I dunno what is wrong with me lately. I'm so sick these past couple of days. I can't remember the last time I stood all day to teach. I keep taking advantage and giving the girls writing or their history project groups so that I can sit down.
Today was no different.
In eighth grade I started off the day teaching history. I could tell the girls were bored. I know that it's a dumb aim, but usually I can make it interesting. Today it took a while before I could get the girls into it.
Once they got into it it was fun though. We spoke about cowboys and cattle drives. The girls were telling me everything they knew about the wild west, and that produced a couple of funny comments and laughs.
After history I gave them time to revise the first part of their Letters to Self. They were having a hard time doing that because they all decided that they did an amazing job to begin with. Yeah right.
T.B.N. does not belong in an 8th grade. She still hasn't finished her first part when the girls are already up to revising their first and second. I dunno what I'm gonna do with her.
T.G. has been getting on my nerves lately. She is a little bit of a baby. Yesterday, she had one of the damaged sweatshirts and she made such a huge fuss about it. Today, the first thing she wanted to know was if I already had new ones for her. Then she needed to know why they couldn't come any sooner than two weeks from now. AGH!
During recess I had an interesting conversation with my co. She and I both feel very overshadowed by the 7th grade Hebrew co. We feel that we can't really do anything with the seventh grade because she is always mixing in. My co said she wished that the Hebrew teacher would just stay in the Hebrew dept. and leave us alone.
We have a meeting with the principal next week Wednesday to discuss some extra-curricular things for the 7th grade. We want to make sure that we get our way, that we get what we believe is best for the class, and not just what the Hebrew co wants.
Problem is, whatever we do end up doing, we won't be recognized for it. It'll be the Hebrew co getting the credit. Oh well.
Seventh grade worked on comparing and contrasting in essays while I supervised sitting down. they didn't do too a bad job either. Of course, B.B. and S.S. and some others did terrible jobs, most of the girls were pretty on track.
I gave them independent reading while I marked them, and then I let them get into groups.
I will never put C.S.S. and C.K. in the same group again. They are fooling around and letting the other girls do all the work instead of them. I'm so not impressed.
On other days I see what they're doing, but I know that E.L. and M.B. are working and while they aren't happy doing all the work, at least they have each other.
Today, E.L. was absent and M.B. was left doing all the work herself. She handed in the summary the group was supposed to do and it didn't include everything I wanted, so I asked her to just add one more paragraph.
She left the class crying, and I spoke to her after school to tell her that there was a reason I gave a separate mark to the group and to the individual girls. I told her to go home and not worry about the summary, that I would give her time to do it in class, and I would speak to the other girls as well.
I remember having this in one class last year too. I hope this works out better though.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sweatshirts!!!
My sweatshirts came!! The 8th grade was thrilled! We had a little problem with some damaged pieces, so I sent them back to the company and they promised to send them back within two weeks.
I wore my sweater all day because I was soo excited too.
The seventh grade totally keeps me on my toes these days. We learned to compare and contrast by doing a Venn diagram on the board comparing myself and my co.
The girls were so funny.
They were analyzing all my clothing and how I like to wear sweaters and zippers and how I have a million pairs of shoes compared to my co who wears suits and buttons and one pair of flats.
They were saying how I am soooo skinny, and I had a good laugh.
They went nuts to hear that their Hebrew teacher and myself lived on the same block as kids. I hope they don't drive her nuts.
I used the time I had while the girls were in their groups to test them on their reading levels. Most girls were on Y or Z, but I was shocked that C.K. was on R, a 4th grade level. And F.E. was on a 5th-6th grade level. B.B. won't be above a 3rd grade level if I know her. I have to finish testing by tomorrow, because I really have to start doing their groups by next week.
Aside for the problem of when to do all the groups, I'm kind of excited to start. I've been reading up on it a lot, and I got some really nice things to use for them. I hope it all works out.
I'm having a little trouble trying to make up a test for 8th grade. I'll be finishing their next chapter by the end of the week, and I need to give them a test. Problem is, the chapter is so boring, and the test that I was given by the book has all the info that I don't plan on teaching. That means I'm basically stuck making this up by myself.
Uch.
I wore my sweater all day because I was soo excited too.
The seventh grade totally keeps me on my toes these days. We learned to compare and contrast by doing a Venn diagram on the board comparing myself and my co.
The girls were so funny.
They were analyzing all my clothing and how I like to wear sweaters and zippers and how I have a million pairs of shoes compared to my co who wears suits and buttons and one pair of flats.
They were saying how I am soooo skinny, and I had a good laugh.
They went nuts to hear that their Hebrew teacher and myself lived on the same block as kids. I hope they don't drive her nuts.
I used the time I had while the girls were in their groups to test them on their reading levels. Most girls were on Y or Z, but I was shocked that C.K. was on R, a 4th grade level. And F.E. was on a 5th-6th grade level. B.B. won't be above a 3rd grade level if I know her. I have to finish testing by tomorrow, because I really have to start doing their groups by next week.
Aside for the problem of when to do all the groups, I'm kind of excited to start. I've been reading up on it a lot, and I got some really nice things to use for them. I hope it all works out.
I'm having a little trouble trying to make up a test for 8th grade. I'll be finishing their next chapter by the end of the week, and I need to give them a test. Problem is, the chapter is so boring, and the test that I was given by the book has all the info that I don't plan on teaching. That means I'm basically stuck making this up by myself.
Uch.
Thursday, October 26, 2006
Acting, Mining, Teaching...Etc.
There was a teacher’s meeting today, and of course that meant that I was running late on the way to school. We made it there in time, but it was a hectic morning.
I had been in Manhattan all morning, and of course M.S.’s mother decided to call when I was out. I can’t even call her back tonight because of sheva berachos, so it’ll have to wait till tomorrow.
R.S.’s mother asked me to call her too, but she has to wait as well.
The teacher’s meeting was a joke. In my old school, a teacher’s meeting meant a ton of extra work and a lot of criticism. This was more like a book club.
We are all getting books on classroom strategy that we’ll be reading together and discussing in the group. I think it’s so funny. We also discussed sending home more updates to the mothers and some other little things. I had a good laugh when it was over.
8th grade was fun today. History went by so fast. We learned about the silver and gold rushes in the west and we had good discussions on miners and money.
Later, we did literature, and again, the issue of if money makes a person happy came up. I didn’t mind spending the time discussing it because I got everything I wanted done anyway.
Recess time I had to keep sending the girls out, and they thought it was so funny that I kept running after them to stay up on the roof.
T.G. and R.S. presented their G.O. theme today; “G.O. metric.” I thought that was adorable.
Seventh grade had a great time during literature today. We were talking about playing hooky and how to act sick, so I did some of my acting for them. They were in stitches. I had the entire class trying to wipe their nose as realistically as I did. It was a sight!
Then I let them get into their history groups again.
I got very nervous from R.A. and N.N. who I put in the same group. They were of course, leading the entire thing, and making everyone else feel like babies.
C.S.S. and C.K. were also in the same group and were acting way immature. I don’t believe they actually did any work today.
F.E. and S.N.K. on the other hand, were really impressing me with how they were working so hard.
The third group I made is amazing. S.E., D.A., R.B., S.S., H.B. and E.M.B. were so great together. They shared the work and had cute plans for their 3d model of a colony.
I spoke to C.K. after school to ask her what happened to her test. She said she couldn’t study very well, and I think it’s just a problem with her notes. I told her I’d give her special notes, but I wanted her to take the regular test. She seemed fine with it, but I still want to call her mother.
Another thing for tomorrow.
I had been in Manhattan all morning, and of course M.S.’s mother decided to call when I was out. I can’t even call her back tonight because of sheva berachos, so it’ll have to wait till tomorrow.
R.S.’s mother asked me to call her too, but she has to wait as well.
The teacher’s meeting was a joke. In my old school, a teacher’s meeting meant a ton of extra work and a lot of criticism. This was more like a book club.
We are all getting books on classroom strategy that we’ll be reading together and discussing in the group. I think it’s so funny. We also discussed sending home more updates to the mothers and some other little things. I had a good laugh when it was over.
8th grade was fun today. History went by so fast. We learned about the silver and gold rushes in the west and we had good discussions on miners and money.
Later, we did literature, and again, the issue of if money makes a person happy came up. I didn’t mind spending the time discussing it because I got everything I wanted done anyway.
Recess time I had to keep sending the girls out, and they thought it was so funny that I kept running after them to stay up on the roof.
T.G. and R.S. presented their G.O. theme today; “G.O. metric.” I thought that was adorable.
Seventh grade had a great time during literature today. We were talking about playing hooky and how to act sick, so I did some of my acting for them. They were in stitches. I had the entire class trying to wipe their nose as realistically as I did. It was a sight!
Then I let them get into their history groups again.
I got very nervous from R.A. and N.N. who I put in the same group. They were of course, leading the entire thing, and making everyone else feel like babies.
C.S.S. and C.K. were also in the same group and were acting way immature. I don’t believe they actually did any work today.
F.E. and S.N.K. on the other hand, were really impressing me with how they were working so hard.
The third group I made is amazing. S.E., D.A., R.B., S.S., H.B. and E.M.B. were so great together. They shared the work and had cute plans for their 3d model of a colony.
I spoke to C.K. after school to ask her what happened to her test. She said she couldn’t study very well, and I think it’s just a problem with her notes. I told her I’d give her special notes, but I wanted her to take the regular test. She seemed fine with it, but I still want to call her mother.
Another thing for tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Observed, Rested, and Had a Good Day
Today the principal came to observe my class. She put a note in my locker to schedule the sit-in last week, so I knew to prepare a good lesson.
I was so easygoing during that class... such a difference from last year.
The lesson was fun, I taught about why America is divided into the North, South, and West, but no East. I used funny examples to illustrate my point, and it worked well with the girls.
By the time I hit seventh grade I was dead tired and couldn’t stand anymore, so I just got them all excited about a history project and divided them into groups. A.S. started giving me problems about her group, but I refused to make any switches, so she’s stuck. She was cute about it, but if she just sits there without doing her work, it’ll show up on her mark.
H.B.’s mother had asked me to call her to discuss sending work along to Israel with H.B as she was going for two weeks. I couldn’t call her because of my schedule this week, so she sent a letter to school today.
I’m so embarrassed. I sent one back and photocopied notes for her. I hope her mother’s happy.
M.S.’s mother was supposed to call me about her test, but she never did. That means she won’t get through to me until Friday. Too bad.
The office in this school is so funny. They make sure to set aside food for me when I come in recess time because lately I’m always hungry. They are the cutest people.
I love this school.
I was so easygoing during that class... such a difference from last year.
The lesson was fun, I taught about why America is divided into the North, South, and West, but no East. I used funny examples to illustrate my point, and it worked well with the girls.
By the time I hit seventh grade I was dead tired and couldn’t stand anymore, so I just got them all excited about a history project and divided them into groups. A.S. started giving me problems about her group, but I refused to make any switches, so she’s stuck. She was cute about it, but if she just sits there without doing her work, it’ll show up on her mark.
H.B.’s mother had asked me to call her to discuss sending work along to Israel with H.B as she was going for two weeks. I couldn’t call her because of my schedule this week, so she sent a letter to school today.
I’m so embarrassed. I sent one back and photocopied notes for her. I hope her mother’s happy.
M.S.’s mother was supposed to call me about her test, but she never did. That means she won’t get through to me until Friday. Too bad.
The office in this school is so funny. They make sure to set aside food for me when I come in recess time because lately I’m always hungry. They are the cutest people.
I love this school.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Gym and a Day Off
My life is a wreck until sometime next week. My niece's wedding was yesterday, so with all the rushing I had to do on Sunday, I didn't get to prepare much. I came to school Monday without a piece of work to give my classes.
Lucky for me, 8th grade had gym so that took up half my period. The other half was spent writing their letters to self.
Seventh spent their time with independent reading and writing a history essay.
I rushed like mad to get home so that I could make it to the hall in time for the makeup artist to do my face. I had 9 people in the car including myself. 3 in the trunk, 4 in the backseat, and one in the passenger near me. I'm just lucky I didn't get a ticket.
Whatever the case was, I made it to the hall on time, and I didn't get home until about 5 am this morning.
I had to go to school anyway, but I had scheduled a test, so I sat and had a day off.
I was disappointed though, when marking the tests, because the averages were terrible. 8th grade had an average of 87, and seventh is going to be much worse.
I know it has a lot to do with the two week sukkos vacation, and that the material was a lot of memorization, but still. I feel bad about it.
M.S.'s mother asked me to call her, and basically, she is another S.G.L. She has way too much pride to take an easy test, but her confidence is shot because she keeps failing.
I thought she seemed like she knew the test today, but when I marked it she got a 63.
T.B.N. took a special test and got a 73, and that was only cause I was being nice.
C.F.C. also had a hard time with the test, but at least she'll talk to me about it so that we can work it out.
C.K. in 7th grade failed her test too, and so did S.G. I didn't get to mark the girls with the special tests, but I already know that S.S. is going to fail.
I think I officially hate N.N. and D.A. N.N. went out of her way to show off things she knew but that we didn't learn in class on her test. What a kiss ups.
D.A. kept her test until I dismissed the class and then made this huge fuss about how she for sure failed it. She got a 90 something. EW!
At the end of the day, B.G. and D.Z. in 8th came to ask me if they could take a picture of me in glasses. I told them yes, but then D.Z. snapped a picture, without permission, of me on the phone. I heard from other teachers that they have been going around the school snapping pictures of teachers. I had explicitly warned them against using their cameras without permission, and I think I will confiscate D.Z.'s for a week. I want to get the principal to speak to them about it tomorrow.
7th grade has been getting on my nerves lately. They wait outside in the halls to see if I'm coming and then scream, "She's coming! She's coming!" I told them off for that a couple of times.
Yesterday, some girls locked the classroom door and half the class, and myself, could not get in. Today, they started shrieking in the halls when I came out of the office.
I yelled at them big time today, but I think the principal needs to go there too.
talking about S.G.L., I met her today. She was with two girls, dressed all fancy, and she looked me up and down but ignored me. Just as well. I'm glad I don't have to take care of her anymore.
Tonight is my last year's co's wedding.
I hope I make it back from sheva berachos tonight to get to her.
I'm way too busy to keep this blog.
Lucky for me, 8th grade had gym so that took up half my period. The other half was spent writing their letters to self.
Seventh spent their time with independent reading and writing a history essay.
I rushed like mad to get home so that I could make it to the hall in time for the makeup artist to do my face. I had 9 people in the car including myself. 3 in the trunk, 4 in the backseat, and one in the passenger near me. I'm just lucky I didn't get a ticket.
Whatever the case was, I made it to the hall on time, and I didn't get home until about 5 am this morning.
I had to go to school anyway, but I had scheduled a test, so I sat and had a day off.
I was disappointed though, when marking the tests, because the averages were terrible. 8th grade had an average of 87, and seventh is going to be much worse.
I know it has a lot to do with the two week sukkos vacation, and that the material was a lot of memorization, but still. I feel bad about it.
M.S.'s mother asked me to call her, and basically, she is another S.G.L. She has way too much pride to take an easy test, but her confidence is shot because she keeps failing.
I thought she seemed like she knew the test today, but when I marked it she got a 63.
T.B.N. took a special test and got a 73, and that was only cause I was being nice.
C.F.C. also had a hard time with the test, but at least she'll talk to me about it so that we can work it out.
C.K. in 7th grade failed her test too, and so did S.G. I didn't get to mark the girls with the special tests, but I already know that S.S. is going to fail.
I think I officially hate N.N. and D.A. N.N. went out of her way to show off things she knew but that we didn't learn in class on her test. What a kiss ups.
D.A. kept her test until I dismissed the class and then made this huge fuss about how she for sure failed it. She got a 90 something. EW!
At the end of the day, B.G. and D.Z. in 8th came to ask me if they could take a picture of me in glasses. I told them yes, but then D.Z. snapped a picture, without permission, of me on the phone. I heard from other teachers that they have been going around the school snapping pictures of teachers. I had explicitly warned them against using their cameras without permission, and I think I will confiscate D.Z.'s for a week. I want to get the principal to speak to them about it tomorrow.
7th grade has been getting on my nerves lately. They wait outside in the halls to see if I'm coming and then scream, "She's coming! She's coming!" I told them off for that a couple of times.
Yesterday, some girls locked the classroom door and half the class, and myself, could not get in. Today, they started shrieking in the halls when I came out of the office.
I yelled at them big time today, but I think the principal needs to go there too.
talking about S.G.L., I met her today. She was with two girls, dressed all fancy, and she looked me up and down but ignored me. Just as well. I'm glad I don't have to take care of her anymore.
Tonight is my last year's co's wedding.
I hope I make it back from sheva berachos tonight to get to her.
I'm way too busy to keep this blog.
Friday, October 20, 2006
Yearbooks, Monograms, High Schools and a Meeting
Starting from yesterday.
My sister and I went over with the class every single page that we would put in this yearbook. We told them how many pages were allotted per group and what to do with the pages they had. We now have to come up with a price for ads, but it shouldn't be too much. Any extra money raised will go to the 8th grade graduation trip so it doesn't matter if we overcharge them for the books.
The girls got to sit in their groups and it made it so much more real to them. That got them really excited about everything. We told them that by next meeting they should have thought of ideas and brought in things to start working with so that we can actually do something at the meeting.
I hope we can see this through.
History lately has become a blast because I'm teaching about reconstruction and all the discrimination the Blacks faced. My class is so racist. They keep getting of topic to have heated discussions about whether they are better than the whole world.
Seventh grade's seat change it getting on my nerves. C.S.S. developed this huge attitude and she's a huge distraction. I'm just surprised at A.S. because I thought she was a better girl, and now she keeps schmoozing with C.S.S.
I had to call B.B.'s aunt to discuss a test I'm giving, and the funniest thing was that we were on a tour together in Israel last week. I'm so embarrassed because on the tour my husband and I decided to have some fun and he dared me to go around all day in one of those Israeli shmattahs the women wear to cover their hair. So B.B.'s aunt spent a day with me when I looked nuts.
Go blame it on the hubby.
I honestly think it's a crime to have to wake up early on rainy mornings like today. But it's an English Friday and I had to go to school.
I was supposed to be there early to meet with the principal, but due to the rain we came late.
It didn't matter because she wasn't ready anyway, and by the time she was, I had gotten my class started off davening to themselves with instructions to knock on the office door when the class was done.
The meeting wasn't half bad.
I'm actually kind of looking forward to doing independent reading with the classes and even literature groups don't sound as hard as they did in my old school. This principal was a lot less pressured.
She gave me some great books to read aloud to the class, and I dragged them all home so that I can read them over Shabbos.
I got her approval to begin a project with my 7th grade, and now that means a bunch of organizing work for me. Yay. As if with my niece's wedding my life isn't hectic enough.
I walked into 8th grade and realized that I had nothing to teach. I spent ages on maps with them, and we got way off topic discussion monograms and themed weddings. It was fun, but then I finished up the chapter in history because Monday they have gym and I don't think I'll have time to finish everything I want to then.
Seventh grade also got me off topic talking about teachers who don't know your names and about what high schools I went to and where they should go.
S.E. has an attitude about her, but its so cute. She doesn't mean to be snobby, but I think that's the way she was raised. From what I saw of her mother during orientation, I see where she gets it all from.
We also had to start discussing the literature story we had just finished, so that took till the end of the day.
Boy am I glad the week is over. I can sure use the break!
My sister and I went over with the class every single page that we would put in this yearbook. We told them how many pages were allotted per group and what to do with the pages they had. We now have to come up with a price for ads, but it shouldn't be too much. Any extra money raised will go to the 8th grade graduation trip so it doesn't matter if we overcharge them for the books.
The girls got to sit in their groups and it made it so much more real to them. That got them really excited about everything. We told them that by next meeting they should have thought of ideas and brought in things to start working with so that we can actually do something at the meeting.
I hope we can see this through.
History lately has become a blast because I'm teaching about reconstruction and all the discrimination the Blacks faced. My class is so racist. They keep getting of topic to have heated discussions about whether they are better than the whole world.
Seventh grade's seat change it getting on my nerves. C.S.S. developed this huge attitude and she's a huge distraction. I'm just surprised at A.S. because I thought she was a better girl, and now she keeps schmoozing with C.S.S.
I had to call B.B.'s aunt to discuss a test I'm giving, and the funniest thing was that we were on a tour together in Israel last week. I'm so embarrassed because on the tour my husband and I decided to have some fun and he dared me to go around all day in one of those Israeli shmattahs the women wear to cover their hair. So B.B.'s aunt spent a day with me when I looked nuts.
Go blame it on the hubby.
I honestly think it's a crime to have to wake up early on rainy mornings like today. But it's an English Friday and I had to go to school.
I was supposed to be there early to meet with the principal, but due to the rain we came late.
It didn't matter because she wasn't ready anyway, and by the time she was, I had gotten my class started off davening to themselves with instructions to knock on the office door when the class was done.
The meeting wasn't half bad.
I'm actually kind of looking forward to doing independent reading with the classes and even literature groups don't sound as hard as they did in my old school. This principal was a lot less pressured.
She gave me some great books to read aloud to the class, and I dragged them all home so that I can read them over Shabbos.
I got her approval to begin a project with my 7th grade, and now that means a bunch of organizing work for me. Yay. As if with my niece's wedding my life isn't hectic enough.
I walked into 8th grade and realized that I had nothing to teach. I spent ages on maps with them, and we got way off topic discussion monograms and themed weddings. It was fun, but then I finished up the chapter in history because Monday they have gym and I don't think I'll have time to finish everything I want to then.
Seventh grade also got me off topic talking about teachers who don't know your names and about what high schools I went to and where they should go.
S.E. has an attitude about her, but its so cute. She doesn't mean to be snobby, but I think that's the way she was raised. From what I saw of her mother during orientation, I see where she gets it all from.
We also had to start discussing the literature story we had just finished, so that took till the end of the day.
Boy am I glad the week is over. I can sure use the break!
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
I'm Back!
Hey everyone. I'm back from a long Sukkos break. Aside from a bumped flight, some lost suitcases, stolen jewelry and a bit of jet lag, Sukkos in Israel was beautiful.....But I'm glad to be home and back to work.
The sub that came in the day I left lost the sheets I gave her and showed up an hour late. I was a little horrified when I heard.
I'm back now and extremely pressured. I scheduled tests in both classes for next Tuesday and I spent all day Monday and last night making them up. I just finished making up the 8th grade test and I still have to make up the easy tests for both classes.
I began teaching essays in 7th and the Letter to Self in 8th. Writing is finally getting somewhere, but when I have the time I will have to sit down and figure out my curriculum for the year.
The principal wants to meet with me Friday morning to talk to me about reading groups in my classes. I'm so not looking forward to more work now.
I have to organize a history project for my 7th grade, and I'm just glad that I'm way ahead of where I was last year this time.
My niece is getting married Monday so I'm under a ton of pressure to get all my papers in by the end of this week so that next week I can have everything ready without having to prepare after nights of sheva berachos.
My sister is supposed to be coming in for yearbook tomorrow and we spent a long time tonight going through the pages we plan on putting in there. It sounds nice.
I finally ordered the senior sweaters, and they should be here before the end of the month. I'm so excited.
I brought back red strings from kever Rachel for all my students and it was so cute how they kept trying to pronounce the words "roita bendel." I just love these kids.
The 7th grade Hebrew teacher made a seat change and I absolutely hate it. C.S.S. and S.N.K. are always talking, and they sit in front of my nose! You would think they would be a little more scared to act up in the front seats!
D.A. and S.G. are also becoming chummy in the back row. I'm having a hard time navigating the classroom now. I barely learned their names and now they're all mixed up again!
Anyway, I'll try to post tomorrow, but with the mess my life is in right now I can't guarantee anything.... I will try though, so keep coming back!
The sub that came in the day I left lost the sheets I gave her and showed up an hour late. I was a little horrified when I heard.
I'm back now and extremely pressured. I scheduled tests in both classes for next Tuesday and I spent all day Monday and last night making them up. I just finished making up the 8th grade test and I still have to make up the easy tests for both classes.
I began teaching essays in 7th and the Letter to Self in 8th. Writing is finally getting somewhere, but when I have the time I will have to sit down and figure out my curriculum for the year.
The principal wants to meet with me Friday morning to talk to me about reading groups in my classes. I'm so not looking forward to more work now.
I have to organize a history project for my 7th grade, and I'm just glad that I'm way ahead of where I was last year this time.
My niece is getting married Monday so I'm under a ton of pressure to get all my papers in by the end of this week so that next week I can have everything ready without having to prepare after nights of sheva berachos.
My sister is supposed to be coming in for yearbook tomorrow and we spent a long time tonight going through the pages we plan on putting in there. It sounds nice.
I finally ordered the senior sweaters, and they should be here before the end of the month. I'm so excited.
I brought back red strings from kever Rachel for all my students and it was so cute how they kept trying to pronounce the words "roita bendel." I just love these kids.
The 7th grade Hebrew teacher made a seat change and I absolutely hate it. C.S.S. and S.N.K. are always talking, and they sit in front of my nose! You would think they would be a little more scared to act up in the front seats!
D.A. and S.G. are also becoming chummy in the back row. I'm having a hard time navigating the classroom now. I barely learned their names and now they're all mixed up again!
Anyway, I'll try to post tomorrow, but with the mess my life is in right now I can't guarantee anything.... I will try though, so keep coming back!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Sub Business
Nothing much happened today, but I spoke to my co and we both see a problem with the achdus in 7th grade. They have had good leaders before, but they were all bad influences, and they were sent away from school. So now the 7th grade is just a bunch of pairs of friends, but not a class of friends.
They are overshadowed by the 8th grade and could use more attention, but we have nothing to do for them if they can't work together.
I heard about it from my sub already. She said that the 7th grade hadn't been a nice experience because they weren't cute doing trouble in ones and twos.
I spoke to the 7th grade about it today. Not in a bad way, but in a mature way, so that they could understand that it was all about them, not about a sub.
I told them that I didn't want to think about any of them in a different way and that I purposely did not ask the sub for names of the girls who misbehaved. I asked them if they could make the commitment to behave and do better the next time around so that the teachers could see that they do deserve some special things.
The girls all understood what I said, and I hope it works. Now I have to make sure that my sub will come back when I need her this week.
I'm leaving to Israel for Sukkos Wednesday night and I'll be missing Thursday. I'm so excited!
They are overshadowed by the 8th grade and could use more attention, but we have nothing to do for them if they can't work together.
I heard about it from my sub already. She said that the 7th grade hadn't been a nice experience because they weren't cute doing trouble in ones and twos.
I spoke to the 7th grade about it today. Not in a bad way, but in a mature way, so that they could understand that it was all about them, not about a sub.
I told them that I didn't want to think about any of them in a different way and that I purposely did not ask the sub for names of the girls who misbehaved. I asked them if they could make the commitment to behave and do better the next time around so that the teachers could see that they do deserve some special things.
The girls all understood what I said, and I hope it works. Now I have to make sure that my sub will come back when I need her this week.
I'm leaving to Israel for Sukkos Wednesday night and I'll be missing Thursday. I'm so excited!
Wednesday, September 27, 2006
Parent Orientation
All the teachers were so nervous to have to talk to the parents. We were all squished into the main office, wasting time until the parents came upstairs from the ballroom.
Finally, they were here.
The mix of parents were so funny! There were a lot of fathers and they were all wearing colored shirts and tan pants. The mothers wore bandannas and were dressed pretty modern. Some were dressed pretty normally and some were dressed kind of weird. In other words; big mix.
I was the last teacher to speak to both classes. In the 8th grade, I kind of botched up, but I think I went over ok. I basically went through all the subjects I teach, and told the parents that I was there for their kids, not for American history. They appreciated that, and I ran to 7th grade.
The seventh grade parents were much more responsive and I had a much better time in there. I basically went trough everything I said in 8th, but I made it more fun.
I explained my whole index card thing to them and they all thought it was a great idea. I liked to meet all the parents, It gave me a little idea of where the kids were coming from.
I felt relieved to get it all over with, but I think I'm dreading doing it next year LOL.
The best part of my night was squeezing into a tight parking space without killing anyone or even scratching my car. :)
I'm getting somewhere in life!
Finally, they were here.
The mix of parents were so funny! There were a lot of fathers and they were all wearing colored shirts and tan pants. The mothers wore bandannas and were dressed pretty modern. Some were dressed pretty normally and some were dressed kind of weird. In other words; big mix.
I was the last teacher to speak to both classes. In the 8th grade, I kind of botched up, but I think I went over ok. I basically went through all the subjects I teach, and told the parents that I was there for their kids, not for American history. They appreciated that, and I ran to 7th grade.
The seventh grade parents were much more responsive and I had a much better time in there. I basically went trough everything I said in 8th, but I made it more fun.
I explained my whole index card thing to them and they all thought it was a great idea. I liked to meet all the parents, It gave me a little idea of where the kids were coming from.
I felt relieved to get it all over with, but I think I'm dreading doing it next year LOL.
The best part of my night was squeezing into a tight parking space without killing anyone or even scratching my car. :)
I'm getting somewhere in life!
Yom Tefila
Every year during the aseres y'mei teshuvah, there is a huge hookup organized between about a zillion different schools, and they all daven mincha together.
Today was the chosen day this year and it meant that I got to waste about two hours of class time.
I feel that this is a beautiful thing but it's a shame to waste it on kids who can't understand what a yom tefila is all about. They see it the way I do...as a way to waste class.
The girls were totally lost during davening and they were talking and waving to their friends from other schools instead. Actually, from what I could see, my girls were the most well behaved of those there.
I think that the yom tefila should be done with high schools instead, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the yom tefila of the tinokos shel bais rabban, doesn't it?
When we got back, I took the 8th grade for about 25 minutes and we voted on senior sweaters and then finished up The Necklace in literature.
Seventh grade was slightly immature today. I heard from my substitute yesterday that S.N.K. and E.M.B. didn't stop talking all day. I'm so shocked. I didn't even know the kids could talk.
We also did some literature there. We got as far as predicting the title "Stolen Day," when the bell rang.
Now I'm home and I'm all dressed up and nervous, waiting to leave to parent orientation. I have no idea what I'm going to say to all those parents there!!!
Today was the chosen day this year and it meant that I got to waste about two hours of class time.
I feel that this is a beautiful thing but it's a shame to waste it on kids who can't understand what a yom tefila is all about. They see it the way I do...as a way to waste class.
The girls were totally lost during davening and they were talking and waving to their friends from other schools instead. Actually, from what I could see, my girls were the most well behaved of those there.
I think that the yom tefila should be done with high schools instead, but that kind of defeats the purpose of the yom tefila of the tinokos shel bais rabban, doesn't it?
When we got back, I took the 8th grade for about 25 minutes and we voted on senior sweaters and then finished up The Necklace in literature.
Seventh grade was slightly immature today. I heard from my substitute yesterday that S.N.K. and E.M.B. didn't stop talking all day. I'm so shocked. I didn't even know the kids could talk.
We also did some literature there. We got as far as predicting the title "Stolen Day," when the bell rang.
Now I'm home and I'm all dressed up and nervous, waiting to leave to parent orientation. I have no idea what I'm going to say to all those parents there!!!
Thursday, September 21, 2006
The Name Game
The 8th graders did amazingly on their tests, and I am very proud. The only girls who scored lower than average were R.Y., T.B.N., and M.S.
R.Y. got in the 80's, which is pretty nice, but I thought she'd get higher, especially because C.F.C. got a 92% and D.F. got a 90%, and these are girls who have learning issues.
M.S. studied hard with her tutor, but she didn't do her essay. I decided to be nice this time and until I talk to her tutor, I marked her without counting the essay. She got an 85%. She would've gotten a 65%.
T.B.N. failed. She answered less than 10 questions and got 3 of them right. I spoke to her and she seemed at a loss. The principal had told me that she had a problem and that her parents refused to acknowledge them. I could see she had problems from the first day of school, but I never dreamed they'd be this bad.
I spoke to her about taking an easy test and she seemed willing to try anything although she didn't believe anything could work. I have a feeling this is another R.R.
Seventh grade was cute today, and all they wanted to know was my name. They knew what it started with and they drove me nuts trying to guess. Finally, they ran to the 8th grade and got it from them. They were in 7th heaven that they knew my name LOL.
I think that in the end I'm just going to screenprint the senior sweaters because this embroidery thing is way too complicated.
We'll see. Right now I'm just happy I have off for yom tov and that I have a break until Tuesday.
R.Y. got in the 80's, which is pretty nice, but I thought she'd get higher, especially because C.F.C. got a 92% and D.F. got a 90%, and these are girls who have learning issues.
M.S. studied hard with her tutor, but she didn't do her essay. I decided to be nice this time and until I talk to her tutor, I marked her without counting the essay. She got an 85%. She would've gotten a 65%.
T.B.N. failed. She answered less than 10 questions and got 3 of them right. I spoke to her and she seemed at a loss. The principal had told me that she had a problem and that her parents refused to acknowledge them. I could see she had problems from the first day of school, but I never dreamed they'd be this bad.
I spoke to her about taking an easy test and she seemed willing to try anything although she didn't believe anything could work. I have a feeling this is another R.R.
Seventh grade was cute today, and all they wanted to know was my name. They knew what it started with and they drove me nuts trying to guess. Finally, they ran to the 8th grade and got it from them. They were in 7th heaven that they knew my name LOL.
I think that in the end I'm just going to screenprint the senior sweaters because this embroidery thing is way too complicated.
We'll see. Right now I'm just happy I have off for yom tov and that I have a break until Tuesday.
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
Senior Sweats
The eighth grade would not leave me alone with the planning of their senior sweaters. I had to call up a bunch of companies and try to get it arranged. I hope it works out ok.
We started The Necklace in literature today and the girls got sooooo worked up over the way the main character was such a brat.
I had to laugh about that.
The girls heard from the 7th grade that my test was no biggie; I hope they still study well. They'll need it tomorrow.
Recess time I had to meet with the principal about a new spelling system they're doing in the school, and while it was quite interesting, the other teacher there made sure to tell me that it wouldn't last. LOL
Because of the meeting, I came into 7th grade about a half hour late, and they hadn't had the sense to start mincha on their own.
It wasted more of my class time, but I didn't really care because I had left my literature book at home so I was looking to wasted time and cut out literature for the day.
I had the girls spellbound when I told them the story of Cortez and Pizzaro in history. Both my classes this year get so emotionally involved in every little story they learn.
It's so cute!
I have to hand in a summary of what I'll be telling the parents next week at the parent orientation. I'm all nervous, and I think I'll just type it up into a handout like the other teachers did. Whatever happened to PTA? Isn't that bad enough?
My sister's vort is tonight, so I know that my day tomorrow will be hectic. At least I don't have to prepare for 8th grade because of their test. I hope it goes as smoothly as 7th's did.
We started The Necklace in literature today and the girls got sooooo worked up over the way the main character was such a brat.
I had to laugh about that.
The girls heard from the 7th grade that my test was no biggie; I hope they still study well. They'll need it tomorrow.
Recess time I had to meet with the principal about a new spelling system they're doing in the school, and while it was quite interesting, the other teacher there made sure to tell me that it wouldn't last. LOL
Because of the meeting, I came into 7th grade about a half hour late, and they hadn't had the sense to start mincha on their own.
It wasted more of my class time, but I didn't really care because I had left my literature book at home so I was looking to wasted time and cut out literature for the day.
I had the girls spellbound when I told them the story of Cortez and Pizzaro in history. Both my classes this year get so emotionally involved in every little story they learn.
It's so cute!
I have to hand in a summary of what I'll be telling the parents next week at the parent orientation. I'm all nervous, and I think I'll just type it up into a handout like the other teachers did. Whatever happened to PTA? Isn't that bad enough?
My sister's vort is tonight, so I know that my day tomorrow will be hectic. At least I don't have to prepare for 8th grade because of their test. I hope it goes as smoothly as 7th's did.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Yearbook and Tests
The first matter of business today was getting the yearbook started. My sister came in and gave all the girls their jobs, and then we both explained to the class what each job entailed.
I got the girls all excited by telling them that they had something over the future grades. They were going to set the example for all the other grades when it came to yearbook. Also, because they were such a small grade, they would all contribute tons to the project. I explained that in the lower grades that were parallel classes, they would be too big for everyone to really do something.
Then, we put about 20 themes on the board so that the girls could choose. I came up with a theme earlier this morning that they ended up loving. Since they were the first graduating class and the first grade the school opened with, they chose the theme. "Echad Mi Yodea." The principals loved it, and we're excited to work with it.
I crammed in a load of history, and even managed to fit in a hysterical story about getting stopped in the airport in Israel. (Security thought my Jawbreakers were bombs. LOL)
I thought I would for sure come home with a splitting headache after the first test in 7th grade. Instead, I'm coming home thrilled. The girls all finished with at least 20 minutes to spare, and the class average was a 90%! Two or three girls got into he 70's and one in the 80's and then S.S. and C.S.S. failed, but I expected that. I have to call C.S.S.'s parents to arrange for special tests, and S.S's already expect it.
Believe it or not, B.B. got an 87. I needed to help her out a little and organize her paper, but she did it on her own. I'm shocked. I have to try and figure this kid out. Maybe I made the mistake of writing her off too quickly.
Anyway, I have a feeling that the class performed so well because I'm such a great teacher.
Ok, also because I think that they are very chilled out compared to my old school. Here the marks aren't such a pressure, so the girls are relaxed when they take the tests and that makes all the difference in the world.
Even the girls who got 70's were happy when I told them that it was a great mark for the first test of the year.
I feel so calm and relieved.
I spoke to the principal about ordering two or three books for me as read-alouds, and she was like, "Yeah, I'll order them now!"
This school is so cool.
I got the girls all excited by telling them that they had something over the future grades. They were going to set the example for all the other grades when it came to yearbook. Also, because they were such a small grade, they would all contribute tons to the project. I explained that in the lower grades that were parallel classes, they would be too big for everyone to really do something.
Then, we put about 20 themes on the board so that the girls could choose. I came up with a theme earlier this morning that they ended up loving. Since they were the first graduating class and the first grade the school opened with, they chose the theme. "Echad Mi Yodea." The principals loved it, and we're excited to work with it.
I crammed in a load of history, and even managed to fit in a hysterical story about getting stopped in the airport in Israel. (Security thought my Jawbreakers were bombs. LOL)
I thought I would for sure come home with a splitting headache after the first test in 7th grade. Instead, I'm coming home thrilled. The girls all finished with at least 20 minutes to spare, and the class average was a 90%! Two or three girls got into he 70's and one in the 80's and then S.S. and C.S.S. failed, but I expected that. I have to call C.S.S.'s parents to arrange for special tests, and S.S's already expect it.
Believe it or not, B.B. got an 87. I needed to help her out a little and organize her paper, but she did it on her own. I'm shocked. I have to try and figure this kid out. Maybe I made the mistake of writing her off too quickly.
Anyway, I have a feeling that the class performed so well because I'm such a great teacher.
Ok, also because I think that they are very chilled out compared to my old school. Here the marks aren't such a pressure, so the girls are relaxed when they take the tests and that makes all the difference in the world.
Even the girls who got 70's were happy when I told them that it was a great mark for the first test of the year.
I feel so calm and relieved.
I spoke to the principal about ordering two or three books for me as read-alouds, and she was like, "Yeah, I'll order them now!"
This school is so cool.
Monday, September 18, 2006
Busted!
The first thing I saw on my desk this morning was a copy of the dedications in a book that was dedicated to me. I guess my students found my name in the book and thought it would be cute.
Problem was, they discovered that their yearbook teacher was also in there, and so we're slightly busted. The girls didn't say anything to me, but I know they caught on LOL.
I raced through history in 8th today because my test in on Thursday and I still didn't finish the material... Hope I have enough time!
I made them all describe a picture they were told to bring in using spatial ordering, and they all seemed to have a hard time with it.
I know it's pretty hard to do for any age group, but I figured, if they could do this; they could to anything in my class.
They all did a nice job...7th grade as well.
We played a history review game in 7th and they all seemed nervous for the test. I don't blame them. I'm nervous too. I can tell by the way the girls played today, they did not begin to study the way they should be studying. I have a feeling I'm gonna be coming home with a headache tomorrow.
I taught the 7th grade some more of the map of America, and they were so excited with it. They even begged to sing the song without my help. I was so proud!
I spoke to S.S., B.B. and C.S.S. about special notes and they all seemed so relieved to get them.
My sister is supposed to come down to school tomorrow to meet the class, and the girls are so hyped. I'm excited too, but my sister and I are nervous that we have no idea what to do! LOL
I'm sure we'll figure it out somehow..but until we get there...we'll you know what it's like with me till I get there! LOL
Problem was, they discovered that their yearbook teacher was also in there, and so we're slightly busted. The girls didn't say anything to me, but I know they caught on LOL.
I raced through history in 8th today because my test in on Thursday and I still didn't finish the material... Hope I have enough time!
I made them all describe a picture they were told to bring in using spatial ordering, and they all seemed to have a hard time with it.
I know it's pretty hard to do for any age group, but I figured, if they could do this; they could to anything in my class.
They all did a nice job...7th grade as well.
We played a history review game in 7th and they all seemed nervous for the test. I don't blame them. I'm nervous too. I can tell by the way the girls played today, they did not begin to study the way they should be studying. I have a feeling I'm gonna be coming home with a headache tomorrow.
I taught the 7th grade some more of the map of America, and they were so excited with it. They even begged to sing the song without my help. I was so proud!
I spoke to S.S., B.B. and C.S.S. about special notes and they all seemed so relieved to get them.
My sister is supposed to come down to school tomorrow to meet the class, and the girls are so hyped. I'm excited too, but my sister and I are nervous that we have no idea what to do! LOL
I'm sure we'll figure it out somehow..but until we get there...we'll you know what it's like with me till I get there! LOL
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Parents!
In the first week of school I got three messages to call parents.
I didn't get around to calling them the day I got the messages, so I called D.F.'s mother and F.E.'s mother on Thursday night, and I called C.S.S.'s mother tonight.
I used to think that mothers wanted to protect their daughters, but it seems that this has changed with the generation.
D.F.'s mother just wanted to talk about D.F.'s reading problem and that I should know that it was going to come up and that I would have to call her eventually during the year, so she figured she'd call me first.
She asked for easy notes straight off the bat; without even trying to see how her daughter would do to begin with.
F.E.'s mother was not so different. She went on and on about F.E.'s focus issues and how she thought she was ADD and that she had B.B. down her back to give her notes all the time and that she was afraid that F.E. would start spacing out and falling behind and that I should snap her into attention as soon as I noticed anything.
She wanted me to be more strict with her daughter from the start, hoping it would keep her more focused, but I felt that would just be mean. She also told me to call if she forgot her homework for even one day or something, so that she could be on top of it right away.
C.S.S.'s mother called for the sole reason that C.S.S. wouldn't focus because she had auditory issues, and she needed to be in the front...and away from B.B. who sat in front of her. Her father got on the phone and asked for special notes so that he could preteach her the material so that she'd come to class and not get distracted so much.
Her mother had an Australian accent, and it was cute to hear. LOL
She said that the Hebrew teacher refused to change C.S.S.'s seat, but I think that teacher is just being selfish for not wanting to take care of it right now. I told the mother that in the worst case I could have her switched for English only. She was so grateful.
I know that these parents were only trying to protect their daughters, but I can't help wondering if by telling me all this, they inadvertently made their daughters seem like bigger problems in my eyes. I know that F.E. did seem to have more focus issues on Friday after I spoke to her mother. Psychological, I guess.
I know when I went to school, my mother never called the teacher! In fact, she hoped she wouldn't hear from her all year. And if I had problems, my mother crossed her fingers and prayed for my teacher not to notice them. Here, the girls' problems are getting shoved into my face. LOL
I feel a little overwhelmed that I have so many disabled girls to deal with this year. I hope I can balance it all.
I spent time again this week on a beautiful plansheet. Last week's plans came back with a bunch of compliments on what I was teaching. It's so great to work in a school where you're appreciated!
I didn't get around to calling them the day I got the messages, so I called D.F.'s mother and F.E.'s mother on Thursday night, and I called C.S.S.'s mother tonight.
I used to think that mothers wanted to protect their daughters, but it seems that this has changed with the generation.
D.F.'s mother just wanted to talk about D.F.'s reading problem and that I should know that it was going to come up and that I would have to call her eventually during the year, so she figured she'd call me first.
She asked for easy notes straight off the bat; without even trying to see how her daughter would do to begin with.
F.E.'s mother was not so different. She went on and on about F.E.'s focus issues and how she thought she was ADD and that she had B.B. down her back to give her notes all the time and that she was afraid that F.E. would start spacing out and falling behind and that I should snap her into attention as soon as I noticed anything.
She wanted me to be more strict with her daughter from the start, hoping it would keep her more focused, but I felt that would just be mean. She also told me to call if she forgot her homework for even one day or something, so that she could be on top of it right away.
C.S.S.'s mother called for the sole reason that C.S.S. wouldn't focus because she had auditory issues, and she needed to be in the front...and away from B.B. who sat in front of her. Her father got on the phone and asked for special notes so that he could preteach her the material so that she'd come to class and not get distracted so much.
Her mother had an Australian accent, and it was cute to hear. LOL
She said that the Hebrew teacher refused to change C.S.S.'s seat, but I think that teacher is just being selfish for not wanting to take care of it right now. I told the mother that in the worst case I could have her switched for English only. She was so grateful.
I know that these parents were only trying to protect their daughters, but I can't help wondering if by telling me all this, they inadvertently made their daughters seem like bigger problems in my eyes. I know that F.E. did seem to have more focus issues on Friday after I spoke to her mother. Psychological, I guess.
I know when I went to school, my mother never called the teacher! In fact, she hoped she wouldn't hear from her all year. And if I had problems, my mother crossed her fingers and prayed for my teacher not to notice them. Here, the girls' problems are getting shoved into my face. LOL
I feel a little overwhelmed that I have so many disabled girls to deal with this year. I hope I can balance it all.
I spent time again this week on a beautiful plansheet. Last week's plans came back with a bunch of compliments on what I was teaching. It's so great to work in a school where you're appreciated!
Friday, September 15, 2006
Fridays are Fun
Waking up early and driving to school in the rain wasn't even so bad. I was tired, but I had time to wake up while the class davened.
We did a lot in writing, and then I gave the girls recess. During recess we had a great time. The girls were telling me about the extravagant weddings they'd been to, and they kept peppering me with questions about my life.
For some reason, they thought I had an accent and were convinced that I wasn't American. I played along with their game and refused to tell them where I was born.
They wanted to know what schools I went to, what camps, and how old I was. I told them that if I told them everything into he first week of school the rest of the year wouldn't be as interesting. They all groaned, but I got my way.
I had walked in with a starbucks coffee and the girls didn't even blink an eye. T.G. asked me if I ate cholov stam and I told her "yes." In my old school that was a bad thing. Here the kids were all like, "Ok, so do I."
I started teaching both classes the map of America in a song, and the kids all loved it. Truth is, I liked it too. It was so much fun, and no pressure at all.
When I went to take the seventh grade, the science teacher hadn't finished yet, but I walked in nonchalantly and asked if I could take the class. The girls and my co were all laughing.
In the seventh grade, I was teaching about spatial ordering, so I called up C.K. to the front and asked A.S. to describe her using spatial ordering from top to bottom. Then, I drew some pictures on the board and had some girls describe them too. That really got the point across to them and it was fun and easygoing.
B.B. had serious issues when it came to writing down the capitals of the states we were memorizing. I just don't know how to help her out in class.
N.N. gets on my nerves a bit. She knows a lot, always raising her hand, but she's always kissing up to me. I know I should feel flattered, but I honestly have better things to do after class than listen to her tell me about which episodes of "I Love Lucy" she liked best, and about how she crawled earlier than her baby sister.
But hey, I guess this is what it means to be a teacher with heart.
I came home at about one and I had enough time to make my whole Shabbos, and still do laundry and clean a little.
The only thing I didn't get to was my nails. The nail polish thing is going to my head. I must go get them redone after Shabbos!
We did a lot in writing, and then I gave the girls recess. During recess we had a great time. The girls were telling me about the extravagant weddings they'd been to, and they kept peppering me with questions about my life.
For some reason, they thought I had an accent and were convinced that I wasn't American. I played along with their game and refused to tell them where I was born.
They wanted to know what schools I went to, what camps, and how old I was. I told them that if I told them everything into he first week of school the rest of the year wouldn't be as interesting. They all groaned, but I got my way.
I had walked in with a starbucks coffee and the girls didn't even blink an eye. T.G. asked me if I ate cholov stam and I told her "yes." In my old school that was a bad thing. Here the kids were all like, "Ok, so do I."
I started teaching both classes the map of America in a song, and the kids all loved it. Truth is, I liked it too. It was so much fun, and no pressure at all.
When I went to take the seventh grade, the science teacher hadn't finished yet, but I walked in nonchalantly and asked if I could take the class. The girls and my co were all laughing.
In the seventh grade, I was teaching about spatial ordering, so I called up C.K. to the front and asked A.S. to describe her using spatial ordering from top to bottom. Then, I drew some pictures on the board and had some girls describe them too. That really got the point across to them and it was fun and easygoing.
B.B. had serious issues when it came to writing down the capitals of the states we were memorizing. I just don't know how to help her out in class.
N.N. gets on my nerves a bit. She knows a lot, always raising her hand, but she's always kissing up to me. I know I should feel flattered, but I honestly have better things to do after class than listen to her tell me about which episodes of "I Love Lucy" she liked best, and about how she crawled earlier than her baby sister.
But hey, I guess this is what it means to be a teacher with heart.
I came home at about one and I had enough time to make my whole Shabbos, and still do laundry and clean a little.
The only thing I didn't get to was my nails. The nail polish thing is going to my head. I must go get them redone after Shabbos!
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
Setting the Mood
I spoke to the principal about B.B. today. Turns out the Hebrew teacher beat me to it, and the science teacher was also waiting to talk to her. The principal totally understood me, and she said that B.B. would have to be sent back to a special school or something. Turns out B.B. lives with her grandmother because both her parents are mildly retarded. I feel so bad, and I know that leaving the school will absolutely crush her. The principal said we should all be nice to her and make her understand that leaving is the best thing.
Class itself was a ball. I scheduled history tests in both classes for next week. 8th is having one on the civil war and 7th on early civilizations in America.
During recess I spoke to the 8th grade about their G.O. and yearbook jobs and they were all excited to meet their yearbook teacher. I refused to tell them who she'd be, and I definitely don't want them to know she's my sister...yet.
I'm trying to reach my sister so that she could come to school tomorrow, but newly engaged, and being that it's her birthday, she's impossible to reach. Oh well.
Seventh grade had the greatest time with literature today. We're still filling in the definitions of our literary terms sheets and today we went over moods.
I described to them the mood of a scary scene in a play I once watched, and I had them all shrieking along with the turns of the story.
We ended off laughing in a great mood.
S.E. and S.G. are totally becoming my favorites in that class. E.L. and A.S. and R.B. and M.B. and H.B. and D.A. aren't bad either. 7th grade is shaping up.
In 8th we also had a nice Harry Potter discussion today. Now that I don't have to be careful when talking about him, he's a great example to use in my lessons; the girls all know who he is, and can totally visualize what I'm trying to tell them.
I don't know why I felt so tired today when I got home, but I'm trying to make an early night.
Whip 'em tomorrow!
Class itself was a ball. I scheduled history tests in both classes for next week. 8th is having one on the civil war and 7th on early civilizations in America.
During recess I spoke to the 8th grade about their G.O. and yearbook jobs and they were all excited to meet their yearbook teacher. I refused to tell them who she'd be, and I definitely don't want them to know she's my sister...yet.
I'm trying to reach my sister so that she could come to school tomorrow, but newly engaged, and being that it's her birthday, she's impossible to reach. Oh well.
Seventh grade had the greatest time with literature today. We're still filling in the definitions of our literary terms sheets and today we went over moods.
I described to them the mood of a scary scene in a play I once watched, and I had them all shrieking along with the turns of the story.
We ended off laughing in a great mood.
S.E. and S.G. are totally becoming my favorites in that class. E.L. and A.S. and R.B. and M.B. and H.B. and D.A. aren't bad either. 7th grade is shaping up.
In 8th we also had a nice Harry Potter discussion today. Now that I don't have to be careful when talking about him, he's a great example to use in my lessons; the girls all know who he is, and can totally visualize what I'm trying to tell them.
I don't know why I felt so tired today when I got home, but I'm trying to make an early night.
Whip 'em tomorrow!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Harry Potter isn't a Dirty Word!
In 7th grade today, we were talking about different endings for books, and some girls began discusing Harry Potter. Because they started it, I pushed the discussion.
Later, I was talking about what a global age is, and I asked the girls if they knew what was caused us to have a global age today. All 17 hands went up and they all shouted, "The internet!" I was surprised.
When I spoke about it with the other teachers, they were all like, "Yeah, so what? Harry Potter and the internet is so not an issue here!"
Hee hee. In my old school those were dirty words.
The girls had a field day because I wore a shorter sheitel to school today, and they thought it was so funny. I had a good laugh too. I totally didn't care.
I gave a history quiz in each class, and marking them, I can't believe how dumb they are. I know I taught it well, because many girls got 10/10. But a nice percentage got 2's and 3's. There's a nice division between the smart girls and the dumb ones. LOL.
R.A. got a 10/10 but gave herself the comment of "pretty good." She's a teenager in a too smart for herself seventh grade body.
B.B. is coming here from a special school that claims she is ready to be mainstreamed. This kid cannot keep up with the pace in class, and I'm really starting to get frustrated because she's always like a page behind in notes. On the quiz today she got a 1/10. She marked herself as a 6, but when I rechecked her work, it turned out that she cheated. I mean, I hope she didn't cheat, and she just decided her answers were right, but they were very far off.
I need to talk to the principal about her. I can't bend over backwards for her if she's that far from keeping up with the class. Even S.S. who is intensely learning disabled, doesn't have as hard a time as her. Granted, she also failed the quiz, but in class, she generally can tell me a little of what's going on.
C.S.S. came over to me to request that her seat be changed away from B.B. because B.B. keeps turning around to copy her notes and it distracts her. C.S.S. herself needs help. She leaves twice a week for speech therapy or something.
I have no energy to deal with problem cases this year.
Later, I was talking about what a global age is, and I asked the girls if they knew what was caused us to have a global age today. All 17 hands went up and they all shouted, "The internet!" I was surprised.
When I spoke about it with the other teachers, they were all like, "Yeah, so what? Harry Potter and the internet is so not an issue here!"
Hee hee. In my old school those were dirty words.
The girls had a field day because I wore a shorter sheitel to school today, and they thought it was so funny. I had a good laugh too. I totally didn't care.
I gave a history quiz in each class, and marking them, I can't believe how dumb they are. I know I taught it well, because many girls got 10/10. But a nice percentage got 2's and 3's. There's a nice division between the smart girls and the dumb ones. LOL.
R.A. got a 10/10 but gave herself the comment of "pretty good." She's a teenager in a too smart for herself seventh grade body.
B.B. is coming here from a special school that claims she is ready to be mainstreamed. This kid cannot keep up with the pace in class, and I'm really starting to get frustrated because she's always like a page behind in notes. On the quiz today she got a 1/10. She marked herself as a 6, but when I rechecked her work, it turned out that she cheated. I mean, I hope she didn't cheat, and she just decided her answers were right, but they were very far off.
I need to talk to the principal about her. I can't bend over backwards for her if she's that far from keeping up with the class. Even S.S. who is intensely learning disabled, doesn't have as hard a time as her. Granted, she also failed the quiz, but in class, she generally can tell me a little of what's going on.
C.S.S. came over to me to request that her seat be changed away from B.B. because B.B. keeps turning around to copy her notes and it distracts her. C.S.S. herself needs help. She leaves twice a week for speech therapy or something.
I have no energy to deal with problem cases this year.
Monday, September 11, 2006
September 11
No school Sunday was the best thing that happened to me all year. I had a crazy day as it was; school on top of it all would have been unmanageable.
In the morning my sister got engaged, so I was busy with that all day. The family was so excited and I had to be there to meet her chosson and his family and all his cousins and everything. Then, I had to run to a friend's wedding two hours away, and I didn't get back till 1:30 am.
I was up and out early this morning to an appointment and I barely made it back to drive the teachers to school on time.
We got to school with 5 minutes to spare, but I hadn't even begun planning my week. I called my husband to let him know that I had parked safely, (he gets kind of nervous if he thinks I'm scratching up his jeep) and I told him that I didn't know what to teach.
He was like, "C'mon, this school is so laid back. Why don't you teach history for a bit and then spend the rest of the time discussing September 11th?" -He's a genius.
8th grade had the most hysterical discussion today about the south and the north and if the south was right for seceding. Somehow we got to talking about sisters borrowing their stuff. It was really enjoyable.
I had to tell C.F.C. that she couldn't ask so many questions on a story that already happened. She was trying to dissect the minds of the Confederate and Union leaders. I finally gave up and admitted I didn't know all the answers and what ifs. I could only teach them what I know happened.
We then finished the entire chapter in history. I'm impressed with myself LOL.
Seventh grade was slightly slower, but I had time to read their index cards, and that was very enlightening. R.A. wanted me to call her my a different name. This is an excerpt of her card, "I have been dropping subtle hints to the class about what I would like to be called for three years now, but no one seems to have caught on. I have a feeling that if you would call me by the name I would like to be called, the class would laugh, so phooey on that idea. I think that it might be better to stick to calling me the way you do now."
I was plotzing. This kid totally thinks she is an adult. She tries volunteering information that just confuses the class, and I'll have to talk to her about it, but I'm not looking forward to doing that right now.
Our September 11 discussion went really well in both classes. The girls were in 2nd and 3rd grade when it happened, so they couldn't really remember all the details so well. I couldn't believe I actually had to teach them what happened that day!
On the way home from school, the first grade teacher was telling me that she had asked the kids if they knew what was significant about today. The girls had no clue. One brave girl finally rasied her hand and asked of Spetember 11 was special because that meant it was almost Chanukah. We all cracked up over that.
I'm dead zonked today, and I can't believe that I have another 4 days this week, (I teach on Friday this week) and I still have to do my plansheets and figure out my week!
But all in all, I'm really happy here.
I met a teacher from my last year's school. It was nice talking to her, but hearing how things are going there, I'm so happy I'm here!
I marked the girls' homeworks, and I'm annoyed to see that 4 kids forgot to put their names on their papers, and three just didn't hand them in at all. I must have a talk with the class.
I was told that N.N. is a good girl, but she's missing her homework for the second time....and it's only the third day of school! What am I gonna do with these kids? LOL
In the morning my sister got engaged, so I was busy with that all day. The family was so excited and I had to be there to meet her chosson and his family and all his cousins and everything. Then, I had to run to a friend's wedding two hours away, and I didn't get back till 1:30 am.
I was up and out early this morning to an appointment and I barely made it back to drive the teachers to school on time.
We got to school with 5 minutes to spare, but I hadn't even begun planning my week. I called my husband to let him know that I had parked safely, (he gets kind of nervous if he thinks I'm scratching up his jeep) and I told him that I didn't know what to teach.
He was like, "C'mon, this school is so laid back. Why don't you teach history for a bit and then spend the rest of the time discussing September 11th?" -He's a genius.
8th grade had the most hysterical discussion today about the south and the north and if the south was right for seceding. Somehow we got to talking about sisters borrowing their stuff. It was really enjoyable.
I had to tell C.F.C. that she couldn't ask so many questions on a story that already happened. She was trying to dissect the minds of the Confederate and Union leaders. I finally gave up and admitted I didn't know all the answers and what ifs. I could only teach them what I know happened.
We then finished the entire chapter in history. I'm impressed with myself LOL.
Seventh grade was slightly slower, but I had time to read their index cards, and that was very enlightening. R.A. wanted me to call her my a different name. This is an excerpt of her card, "I have been dropping subtle hints to the class about what I would like to be called for three years now, but no one seems to have caught on. I have a feeling that if you would call me by the name I would like to be called, the class would laugh, so phooey on that idea. I think that it might be better to stick to calling me the way you do now."
I was plotzing. This kid totally thinks she is an adult. She tries volunteering information that just confuses the class, and I'll have to talk to her about it, but I'm not looking forward to doing that right now.
Our September 11 discussion went really well in both classes. The girls were in 2nd and 3rd grade when it happened, so they couldn't really remember all the details so well. I couldn't believe I actually had to teach them what happened that day!
On the way home from school, the first grade teacher was telling me that she had asked the kids if they knew what was significant about today. The girls had no clue. One brave girl finally rasied her hand and asked of Spetember 11 was special because that meant it was almost Chanukah. We all cracked up over that.
I'm dead zonked today, and I can't believe that I have another 4 days this week, (I teach on Friday this week) and I still have to do my plansheets and figure out my week!
But all in all, I'm really happy here.
I met a teacher from my last year's school. It was nice talking to her, but hearing how things are going there, I'm so happy I'm here!
I marked the girls' homeworks, and I'm annoyed to see that 4 kids forgot to put their names on their papers, and three just didn't hand them in at all. I must have a talk with the class.
I was told that N.N. is a good girl, but she's missing her homework for the second time....and it's only the third day of school! What am I gonna do with these kids? LOL
Thursday, September 07, 2006
Second Day
I was a little nervous to walk in today, I wasn't sure if I was ready to carry through all of my rules and be good about checking homework and reviewing, but it all worked out fine,
The seventh grade was a little more lebedik today, and the eighth was just as much fun as they were yesterday.
The girls all described their rooms and their sisters because I was teaching about sensory detail charts; so I got to know quite a lot about my girls. It was more fun for me than for them.
8th again got far in history and 7th just finished their first aim. I explained about my index cards and my journal system, and they all seemed to get it.
I gave written homework for Monday, and I hope I have the patience to check and mark them all....Vacation is totally over. Whaaaa!
My brother's bar mitzvah is tonight, so I won't even be busy with schoolwork till Monday. I have tomorrow and Sunday off this week.
I'm so lucky!
The seventh grade was a little more lebedik today, and the eighth was just as much fun as they were yesterday.
The girls all described their rooms and their sisters because I was teaching about sensory detail charts; so I got to know quite a lot about my girls. It was more fun for me than for them.
8th again got far in history and 7th just finished their first aim. I explained about my index cards and my journal system, and they all seemed to get it.
I gave written homework for Monday, and I hope I have the patience to check and mark them all....Vacation is totally over. Whaaaa!
My brother's bar mitzvah is tonight, so I won't even be busy with schoolwork till Monday. I have tomorrow and Sunday off this week.
I'm so lucky!
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