I recently talked about my discipline plan with my principal. It is definitely something that needs to have consistency; not just assigning consequences, but following through with them. What's the point if they do not show up to detention? That's disrespect.
My plan has a few steps: 1. Warning; 2. 5 minute detention; 3. 15 minute detention, parent contact; 4. Referral.
I recently added a detention slip. Before, it was a verbal notice and their name on the board if they got detention. Now, it's a slip and a behavior log. It helps me keep better track of habitual offenders. Students sign the log to acknowledge they received a detention. Also, I felt parent contact should be moved up the list, so they sign the slip.
About Me
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Monday, November 9, 2009
Things are getting better
As opposed to a 'nudder' person I know, I think this month will be easy. We had parent conferences the last two weeks, so those are over with. Last week, I had one workshop, tomorrow I have one and next week I have two for BTSA. So that's 4 less days of work this month. Not only do these workshops give me a break from my classes, but I think they are very helpful. Then we get one week for Thanksgiving.
This is my 7th week of teaching this year and things are getting a lot better in my classes. In my geometry classes, the homework turn-in rate is almost 100%. At parent-conferences, we set up many academic contracts so many of my students will be attending mandatory tutoring. Hopefully, this translates to higher student achievement.
I am also seeing some gains in my pre-algebra class. There is very little whining about taking notes and transition times are getting smaller. My problem in that class are the few students who are there to do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to.
Overall, my classes are doing much better. I am having more happy days than I am stressful days. I feel at this point I am focusing less on teaching my students procedures and more on teaching them math.
Goal for next two days: catch up with grading.
This is my 7th week of teaching this year and things are getting a lot better in my classes. In my geometry classes, the homework turn-in rate is almost 100%. At parent-conferences, we set up many academic contracts so many of my students will be attending mandatory tutoring. Hopefully, this translates to higher student achievement.
I am also seeing some gains in my pre-algebra class. There is very little whining about taking notes and transition times are getting smaller. My problem in that class are the few students who are there to do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to.
Overall, my classes are doing much better. I am having more happy days than I am stressful days. I feel at this point I am focusing less on teaching my students procedures and more on teaching them math.
Goal for next two days: catch up with grading.
Friday, October 16, 2009
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.
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.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, September 28, 2009
First Full Day
Today was my first full day at my new school. I pretty much had to hit the ground running. I was forewarned that I had to be stern with my students and let them know that I am not there to be their friend.
I am fortunate in that I only have approximately 90 students. My two Geometry classes are blocks, so I have them for two periods each. Today, I introduced my myself, then we went over a group quiz the students took on Thursday. They are preparing for a test tomorrow. On Wednesday, we start a new unit.
Then I have an Algebra readiness class. This class has 36 students, but I think it was my better class today. I introduced myself and immediately started a lesson on solving one-step equations using the addition and subtracting properties of equality. I would have liked to play a fun name-game, but according to the pacing guide, the students were already one day behind. I think we caught up today though. Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be going over multiplication and division properties of equality. Friday, we will tie them all together and solve two-step equations.
During my prep and after school, I set up my room some more. I unpacked some items I have and rearranged my desk. My room is still bland, but hopefully over time I will collect some posters and student work to post on the walls. I have attached some photos of my room before I rearranged my desk.
Tomorrow, I'm going in early to staple 50 tests since the copier was out of staples. :/
I am fortunate in that I only have approximately 90 students. My two Geometry classes are blocks, so I have them for two periods each. Today, I introduced my myself, then we went over a group quiz the students took on Thursday. They are preparing for a test tomorrow. On Wednesday, we start a new unit.
Then I have an Algebra readiness class. This class has 36 students, but I think it was my better class today. I introduced myself and immediately started a lesson on solving one-step equations using the addition and subtracting properties of equality. I would have liked to play a fun name-game, but according to the pacing guide, the students were already one day behind. I think we caught up today though. Tuesday and Wednesday, we will be going over multiplication and division properties of equality. Friday, we will tie them all together and solve two-step equations.
During my prep and after school, I set up my room some more. I unpacked some items I have and rearranged my desk. My room is still bland, but hopefully over time I will collect some posters and student work to post on the walls. I have attached some photos of my room before I rearranged my desk.
Tomorrow, I'm going in early to staple 50 tests since the copier was out of staples. :/
Friday, September 25, 2009
It's Official!
Monday is my first official day of work. However, I went in today for an orientation. I am teaching two block of Geometry and one block of Algebra support. All 9th graders. After the orientation, I went to observe my last block. [I'm not going to talk about the orientation. It's too boring.]
When I walked in, the students were [supposed to be] working on a group quiz. The seats are already arranged in groups of five. The 27 students were set up in groups of 4 (one of them three). For my standards, these students were way too rowdy. There has been a substitute teacher for the past month and she has been at the school for a year and a half. However, her classroom management has not been established. On Monday, she will still be there to ease the transition, but I asked her to simply introduce me so the students are not too shocked. I plan to take over right away by giving the students a little background about myself and going over the classroom rules and expectations. It doesn't hurt to review those once in awhile.
The whole time I spent helping students with their group quizzes. In fact, I brought them home to grade! Luckily, I only have to grade one quiz from each group.
After school, two students stayed because they had a conflict to resolve. One student came forward to complain about the other student and how he is a distraction to him. He wanted him moved to another group. It was funny to listen to the student tell the sub and me that the other student doesn't know when it appropriate to talk and when it is time to shut up. I don't think I have ever seen such a cordial argument from two 9th graders before. The sub suggested that the student who brought forward the complaint be moved. I suggested that they try it one (or two) more days since they have a test on Tuesday. I figure since I will take over on Monday, things might be a little different. Plus, I think Wednesday would be a good day to make a new seating chart since they have been in the same seats for a month and they start a new unit on that day. Afterward, the sub told me that the complainant cannot be seated with just anyone. There is one group of students that mistreat him and one student copies off of him. This shouldn't be too hard to deal with though.
After that, I brought in some materials I had. On Monday, I'll bring in my books and start setting up my classroom. Maybe I'll take some pictures and post them up too!
Goal for this weekend: Grade quizzes, lesson plan for Monday (maybe the week), and make printouts of rules and expectations to post on wall.
When I walked in, the students were [supposed to be] working on a group quiz. The seats are already arranged in groups of five. The 27 students were set up in groups of 4 (one of them three). For my standards, these students were way too rowdy. There has been a substitute teacher for the past month and she has been at the school for a year and a half. However, her classroom management has not been established. On Monday, she will still be there to ease the transition, but I asked her to simply introduce me so the students are not too shocked. I plan to take over right away by giving the students a little background about myself and going over the classroom rules and expectations. It doesn't hurt to review those once in awhile.
The whole time I spent helping students with their group quizzes. In fact, I brought them home to grade! Luckily, I only have to grade one quiz from each group.
After school, two students stayed because they had a conflict to resolve. One student came forward to complain about the other student and how he is a distraction to him. He wanted him moved to another group. It was funny to listen to the student tell the sub and me that the other student doesn't know when it appropriate to talk and when it is time to shut up. I don't think I have ever seen such a cordial argument from two 9th graders before. The sub suggested that the student who brought forward the complaint be moved. I suggested that they try it one (or two) more days since they have a test on Tuesday. I figure since I will take over on Monday, things might be a little different. Plus, I think Wednesday would be a good day to make a new seating chart since they have been in the same seats for a month and they start a new unit on that day. Afterward, the sub told me that the complainant cannot be seated with just anyone. There is one group of students that mistreat him and one student copies off of him. This shouldn't be too hard to deal with though.
After that, I brought in some materials I had. On Monday, I'll bring in my books and start setting up my classroom. Maybe I'll take some pictures and post them up too!
Goal for this weekend: Grade quizzes, lesson plan for Monday (maybe the week), and make printouts of rules and expectations to post on wall.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Job offer
First blog of the new school year. It's time to go back and look through my old entries.
Summer break is almost over! Normally, I wouldn't be so excited to say that, but I just got a call today with a job offer. I will be working at a junior high! This is exciting for me because I had been to ten or more interviews; all saying no, including this school.
On my way back from the interview, I ran into my old computer-class teacher who is now principal of our elementary school. He told me the students at the district I interviewed at our rowdy and the staff really get into politics, but the pay scale is good. That is fine. I can deal with rowdy students and I don't really get into politics.
I guess one of the people they chose either backed out or did not check out. Either way, I have a job. That means I can keep writing in this blog.
I don't know how many more days of break I have. I need to go through the hiring process and school already started for them. I know that I will be spending those days moving into my new place and organizing my things.
Summer break is almost over! Normally, I wouldn't be so excited to say that, but I just got a call today with a job offer. I will be working at a junior high! This is exciting for me because I had been to ten or more interviews; all saying no, including this school.
On my way back from the interview, I ran into my old computer-class teacher who is now principal of our elementary school. He told me the students at the district I interviewed at our rowdy and the staff really get into politics, but the pay scale is good. That is fine. I can deal with rowdy students and I don't really get into politics.
I guess one of the people they chose either backed out or did not check out. Either way, I have a job. That means I can keep writing in this blog.
I don't know how many more days of break I have. I need to go through the hiring process and school already started for them. I know that I will be spending those days moving into my new place and organizing my things.
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