Work, work, work

This is my first post in a couple of weeks, I think. I haven't had much time to write a blog since I have had a lot of grading and I do not have internet at home. It's also the first time since I started working that I am caught up with grading. Today was the last day of the first quarter, so I have some work to grade this weekend.

After three whole weeks of teaching, I think my students are still adjusting to my procedures and teaching style. My Geometry students pretty much understand. My Algebra Readiness students are still getting there, but I have definitely seen some improvement since I have started. Basically, I want my students to know that when they are in my class, they need to be working.

I have also gotten use to the way things work at our school. Monday, we start a brand new quarter. I think with all the things I have tried first quarter, I know what to do better to make second quarter run more smoothly.

One thing, for example, is my discipline policy. I started to follow through with my warnings and assign after-school detentions. I will be continuing that. The students have been responding to that. I think after another round of detentions, most of my students will understand my procedures quite well.

Another thing is homework submission. I collect my Geometry homework every week; on either Friday or the following Monday. I like it because I am grading the entire thing for one or two days and the rest of my week is more open. However, I have noticed that some of my students don't do well on the homework for Thursdays and Fridays. Therefore, I am going to start checking homework sometime during the end of the week just to keep my students on track.

I wanted to at least make contact with all of the parents, but I fell behind on that. I will try in the next couple of weeks to do that.

On top of all that, I have to work on professional development.

One quarter of the year is done. I am looking forward for the rest of the year.

Goals for this weekend: finish grading, lesson plan for next week.

Adjusting

I feel like I am getting adjusted pretty well. The staff has welcomed me as one of their own so quickly. They are a great support. It is a different story for my students.

I did not expect my students to adjust to me right away. In fact, I haven't gotten to the point where I am getting frustrated. However, I did write a referral for one of my students. He was not working and writing on a girl's arm. I expect that most of my students will be adjusted to me and my style by the end of next week.

My 3rd period has been the most difficult for me to handle. Yesterday, I kept the entire class after school for a few minutes. My instructional aide kept track of the students causing the most distractions and called home that night. Today, I made my students line up outside, come in quietly and start the warm-up a few times. Tomorrow, I am setting a new seating chart. I know some of my students think I am picking on them, but I plan on doing all this until my students learn how to behave.

Tomorrow, I plan on planning for next week. This should help things run a little smoother next week.