Its 2 A.M. . . .

And I’m not sleep!!!! I don’t know whether it is because I am anxious about tomorrow or I slept too much this weekend. Who knows?

This week is testing week. My kids will appreciate it. It means they will get a much needed break from homework and papers and it means school will be out soon. I have plans to watch and discuss the film “Luther” and “Hotel Rwanda” for my World History classes. I am also thinking about the “Last King of Scotland.” I’ve got to watch it. Next week, we will start the last thing we are covering for the school year: the new world, age of exploration and scientific revolution. Then, we will go into review mode b/c there will be no text books. Yep, the year is winding down.

On Friday, I was lucky enough to break up a boy fight! LOL. Really, I stepped in between two boys who were going to come to blows. I like these kind of fights b/c they realized they didn’t want to fight with me in between them. And I got to pin someone down. LOL. For real, it’s a dangerous situation and I don’t know why did not run from it. I thought it was just students being usually loud in between classes. When I stepped out to see what was going on, it looked like two of them were going to lunge at each other. I yelled at them to stop it. I pushed on to one side and grabbed the other and pinned him against the work table in my classroom. Its funny, all of the boys are taller than I am, seeing that I’m only 5’1. After the fact, I find out that it was four boys planning to jump this boy I had pinned down.

I hate to say it again, I prefer boy fights to girl fights b/c the boys are respectful when a teacher is holding them down. Girls tend to fight over you. They will hit you to get at the other girl, again. The fight that I broke up earlier this school year, these girls fought with me in between them. After they had been restrained, one girl jumped out of the arms of the restrainer to pull the last track of weave out of the other girl’s hair. Crazy, I know but that’s the way they are—they have to have last say.

I’m looking forward to gymnastics tomorrow!!! I am soooo excited about what the girls have been doing in practice.

Updated Pictures of My Classroom

This is my classroom display of brochures the children created about the various world religions. It was one of my favorite projects












This is my "student generated" word wall. On this pic you can see the objectives for the six weeks & our standards. (so I don't have to write them on the board every day)




















This is the 100 club and star students. I can't believe high school students actually strive to get their names on these walls. On the shade to the left is a class project where the students had to complete a newspaper as a group. They are not very good but they are the best of the lot. Maybe next year this should be an independent project to get better results.

This is my "Blue Ribbon" wall. Meaning all the rules, procedures and school goals and mottos are posted.




Outside the door is the magazine cover project of famous women and African American who have been influential.




















The are Greek Mythology cartoons. My favorite is the longest one on the left. Student A such a great artist.
















Lastly, this is a picture outside my classroom of the display of Ancient Greek projects

High Strung and Loosing It (Not sure if it’s the right one—grammatically)

I realize that now I am going to have to start using my blog more often, what I realize is that I am telling my friends every thing that goes on in my school day and they really are sick of hearing my school saga. It is like almost every conversation I have with them I talk about school. I can tell they are not really interested and do not really want to hear about my day. I am melodramatic and high strung so I need a place/person to tell ALL my school business to, b/c I have realized school has really become my life—this includes cheerleading. I don’t really have relationships with other adults b/c of the hours I keep and in some ways, I have adopted a few of the characteristics of my students—their silliness and probably some of their moodiness. I NEED A LIFE. Someone please tell me how to get one! LOL.
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I know that I am short on temper as we get to the end of the school year. I am UNFAIR and I know it and honestly do not plan on changing. Example: I’ve been showing the first 2 hours of the 6 wives of Henry the VIII to my World History classes. My 5th period class can not sit still and watch it. They want to talk or sleep through the entire presentation, so I stopped showing the film to them. Instead, I gave them the guided readings from the text book company on a chapter that I do NOT plan on teaching and made them complete it—busy work. I have it graded and ready to hand back tomorrow to show them that it counts. It is not right but unfortunately, there is no point in teaching for this week and next week b/c of the testing and class outings. So if they can’t handle a film they will do book work.
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Cheer practice was horrible today because most of my squad was pumped up from a class picnic they had, practice was necessary b/c we have a performance this weekend. I get to practice and we’ve got to change our routine AGAIN b/c some of the girls had death in the family and others did not show up for rehearsal and one can not attend. It is exasperating to plan around 20+ girls who don’t have the courtesy to communicate with me what is going on—instead they tell their friends and when they get in trouble/demerits, they don’t really understand.

Anyway, as I was trying to fix the routine, everyone is yelling and talking all at once and undermining what I’m saying, I get upset b/c they won’t be quiet. I get my things and storm out. I know, not very adult of me. I don’t know what I was thinking but I guess I just needed to make a statement. I went and got an administrator and after the routine was fixed we sat down to a team meeting. I explained that this was all frustrating to me b/c it was too many people trying to talk at once and choreography & fixing routines is not my strong point. They were upset b/c they thought I had quit on them. I responded by saying “I’m not quitting this year.” Wrong words to say, all they heard was “this year”. They thought that I meant I would was not coming back b/c I didn’t want do it with the girls that I’ll have left. By no means is that what I meant, I had to explain, “I don’t believe I’ll be teaching at that school in few years.” Still I think it hurts them. I like teaching, but I want adventure and I want more. I want to try teaching overseas. My friend did it and now I have the bug and I want to go overseas so badly.

In the midst of this pow wow, cheerleader r says, “Ms. A., I think you are trying to do too much. Sometimes you ought to let us brainstorm the solutions to these problems.” I said “you are exactly right.” FROM THE MOUTH OF BABES. I learned something today, its their team let them do most of the word. I guess I’m just supposed to be there to guide them. I’m tired of running ragged. Next time I am going to sit there and observe with occasional interjections instead of trying to run the whole thing.

Rainy Day

It rained all day, but it wasn’t a bad day.

So after my day off, I came back in a pretty good mood, but it didn’t take long for it to turn sour. I kicked a smart-mouthed kid out my room with in 5 minutes of the day starting. I get so tired of saying “be quiet” all day, So that I can talk and probably answer the question that the kid was going to ask in the first place. I’ve had enough of this school year and I’m tired of negotiating, so my favorite response is : “you got a choice, you can do it my way or get out.” I know I don’t sound like a good teacher, but I’m tired of begging.

My classes were supposed to watch videos this week. In law, they are watching 12 angry men and in W. Hist, the 6 wives of Henry VIII. None of my classes are remotely interested in these videos. I thought it would be a nice break for both of us, b/c last week was hectic. Didn’t work, most of them couldn’t stay awake, sooooo I guess it’ll be book work and lecture tomorrow. Pitty.

Today was report card day. I was expecting tons of students (as usual) to stop by my classroom after school to ask why they received the grades they did. Not one showed up. I am surprised. For a change, I gave kids EXACTLY what they earned. For example, some students got 27 , 35 or even 12. Our school said that we should NEVER give a child below a 50 if we don’t have strict documentation—meaning we saved their work and called their parents. I wanted to see what would happen if I didn’t give children 50s. Nothing. No one from the administration said anything. Not one of the children said anything. I’ll wait to hear from the parents.

Next week is our big testing week and the asst principal told me today that I would be protoctoring all next week. That means I am going to loose an entire week of teaching time and I need to cover 3 more chapters in World History before the end of the year. Additionally, what do I do with the kids I will have in class for the second half of the day? Maybe I should show a good film, maybe something to do with a current issue. Any suggestions?

You tube fans

Here's something i found that I'm loving.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iNLHMW4uXo

Monday’s are LONGGGG days

I was late for work again, for the 4th time this school year. I know could have gone to bed earlier the night before, but after you REALLY rest up Saturday, its almost impossible to pull yourself from the bed on Monday morning. So I had this day of semi engaging lessons planed for my kids to help review them for a test. (I’ll talk about those in a moment) Then I had to run around and get prepared for my sub and then the cheer squad has group gymnastics from 4-6 after conditioning practice. I get home around 7:30, have a bite to eat and drop. Ex: I awakened this morning with the lights on; computer laying on my bed with the lid still up and a weird pain in my foot. Probably from kicking something or stepping on something while sleep walking. I am grateful for this personal day. It was much needed.

So today I decided to play a review game where I play the show host asking questions. The students work in groups with the notes and textbooks to come up with the answers. The first group to get their answer puts it on a mini whiteboard and puts on the sill of the real white board at the front of the room. The kids love it b/c they can get up out of their seats and they LOVE to win. The only problem with this game is that it doesn’t work well with my 7th pd. There are only about 3 or 4 kids who always know the answers, b/c they study hard, do all the homework and actively participate in Q & A and lecture discussions. Though I may have picked the groups at random (from numbered cards while entering the classroom), with the “Monday” absences only 2 of the people who are diligent learners where there and ended up in the same group. It became clear early on, that they were going to slaughter the other students. The other students QUIT playing about halfway through. It was sad. What should I have done? They other students were upset b/c it appeared that group knew the answers before I finished the questions. With no cheating involved, the kids could feel the direction of the question. What can I do differently in the future? (Desperately seeking help from other teachers)

Drama, Drama, Drama
Secondly, I have an issue that keeps arising on my cheer squad. I have a little girl that has a flair for the dramatic. Everyone believes that she does things to get attention, including the other kids. Yesterday, she had an injury at practice which no one gave attention to including me. I didn’t know she was hurt. I saw her laying in the floor and though simply “she’s laying in the floor, again” b/c I had another girl that when coming out of the stunt got hit. This injury was pressing in my book. Well she gets angry and starts yelling after about five minutes later that no one came to see about her when she got hurt. She ranted and raved, she said she was upset b/c no one was concerned about her injury. I told her no one knew about her injury. She said that people saw her crying and did nothing. I apologized explaining that I didn’t know she was hurt. She then told me she was going to quit the team. I asked why. She said her family really didn’t have the money for it and with being a senior and all etc. She never really said that it was b/c she felt isolated, alone and rejected from the squad. But, I could tell. I didn’t say anything I just listened. I would be okay, if she quit. Honestly, I believe that she could be one of the best cheerleaders, but the drama is too much for me. I can live with peace for a while.

I feel like I have so much more to say but I’ll have to save it b/c I’ve been on here a while.

New Adventures this past week

Well, I’ve had a lot of developments since I last posted to this blog.

1. The school accreditation team came to visit my school. And of course my school put on the dog and pony show. I was really prepared for them to come and watch my classes and somewhat excited about it. They asked us not to give tests and quizzes as planned, but to have a “best practices” lesson going on. My law class was conducting a mock trial—3rd period’s blew up in my face. And World History had a short lecture, followed by a game of bingo and Q & A on white boards. I am really disappointed that they didn’t come to my World History class. They would have gotten a kick out of it. I asked one of my students if they had come to any of their classes. I was told “the lady came in walked around, look around and was only there for about 2 minutes.” So now I am asking myself what was the purpose of the dog and pony show. I feel like we were asked to wear black, over prepare and do all of this other non sense that had no effect on what the school accreditation team was doing. They spent most of their time meeting with parents, the primary team and students and simply walked around the school to get a gist of what the school was like. Next time I’ll know better.

My classroom was completely redecorated and organized for this thing. The janitors even commented on how much trash I had thrown out and how clean it actually was. They said that I had cleaned off my desk so well. It no longer even looked like a teacher’s desk. I guess I’ll have to take pictures to show you how it all came out. I even decorated the outside halls with student quality work. My students like it. One of my students said “ I have two projects up.” I laughed at that. She was excited to have her work up. I asked about it, “don’t I put student’s work up all the time?” She agreed that I did, but not all of it up at once. I guess high school students still enjoy having their work on the wall. Another student commented that my classroom was the best looking. They stated that my classroom was so colorful--made me think I’d over did it. But what really excited me was that I had that another teacher commented on my work. I hung up the children’s “magazine cover project” on the front door of the classroom. The teacher commented that it was really nice and it looked good. I thanked her for the compliment. She’s a veteran teacher of more than 20 years.


2. I was told that I’d be teaching African American history next year. I am really excited about this. They are sending me to a week long (paid) training. . . YIPEEE. And its with Darlene Clark Hines. She is an AWESOME historian, I read some of her work when I was in undergrad—and I didn’t sell the books back as I normally would have. (secretly, I hope she will autograph them) However, that means I’ll have to do 3 lesson plans next year. I did that my first year of teaching and it was really difficult AND I was NOT an effective teacher. She told me that other teachers would have the same problem b/c our staffing was cut. I will do my best to work with whatever they give me, but I will not be doing a good job, unless they let me know what the third subject is before school is out, so I can prepare for it—b/c there is no way it can happen during the school term.

3. I’ve started drinking. One of my dearest friends pointed out that its slowly becoming a habit. I notice that some of the teachers at my school are alcoholics and its sooo easy to do when the kids drive you crazy every day. I just needed a way to decompress and go to sleep at night. So a LARGE glass of wine has helped that to happen. I’ve only done this on the weekend. No wine tonight b/c it’s a school night and its also upsetting my stomach.

4. The kids have gotten bold. They are getting the summer is almost here itchies. They say what they want, when they want. The are forgetting procedures and rules easily or have little regard for them. I guess they figure nothing can happen to them now and its true. I had 3 of them leave the same class without permission and when I wrote them up and talked with the discipline principal—he asked me “did you call the parents.” Why should I have to call their parents about this? Leaving the classroom without permission is “the forbidden act” b/c you are no longer under the supervision of an adult. Seniors have become disrespectful—urrrggghhhh working with them is such a chore sometime. They have the attitude of “I’m grown” Okay, I’ve said enough today. I’ll pick up on more of this later.

What happened to me?

Today I’m feeling like I’ve become my career. I feel like my whole world revolves around teaching/school. Prior to teaching, I went out regularly and it felt like I had friends and we talked about everything. Now, it seems all I talk about or think about is school.

Is this like a new teacher thing? When do I get my life back? Is it because I am an insane perfectionist? Does this happen for people in other careers? Or is it because I love what I do so much? I don’t want to be defined by what I do, but it seems to have taken over. . . .

Pictures of my classroom

Here is a slide show of my classroom. It works better when you have your screen expanded to full size. If you are struggling to view it click the following link: http://www.slide.com/r/uf8bHKmu5z8rBipIgTHb90yepm3uJcej?previous_view=lt_embedded_url

6 weeks left

There are approximately 6 weeks until school is out and I am rejoicing just like the children.  I like my job, but sometimes there is a need for a break.  My mom said:  “what about us who work year-round.”  Not to demean or belittle anyone else’s job. . . most jobs you can go to work, get your job done there and then come home and relax.  This happens very little in the industry of teaching—at least for teachers who are really trying to work.  I come home grade papers, attempt to reflect on the days lesson, adjust and prepare for the next day.  Usually, one day of the weekend is spent preparing for the next.  Unless you own a business, who spends their own money on supplies for their job including paper for the copier machine. . . .. .

Today, I did a simulation with my law class. .  . managing simulations are very stressful.  We completed a “who done it” exercise.  We took finger prints of all those in class, collect and analyzed samples.   Simulation activities are so very difficult for classroom management.  Students get excited and talk soooo much. . . .and if you need to give class instructions, its so difficult b/c you have to get them all to be quiet.  I guess I need to find classroom management strategies for activities such as these.  What I like about the assignment, is that it will lead to a mock trial.  

****side note:  there is a person World Geography Teacher who has been commenting on my blog, do you have a blog? If so what is the site?  Are you the same person who sent me a IM?****