The First Day of Class

I survived the first two days of my classes. I have 3 preps: English 2, Pre-Advanced Placement 1, and Pre-Advanced Placement 2. I have a very serious classroom management plan this year that I have to stay consistent with. Plus, I have many of the same students from last year. However, I am sad because in teaching the pre-AP, I lost about half of the students I had last year. I see them in the halls and I just want to hug them and drag them into my classroom. I have to stop being so territorial. They are not my students anymore.

This year I have conference 1st period. I guess that's ok. I figure I can make copies and get ready for the day. Maybe stop arriving at the school at 6 am like I did last year. I have to remember to get coffee and pee before 2nd period.

2nd period is pre-AP 1. It is all freshmen. These are really sweet kids. They get things done. They take everything seriously. I gave all my students the behavior syllabus. When I had it translated into Spanish, my friend the translator jokingly called it "The Bible." I like that. Instead of reading the whole thing to the students all periods played a game. The class was separated into two teams. One person from each team would go to the back of the room. We made a wide aisle ending in a chair with my three hole punch on it. I asked a question that was on the syllabus and the person who found it would run up, touch the punch, and answer the question. That person got a m & m. When the game was over, they would count up the m & ms. Whichever team got the most candy got a homework pass.

This game worked very well. 2nd period students would run and push and scream during it. However, as each period progressed, the students got more "mature" and didn't run as much or have as much fun.

Pre-AP 2 came in like a hurricane. They were all over the place, especially the girls. I sternly gave them a lecture on how to come in the classroom. I was very mean and strict. Then we played the game.

Period 3 had student I had had before. The highlight of my day was a girl I had last year who gave me a very hard time. She would make snide comments and talk in class all the time. When I introduced myself to the class today I said, "You might think it is a good thing or a bad thing that you have me as a teacher again this year." And I looked at her with a pointed stare. She let out such a long stream of Spanish that I laughed at. She said "It's going to be a long year." I told her, while laughing, "It sucks to be you, huh?" She wouldn't even look up and look at me! She just laughed. Later, I whispered to her that I know we didn't get along last year,but that was last year. I told her I liked her and knew she was a good person.

Period 4 had mostly kids I had last year, but one new girl. I told her to pay attention and be quiet today. She just laughed at me. First, I sent her to the hall for about 5 minutes. Then, I had her sit up front with me and used her as an example in explaining the consequences of bad behavior in my classroom. She was pretty serious by the end of the period. (And on day two, she was all serious and very good.) (This sounds very mean, I know, but it worked.)

Period 5 had the student that allegedly stole my projector last year. He had gone to DAEP for most of last year. This is such a sad child. I see such pain in his eyes, but he is so clownish and rebellious. I really don't know how to handle him. Plus I am not thrilled he allegedly stole something from me.

Period 8 was again kids I had before. One student I will call Jerry just cannot admit he ever does anything wrong or that I am harassing him. He did not bring a pen to class. He got up 3 times while I was talking just to go through his pockets. He distracts other students by talking to them. I explained the rules and consequences and pointedly outlined the ones he was breaking. I think I will be talking to his mom soon. sigh.

Our classes go to 4 pm, so it ends up being a long day. I just have to stick to the "plan" and keep my sense of humor.