Tired

Thank God it is Friday. I am so tired. This is why:

1. My 8th period did it again on Wednesday. I caught another couple of cheaters. One student was a girl I taught this year and last. I have struggled with trying to get her to pass the TAKS. She has not passed the test in the past two years. Plus I have caught her cheating at least 5 times in these 2 years. I have always given her a second chance.

What I saw was another young man hang his vocabulary test over the edge of the desk to make sure she saw it. She looked over there and nodded and he centered the test on his desk. I just walked over and picked up the tests and put a zero on them. Later, the girl was bragging to another student that she got caught cheating. Still later, they denied they were cheating.

This in addition to Flirty missing 3 days this week. And three other students refusing to work and sleeping through class.

I put the class back in lockdown yesterday. They wanted to talk to me today. I said no. Eventually, I will talk to them. But first, let them squirm a little.

(Strangely, BIOB is the only student on task and on schedule for the week. Puht boy is sleeping throught class. Granted, it is quiet. )

2. Another girl in another class asks to go to the bathroom everyday. So today I told her that if she went to the bathroom, she would have to stay 5 minutes after school to make the time up. She said ok and was gone...for 15 minutes. And then with 10 minutes left in the period, she packed up her stuff and waited for the bell. I told her to get to work and she told me she wouldn't...her computer was dead. I told her she needed to work on something.(She's extremely behind due to absences. And she was upset when I failed her last six weeks.)..and she went through the motions of opening her bag and getting something out. She didn't turn up after school either. I think on Monday I am going to ask the principal if it is ok if I can refuse to let her leave my room at all during my class.

3. Chip (so named because of the humongous chip on his shoulder) talked to Gangsta (since this is what the little child pretending to be) all during my instructions on their poetry projects. (The directions and steps were also written on the board.) I knew this so I pointingly asked them after I was done if they understood. They laughed and said yes. OK, I thought and went to work at my desk.

Both Chip and Gangsta royally screwed up the project. I will have to fail them on the project. And somehow this is my problem and my fault.

4. Chip accused me of reading my personal email during class. This irks me because I have my students email many assignments to me. And Chip knows this...he emails his stuff to me, too. I had a hundred emails and attachments to print out to get ready for grading.

5. Squirrelly was very mad at me yesterday. One of my rules is that you have to be seated when the tardy bell rings. And after seven months, some students have not caught on. I sent Squirrelly to the tardy desk. (If they get 4 tardies they have school lunch detention.) I am consistent on the rule. She made a snotty remark when she came back and I asked her to come and talk to me. She said no, she was "like so mad at me right then." She had a better attitude today, but she really does take her own importance too far.

6. I signed my letter of intent to return today.

7. The girl that broke my doorknob has declined to work on her comparison paper. I had to send her to the office and write her a referral to the principal.

8. When I praised the dreaded sophomore AP class on their fine comparison papers, they demanded a party the day before TAKS. I said no. I think they are going to bring stuff anyway.

9. My classroom and apartment are a mess. I have two weeks worth of grading. Plus entering in those grades in the system. Plus lesson plans for two weeks. Plus planning a review for TAKS testing strategies. Plus planning how to keep 8th period under my thumb. Plus progress reports, taxes, .....

Argggh!!!!!!!

Oh, I Forgot!

In our faculty meeting this morning, we were warned about these things:

1. Collars up on polo shirts. Some boys are wearing them as gang symbols.

Blink. I just thought they were trying to be fashionable.

2. Halo....again ....on laptops. I hope I get my monitoring system soon.

3. Vicks Vapor Rub. Evidently, it is somehow drug related. Who knew the cure all your mom rubbed on you all the time was something you needed to just say no to?

...And I really hate the new hairdo (probably old fashioned, but new to me)like this



except the boys here do it in the front. It looks like a duck's butt.

I feel so old...and fuddy-duddy. Young people these days.

1. I got a new T.V. remote, but Vada is eyeing it like it is steak. I make sure I put it up whenever I leave the house.

2. I did TELPAS training in 2 hours, when it was supposed to take 6 hours. I'm very proud of myself and a little ashamed I didn't really take it seriously. I got an 80% on the final "qualification" so I must be doing something right.

3. ELA TAKS is next week...and I just figured out my sophomores don't know what transitions are. I have been making them do essays every week and one of the grading criteria was "using transitions." I put name 5 transitions and tell me what they are for on a test....they have no clue.

I am so doomed.

4. ELA TAKS again...We had TAKS Administration training last week. I am in charge of 16 students from 8 to 4 next Wednesday. No electronics allowed. I have coloring books and crayons. Old school.

5. BIOB and I had another "discussion." He tried to tell me that when he was in ISS last week, the administers over there "forgot" to give him his assignments until 3:30. I found this incredulous because I spoke to them at 8:30 on the phone and they opened their email containing the assignments at that time. BIOB was properly chastened being caught in the lie. He actually cares about his grade.

6. I was sick last Monday and because I was gone I had the sub start all classes on a benchmark exam. 3rd period didn't get a sub. So they sat there. Quiet. They didn't want a sub. I didn't know whether to congratulate them on being so good. Or scream at them because they didn't start their exam. I just moved on.

7. The same day, my 8th period cheated on the exam. I didn't scream, I didn't say anything. They simply went into lockdown for an entire week. No music, no computers, seating chart, no talking, no leaving the room, just seatwork...quiet, boring seatwork. Until they finally apologized last Friday for cheating. I let up this week.

The weird part...Flirty said she liked lockdown.

8. Our staff satisfaction survey came back and evidently some teachers are upset with the "dictatorship" going on in some classes. What teacher has time to evaluate the classroom management style of other teachers? I have trouble just keeping up with my own classroom.

Oh, and "dictator" is not politically correct. We prefer "benevolent despot" or "fearless leader." I will settle for "her evilness, the Queen."

(Seriously though, is the classroom supposed to be a democracy?)

9. (For Melissa) I bought Girl Scout cookies from 3 different girls. One girl came by 3 weeks ago, another 2 weeks ago, and another last night. I'm glad and grateful for the steady consistent stream of sugar.

I bought Thin Mints, De-Lites, something Lemony, and Peanut Butter Sandwiches. I shared the non-chocolate ones with Vada. I shared all with my students.

10. Ms. Teacher said incredibly nice things about me in her blog. Thank You!!! You made my day!

Changing Feet--Update

Thanks to Melissa and Val for their advice.

I took it and talked to the student and said I'm sorry. She said it was ok and we shook hands. She seemed surprised that the incident bothered me so much.

Only problem was that Angel heard the entire thing and tried to distract 5th period with it. Thank God the class ignored her.

I Only Open My Mouth to Change Feet

OMG, I am so embarrassed!

I've read Joel's entry over at So You Want to Teach? (I can't get the link to work http://www.soyouwanttoteach.com/not-the-best-day-ever/) and felt bad for him. I was going to leave a comment that those things happen and don't let it bother you.

Until it happened to me today.

You know how you think things ....

and you don't mean to say them out loud ....but it just kind of comes out?

And after you say them, you think OMG did I just say that out loud?

I had Lupita in summer school last year. I was a little annoyed that she dropped out because she didn't want to do the work I required. However, I love this girl...she has a great personality, is beautiful, and we get along.

I am volunteering at credit recovery after school. Kids that did not pass a class last semester can make it up after school so they don't have to go to summer school.

Lupita is in it for algebra. And I like helping her. (I can't believe I remember *algebra*!)

Well, I was talking to her today and I asked her...I swear to God it slipped out...if she was pregnant.

She asked me if I thought she was fat.

Oh, I apologized up and down. I still feel bad. I think I will feel bad for, at least, the next two weeks.

(Babies are going around the school....I have at least 2 expecting mothers as students. One is a freshman. So I had babies and students on the brain. And she has a very attentive boyfriend. I know, completely unprofessional. No excuses.)

My Worst Nightmare Ever

My worst nightmare about teaching came true today.

I was teaching my "wonderful" AP sophomores today. We were discussing the themes of "Wuthering Heights" (the movie version...which they enjoyed actually...after they watched it twice.) I went to my desk to play "Wuthering Heights" by Hayley Westenra.

For some reason, one of the girls was by the door (probably throwing crap away.) All of a sudden, the whole class started laughing.

I got a glint of something metallic in her hand.

It took me a while to figure out....

It was the doorknob.

I was locked in the room with 21 AP hyper sophomores...with no way to get out.

I grabbed the intercom phone and (very calmly amazingly) asked (screamed? I can't remember)for help.

They came within 5 minutes. The longest 5 minutes of my life!

I still haven't figured out how that student broke the doorknob.

And I will probably have nightmares tonight.

Exciting Things Are Happening!

1. Smart Mouth got a girlfriend. And said girlfriend is ....Angel!!! Don't you just love love? I can't wait until Smart Mouth meets Dad.

2. We are watching Masterpiece Theatre's version of Wuthering Heights. They were shocked when a woman died giving birth. I told them that childbirth was very dangerous in the 1800s. Many babies and women died. One AP student spoke up, "Didn't they know about condoms?" Huh?

3. All students have laptops. Keeping an eye on said laptops and content being viewed is a hassle. Technology Director has promised me new software in which I can view their computer screens from my laptop. I will be the first in the school to try out the software. Oh.....I am going to play with their heads!!!! This is going to be fun!! I might even read emails out loud. More power to my evil domain...Evil Laugh...Evil Laugh!

Note to self: It pays to become friends with the technology people.

4. We are taking a mock state test in my regular English classes. I made BIOB repeat several times it is a six week test. He still goofs off. He reassures me, "Don't worry Miss, I'll pass." Show me, BIOB...so I can get off your case.

5. I got a rose from a student today. I'm still going to give him a B. Evil Laugh...Evil Laugh.....

6. Three Words....Girl...Scout...Cookies! and.....

7. We got a salad bar in the school cafteria.

(Why does the spellcheck no longer work on Blogger?)

The N Word:Should I Care?

Something has been bothering me ever since I started teaching. I am very careful about what I say and do. I do not want to insult the Hispanic culture I live in.

However, my students do not care who they insult. I have written up at least 4 people for using the "N" word this year. Keep in mind, there are no African American students in our school. There is one African American teacher at the elementary school. Who are these students calling "N?"

Each other.

One student told me that in San Antonio, where he used to go to school, everyone called each other that word. It was some sort of an "endearment." I don't know how to respond, but to explain that in some places you will get the **&^^% beaten out of you for it.

When the Jena 6 incident was in the news, the students could not see the connection. I would point it out on Channel One news show that this is why we don't use that word...the students could care less.

Some teachers let the use of the word go. I don't. I figure I'm teaching respect.

The reason that I am thinking about this today is Miss A's post on the whole "monkey" controversy. I didn't want to write a big long comment on her blog. But, what about the slippery slope? We, the educated, are aware of the historical significance of African Americans being called "apes" and "monkeys." We, the educated, are aware of the equally abhorrent historical significance of the "N" word. Why would I post posters of monkeys when I won't allow my students to use the "N" word either?

Am I comparing apples and oranges? Or, as a white woman, should I not even enter in the debate? Or, as a white woman, should I even have an opinion? Maybe I shouldn't be upset about my students using the word because I have only seen one African American in this whole town? There really isn't anyone to be offended. Except me and that one African American.

But I come back to the slippery slope. I think about that quote by Martin Niemoeller...."First they came for the Communists, but I was not a Communist - so I said nothing. Then they came for the Social Democrats, but I was not a Social Democrat - so I did nothing. Then they came for the trade unionists, but I was not a trade unionist. And then they came for the Jews, but I was not a Jew - so I did little. Then when they came for me, there was no one left who could stand up for me."

Is it political correctness gone amok? Or am I filled with my own self importance by insisting that my students speak respectfully of all races? I don't know.

The dreaded AP Sophomore Class

“If some kids do not do their work, Miss, you should just let them fail. It’s not your fault…you did your job. Get off our backs.”

The smartest young lady in my sophomore AP class said this to me when I hotly discussed the fact that they dropped to a 67% average on their quizzes again. It was clearly obvious they did not read their assignment….again.

I don’t understand why the students seem to think this would be an acceptable attitude for a teacher….especially in an AP class. More than half the class (AP mind you) don’t like to read! And someone put them in AP.

The grades fall like this (our school doesn’t give Ds. (Otherwise all the failings would be Ds)

6 failing
11 C
3 B
2 A

Assignments:

They have had about 6 -10 chapters of Jane Eyre to read a week. One essay a week. 5 discussion questions on the discussion board to do. 1-2 quizzes a week.

Quiz grades:

First quiz, the students averaged in 50%. Second quiz, 50%. Third quiz, 60%. Fourth quiz 80%. Fifth quiz, 60%.

I give all assignments on Monday and they are due on Friday. Nothing is a surprise. Unfortunately, since they will not do work at home, I have to devote whole days to work days. We don’t have time for “fun” activities because it seems like we always have to just cover the basics.

I would love to have discussions about the text. However, the class has 22 students. And they are loud. And talk all at once. And they don’t want to listen to me or each other. I know there are techniques that facilitate discussion and teach students how to discuss things calmly and well, but really I don’t feel up to the challenge. Especially when I they have so little respect for me or the way I run the class.

What really frustrated me today was that the majority of the students hadn’t even started the assignments I gave on Monday. We had a quiz yesterday and the questions were lifted right from the study guide. Some students had even lost their study guide by now. If they did a little every night, they would get done. Yes, I realize I could break everything down into daily assignments…but I wanted them to feel like they could organize their own time. Some of the students have sports and other activities. However, next time I teach this unit, I will use daily assignments. This expecting them to read on their own just will not do. I believe on all novel assignments in all classes I will do daily assignments, rather than weekly.

I was so frustrated by the class I left it. I went to the office and talked to the principal. She was so worried about me that the principal would not even let me return to the class.

That was yesterday. Today, the principal and mentor teacher showed up right at the tardy bell and talked to the class. Principal said if any student didn’t want to do the work, the administration would remove the student immediately. Mentor Teacher yelled at them. He asked “What’s exactly the problem?” Smart Mouth said the work is hard and they need a break occasionally. Principal just smiled and explained that AP students will work hard and are held to a higher standard. Student athletes are held to a even higher standard.

First, I really love the way the school’s administration supports me. My administration doesn’t leave me high and dry with issues. I am very insecure as a teacher. I am never sure what exactly I’m supposed to be doing and as a second year teacher, I have to pull many ideas out of my b&tt. However, my principal erodes my insecurity by being supportive of my decisions.

Second, Mentor Teacher gave me a great idea. I put all the kids’ assignments for next week on a big piece of paper. Then, I wrote across the board Monday, Tuesday, etc. Then, I told them to schedule when assignments are due and when we would do activities. The kids liked this idea. I wrote it down and it will go into my lesson plan. We will reexamine the schedule and make improvements next Friday.

Our data driven lesson planning is supposed to have student input. However, last year, I got tired of hearing “do nothing,” “it’s boring,” and “bring me candy and I will do the assignment.” Maybe this time it will go better. Fingers-crossed.

I Didn't Think They Actually Listened!

So I am teaching an unit on Jane Eyre with my sophomores. We are to the part where Jane finds out about Bertha Rochester in the attic. In an effort to shake up the assignments, I assigned a creative writing exercise in which the students have to write Bertha's story...who she is, how she feels, how she got there....how she went mad.

As the kids were going off to do their assignments, I quietly mentioned that some people think Bertha had syphilis and Rochester gave her the disease. Honest to God, I didn't think they would pay attention.

The rest of the period they were looking up syphilis on their laptops.

I'm sure I will be reading many very interesting stories this weekend.

Busy.....

The past two weeks at school have been busy. Besides the happy dance moments, reasons are:

1. Parent conferences. It seems like whenever I contact a parent lately about poor behavior or performance, they want to meet with me. I just want the behavior to stop...not a full conference. I've taken it to tell Call Lady to not to schedule an appointment, unless I specifically request it.

But the conferences and calls home are working. One girl, I'll call her Angel, was an absolute snotty little hellion for a long time. And she would hand in really crappy essays (that I have to read, ick). I called home and the Dad came in. He was POd. And he said, with Angel sitting there, "She *will* behave and do her work in your class." I actually felt bad for Angel (even after all the crappy remarks she made.) I got a vibe that said Angel doesn't mess with Dad. Ever since, she has been very pleasant to work with.

The parents come in to apologize for their children...I haven't had a parent yell at me for being a bad teacher yet. The hardest one was last Thursday. The mother couldn't speak English. Call Lady translated. But the weird thing was...I could understand parts by myself.

2. Ordering materials. I haven't figured out how to order supplies and books at school yet. I ordered Jane Eyre books in October and received them last Thursday. We are asked to put in orders now of what we want. I have been working on filling out requisitions that I'm not sure will be fulfilled. I ordered the book Speak for my regular English 2 students. I'm not sure they will get here by April so I will have to have a plan B. Also, I realized I forgot to schedule a unit for my freshmen. Yesterday, I decided to do Bless Me, Ultima. But I have to read it first (where am I going to find the time?) But I need teacher's materials and about 4 more books. I hope I can get them by April.

When do the school just think you are spending too much of their money? I have been mostly been buying my own materials. That way when I leave, I don't feel bad about taking them. But I don't have any use for 30 books of the same title. I also don't mind buying DVDs for the classroom. Those too are portable.

3. Lesson Plans and PDSA wall. I have been working very hard at running a data driven classroom. The school requires that we post a Plan-Do-Study-Act with Data on our walls. And do our lesson plans in this format. I know I've whined about this before, but it takes about a day to put everything together...plus a day of the correcting.

The weird thing is...I'm actually starting to get into the whole thing. I'm still not good at connecting the standards to the objectives but it is getting better. And having it on the wall in graphic form helps me see the trends. I'm trying to grade or assess on whether the students understand the standards more than how to get an A in my class.

However, students have to still earn an A in my class.

4. Another student, I'll call her Squirrel, is very mouthy. It's not her fault. She's extremely intelligent and the stuff I'm teaching her is way below her intelligence level. I threw her out of the room one day and she disappeared on me. I wrote her up and she got ISS. I met with her mother in conference. Her mother was horrified at how her child was acting. And then...I turned around and offered her child Advanced Placement. It turned out we couldn't move Squirrel's schedule, but I can differentiate my instruction this year and move her into AP next year. Squirrel emailed me to tell me she appreciated the fact that I was still trying to help her while she acted so bad. I nearly cried.

5. Vada is eating everything except her dry dog food. She chewed up the remote control, my tennis shoes, my sandals, my ipod (thank God for the cover!), and the quilt my Mom made me. She wakes me up at 2 am to tell me she loves me. I do not need an alarm clock because she wakes up at 4 am to be fed. She won't eat dry dog food, because I have been feeding her twice a day the wet stuff.

And last night, she chewed up an aluminum can in bed and I ended up scratching my legs against the little bits of metal all night.

And I still love her. Must be unconditional. ;)

6. I have been having a tough time getting students to turn in stuff on time lately. So I made the regular English classes a deal: if I got 90% of essays (assigned on Monday) by the tardy bell on Friday, they could watch a movie of their choice during class on Friday. Well, all three classes got their movies. And I got time to correct and get caught up.

The only thing I can't understand is this. They will watch The Transformers and understand but I can't assign any science fiction without hearing "I don't get it."