Started around noon, but amazingly the weather people didn't panic, but informed us that it would melt quickly on roads. On the lawns, a nice accumulation. It didn't stop us from attending a trivia night at the oldest's school - - a couple of overpasses had compacted frozen buildup, but nothing to worry about.
Trivia night is always fun, and for me doubly so because I don't know all the answers. We share a table with other couples, sort of pot luck, and have a fun time. There are door prizes, and a silent auction. Tonight I won a door prize (Jim Beam sauces and a brush for grilling) but the more wonderful thing was the silent auction. There were more items than I remember, and the one that caught my eye was a rock tumbler. I have a chunk of raw turquoise from Colorado Springs, and I kept my eye on the bids. At the close of bidding the top was $20, so I snuck $21 in at the wire.
When I picked up the tumbler, there was a painting with it. Many of the items were paired with paintings from the Sister Ruth Ann students, who are learning disabled. When I came back to our table, one of the ladies there commented on the painting. Turns out she was bidding on the painting I won, not knowing there was a rock tumbler involved. I hadn't realized there was a painting paired with my tumbler. Worked out wonderfully - I gave her the painting, and felt great about that little coincidence. Then again, when you are at a Catholic high school, is it really a coincidence?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Imagination Impaired
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
THE BIG NEWS
I have been deliberately not mentioning an upcoming opportunity until it is final, but now I can share it with the world.
A couple of years ago, National Geographic Channel, Comcast and Discovery Network brought a marine biologist to the school to talk ecosystems with the kids. His name is Dr. Mike Heithaus. He remembered our school, and emailed our principal in January seeking teachers who might be interested in interning with his team doing marine research.
I applied for the position, working with a PhD candidate, capturing, tagging and tracking tiger sharks, sea turtles and other marine life. The spot would cover transportation, room and board, although I was warned the living quarters were a trailer on the beach, meat was not available more than a couple times a week, etc.
Where, you are probably asking.
The west coast
of AUSTRALIA.
I plan to be there for the month of June. Take a stroll over to http://www.fiu.edu/~heithaus/SBERP/pages/homeframeset.htm
That is the group I am volunteering with. In return, I will create lesson plans for use in classrooms that incorporate the research and such. So so so excited. Always dreamed of going Down Under, but never thought it would be a reality, nor in such a way.
A couple of years ago, National Geographic Channel, Comcast and Discovery Network brought a marine biologist to the school to talk ecosystems with the kids. His name is Dr. Mike Heithaus. He remembered our school, and emailed our principal in January seeking teachers who might be interested in interning with his team doing marine research.
I applied for the position, working with a PhD candidate, capturing, tagging and tracking tiger sharks, sea turtles and other marine life. The spot would cover transportation, room and board, although I was warned the living quarters were a trailer on the beach, meat was not available more than a couple times a week, etc.
Where, you are probably asking.
The west coast
of AUSTRALIA.
I plan to be there for the month of June. Take a stroll over to http://www.fiu.edu/~heithaus/SBERP/pages/homeframeset.htm
That is the group I am volunteering with. In return, I will create lesson plans for use in classrooms that incorporate the research and such. So so so excited. Always dreamed of going Down Under, but never thought it would be a reality, nor in such a way.
What a day!
Unbelievably, a lesson on Pythagorean Theorem was not a waste. In fact, the kids ran with what they had learned yesterday about squares and square roots and really got into making right triangles and seeing if the theorem matched their measurements. Wow! Accurate calculation, measurement, excitement all in one lesson. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't been there.
Beyond that, I have really been enjoying the OTHER series of books by Jim Butcher. The 'first' series is the amazing and wonderful Dresden Files. I highly recommend them. I mix of magic and crime solving, with a ton of humor and action. The second series he writes is called the Codex Alera, and is much more swords and sorcery type fantasy. But having just started on the fourth book they are equally as good, but quite different, as the Dresden books.
Starting to get a little excited about TV on Friday. Battlestar Galactica is super-dark as it barrels toward the finale. And now Fox has moved Sarah Conner to Fridays, too, to lead into Joss Whedon's new series Dollhouse. Fox and Joss and Friday have never been a good combination (poor Firefly) but it doesn't mean a lack of quality.
Beyond that, I have really been enjoying the OTHER series of books by Jim Butcher. The 'first' series is the amazing and wonderful Dresden Files. I highly recommend them. I mix of magic and crime solving, with a ton of humor and action. The second series he writes is called the Codex Alera, and is much more swords and sorcery type fantasy. But having just started on the fourth book they are equally as good, but quite different, as the Dresden books.
Starting to get a little excited about TV on Friday. Battlestar Galactica is super-dark as it barrels toward the finale. And now Fox has moved Sarah Conner to Fridays, too, to lead into Joss Whedon's new series Dollhouse. Fox and Joss and Friday have never been a good combination (poor Firefly) but it doesn't mean a lack of quality.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Little here, little there
Got the withdrawl papers on one of my students today - he is off to the prep-school and should go on to 9th grade next year. Hopefully it will help straighten him out, too. Meanwhile other "problem" students linger, and questions arise about others who may or may not have abuse issues at home. Never a dull moment at public school, nosiree.
Meanwhile, on the summer "job" front, I got this email update:
Hi Michael,
I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I haven't had a chance to sit down with Mike (or even see for that matter...). However, as I am leaving Florida tomorrow, he has to sit down with me today, so hopefully we'll come to some decisions. I really hope to finalize our decision by the end of the month, so please sit tight.
I can only take that as a good sign, right? If I wasn't "it" I wouldn't get an email update, or be told to "sit tight." Right?
Meanwhile, on the summer "job" front, I got this email update:
Hi Michael,
I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you. I haven't had a chance to sit down with Mike (or even see for that matter...). However, as I am leaving Florida tomorrow, he has to sit down with me today, so hopefully we'll come to some decisions. I really hope to finalize our decision by the end of the month, so please sit tight.
I can only take that as a good sign, right? If I wasn't "it" I wouldn't get an email update, or be told to "sit tight." Right?
Monday, February 9, 2009
Back on the Bike
It seems like a long time ago that I last rode. I have hit the gym a few times, so I am not completely out of shape, but it wasn't bad. In the 50's pre-dawn, and a lovely rose sunrise as I neared school. On the way home in the 70's, with a pretty strong wind. It seems easier than it was, muscle memory or something. And now I am basking in an all-over body tired.
Too bad spring, when I will want to be riding more, is also a rainy, stormy time. Well, the gym is always there, and I sort of realized something. I bulked up, muscle-wise, from the commute. Legs got pretty big and dense, when I would kind of prefer lean and slimmer. Maybe at the gym I can work on less strenuous but faster workouts. Worth a try.
Not like I am in training for anything....yet.
Too bad spring, when I will want to be riding more, is also a rainy, stormy time. Well, the gym is always there, and I sort of realized something. I bulked up, muscle-wise, from the commute. Legs got pretty big and dense, when I would kind of prefer lean and slimmer. Maybe at the gym I can work on less strenuous but faster workouts. Worth a try.
Not like I am in training for anything....yet.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gardening, sort of
What I call gardening is usually killing whatever I don't want. Yesterday, with the temperature in the 60s, I ventured forth to pull up privet, honeysuckle, rogue baby trees, primrose and anything else that looks at me the wrong way.
I also spread the remains of a bag of CrabEx on the front yard...take THAT you rampant henbit. Then in the shady areas I tossed some shade tolerant grass seed under the trees where I have mostly dirt. Then pruning the butterfly bushes, which were also being choked by honeysuckle, and trimming the blackberry plants. Hopefully both of these will show some improvement, not that they were not growing, but I was kind of ignoring them.
I also spread the remains of a bag of CrabEx on the front yard...take THAT you rampant henbit. Then in the shady areas I tossed some shade tolerant grass seed under the trees where I have mostly dirt. Then pruning the butterfly bushes, which were also being choked by honeysuckle, and trimming the blackberry plants. Hopefully both of these will show some improvement, not that they were not growing, but I was kind of ignoring them.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Turning a corner
Boy, I was confused a bit this week. Somehow I thought my students had next Friday off - maybe because at least one of my children does, and I put our parent/teacher conferences there, also thinking Monday, President's Day, was a full holiday for us. Instead, reality made me cranky. Friday is a normal day, Monday is the conference day. Which messes me up, not just because of losing an imagined day off, but because I scheduled a doctors appointment Monday morning. At least I don't have to worry about a sub.
Aside from all that, this week was both exhilarating and troubling. It was interrupted by our awards program, which was fabulous, but ran 90 minutes and ate up two classes worth of learning. The prior day we had a practice writing assessment while the 8th graders did their formal TCAP assessment, and that ate up the first period plus half of the second. So we didn't do as much as was expected during the week.
During all this, several times I looked around the room and felt pride in my students. Not that they are all angels, or hard working, but that I was making a difference in their lives and it was showing in many ways. I am staying calmer, being more caring and they are responding, somewhat. I am hearing more students asking others to behave properly, to quiet down, when I am instructing. I am seeing a larger group offering answers, and correctly, than before. Even with disruptions in the routine, there are a large handful on task, participating, learning. It is a good and powerful feeling.
Another "fun" thing is the comments they make. Had one student ask me if I didn't get tired of giving the same lesson four times in the same day. Perceptive. We got talking, briefly, about acting, and if they didn't get tired of doing the same play over and over. Audiences are different, and that makes it new every time. Other students enjoy when I talk about different subjects still related to math. Many comment that I make science easy to understand...I can see myself teaching science and having a good time with it.
But with the good, there is the bad, or troubling. I have two students who have missed so many days of school there is no way they can make up 4 weeks of learning in the remaining two. And they missed, not due to sickness, but due to lack of concern on the parents' part. One girl doesn't live near enough to where a bus stops, so if it is cold, rainy, etc. her mother allows her to stay home. Not sure why there is no car, or why the mother can't get up earlier and make the 5 minute drive to take the daughter to school. The other failed 7th grade, and her parents lied during registration, and she was placed in the 8th grade. When the 'error' was discovered, she was placed in 7th grade, and resents it. Cuts classes to hang with her 8th grade friends, gets suspended, etc.
This week I have referred at least 4 students to Guidance. The counselor assigned to the 7th grade is a waste - elderly, often confused, basically holding on to a job waiting to retire. I think she may have health issues, so hasn't been seen in a couple of weeks or more. The blessing is that the 8th grade counselor has taken up the slack, and she is a miracle. Not a saint, but she straight talks the kids and doesn't hold back. One boy in my homeroom who, even after parent meetings and phone calls, can't seem to stop being a disruption, was referred. She found out he was a) over-age for grade and b) attending our school on a transfer. She gave him the choice of attending a prep school for over-age students and going into 9th grade next year, or attending the school he is supposed to be attending. No coddling - no trying to keep him around. If you are a problem, you are gone.
Another frequent problem crossed the line this week too. He wants to act out, then get angry that he gets "picked on." Well, earlier this week he called me over and told me a girl was trying to stab him. When I took them both out of line to go to the office and report this to administrators, suddenly he acted as if he were in trouble and demanded to call his mother. When we got to the office, he admitted he knew she was "playing" and was angry that I believed him. I am confident that, if I had not believed him, he would have been angry that I didn't believe him. Anyhow, he has been disobedient and disrespectful since then, and our counselor cut to the chase with him over this. She knows what he is doing, and pointedly told him to stop, and stop imagining what other people are thinking or trying to do. In short, stop keeping score about what the teachers are doing to and with whom.
Hopefully the rest of the year will be smoother as a result of this.
Aside from all that, this week was both exhilarating and troubling. It was interrupted by our awards program, which was fabulous, but ran 90 minutes and ate up two classes worth of learning. The prior day we had a practice writing assessment while the 8th graders did their formal TCAP assessment, and that ate up the first period plus half of the second. So we didn't do as much as was expected during the week.
During all this, several times I looked around the room and felt pride in my students. Not that they are all angels, or hard working, but that I was making a difference in their lives and it was showing in many ways. I am staying calmer, being more caring and they are responding, somewhat. I am hearing more students asking others to behave properly, to quiet down, when I am instructing. I am seeing a larger group offering answers, and correctly, than before. Even with disruptions in the routine, there are a large handful on task, participating, learning. It is a good and powerful feeling.
Another "fun" thing is the comments they make. Had one student ask me if I didn't get tired of giving the same lesson four times in the same day. Perceptive. We got talking, briefly, about acting, and if they didn't get tired of doing the same play over and over. Audiences are different, and that makes it new every time. Other students enjoy when I talk about different subjects still related to math. Many comment that I make science easy to understand...I can see myself teaching science and having a good time with it.
But with the good, there is the bad, or troubling. I have two students who have missed so many days of school there is no way they can make up 4 weeks of learning in the remaining two. And they missed, not due to sickness, but due to lack of concern on the parents' part. One girl doesn't live near enough to where a bus stops, so if it is cold, rainy, etc. her mother allows her to stay home. Not sure why there is no car, or why the mother can't get up earlier and make the 5 minute drive to take the daughter to school. The other failed 7th grade, and her parents lied during registration, and she was placed in the 8th grade. When the 'error' was discovered, she was placed in 7th grade, and resents it. Cuts classes to hang with her 8th grade friends, gets suspended, etc.
This week I have referred at least 4 students to Guidance. The counselor assigned to the 7th grade is a waste - elderly, often confused, basically holding on to a job waiting to retire. I think she may have health issues, so hasn't been seen in a couple of weeks or more. The blessing is that the 8th grade counselor has taken up the slack, and she is a miracle. Not a saint, but she straight talks the kids and doesn't hold back. One boy in my homeroom who, even after parent meetings and phone calls, can't seem to stop being a disruption, was referred. She found out he was a) over-age for grade and b) attending our school on a transfer. She gave him the choice of attending a prep school for over-age students and going into 9th grade next year, or attending the school he is supposed to be attending. No coddling - no trying to keep him around. If you are a problem, you are gone.
Another frequent problem crossed the line this week too. He wants to act out, then get angry that he gets "picked on." Well, earlier this week he called me over and told me a girl was trying to stab him. When I took them both out of line to go to the office and report this to administrators, suddenly he acted as if he were in trouble and demanded to call his mother. When we got to the office, he admitted he knew she was "playing" and was angry that I believed him. I am confident that, if I had not believed him, he would have been angry that I didn't believe him. Anyhow, he has been disobedient and disrespectful since then, and our counselor cut to the chase with him over this. She knows what he is doing, and pointedly told him to stop, and stop imagining what other people are thinking or trying to do. In short, stop keeping score about what the teachers are doing to and with whom.
Hopefully the rest of the year will be smoother as a result of this.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
February
It is the shortest month, but only a few days into it, it feels like the longest. Not a whole lot to look forward to, except possibly President's Day, which is a longer weekend for the students (Friday 13th is a Parent/Teacher conference day). Days are cold and I am lazy - not riding my bike due to the cold and damp. Ice is not a friendly thing, especially pre-dawn.
Aside from that, not a whole lot is going on. Waiting on developments to announce here shortly, I hope.
Aside from that, not a whole lot is going on. Waiting on developments to announce here shortly, I hope.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
