since those go to zeroes (or a 60 in the case of a test or quiz), it can pull things down quite a bit. Some pleasant surprises, a few kids getting As for the first time, and others who have steadily and quietly climbed up from lower grades. Definitely some positive things going on.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Yuck
Yesterday was a nightmare of being sick. My sides are still sore, and standing makes things a little dizzy and surreal. Good thing there were no students today. In fact, I had scheduled a doctor's appointment for today, not realizing we didn't have the day off. Had to cancel that one, though, since it was a research study and they didn't want me there sick. So I got to rest a bit before parent/teacher conferences.
Let's just say, the 3 hours were a waste. We had maybe 6 meetings scheduled. One, because the child seemed to be abused and the person who cleared her suspension was not related to her (mother's boyfriend). Nobody showed. Word is, the girl will be in father's custody - no clue if she will return to us.
Another was scheduled by the Guidance counselor for inappropriate reactions to being corrected. In the past the girl has told us she won't try to lower her voice or try to talk less, because she knows it won't work. So, when we ask her to try, in the halls or the classroom, she flies off the handle and becomes MORE disruptive. Nobody showed.
A third was a frequent problem student whose mother has consistently refused to get him psychological help, or transfer him to a school where he can have better behavior management. It was all set up, but an assistant principal sort of shot it down. We were trying to get it through. Nobody showed.
Of the 3 or 4 parents who DID show up: One had an appointment. One came in to discuss her daughter who transferred to us 2 weeks ago. Two others were in to check on their sons' grades.
Well, at least I got all my grades sorted out so I can input those tomorrow for the 4th grading period. Only 2 more to go. And amongst all that there is a week of Spring Break, a long weekend for Easter, and a week's worth of TCAP. And, come to think of it, all that might happen before the final six-weeks begin.
Let's just say, the 3 hours were a waste. We had maybe 6 meetings scheduled. One, because the child seemed to be abused and the person who cleared her suspension was not related to her (mother's boyfriend). Nobody showed. Word is, the girl will be in father's custody - no clue if she will return to us.
Another was scheduled by the Guidance counselor for inappropriate reactions to being corrected. In the past the girl has told us she won't try to lower her voice or try to talk less, because she knows it won't work. So, when we ask her to try, in the halls or the classroom, she flies off the handle and becomes MORE disruptive. Nobody showed.
A third was a frequent problem student whose mother has consistently refused to get him psychological help, or transfer him to a school where he can have better behavior management. It was all set up, but an assistant principal sort of shot it down. We were trying to get it through. Nobody showed.
Of the 3 or 4 parents who DID show up: One had an appointment. One came in to discuss her daughter who transferred to us 2 weeks ago. Two others were in to check on their sons' grades.
Well, at least I got all my grades sorted out so I can input those tomorrow for the 4th grading period. Only 2 more to go. And amongst all that there is a week of Spring Break, a long weekend for Easter, and a week's worth of TCAP. And, come to think of it, all that might happen before the final six-weeks begin.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Seasonal Changes
The good news is, I don't seem to be sliding down the slope of depression this year. This time last year I was combating fatigue and low spirits, and had my dosage increased. Now I am looking forward and excited.
Had an interesting talk with some co-workers yesterday and today. Yesterday I was kind of upset because a good friend and teacher let me know that sometimes the message I want to get to the kids isn't coming across clearly, both from a cultural and linguistic standpoint. I was angry - and as with most people I was angry at the messenger. Then I started to think, and realized I was angry at myself, for not having better skills, and for continuing to do the same old thing when it isn't working.
In the time and place I was raised, I expected to be told things. I learned best by hearing the straight story, getting a solid explanation. I carry that over to my classroom, explaining to the students how, and more importantly (to me) why to behave. This hasn't been working. The kids tune me out - they just don't care why...they only focus on what they want, and all the reasoning in the world won't shake them out of that.
I have resisted giving it up because it was my way of showing I cared - I take the time to explain. If I didn't give a rationale, I didn't care. And showing concern and care for the students is important, but there is a fine line between showing vulnerability that gives them an opening to abuse the privilege and walk all over you.
My co-workers have been trying to tell me that for the students I have, tougher is better. The ones who can recognize caring will get it, and the others will toe the line to stay out of trouble, hopefully. And reflecting more, I know I have to accentuate the positive more, instead of jumping on the negative. Hard to do, especially when nobody around you is doing it. But I am trying - and thanking my co-workers for being patient while I slowly realize what they have been telling me all along.
Biking today showed me spring has arrived, if not by the calendar. Some nice pink flowering trees, many white blossomed bushes bordering driveways...even daffodils, crocus and forsythia are now in bloom. Good thing the weather is becoming milder - I am now officially in training for the Australia trip. Biked twice this week which is a first for the year. And will start swimming again at the Y, to work the body and improve my swimming skills.
Had an interesting talk with some co-workers yesterday and today. Yesterday I was kind of upset because a good friend and teacher let me know that sometimes the message I want to get to the kids isn't coming across clearly, both from a cultural and linguistic standpoint. I was angry - and as with most people I was angry at the messenger. Then I started to think, and realized I was angry at myself, for not having better skills, and for continuing to do the same old thing when it isn't working.
In the time and place I was raised, I expected to be told things. I learned best by hearing the straight story, getting a solid explanation. I carry that over to my classroom, explaining to the students how, and more importantly (to me) why to behave. This hasn't been working. The kids tune me out - they just don't care why...they only focus on what they want, and all the reasoning in the world won't shake them out of that.
I have resisted giving it up because it was my way of showing I cared - I take the time to explain. If I didn't give a rationale, I didn't care. And showing concern and care for the students is important, but there is a fine line between showing vulnerability that gives them an opening to abuse the privilege and walk all over you.
My co-workers have been trying to tell me that for the students I have, tougher is better. The ones who can recognize caring will get it, and the others will toe the line to stay out of trouble, hopefully. And reflecting more, I know I have to accentuate the positive more, instead of jumping on the negative. Hard to do, especially when nobody around you is doing it. But I am trying - and thanking my co-workers for being patient while I slowly realize what they have been telling me all along.
Biking today showed me spring has arrived, if not by the calendar. Some nice pink flowering trees, many white blossomed bushes bordering driveways...even daffodils, crocus and forsythia are now in bloom. Good thing the weather is becoming milder - I am now officially in training for the Australia trip. Biked twice this week which is a first for the year. And will start swimming again at the Y, to work the body and improve my swimming skills.
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