Today, my first period was wonderful. They came in quietly, sat down and started the warm-up. No prompting was needed. I had a few of them show their work on the board. I finished what I had planned with plenty of time left in the period.
Third period was a different story. By the time the tardy bell rang, they were all in their seats, but most of them were talking/not working on the warm-up. This tells me I should have moved some people around. Right away I got a little upset and made them line up outside and try coming inside again. This time they started the warm-up. During the lessons, some of them started chatting when they got the chance.
One student in particular kept chatting every time I turned around. Plus, I have him sitting in the front row to try to decrease the talking. That just makes it more annoying. He was really testing my patience. Luckily for him, I was able to get through my lesson with some cool left in me. However, on Thursday, I don't think he will be so lucky.
Anyways, today, I thought how cool it would be to have these students again. After making them practice coming into class, taking notes and being respectful, I think they have become better students. By next year, they are going to be great. Their next teacher is going to reap the benefits I have sown for him or her.
I can relate this to one classmate's experience he shared today in class. Today, his students were just driving him crazy. He is a student-teacher who started at the beginning of this semester, so his situation is a little different than mine. He also said the students are not afraid of any punishment because they are pretty much serving detention and Saturday school for the remainder of the year; an exaggeration for sure. So, he started his own detention club. He was saying that the hard work he is putting in now will be more beneficial to the students' future teachers than to himself. Our doctor guest-presenter agreed and said that is just something we have to do.
So I thought about it again and realized the work he is putting in now may not benefit him because he just started. Since I have been working with my students from the beginning of the year, I have already seen great improvement. My students are maturing and learning more. I am sure they will be even better students next year.
About Me
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Monday, January 12, 2009
How was your day?
I have a student that I mention in my stories quite a bit. I may have mentioned her in a previous blog entry. Since I forgot the pseudo name I used last time, I will call her Harriet. As she walked into my class today, she asked me how my weekend was. I don't like getting to personal so I told her it was good. She waited a second and responded by saying "My was good too. Thanks for asking." Obviously she was being sarcastic. It made me think that I should not try to be so distant.
Later, after the quiz, I asked her what she actually did. The reality is she did not do too much; including not doing her homework. I think she just wanted to talk. This whole incident also made me consider how I treat my other relationships.
I often go through the day giving one-word responses. When people ask how my day was, I usually just say that it went well; similar to what I told Harriet. I do not get into too much detail. I know when Priscilla asks me, she has to probe out the details.
Anyways, the point is life is too short for one-worded responses. I know that does not make logical sense, but from a social point-of-view, start talking! In a manner of speaking, 'Stop and smell the roses'. They smell good.
Goals for tomorrow: finish reading for 381.
Later, after the quiz, I asked her what she actually did. The reality is she did not do too much; including not doing her homework. I think she just wanted to talk. This whole incident also made me consider how I treat my other relationships.
I often go through the day giving one-word responses. When people ask how my day was, I usually just say that it went well; similar to what I told Harriet. I do not get into too much detail. I know when Priscilla asks me, she has to probe out the details.
Anyways, the point is life is too short for one-worded responses. I know that does not make logical sense, but from a social point-of-view, start talking! In a manner of speaking, 'Stop and smell the roses'. They smell good.
Goals for tomorrow: finish reading for 381.
Friday, January 9, 2009
More activities
Today I e-mailed my supervisor to let him know how well MET went yesterday. He e-mailed me back with some ideas for activities. He told me that not only will I have to teach them math, I will have to teach them to be students. They're only 6th graders, so they have a lot to learn. I bet they would love practicing how to enter a classroom quietly. ::evil laugh::
Seriously though, I do want to try more activities with them. 6th graders have no problem being social. Group activities should work well. I tried this one called secretary and boss where the students get into partners and designate the boss and the secretary. The boss tells the secretary what to do while he or she works on the problem. Then they alternate. This worked well I think because it leveled the completion rate among the students. Assigning roles also keep the students accountable to each other.
Today was the last day of the first week back from winter break. I believe I have never been this happy it is Friday. I was so tired. I could see the fatigue among the other staff members as well. Also, I get to hang out with Priscilla all day tomorrow.
Seriously though, I do want to try more activities with them. 6th graders have no problem being social. Group activities should work well. I tried this one called secretary and boss where the students get into partners and designate the boss and the secretary. The boss tells the secretary what to do while he or she works on the problem. Then they alternate. This worked well I think because it leveled the completion rate among the students. Assigning roles also keep the students accountable to each other.
Today was the last day of the first week back from winter break. I believe I have never been this happy it is Friday. I was so tired. I could see the fatigue among the other staff members as well. Also, I get to hang out with Priscilla all day tomorrow.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Lesson of stubborness
Today I was not looking forward to going to advisory. The reason why was an advisory student of mine came into my 3rd period. I tried to make her leave and ended up making a bigger scene than it should have been. She said she would sit down and not make any noise, which she did. So I let it go. She has done this before because her teacher lets her out of class. It doesn't usually bother me, but I think this time I was a little irritated by a headache I woke up with.
She ended up leaving about a minute after she sat down. I went along my day and felt a little bad about the incident. My mistake was telling her to get out of my room. I should have told her she can stay as long as she didn't distract anyone. It was too late for that though. The damage was done.
For advisory, she came in with a pass to another teacher. So we didn't get the chance to talk. I was still a little upset during advisory. I think I would have told her that what she did wasn't cool. However, at this point, I think I would apologize and tell her to be more discrete next time.
Other than that, my day went pretty well. My MET class went pretty well. I tried the structured schedule like my supervisor suggested. I thought it worked well. I put the agenda on the board and chunked it in different activities. They got the assignment done and may have even learned a little bit. Our lesson was on order of operations.
That was my day in a nutshell.
Tasks for tomorrow: write a quiz, plan a review activity, lesson plan for next week.
She ended up leaving about a minute after she sat down. I went along my day and felt a little bad about the incident. My mistake was telling her to get out of my room. I should have told her she can stay as long as she didn't distract anyone. It was too late for that though. The damage was done.
For advisory, she came in with a pass to another teacher. So we didn't get the chance to talk. I was still a little upset during advisory. I think I would have told her that what she did wasn't cool. However, at this point, I think I would apologize and tell her to be more discrete next time.
Other than that, my day went pretty well. My MET class went pretty well. I tried the structured schedule like my supervisor suggested. I thought it worked well. I put the agenda on the board and chunked it in different activities. They got the assignment done and may have even learned a little bit. Our lesson was on order of operations.
That was my day in a nutshell.
Tasks for tomorrow: write a quiz, plan a review activity, lesson plan for next week.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Planning and prep make things go smoothly
I had to cover for a 12th grade biology class today. They are seniors, so it was pretty easy. In fact, in the lesson plan it said to let two of the students lead the activity.
However, the activity wasn't planned out thoroughly. The activity was a gel electrophoresis. First of all, there was no electric scale in the room. One student went to another science room to pick one up. Secondly, there was no DNA sample. The students ended up not performing the activity. This was okay with me since they were super good students. Plus, what could I do? If I thought of something for them to do, they would probably regect it. They simply chatted the entire period.
This could have been easily avoided. The teacher asked me the day before to cover for him. So he knew he wasn't going to be there. In fact, he was there this morning. He could have set stuff up before he left in haste.
Anyways, I don't mean to bash my coworker. Set-up and prepartion is very important. Even seniors need some structure in order to complete assignmenets.
One thing my supervisor told me yesterday during his visit was to really structure the MET class. Yesterady, I had no plan for that class. I asked the students what they are working on in their regular math class. They mentioned integers and I remembered I had that integers 24 game. I had them play that for a little bit. Actually, it kept them occupied longer than I thought. A few of the students were really into it. My supervisor even got in on the fun. Then I let them play on the computers.
He told me I should structure the period in chunks of time no longer than 15 minutes. They're 6th graders, so they need many stimulations to keep them focused.
Goal for tomorrow: plan for MET tomorrow
However, the activity wasn't planned out thoroughly. The activity was a gel electrophoresis. First of all, there was no electric scale in the room. One student went to another science room to pick one up. Secondly, there was no DNA sample. The students ended up not performing the activity. This was okay with me since they were super good students. Plus, what could I do? If I thought of something for them to do, they would probably regect it. They simply chatted the entire period.
This could have been easily avoided. The teacher asked me the day before to cover for him. So he knew he wasn't going to be there. In fact, he was there this morning. He could have set stuff up before he left in haste.
Anyways, I don't mean to bash my coworker. Set-up and prepartion is very important. Even seniors need some structure in order to complete assignmenets.
One thing my supervisor told me yesterday during his visit was to really structure the MET class. Yesterady, I had no plan for that class. I asked the students what they are working on in their regular math class. They mentioned integers and I remembered I had that integers 24 game. I had them play that for a little bit. Actually, it kept them occupied longer than I thought. A few of the students were really into it. My supervisor even got in on the fun. Then I let them play on the computers.
He told me I should structure the period in chunks of time no longer than 15 minutes. They're 6th graders, so they need many stimulations to keep them focused.
Goal for tomorrow: plan for MET tomorrow
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Healthy being
Today at work, one student told me that she was feeling really sick. She asked me not to call on her and ask her to participate. She just sat there quietly and took notes. I felt a little bad since she is usually one to participate and in a cheery mood.
Tonight, we started a health class at UCSD. The class is meant to teach us how to take care of our own health and help teach our students to be healthy. It's going to teach us the risks our students currently face and how to help them deal with those risks.
Walking into the class, a classmate asked me if I got sick over the break. I thought that was weird because that issue has come up a few times recently. When I was back at my mom's for Christmas, she was a little worried my brother was going to get me sick. Fortunately, I did not get sick over the break.
Another classmate came in and sat in one of the back tables. That was weird because we usually sit at the same table. He said he was sick and didn't want to infect anyone. He called a sub and stayed home from work today. Personally, I thought he should have stayed home from class too.
Our professors tell us it is extremely important to stay healthy, because in order for us to do our jobs, we need to be in a state of physical, mental and social well-being. I think this is true in general. To do what your job, relationships and other aspects of your life require, you need to take care of yourself and stay healthy.
Tonight, we started a health class at UCSD. The class is meant to teach us how to take care of our own health and help teach our students to be healthy. It's going to teach us the risks our students currently face and how to help them deal with those risks.
Walking into the class, a classmate asked me if I got sick over the break. I thought that was weird because that issue has come up a few times recently. When I was back at my mom's for Christmas, she was a little worried my brother was going to get me sick. Fortunately, I did not get sick over the break.
Another classmate came in and sat in one of the back tables. That was weird because we usually sit at the same table. He said he was sick and didn't want to infect anyone. He called a sub and stayed home from work today. Personally, I thought he should have stayed home from class too.
Our professors tell us it is extremely important to stay healthy, because in order for us to do our jobs, we need to be in a state of physical, mental and social well-being. I think this is true in general. To do what your job, relationships and other aspects of your life require, you need to take care of yourself and stay healthy.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Welcome back
Happy 2009! This is the year I turn 24. I need to have a 24-themed party. Also, I start full-time work. I still haven't decided where I want to work next school year. I still have a lot to consider. However, it is looking like I will be moving back to my hometown.
Today was the first day back from winter break. One student already asked me when spring break is. Trust me, I feel the same way. I wish I had two more weeks off. With all the driving/traveling I did, I feel as though I didn't get much rest.
Anyways, the first day went pretty well. It is a Monday so the classes are only 30 minutes long. The bell system was not working properly, so naturally, the students did not show up to 1st period on time. That's okay. It wasn't a big deal.
I simply assigned a new seating chart for all my Algebra I classes and handed out warm-up records and homework charts; paper to work on warm-ups and keep track of homework assignments.
My 1st and 3rd periods seemed interested in my break. Some of them even looked happy to see me. However, my 8th period seemed more concered about their seating arrangement. Several students walked in asking if there was a new seating chart. I guess by then, they had gone through a few new seating charts. I also practiced clear expectations. I had my students practiced how I wanted them to come into class; a refresher.
MET was a little hectic. The coordinator/ELD teacher is on maternity leave and the sub was left with little information. I had to go over and sort things out.
Lastly, I did some boring stuff like signing grade verifications, attendance verification and making copies. Not too exciting.
Goal for tomorrow: create a quiz for next Monday.
Today was the first day back from winter break. One student already asked me when spring break is. Trust me, I feel the same way. I wish I had two more weeks off. With all the driving/traveling I did, I feel as though I didn't get much rest.
Anyways, the first day went pretty well. It is a Monday so the classes are only 30 minutes long. The bell system was not working properly, so naturally, the students did not show up to 1st period on time. That's okay. It wasn't a big deal.
I simply assigned a new seating chart for all my Algebra I classes and handed out warm-up records and homework charts; paper to work on warm-ups and keep track of homework assignments.
My 1st and 3rd periods seemed interested in my break. Some of them even looked happy to see me. However, my 8th period seemed more concered about their seating arrangement. Several students walked in asking if there was a new seating chart. I guess by then, they had gone through a few new seating charts. I also practiced clear expectations. I had my students practiced how I wanted them to come into class; a refresher.
MET was a little hectic. The coordinator/ELD teacher is on maternity leave and the sub was left with little information. I had to go over and sort things out.
Lastly, I did some boring stuff like signing grade verifications, attendance verification and making copies. Not too exciting.
Goal for tomorrow: create a quiz for next Monday.
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