Salvete,
Because I showered last night, I did not have to get up early this morning to take a shower. The result? I was grouchy for the first three periods this morning. I know myself better than to pull such shananigans. I need a shower to wake up in the morning.
However, I will probably shower tonight, because I am being forced to go to a TAKS training tomorrow morning. In order to demonstrate my rebellion, I will attend in a bad mood. That will show them.
My beloved went to Dallas for the day, in order to accomplish several objectives needing to be dealt with. I am alone right now, but he should be home soon. I am glad he's not at sea right now. For some reason, it seems like this is going to be a long week, and having him here makes everything a thousand times better.
Third period, for some reason, has turned into a very good class. Maybe it seems so good because it is right before fourth period. Proximity lends itself to contrast, and fourth period is terrible, making third look that much better. We'll see if the good behavior in third persists. I can't even put my finger on what exactly has caused the improvement (except for my guess that fourth is becoming increasingly worse). I thought seventh was sort of bad, but my department chair has assured me that they are not (see previous post).
I've begun employing a new tactic to get students to turn stuff in. I list the assignment on the board, and put down their names if they haven't turned it in. I may have mentioned in a previous post that I've started doing this. Today, however, I decided to take it one step farther. I made a list on the board of all the students who are failing. This is legal because I am not listing their exact grade. Hopefully, this will cause some of them to see that they cannot go through my class and not turn in work. Just coming to class is not enough. There must actually be some sort of partakage.
I heard about another teacher who is a friend of the family having to report a child to CPS. I can't imagine having to do this. I haven't noticed any abuse signs in any of my students. I wonder if I would recognize the signs if they were there.
I'm going to go get a shower.
Valete,
Magistra
Monday, October 27, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
I can hear the bells...
Salvete,
I am currently in Austin, TX, preparing to attend the wedding of my dearest friend. I can't believe she is getting married. Hopefully, some day, it will be my turn, but I count it one of the greatest gifts I have received to be a part of the goings on related to her wedding.
The children have a substitute today. They will survive. I'm trying not to think about it too much. Four periods have gone by, and the sub is on a nice long break so that they can prepare mentally for seventh.
My department chair for English came in yesterday. She was making her rounds, trying to see how everyone is doing in their respective classrooms. She came during seventh period, which is probably the best time of day she could have come, except for second (Latin). Her feedback was positive, saying that my kids obviously felt comfortable with me, and that I had fostered a positive environment in there. It's a good thing she didn't come during fourth! Actually, I might have liked to have her in there during fourth to give me some ideas, because I'm not sure what to do with them. See the following paragraph for an explanation.
On Tuesday, fourth was unmanageable. I couldn't get their attention, and they were rowdy. Finally, I told them that I was through with them, and they were hereafter responsible for their own education in my class, until I decided that they had earned a teacher. I informed them that when they came in the next day, I would have a slide posted with they day's directions, and that if they didn't do the work, that was up to them, and they could get themselves a zero. So, the next day, I did what I said I was going to do. I didn't talk to them for the whole of 50 minutes. I ignored every request, everything they asked me. I had the slide posted with specific instructions, and most of them actually did the work. Some of them were slacking, and got told off by fellow students who were upset that they weren't getting taught. I even got an apology note from one of them.
Yesterday, I had to talk to them because they were having a test. They asked me (while they had me talking) if theirs was the only class receiving this treatment. I told them they were. I also told them that the silence would resume on Monday upon my return (they knew they were having a sub today). We'll see how it goes.
One of my holy terrors in fourth period has now been moved from one Spanish class to another. His first day in the new Spanish class, he was good. The second day, he was kicked out. He proceeded to come by my room, for whatever reason, and asked if he could hang out. I asked him if Mr. X had kicked him out, and he said yes. I asked him if he was supposed to go to his AP, and he said that Mr. X hadn't specified. I went in and sent his AP an e-mail, and told him that she would be expecting him. Still, he lingered, and disrupted my class for a few minutes longer. The next day, Mr. X kicked him out again. Again, he came by my room and disrupted my class. This time, his AP had called him out of class, and he was on his way to her office. No one is exactly sure what to do with this kid.
Valete,
Magistra
I am currently in Austin, TX, preparing to attend the wedding of my dearest friend. I can't believe she is getting married. Hopefully, some day, it will be my turn, but I count it one of the greatest gifts I have received to be a part of the goings on related to her wedding.
The children have a substitute today. They will survive. I'm trying not to think about it too much. Four periods have gone by, and the sub is on a nice long break so that they can prepare mentally for seventh.
My department chair for English came in yesterday. She was making her rounds, trying to see how everyone is doing in their respective classrooms. She came during seventh period, which is probably the best time of day she could have come, except for second (Latin). Her feedback was positive, saying that my kids obviously felt comfortable with me, and that I had fostered a positive environment in there. It's a good thing she didn't come during fourth! Actually, I might have liked to have her in there during fourth to give me some ideas, because I'm not sure what to do with them. See the following paragraph for an explanation.
On Tuesday, fourth was unmanageable. I couldn't get their attention, and they were rowdy. Finally, I told them that I was through with them, and they were hereafter responsible for their own education in my class, until I decided that they had earned a teacher. I informed them that when they came in the next day, I would have a slide posted with they day's directions, and that if they didn't do the work, that was up to them, and they could get themselves a zero. So, the next day, I did what I said I was going to do. I didn't talk to them for the whole of 50 minutes. I ignored every request, everything they asked me. I had the slide posted with specific instructions, and most of them actually did the work. Some of them were slacking, and got told off by fellow students who were upset that they weren't getting taught. I even got an apology note from one of them.
Yesterday, I had to talk to them because they were having a test. They asked me (while they had me talking) if theirs was the only class receiving this treatment. I told them they were. I also told them that the silence would resume on Monday upon my return (they knew they were having a sub today). We'll see how it goes.
One of my holy terrors in fourth period has now been moved from one Spanish class to another. His first day in the new Spanish class, he was good. The second day, he was kicked out. He proceeded to come by my room, for whatever reason, and asked if he could hang out. I asked him if Mr. X had kicked him out, and he said yes. I asked him if he was supposed to go to his AP, and he said that Mr. X hadn't specified. I went in and sent his AP an e-mail, and told him that she would be expecting him. Still, he lingered, and disrupted my class for a few minutes longer. The next day, Mr. X kicked him out again. Again, he came by my room and disrupted my class. This time, his AP had called him out of class, and he was on his way to her office. No one is exactly sure what to do with this kid.
Valete,
Magistra
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Week of Insanity.
Salvete,
This week has been OUT OF CONTROL. I will explain.
Tuesday (the first day back...we had Monday off): Got to work around 6:15. Worked like crazy until 2:50, when I sneaked out of the building to avoid having to attend a faculty meeting. I did not do this sneaking without reason or permission. Reason: I had to attend a seminar on how to rate ESL student writing from 4:30-8. Permission: via my team leader for English I. I ran home, got some stuff together, and ran up to our staff development center, where I proceded to "listen" for three and a half hours. I then ran home, and went almost directly to bed.
Wednesday: Got to work around 6:15. Attended a make-up faculty meeting, because I didn't have enough to do. The sophomores took the PSAT, so the schedule was all messed up. I had periods 1st through 3rd 20 minutes longer than I usually have them, which created meyhem for my day's pacing. Upside: 7th period did not meet because of the extended 1st-3rd periods, so my last period of the day to teach was 4th. After school, I ran to HEB to get supplies for cornbread and cake. I then went to the rest of that seminar until around 7:30. Silver lining: I got to talk to my love :) After the seminar, I ran home and whipped up some from-scratch cornbread (easy as Corn-Kits, and tastes better). I stayed up too late (talking to my love, so it was ok), but got to sleep eventually.
Thursday: Got to work around 6:15. Taught my extremely chatty children until 2:30, then had a meeting about going to Italy. That lasted until 4:30, then I sat and talked with two of the other chaperones until 5:15. I ran to the taqueria, got a taco for dinner, and went to 25 minutes of the JV game. We were winning when I left, but that did not last (eheu!). One good side of today was that we had the chili cook-off for which I cooked the cornbread. Our team did not win, but I got free lunch, so that was good. We had chili cook-off t-shirts. They are "sexy," according to one of my girls in 3rd period. After the game, I talked to my love, and made a heart-shaped cake for the bachelorette party I attended/threw this weekend.
Friday: Got to work around 6:15. Taught my out of control chatty children until 2:30. I then met with my principal about applying to Dallas districts. I really respect and admire her. She was supportive, but also encouraged me to think over my options and really give Houston a chance. She promised she was going to give me good references, which was relieving. I'm going to put my reference form in her box this week, because those are due next week to one of the ISDs to which I am applying. That is the only one that has that kind of deadline, otherwise, I would wait a little longer so as not to appear to eager to leave. I assured her I would finish out the year with gusto. After that meeting, I ran home, made icing, iced the cake (if I never see pink icing again, that will be ok), got my skirt altered, packed, and drove to Austin to meet my mother, the bride-to-be, and the mother of the bride for dinner.
It was very refreshing to see some of my girlfriends this weekend.
Valete,
Magistra
This week has been OUT OF CONTROL. I will explain.
Tuesday (the first day back...we had Monday off): Got to work around 6:15. Worked like crazy until 2:50, when I sneaked out of the building to avoid having to attend a faculty meeting. I did not do this sneaking without reason or permission. Reason: I had to attend a seminar on how to rate ESL student writing from 4:30-8. Permission: via my team leader for English I. I ran home, got some stuff together, and ran up to our staff development center, where I proceded to "listen" for three and a half hours. I then ran home, and went almost directly to bed.
Wednesday: Got to work around 6:15. Attended a make-up faculty meeting, because I didn't have enough to do. The sophomores took the PSAT, so the schedule was all messed up. I had periods 1st through 3rd 20 minutes longer than I usually have them, which created meyhem for my day's pacing. Upside: 7th period did not meet because of the extended 1st-3rd periods, so my last period of the day to teach was 4th. After school, I ran to HEB to get supplies for cornbread and cake. I then went to the rest of that seminar until around 7:30. Silver lining: I got to talk to my love :) After the seminar, I ran home and whipped up some from-scratch cornbread (easy as Corn-Kits, and tastes better). I stayed up too late (talking to my love, so it was ok), but got to sleep eventually.
Thursday: Got to work around 6:15. Taught my extremely chatty children until 2:30, then had a meeting about going to Italy. That lasted until 4:30, then I sat and talked with two of the other chaperones until 5:15. I ran to the taqueria, got a taco for dinner, and went to 25 minutes of the JV game. We were winning when I left, but that did not last (eheu!). One good side of today was that we had the chili cook-off for which I cooked the cornbread. Our team did not win, but I got free lunch, so that was good. We had chili cook-off t-shirts. They are "sexy," according to one of my girls in 3rd period. After the game, I talked to my love, and made a heart-shaped cake for the bachelorette party I attended/threw this weekend.
Friday: Got to work around 6:15. Taught my out of control chatty children until 2:30. I then met with my principal about applying to Dallas districts. I really respect and admire her. She was supportive, but also encouraged me to think over my options and really give Houston a chance. She promised she was going to give me good references, which was relieving. I'm going to put my reference form in her box this week, because those are due next week to one of the ISDs to which I am applying. That is the only one that has that kind of deadline, otherwise, I would wait a little longer so as not to appear to eager to leave. I assured her I would finish out the year with gusto. After that meeting, I ran home, made icing, iced the cake (if I never see pink icing again, that will be ok), got my skirt altered, packed, and drove to Austin to meet my mother, the bride-to-be, and the mother of the bride for dinner.
It was very refreshing to see some of my girlfriends this weekend.
Valete,
Magistra
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The weeks get longer...
Salvete,
Even though this is a four-day week, it feels about like a sixty day week. And it is only Wednesday. WOW. I worked for 13.5 hours yesterday. While I usually do work about 10 hours a day, 3.5 of yesterday was spent in a professional development seminar. 3.5 more hours will be spent in said seminar this evening.
I made a list in the seminar yesterday of careers I could take on other than teaching. Here is the list (in no particular order):
1. Vet clinic (again).
2. Office management.
3. Editing.
4. Graduate school.
5. Lecturer.
6. Waitress (no, I'm not kidding OMG OMG).
7. Merchandizer (again).
8. Secretary.
9. Assistant of some kind.
10. Resume writer.
11. Pet sitter (isn't that what I already do? Oh, wait, no--that's babysitting).
12. PR.
13. HR.
14. Astronaut (kidding).
Any other ideas? I'll take them. I've begun applying to other districts. They are all in the D/FW area. Maybe I shouldn't write that on here, in case some of my coworkers get ahold of this blog. I have set up an appointment to meet with my principal on Friday to let her know that at the end of the year, I'm out of here. Really, I'm meeting with her because I'm going to need her as a reference. I really like her, and all of my coworkers, but I'm just not sure I want to stay in this area. If I do keep teaching, I know that it is going to be in D/FW. I hate Houston.
I wrote up a kid again. I wrote this one up last week too. And I will continue to write her up until she isn't in my class anymore. Maybe this is the wrong attitude, but whatever. You just can't act like that and not face some sort of consequences. These kids think they deserve respect. What they deserve is a spanking. You don't deserve respect. You earn it. Do you think I earned the respect of my elders and peers by being late all the time, swearing at them, breaking rules, refusing to work, etc? No. I got it by hard work. By doing what I am supposed to do.
I am supposed to finish my masters, and that means sticking with this job for the rest of the year. My parents taught me never to quit. I want to quit, but I am not going to. I am going to see this damn thing through to the end. Maybe I'll even learn something or grow personally in some way. I'm not sure how I could help but do so, really. Perserverance builds character.
Valete,
Magistra
Even though this is a four-day week, it feels about like a sixty day week. And it is only Wednesday. WOW. I worked for 13.5 hours yesterday. While I usually do work about 10 hours a day, 3.5 of yesterday was spent in a professional development seminar. 3.5 more hours will be spent in said seminar this evening.
I made a list in the seminar yesterday of careers I could take on other than teaching. Here is the list (in no particular order):
1. Vet clinic (again).
2. Office management.
3. Editing.
4. Graduate school.
5. Lecturer.
6. Waitress (no, I'm not kidding OMG OMG).
7. Merchandizer (again).
8. Secretary.
9. Assistant of some kind.
10. Resume writer.
11. Pet sitter (isn't that what I already do? Oh, wait, no--that's babysitting).
12. PR.
13. HR.
14. Astronaut (kidding).
Any other ideas? I'll take them. I've begun applying to other districts. They are all in the D/FW area. Maybe I shouldn't write that on here, in case some of my coworkers get ahold of this blog. I have set up an appointment to meet with my principal on Friday to let her know that at the end of the year, I'm out of here. Really, I'm meeting with her because I'm going to need her as a reference. I really like her, and all of my coworkers, but I'm just not sure I want to stay in this area. If I do keep teaching, I know that it is going to be in D/FW. I hate Houston.
I wrote up a kid again. I wrote this one up last week too. And I will continue to write her up until she isn't in my class anymore. Maybe this is the wrong attitude, but whatever. You just can't act like that and not face some sort of consequences. These kids think they deserve respect. What they deserve is a spanking. You don't deserve respect. You earn it. Do you think I earned the respect of my elders and peers by being late all the time, swearing at them, breaking rules, refusing to work, etc? No. I got it by hard work. By doing what I am supposed to do.
I am supposed to finish my masters, and that means sticking with this job for the rest of the year. My parents taught me never to quit. I want to quit, but I am not going to. I am going to see this damn thing through to the end. Maybe I'll even learn something or grow personally in some way. I'm not sure how I could help but do so, really. Perserverance builds character.
Valete,
Magistra
Friday, October 10, 2008
Mythology, mythology! There's nothing like mythology!
Salvete!
For the title reference, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFPKbg_dKyg at the 1:03 mark. Then, go see "Cats."
7th period was wild today! I never cease to wonder at the difference a group of kids can make when they are put together a certain way. Class chemistry is extremely important, and my 7th period class has chemistry. Here's a list of things that regularly go on in that class:
-The children tell each other they find each other annoying.
-They beg me not to sit next to this or that individual, even though I had no intention of putting them next to that person in the first place.
-They make lewd jokes.
-They swear excellently in their writing, usually for emphasis.
-They ask great questions.
-A few of them seem to have a particular disability that involves needing to rise from one's seat when speaking. This disability also applies to getting things out of their bag. In order to get out a supply, the students afflicted with this strage disease have to stand up, pull their bags off of their backs (because they sit with their backpacks on, for whatever reason), get out their items, put their bags back on their backs, and then sit down again.
-They are tremendously funny. I would never tell them this, but sometimes, when I'm trying to discipline them, it is all I can do not to crack up at everything they say.
3rd period, on the other hand, has some kind of chemistry that keeps them all from excelling. I sometimes think that it must be me, because they are the first class of the day in which I teach English. Periods 1 and 2 are Latin. In 3rd, not only is it my class with students who need In Class Support, but it is also the class when I don't really know what I am doing yet. By 7th period, I am a well-oiled machine (sometimes), but in 3rd, I just sort of fumble along. After I am done blaming myself, I realize that it is just the class's chemistry. Fourth period sort of gimps along between 3rd and 7th, having no real personality of its own. It has some characters, though. There are some interesting issues in that class that I probably can't discuss legally on here.
With the six weeks being officially over, we are starting a new unit! This unit has to do with mythology. I introduced it to them today, and they were so excited! A co-worker had told me that the kids don't do well at mythology, so I'm going to have to keep up their momentum. Today went better than I could have hoped. They were riveted to the lesson. The thing that clinched it for me, I believe, was the warm-up. I have not been following my team's warm-ups. I make up my own. Today, to introduce the unit, I had the kids tell ghost stories, then introduced mythology as the idea of the Ancient Greeks telling each other stories to explain weird occurances and other such things. They ate it up. I felt like one of those teachers you see in a documentary.
Anyway, my dear friend will be here soon, and we are going to get dinner. I haven't talked to my love in almost 3 days...I am missing him so badly! Hopefully I will get to talk to him tonight!
Valete,
Magistra
For the title reference, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFPKbg_dKyg at the 1:03 mark. Then, go see "Cats."
7th period was wild today! I never cease to wonder at the difference a group of kids can make when they are put together a certain way. Class chemistry is extremely important, and my 7th period class has chemistry. Here's a list of things that regularly go on in that class:
-The children tell each other they find each other annoying.
-They beg me not to sit next to this or that individual, even though I had no intention of putting them next to that person in the first place.
-They make lewd jokes.
-They swear excellently in their writing, usually for emphasis.
-They ask great questions.
-A few of them seem to have a particular disability that involves needing to rise from one's seat when speaking. This disability also applies to getting things out of their bag. In order to get out a supply, the students afflicted with this strage disease have to stand up, pull their bags off of their backs (because they sit with their backpacks on, for whatever reason), get out their items, put their bags back on their backs, and then sit down again.
-They are tremendously funny. I would never tell them this, but sometimes, when I'm trying to discipline them, it is all I can do not to crack up at everything they say.
3rd period, on the other hand, has some kind of chemistry that keeps them all from excelling. I sometimes think that it must be me, because they are the first class of the day in which I teach English. Periods 1 and 2 are Latin. In 3rd, not only is it my class with students who need In Class Support, but it is also the class when I don't really know what I am doing yet. By 7th period, I am a well-oiled machine (sometimes), but in 3rd, I just sort of fumble along. After I am done blaming myself, I realize that it is just the class's chemistry. Fourth period sort of gimps along between 3rd and 7th, having no real personality of its own. It has some characters, though. There are some interesting issues in that class that I probably can't discuss legally on here.
With the six weeks being officially over, we are starting a new unit! This unit has to do with mythology. I introduced it to them today, and they were so excited! A co-worker had told me that the kids don't do well at mythology, so I'm going to have to keep up their momentum. Today went better than I could have hoped. They were riveted to the lesson. The thing that clinched it for me, I believe, was the warm-up. I have not been following my team's warm-ups. I make up my own. Today, to introduce the unit, I had the kids tell ghost stories, then introduced mythology as the idea of the Ancient Greeks telling each other stories to explain weird occurances and other such things. They ate it up. I felt like one of those teachers you see in a documentary.
Anyway, my dear friend will be here soon, and we are going to get dinner. I haven't talked to my love in almost 3 days...I am missing him so badly! Hopefully I will get to talk to him tonight!
Valete,
Magistra
Thursday, October 9, 2008
They aren't all bad...
Salvete,
Good things in my day:
1. The children had tests in both English and Latin. This is good because it gave me lots of time to grade. They are also required to be silent, and I can hold zeroes over their heads as a penalty for talking.
2. After school, I had two girls come in to make up work. It makes me happy when children come in to make up work, because it is a reminder that some of them do care, if only a little, and if only at the end of the six weeks.
3. After school, one of the students who was only in my class for about the first week and a half of school stopped in on his way by. He was just the sweetest thing when he was in my class, and contributed so much to every discussion. I had been very sad when he was put in one of my co-worker's classes. Anyway, he stopped at the door and said, "Hi, Ms. ____!" I greeted him by name, and he told me he just had to stop in and say hi to his favorite teacher. He gave me a hug, and I laughed, thanked him, and reminded him that I wasn't his teacher anymore. He said he wished he were still in my class, because it was his favorite class. We talked for a minute about his new class, and about the Me Boards around the room. He went on his way after that.
4. After the young man and young ladies had gone, two other young ladies, neither of whom I had ever seen before, stopped by and asked if I had anything they could do to get volunteer hours, even though they were not my students. I had them take down and un-tape all of the Me Boards so that the children can take them home tomorrow. They chatted with me and with each other, and it was generally pleasant not to be in there by myself, and not to have to do all of that taking down and untaping by myself.
True, I was at school today from 5:59 AM to 5:57 PM, but it was worth it. I got a lot (albeit not everything) done. I can do the rest tomorrow. All of my grading is done for the six weeks, except late work, which the children may or may not turn in. Minus a headache, things are looking pretty okay. Tomorrow is jeans day, I have a 3-day weekend, I get to go swing dancing on Sunday night, and I might get to talk to my love tonight. Euge (that's Latin for "hooray," according to my students' text)!
Valete,
Magistra
Good things in my day:
1. The children had tests in both English and Latin. This is good because it gave me lots of time to grade. They are also required to be silent, and I can hold zeroes over their heads as a penalty for talking.
2. After school, I had two girls come in to make up work. It makes me happy when children come in to make up work, because it is a reminder that some of them do care, if only a little, and if only at the end of the six weeks.
3. After school, one of the students who was only in my class for about the first week and a half of school stopped in on his way by. He was just the sweetest thing when he was in my class, and contributed so much to every discussion. I had been very sad when he was put in one of my co-worker's classes. Anyway, he stopped at the door and said, "Hi, Ms. ____!" I greeted him by name, and he told me he just had to stop in and say hi to his favorite teacher. He gave me a hug, and I laughed, thanked him, and reminded him that I wasn't his teacher anymore. He said he wished he were still in my class, because it was his favorite class. We talked for a minute about his new class, and about the Me Boards around the room. He went on his way after that.
4. After the young man and young ladies had gone, two other young ladies, neither of whom I had ever seen before, stopped by and asked if I had anything they could do to get volunteer hours, even though they were not my students. I had them take down and un-tape all of the Me Boards so that the children can take them home tomorrow. They chatted with me and with each other, and it was generally pleasant not to be in there by myself, and not to have to do all of that taking down and untaping by myself.
True, I was at school today from 5:59 AM to 5:57 PM, but it was worth it. I got a lot (albeit not everything) done. I can do the rest tomorrow. All of my grading is done for the six weeks, except late work, which the children may or may not turn in. Minus a headache, things are looking pretty okay. Tomorrow is jeans day, I have a 3-day weekend, I get to go swing dancing on Sunday night, and I might get to talk to my love tonight. Euge (that's Latin for "hooray," according to my students' text)!
Valete,
Magistra
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
It Won't Make You Feel Better.
Salvete,
Yesterday, I yelled at my kids for the first, and I pray the last, time. Everyone loses their cool from time to time, but it sure did not make me feel any better once I had gotten it out of my system. In fact, I felt worse, and ended up apologizing to the class. My mother will tell you, I can be volatile. Usually, though, I only lash out at her.
I wrote two of them up. That made me feel better.
As the end of the six weeks approaches, everyone is in panic mode. Surely I am not the only one in the world who keeps up with grades. Everything is graded except for journals that the kids have taken out of the classroom against my orders, and tests that the kids have not taken yet. It seems like my co-workers are rushing around like mad to get things put together. I am just watching in amazement that their heads do not fall off. My secret? I use my conference period wisely, and I stay at school from 6am to 4:30 or 5pm. I take care of e-mails and paperwork right when they come across my desk. I check my e-mail often, and enter grades in the computer as soon as they are marked on the paper. Everyone has their system, and I guess I have mine. I have always been super efficient, even (and especially, it seemed at the time) when taking 18 hours in college.
Here's a shout-out to my team for bearing with me when I was in a tremendously bad mood yesterday in our team meeting. None of them reads this (they do not know it exists), so a lot of good it does.
Valete,
Magistra
Yesterday, I yelled at my kids for the first, and I pray the last, time. Everyone loses their cool from time to time, but it sure did not make me feel any better once I had gotten it out of my system. In fact, I felt worse, and ended up apologizing to the class. My mother will tell you, I can be volatile. Usually, though, I only lash out at her.
I wrote two of them up. That made me feel better.
As the end of the six weeks approaches, everyone is in panic mode. Surely I am not the only one in the world who keeps up with grades. Everything is graded except for journals that the kids have taken out of the classroom against my orders, and tests that the kids have not taken yet. It seems like my co-workers are rushing around like mad to get things put together. I am just watching in amazement that their heads do not fall off. My secret? I use my conference period wisely, and I stay at school from 6am to 4:30 or 5pm. I take care of e-mails and paperwork right when they come across my desk. I check my e-mail often, and enter grades in the computer as soon as they are marked on the paper. Everyone has their system, and I guess I have mine. I have always been super efficient, even (and especially, it seemed at the time) when taking 18 hours in college.
Here's a shout-out to my team for bearing with me when I was in a tremendously bad mood yesterday in our team meeting. None of them reads this (they do not know it exists), so a lot of good it does.
Valete,
Magistra
Monday, October 6, 2008
Boom De Ya Da!
Salvete,
All I can think about is that Discovery Channel commercial, so it will go in my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0
I love the mountains!
I love the clear blue sky!
I love big bridges!
I love when great whites fly!
I love the whole world,
And all its sights and sounds!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
I love the ocean!
I love real dirty things!
I love to go FAST!
I love Egyptian kings!
I love the whole world,
And all its craziness!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
I love tornadoes!
I love arach-a-nids (I do not)!
I love hot magma!
I love the giant squids!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
2X
YAY!
I know this has nothing to do with my school, but oh well. It is what is on my mind. Besides my love.
Valete,
Magistra
All I can think about is that Discovery Channel commercial, so it will go in my blog.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=at_f98qOGY0
I love the mountains!
I love the clear blue sky!
I love big bridges!
I love when great whites fly!
I love the whole world,
And all its sights and sounds!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
I love the ocean!
I love real dirty things!
I love to go FAST!
I love Egyptian kings!
I love the whole world,
And all its craziness!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
I love tornadoes!
I love arach-a-nids (I do not)!
I love hot magma!
I love the giant squids!
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da,
Boom de ya da, boom de ya da!
2X
YAY!
I know this has nothing to do with my school, but oh well. It is what is on my mind. Besides my love.
Valete,
Magistra
Friday, October 3, 2008
Too Many E-Mails, Parent Phone Calls, Too Little Water
Salvete...
I get about a million e-mails a day from various people. Then, I get duplicates of those when the original e-mails get forwarded to me. I check my email about four times during the school day, and that is hardly enough time to keep up.
I called about thirty parents this week. I spoke with maybe ten, but the ten with whom I spoke were very supportive, albeit surprised that their child was failing or misbehaving or whatever. I assured them that tutorials would go on every morning from 6:30 until 7:15, and every afternoon from 2:45 until 4:30. They liked this very much, and assured me that their little darlings would be scooting into my classrooms at those times. I had one student in this morning at 6:05.
In other news, I had no water yesterday morning. I must take this opportunity to brag about what an amazing school I have. I got to school, shampoo and soap hopefully in tow, thinking that I would seek out a shower in the locker rooms during my off period. I happened to walk by my principal's office, and she inquired about how I was feeling (the day before was my first day back after the migraine, and I was not feeling well at all). I told her I was feeling much better, but that I awoke to dry faucets. Immediately, she asked one of the coaches (who happened to be nearby) if I could go take a shower. The coach said that I most definitely could, and if I needed soap, shampoo, anything, including deodorant, she had it and I was welcome to it. A few minutes later, I ran into my foreign language department chair, who said that she had heard (in a gap of about five minutes) that I had no water, and that she had a towel for me. Not only that, but she was more than happy to sit with my class until I got a shower and could get all ready for the day. By that time, it was 6:45, so my students would be showing up in about 25 minutes (they are always so early). I thanked her, showered, and got back up to my room by 7:15.
So, I baked a pie last night and shared it today with my team, principal, and helpful coach.
I hope you guys have amazing co-workers like I have.
Valete,
Magistra
I get about a million e-mails a day from various people. Then, I get duplicates of those when the original e-mails get forwarded to me. I check my email about four times during the school day, and that is hardly enough time to keep up.
I called about thirty parents this week. I spoke with maybe ten, but the ten with whom I spoke were very supportive, albeit surprised that their child was failing or misbehaving or whatever. I assured them that tutorials would go on every morning from 6:30 until 7:15, and every afternoon from 2:45 until 4:30. They liked this very much, and assured me that their little darlings would be scooting into my classrooms at those times. I had one student in this morning at 6:05.
In other news, I had no water yesterday morning. I must take this opportunity to brag about what an amazing school I have. I got to school, shampoo and soap hopefully in tow, thinking that I would seek out a shower in the locker rooms during my off period. I happened to walk by my principal's office, and she inquired about how I was feeling (the day before was my first day back after the migraine, and I was not feeling well at all). I told her I was feeling much better, but that I awoke to dry faucets. Immediately, she asked one of the coaches (who happened to be nearby) if I could go take a shower. The coach said that I most definitely could, and if I needed soap, shampoo, anything, including deodorant, she had it and I was welcome to it. A few minutes later, I ran into my foreign language department chair, who said that she had heard (in a gap of about five minutes) that I had no water, and that she had a towel for me. Not only that, but she was more than happy to sit with my class until I got a shower and could get all ready for the day. By that time, it was 6:45, so my students would be showing up in about 25 minutes (they are always so early). I thanked her, showered, and got back up to my room by 7:15.
So, I baked a pie last night and shared it today with my team, principal, and helpful coach.
I hope you guys have amazing co-workers like I have.
Valete,
Magistra
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