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My adventures as a young urban teacher: lesson ideas, classroom blunders, funny students, & complaints on this journey. In the summer, I plan to share some of my awe-inspiring, earth shattering & just plain senseless musings.
Teaching is really draining. So draining that this morning after waking up at my usual time, I was quickly able to go back to sleep and slept soundly until 11 when a phone call from my mother awakened me! Over the summer, once I was up–usually 9–I was up for the day–except for a nap every now and again. I don’t know why I am shocked. It just seems so strange with me feeling prepared to teach and for the most part getting enough rest every night. I’ll never understand how it is so draining . . .
This was a good week. I reviewed procedures and rules and began discussing/lecturing on Human Beginnings. They took their first set of notes. And I heard A LOT of sighs and groans. Basically, the kids are NOT used to taking notes. I don’t think they like writing either. But, it is something they will have to get used to in high school because it will only get worse. When my Freshman move on to 11th and 12th grade years, all they do is take notes with our current Social Studies staff (oh boy and just think of what happens when they go to college). Most of my colleagues lecture and talk the entire hour. It works for them. It’s their style. . . but it doesn’t work well for me, and its EXHAUSTING to teach a class that way. I try to break up my teaching with activities and discussions. And that works for me. . . it’s exhausting, but not as exhausting as being the center of attention ALL DAY LONG.
I went to my mentors class one day to get something when her class was in session. The interruption was a relief for the students. And many were very quick to greet me. I recognized most of the class because I had taught them. One of the students said, “Miss A, I miss your class. Can I come back?” I told them Mentor Teacher was much more interesting and fascinating. They agreed; but looking back at the time they spent in my class, they realize how easy it truly was. LOL. The students say I’m hard–they don’t know hard . . . they really don’t know hard.
On Friday, I modified Mrs. D’s plan for teaching and reinforcing her rules with a graffiti walk in one minute segments. I had the students walk from poster to poster giving procedures that go with each rule from my class procedures sheet. The students loved it. They loved being able to get up out their seats and move around the class–giving their take on the rules. It was a great way to review for the Procedures test that followed. Most of the students did well. There were a few low scores, so I’ll have to go through and reiterate them this week using the classroom signage to get it done.
Every class but the dreaded 7th period completed a graffiti walk. They need activities like this the most of all my classes, as I discussed with Co-Teacher over lunch . . .I was scared of what might happen since they couldn’t follow the simple procedures I’d been repeating since Day 1. Oh, how I wish I could do a reversal and swap 7th pd with 1st period.
The last period rolled around and they can’t follow the bellwork procedure, again. I explain it, day after day after day after day. . .and they still can’t get it! Anyway, during the Bellwork, I let them know that I’m not happy with behavior. Some of them saw the graffiti posters from earlier and asked if that was what they were doing. I told them I didn’t know . . .it depended on their behavior and attitude. In the end, I decided I couldn’t do it because they NEVER stopped talking during bellwork. And they KNOW I hate talking during bellwork. I’ve clearly said it time and time again. The other classes have this down. Now, someone may ask why don’t I allow talking during bellwork? Several reasons . . .
It sets the tone and atmosphere for the class. . . basically this is a learning environment.
I can get my administrative tasks completed quickly and accurately without all the noise and confusion.
It calms them down from their hallway drama. If they are still talking, they bring that drama into the learning environment and that IS wrong. Save that mess for later.
It means they are working from the moment they enter the classroom and administrators want this to happen.
Administrators walk around typically during this time and if students are on task. . . you look like you know what you are doing.
They get a clear, silent and independent review of the previous day’s lesson and introduction of the current day’s lesson.
Nevertheless, I ended up giving them one of “those speeches” at the conclusion of the bellwork time. Basically, that I couldn’t trust them to do work outside of their desks if they couldn’t follow the simple bellwork procedures. They had to show me that they were capable of following procedures and doing what was asked of them. When they showed me, we’d do things differently. I explained that the class could be “fun or boring.” They make the choice. One student asked me if I was punishing the class for a few. I explained that the class was a community and if they let a few ruin their opportunities, then that would be the way it worked. I will continue to make calls home . . .but the best solution is reducing the class size during the last hour. . . I guess that leads me to my last comment about last week.
AP apologized and seemed genuinely concerned that I did not take the comments the wrong way. I appreciated it and accepted and explained that understood the stress level. AP attempted to solve my problem by sending SPED teacher to observe and make suggestions. SPED Observer came to the same conclusion that I had. It was TOO many children in the class. (Class size makes a difference, I don’t care what state law is!) And some of the knuckleheads want to run the class and be the center of attention–that’s not the way it works. So, we’ll see if it makes a difference that the SPED Observer said the same things that I was trying to express to AP.
Every teacher reading my blog knows that it takes years to perfect your craft. For me, it seems that it takes about 3 years to develop a style . . .or method to madness of teaching. Tonight, as I reflect, I can honestly say I think I have found my niche. I have found ways to make transitions more effective, notetaking more effective and learning rich yet fun. There are definitely some differences in my first year of teaching versus year 4.
I am not as idealistic about classroom management and discipline. As a result, I am more specific in my classroom managment plan. I actually write my plan out and share them with students in a document that I call procedures. When I think about classroom management, I imagine almost every single possible situation and low maintenance solutions. To me, this has been the best year yet (although we are at the beginning) as far as classroom management goes. After going to several seminars and development, I realize students need to move–think about it, I squirm and almost die everytime I am chained to a chair for more than an hour. How must my students feel about sitting ALL day long? So I built in times when it is appropriate to move instead enforcing the “Student’s must remain in their seats at all times” rule. Now, I’ve controlled movement. And I try to build it into the lessons.
Lesson planning IS SO MUCH EASIER!!!! As a result of reading blogs and commenting and reflecting, I found a system for organizing lessons and resources that really works for me. I have file folders for each topic covered in my history class. I just pull the folder with copies of things I’ve done in the past. I tweak the activities. Add an additional activity. So, I’m really feeling like most of my lesson planning is done for the year! Plus, I know what works and what doesn’t work. And so far, it appears that students actually are enjoying my class. YIPPPEEEE!
Extra curricular activities no longer zap my energy and my ability to plan and execute lesson.
I’m so glad that teaching gets better with experience. However, in the back of my mind, I keep thinking “Isn’t there something we can do to better prepare 1st year teachers?” Why should they suffer because of their lack of experience? Or is experience the only teacher in the field of education?
On yesterday, I went home within 30 minutes of the school day ending. I thought I’d go home and take a nap and dilly dally around the house. But I was bored out of my mind. I called all of my friends and they were all busy or didn’t answer the phone. I love life without cheer; however, I am realizing how much time cheer took up. Now that I have time, I look around and no one is available and I have no one really to spend my time with. I need to fill my life with something; however, I am sure that I don’t want it to be school related. Personally, I think it is bad for me to come home and veg out in front of the TV until I fall asleep.
In the midst of my semi-loneliness, I realize I am a better teacher. I still haven’t caught the hang of how to handle a last period class, but I think I am a much stronger and confident teacher. And I LOVE that all of my lecture notes are already done and all I am doing is matching teaching strategies with content and implementing it!!! EXCITING. Yesterday, we played the Don’t Say Uh game in 5th period as a review. I had the student team up with a partner and they had to talk a solid minute about whatever topic I threw out at them. So, they discussed: culture, identity, why study history. Today we used the dry erase boards and they LOVED it and they didn’t want to quit! Tomorrow, I think I’ll make some changes to my lesson plan and maybe allow them to review the lesson today’s as if they were sending text msgs to a friend. . . I don’t know, it was just a random idea. I love the “passing notes” strategy, but I don’t really have the class time to do it this week. . . so I thought of modifying it with a text msg twist. I do want them doing something with art before the end of the week but I can’t think of anything. . . urg!!!
I wore something similar to this, but without all of the cleavage. My ta-tas were covered appropriately and the dress was yellow with splashes of green.
Today, I wore a dress to school. Here is a conversation that I had short after entering the building
Kelly: Hey, Miss A
Miss A: Goodmorning, Kelly
Kelly: Miss A, why didn’t you ever dress like that when you taught me?
Miss A: UUhhh, what do you mean?
Kelly: You wearing dresses now.
MIss A: Yeah, I guess so. I guess I always wore slacks and button down when I taught you. I guess I’m not as tired . . .
Kelly: I KNOW what it is. YOU GOT A MAN
I laughed. It was really funny.
Kelly: Yeah, thats it. Miss A you got a boyfriend.
Everyone in the office and hallway heard this conversation. Teenagers notice EVERYTHING! Later this morning a former student (and cheerleader) came in and said: “Miss A, you’ve changed.” Further probing revealed that I’d changed because I am dressing differently, my classroom is more organized, my desk is more organized, clutter is gone etc.
The reality is: I didn’t have time to shop when I was over cheer. I was in survival mode and I just needed clothes to wear everyday and I didn’t care. My supervisor never complained about what I wore. And Principal will call you into the office if you are not dressing professionally. Button down and slacks are survival. However, every woman likes to look nice. . . it just wasn’t a priority with the hours that I was keeping.
As far as organization goes, I HAD organization systems, but if a teacher is CONSTANTLY surrounded by students during school hours and after school and students don’t care about the way you like things and don’t listen and don’t obey and give you a general headache and treated your room like their bedroom and didn’t return things to their place of origin THEN it would like disorganization. What has changed this year: I have ENLISTED the help of student to keep things orderly and I have time to hold them responsible for their duties. And I am well rested . . .
So, I guess I have changed . . .the biggest change is that I’m happy . . .
and like Alisha, I am going to celebrate with a song.
I’m excited to report a 1.3 pound weight loss this week. I’m sure it could have been better, but I didn’t go to the gym. I was so zapped after school everyday and I just wasn’t interested and thought I didn’t have the energy to do it. But this week, that has got to change. And somewhere in the middle of last week, I stopped logging my points. So, I’ve really got to do better at that. One thing I can say is that I ate out only 2 times this week and that was Friday when I went to a steakhouse with my friend to celebrate her birthday and then this Saturday when she took me to a hamburger joint to give me an early celebration to my birthday, being that she won’t be in town to celebrate it. So I guess I’m feeling optimistic. My goal this week is to log my points and go to the gym at least 3 times.
~~~~~~~~
In reflection of the first week of school, here are somethings that I want to do differently:
Present myself more assertively to the students. I think that I did good on day 1 & maybe on day 2, but I think that my concerns with implementing the Identity portions of the FHAO curriculum, made me appear EASY to the students. So as I go into this next week, I’ve got put on my no nonsense hat and teach my but off.
I will lecture from day 1. This will help set the tone for my class. 1. This is a serious class and you better take me seriously. 2. More content covered from the beginning. 3. Less talking from them about none class items b/c it is me who is the center of attention. Later on in the semester, I will move away from this type of environment, but the “democratic” classroom just not play well with Freshmen at the beginning. So, tomorrow will be a frustrating and possibly confusing day for them b/c I’m not taking the crap that I put up with on Friday from my last 2 classes. Differentiation in the form of activities will be extremely limited and is coming to slow roll for the next 6 weeks. They don’t understand how to participate appropriately and apparently I’ve got to teach it a little bit better!
I had to whip out my busy work vocabulary assignment on Friday. I always keep vocabulary sheets on hand when the lesson I plan doesn’t go according to the way I planned it. On Friday, the students were supposed to have decorated the front of their binders and then present it to the class. The intent was for them to show their identity to the class as well as get to know them. Out of 28 students, only 4 completed the assignment. I was left with 15 minutes of classtime that I had not expected. I whipped out the vocabulary lists with the quickness. What I didn’t like was that it appeared to be more of a punishment than an assignment. However, they knew I was disappointed and upset about their behavior and failure to complete the assignment.
Someone shared with me a link to another blog that gave me some heavy criticism. At first, I tried to dismiss it b/c everyone has opinions and thats why they got their own blog space–they are experts on themselves and their world. But as I sat here and I began reading blogs for the night, I was distracted. I kept thinking:
Am I overly negative about teaching? Do I express much more negative than positive? Does the blog present a picture of someone who loves teaching and is committed to it?
I hope that my blog is a balanced presentation of a teacher’s life. Most of us enjoy the work and want to be there, but like to get the stuff off of our chests. And for years my teaching life was consumed by those cheerleaders. Teaching is heavy, waaaayyy heavy, not to mention combining that with an extra curricular. After pondering it for a few minutes, I realize this discussion is a waste of time . . . and it is too soon to tell. A year without an extra curricular will reveal whether or not I want to continue teaching. Or whether I’m made for it. I haven’t even made the 5 year mark, so I’m not an expert in teaching. And I don’t know whether I suck or not. What I do realize is that maybe I should provide more positive snap shots of what good is happening in my class.
My mind is clear now and realize that that person’s ignorant criticism is not a true reflection of who I am and what I do in my classroom.
I feel like I must qualify myself based on the comments received from my last posts:
I am NOT by no means blaming my woes with my freshman on the middle school teachers. I believe that their are A LOT a of systemic and home issues that interfere with educating our children. I am just frustrated by it and I was expressing it. Our district is attempting to do a project called “vertical teaming” basically asking high school teachers to work with the middle schools that feed into those schools to emphasize skills and readiness for Freshman year. Nevertheless, I am disappointed in reading and skill levels and there is nothing I can do about it.
I AM sincerely disappointed in myself for taking the low road with that student and my attitude about having to do the work. I think a combination of things led me to get an attitude with her. Anyway, I ended up standing over her to make her work. It is funny how that works; but getting a freshmen to do independent work is near impossible some days. Especially, when they are tired and worn out and its the last period of the day. I am really trying my hardest to be positive with all of my classes and let them know that they can be successful. And for the most part kids see that and are happy to be there. However, its that DARN last period of the day. If someone has a solution for it, please let me know.
The only reason I had the binder out in the first place was to show students how to set up their binders for my class. Telling them is very difficult. However, when I show them and pass them around; they realize how easy it is and say . .. . “OH!”
I really believe that the students were simply not ready to come back to school and they have cobwebs that need to be dusted off as Teacher Mom said in one her comments. Many of them are still adjusting to getting up early and being awake in the day time and having to listen.
I do give a pretest; however, I wait until the end of the first week to give it because we have a lot new enrollees and leveling of classes. So, I like to wait until I think I have the bunch that will be with me until the end of the year. I actually have it on my lesson plans for me to do tomorrow. But it really depends on how the day is going if I’ll give it or not.
Frum, I would be glad to share my stuff on identity. However, it will have to wait until the weekend. . . send me a reminder email or post b/c I get most of my stuff from FHAO and it makes it so easy incorporate. . . .
I am excited and really want to be teaching. I AM A TEAM PLAYER. . . however, I am tired of being taken advantage of. . and that is what has happened. I am tired. I share. I share here. I share at work. But I am not somebody’s sucker. Period. I don’t completely isolate myself from other teachers either. Somedays, I have lunch in the lounge; other days I need to be by myself in my classroom to decompress. It depends on my mood. The lounge can be both positive and negative. And you just have to know when to stand up and leave.
I will be looking for another teaching job this year. There are too many systemic problems. And I can’t past them. Plus, I’ve wanted to leave “my city” for a while now. And I’ve felt more pressure than ever to get out. I love my kids. And they need me and I need them, but unfortunately, I need to move on based on where I am in my life.
I went off this morning on my AD b/c of that stinking cheer stuff (wanting me to do the new lady’s work) and the AP heard me and of course I got the look and a very strong “Miss A.” I don’t regret what I said, but maybe my tone. I’ve really got to watch my tongue. I’m getting more comfortable and as one of my colleagues said “You done shot-off!” LOL.
Again, I really am positive. . . but, this is my blog and I do express a range of expressions and emotions, as you can see just by reading the last week worth’s of posts.
I wanted to thank everyone for all of the positive feedback I recieved as the new year started. I still beleive that its going to be a fabulous year!
I am not trying to be a negative Nelly, but as I assessed my students today, here are some of my concerns:
Attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. This batch of freshman seem a bit lost, more so than last year. I find that they can’t handle to much at one time. As I was working with them today it seemed that they couldn’t comprehend what I was saying. I had to repeat myself SEVERAL times, more than usual. So what I realized it that I’m even going to break up my bellwork into chunks. Usually, I give vocabulary and a journal prompt that requires them to apply the vocabulary words. So, now I will give the vocabulary words. Go over them. Then give the journal prompt. Then go over the prompt. Also, I’ve got to go much slower. . .
Something is NOT happening in middle school OR their brains are NOT ready to learn after the long break. They are not prepared for high school! It appears that they can’t make connections. They are checking out in class. Is it middle school or am I requiring them to use to much brain power? I can’t be overwhelming them b/c I’m not going over the syllabus for the entire hour or rules or procedures. I only do a little bit and then move on to talking about culture and identity and what makes them unique. I just don’t understand.
At the end of class. One student said to me, are we really going to learn in here. I said, “Yes, we are going to work everyday.” Her response was “Oh, cause I didn’t learn anything social studies last year. She didn’t teach us anything.” I was shocked, but now I am reflecting. My question is: Are they working in middle school or in other teacher’s classes? How do I get them used to working? I feel bad because I was not positive in my last period class today and I was really trying to be. The student seemed shocked to learn that we were going to be working from bell to bell. The ENTIRE hour. I showed them one of my student’s notebook from last year (2 inches thick and full of work). In my frustration, I said “this what you will have to do to pass. You must do the work. Or you don’t pass.” At that moment I saw discouragement written all over her face. I feel like I’ve lost this student for the entire year. The thing is they didn’t do all of that work in one day. It was work for an entire year. But maybe her brain didn’t make that connection. How do I correct this?
The school year is still going fine. . .its just a few bumps in the road, that I’ve got to learn to navigate!
I had an absolute FANTASTIC first day back to school. Here are the highlights:
When I got up this morning, I put on the outfit that I’d laid out last night. I hated it. So, I changed the bottoms, but b/c I’d gotten up extra early, it didn’t put me behind schedule. The amazing part, I put on a button down that normally fits and hugs my curves, and it was all loose and baggy in the stomach area. I didn’t realize I’d lost inches b/c I’d been wearing baggy sweats, jeans, jean skirts and knit tops most of the summer. I haven’t worn my button downs (school clothes) since the last day of school . . .so this was an awesome feeling! Guys, sorry you have to read this, but I’d got to say it: Sadly, my boobs are the same size. What can I do to make them go away? Urggghhh and Hallelujah at the same time. LOL.
ALL of my classes were small with exception of one. No more than 26 students in a class. Can you imagine it? 5th period was overloaded b/c of a system malfunction and the inability to enter student schedules, 63 kids showed up for the class. But the administration quickly handled it by sending us to the gym. Sweet, hunh? I took roll, did my count and had no problems. Absolutely, none! Big props to the administration.
All of the cheerleaders were very polite to me! Most stopped by to greet me, etc. They told me I was glowing. I’ve heard that comment about 3 times since I came back from the summer. Maybe it’s because I lost weight and I don’t look as stressed and mangy. This was great comment to receive!
My rules video seemed to go over well. I had few start doing other things or put their heads down midway through. So, tomorrow they will have an assignment with the video. Team Teacher loved it!
Principal walked will I the rules video was playing. I whispered that it was a video on classroom rules. He watched for a few minutes. Smiled and then left. So, to me this is a positive sign.
I stayed late at school, but not because of those cheerleaders! I stayed to ready my room for tomorrow and work on lesson plans. I left the school feeling confident about tomorrow.
I can home to a house that smelled AWESOME. I made a crockpot recipe yesterday and set it in the refrigerator. This morning I put crock in the pot and left it on low. The food is smelling delicious. I just sauteed some veggies to go with my meal. I’m letting it rest right while I type. But as soon as I get up I’ll be ready to dig in! YIPPEEE! Thanks Frum, for the advice.
This morning I felt like I need to get a lot of my chest b/c I need to clear my head so that I can work. The following is a rant. . . a sleep deprived rant . . . I got all of 4 hours sleep last night. It’s so hard to sleep when you have so much to do . . .
I feel like one my department chair is a racist, pig! He really doesn’t want to be teaching the students at my school and he’s very sarcastic about it. I don’t like to play the race card, but he is so stupid . . . I hate when is says, “these kids.” It frustrates me b/c I think teaching was a fall back career for him . . . and I feel like he is bitter and it shows.
I would be finished with everything that I needed to do for the first day of school, except that on Friday, I helped everyone else set up there projectors and technology in their classrooms. I’m bitter about it, too. Here I am a teacher who knows how and wants to use the technology and I can’t get and idiot teachers get it and prob won’t use it that often. It hurt and stung. By the end of the day, I was RUDE. More people were being sent my way and you know what I said, “I’m not helping you. I’ve got stuff to do. I’m selfish. Don’t bother me anymore.” It didn’t take long for people to get the message. I didn’t start working on my own room until after 230 that afternoon and I stayed until 530. Can you imagine what what I could have gotten done had I worked there all day?
I am lucky I have a tv in my classroom. But I’m bitter about it! I don’t want to be, but I am! I want to wail and scream and throw a tantrum.
I want to go to church even though I have tons to do to prepare for tomorrow. I keep thinking I could better use that time.
Before tomorrow, I’ve got to: do lesson plans and powerpoints, my homework for the class I’m taking, get my clothes ready for the week, get lunch together, tweak a few things in the classroom (this may wait until tomorrow morning), make more copies, do my hair, do my toes, clean my house, do laundry. . . I just want to cry.
I won’t get to teach two semesters of African American history and I’m really upset about it! I’ll end up teaching another elective second semester-completely new with all new lesson plans, this is so frustrating and I don’t want to teach it but I don’t have much of a choice.
One of the bright spots of my week, was running into a parent during registration. She looked at me and said, “I know you .” I responded by introducing myself by name. At that point, she remember who I was and said “Yes, you are C’s favorite teacher. She talks about you all the time.” I told her thank you. And gave her the appropriate directions out of the school building. I don’t know what I did to deserve such an honor, but I’m glad that I earned it. I taught this student during my second year and I sucked, then! But I guess I made some sort of impact. So, I’m grateful.
I failed at WW this week. All of the instability with school got me off my routine. I ate out twice and it wasn’t healthy. Urggghh, it’s time to get on the scale. (Update, my morning weigh in revealed a 2.1 lb loss–oh yeah!!! I can do this!!!)
Everyone who reads my blog knows that I am the typo and mispelling QUEEN! I need someone to help me proof my classroom procedures before I publish them to my students and parents. Please review them and send any corrections to me, so that I can get them copied and ready tomorrow.
I am not an
English teacher. I do not seek to have a writing career of any sort. And I
AM NOT PERFECT! This is simply a forum for me to express my beliefs about
whatever, whenever. Therefore, understand the following:
1. I make
grammatical mistakes ALL the time.
2. I type 60 WPM
and make a lot of typos.
3. I usually don't
proof before I publish.
Although, I realize there are people other reading what I write, I don't
plan on changing any aspect of my blogging process. If I find errors, I will
correct them. Don't notify me of the errors. If this is just too much for
you, find something else to read.
