So it's been two days and nothing terrible has happened. My students are fairly respectful and appear to be understanding some of the material. The other teachers are extremely friendly and helpful. Overall I think this long term thing will be okay.
My second period students aren't awake yet. They haven't smiled much and are very quiet, with the exception of three guys and a gal who sit in the right corner of the room. So far they've talked through each class with only small pauses here and there (mostly occurring when I'm hovering near them). I can tell that one gentleman in particular is going to push the envelope.
Third period bounces in with big smiles and so far has proven to stay on task. They talk a lot but 80% of it is about the lesson. They're outgoing and friendly and I love them.
Fourth period is surly. They clearly wish to be somewhere else. A particular female in the front b*tched about the assigned reading and worksheet the entire class period, just loud enough for me to hear. None of them smile much and most of them have a slight attitude when they ask questions.
Sixth period is my young group and they have a lot to say to each other, 90% of which is not about school work. The teacher didn't leave work to fill the period and I'm going to have to come up with something to keep them busy. Both today and yesterday they had 10 minutes with nothing to do, having completed the homework already. They walked around, talked, laughed, and even arm wrestled. I'll need to solve that problem somehow.
So far I've managed to follow the teacher's outlines and add my own lecture to the classes. There are upcoming quizzes and tests and I need to make sure the kids are taking in what I'm teaching. I'm a little worried that they're just not understanding me, especially after I read the homework and everyone has gotten at least 50% of the questions wrong. In class they appear to understand but they take it home and lose everything.
I just need get through to winter break and take a breather. The work on the other side of the break is going to be harder for me so I'll need time to prepare.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Saturday, December 11, 2010
High School Introduction
Yesterday I was introduced to the classes that I will be taking over on Monday. The science coordinator walked me up to the classroom and introduced me to the teacher, I'll call her Mrs. T.
Mrs. T teaches four periods of science classes and has first period and fifth period off. Her students are rambunctious and like to talk. Her students also absolutely adore her and are worried about what's going to happen when she leaves for the next few weeks. Mrs. T is pretty awesome and I enjoyed meeting her and hanging out with her for the day. She deals with her students well and knows when they're working and when they're just messing around. She introduced me to each class of students and had each kid tell me his or her name and a fun fact about him or her. I allowed the kids to ask me questions about myself and they got very creative! One asked me who my favorite athlete is - I have no idea! (For the record, I said Tom Brady). Overall the students are nice, no one is a troublemaker, but they are super chatty.
The teacher and I decided to use her medical leave as leverage - the kids are very worried about her and want her to return as soon as possible. Therefore I can threaten the kids, "Do you really want me to call Mrs. T and tell her how badly you're behaving right now? She's already worried about you, do you really want to stress her out while she's in recovery?" That will work, it already has since that's exactly what Mrs. T told the kids today. They know that I'm in cahoots with their teacher and that I am going to name names if people are misbehaving. I really liked the way Mrs. T handled her last day and the transition.
I'm nervous about Monday. I'm actually teaching, not just babysitting. There is subject matter I have to get through and homework that must get graded. I'm in for a change.
Mrs. T teaches four periods of science classes and has first period and fifth period off. Her students are rambunctious and like to talk. Her students also absolutely adore her and are worried about what's going to happen when she leaves for the next few weeks. Mrs. T is pretty awesome and I enjoyed meeting her and hanging out with her for the day. She deals with her students well and knows when they're working and when they're just messing around. She introduced me to each class of students and had each kid tell me his or her name and a fun fact about him or her. I allowed the kids to ask me questions about myself and they got very creative! One asked me who my favorite athlete is - I have no idea! (For the record, I said Tom Brady). Overall the students are nice, no one is a troublemaker, but they are super chatty.
The teacher and I decided to use her medical leave as leverage - the kids are very worried about her and want her to return as soon as possible. Therefore I can threaten the kids, "Do you really want me to call Mrs. T and tell her how badly you're behaving right now? She's already worried about you, do you really want to stress her out while she's in recovery?" That will work, it already has since that's exactly what Mrs. T told the kids today. They know that I'm in cahoots with their teacher and that I am going to name names if people are misbehaving. I really liked the way Mrs. T handled her last day and the transition.
I'm nervous about Monday. I'm actually teaching, not just babysitting. There is subject matter I have to get through and homework that must get graded. I'm in for a change.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
I Still Love Computer Class
Once again, I had a choice between a middle school classroom and an elementary school computer classroom. Easy choice - computers! I was so happy to get an easy placement for my last day (for a while). The day was fabulous. So great I barely have anything to write! All of the classes had a good time, were fairly quiet, were well behaved, and stayed on task. The only assignment from the teacher was to play games at abcya.com. I have to admit that the games on that site are pretty great. I wish I'd had awesome games when I was younger, but then I would have never left the house. No wonder kids are overweight and pale as ghosts these days!
I'll update tomorrow with my overall feelings about high school. I'm shadowing the teacher and finding out about the kids, classroom, routines, etc.
I'll update tomorrow with my overall feelings about high school. I'm shadowing the teacher and finding out about the kids, classroom, routines, etc.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Kindergarten Again
This morning I had a choice! I was offered a placement in a middle school classroom or an elementary classroom. It was a struggle to decide, especially so early in the morning! I went with elementary and ended up being placed as a kindergarten aide again (it seems to be my specialty). When I got to the school I was surprised to learn that I was in a PDD classroom (autism spectrum kids). I figured the substitute coordinator would tell me when I was in a special classroom like that, but she left that out for some reason.
It was hard to know where to be or what to do. The teacher normally has three aides, so a total of four adults, with seven children. She was pretty busy handling the two most difficult kids and didn't often give me any specific instructions. I ended up keeping the highest functioning kids focused on something and provided a helping hand with the harder kids when needed.
Almost no instruction happened at all. These kids are learning basic socialization rules and two didn't have much language. They had a hard time transitioning from activity to activity, and needed help with everything. I did a lot of "move over here", "put your arm in the sleeve", "sit quietly", "remember your quiet voice", "lets stay focused on your work", etc. The day went by pretty fast and I didn't feel like I was that helpful but the teacher was really grateful when I left.
On another note, I was offered a long term sub position in the high school and I accepted. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the blog yet so I'll let you know tomorrow. It would be cool to contrast a long term position with per diem work, but I might not update with as much frequency. Tomorrow will be my last day in a random classroom for a little while.
It was hard to know where to be or what to do. The teacher normally has three aides, so a total of four adults, with seven children. She was pretty busy handling the two most difficult kids and didn't often give me any specific instructions. I ended up keeping the highest functioning kids focused on something and provided a helping hand with the harder kids when needed.
Almost no instruction happened at all. These kids are learning basic socialization rules and two didn't have much language. They had a hard time transitioning from activity to activity, and needed help with everything. I did a lot of "move over here", "put your arm in the sleeve", "sit quietly", "remember your quiet voice", "lets stay focused on your work", etc. The day went by pretty fast and I didn't feel like I was that helpful but the teacher was really grateful when I left.
On another note, I was offered a long term sub position in the high school and I accepted. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with the blog yet so I'll let you know tomorrow. It would be cool to contrast a long term position with per diem work, but I might not update with as much frequency. Tomorrow will be my last day in a random classroom for a little while.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
I Love Computer Class
Were you worried yesterday? My illness from Friday was still going full force (I didn't sleep at all Sunday night) so I called in and hoped my condition would improve. It did, albeit slowly. I still don't have much of a voice and have to blow my nose every 10 minutes (too much information?). I played the sympathy card with the kids today and it may have worked!
I was thrilled to be assigned a computer teacher's position at an elementary school. I think it's one of the easiest positions to sub for: kids only come through for 45 minutes, kids don't know terribly much about computers yet, the day often ends early since kids spend the last 15 minutes with their home teacher. Even better, this particular computer teacher didn't have a first class come through until 9:40am!
As the kids came through the teachers all gave them a good "stern face" and told them to behave for me. I really like teachers that are aware of the difficulty of my position. It makes me feel better about listing the troublemakers when the teacher returns to pick up the kids.. Today the classes drew bears using a cooler version of Microsoft Paint. It was fun, actually, to see what they created. Plus, they enjoyed making their bear drawings. The only trouble I had was regulating my "no internet" rule. They all want to play games on Yahoo or Disney Channel or Cartoon Network but I never know what is and isn't appropriate for them in school so I banish them from any internet games. Better to be safe.
I couldn't speak loudly and told each class that I had lost my voice. I explained that it hurt me to shout and so they should remain calm and quiet so I could give them directions and help. I actually think the kids cared - one little boy even told me he felt sorry for me. Not sure I wanted pity, but it was cute coming from a first grader.
I just hope I sleep through the night and finally feel better tomorrow. My illness hasn't changed much in the past few days and it has dragged on far too long.
I was thrilled to be assigned a computer teacher's position at an elementary school. I think it's one of the easiest positions to sub for: kids only come through for 45 minutes, kids don't know terribly much about computers yet, the day often ends early since kids spend the last 15 minutes with their home teacher. Even better, this particular computer teacher didn't have a first class come through until 9:40am!
As the kids came through the teachers all gave them a good "stern face" and told them to behave for me. I really like teachers that are aware of the difficulty of my position. It makes me feel better about listing the troublemakers when the teacher returns to pick up the kids.. Today the classes drew bears using a cooler version of Microsoft Paint. It was fun, actually, to see what they created. Plus, they enjoyed making their bear drawings. The only trouble I had was regulating my "no internet" rule. They all want to play games on Yahoo or Disney Channel or Cartoon Network but I never know what is and isn't appropriate for them in school so I banish them from any internet games. Better to be safe.
I couldn't speak loudly and told each class that I had lost my voice. I explained that it hurt me to shout and so they should remain calm and quiet so I could give them directions and help. I actually think the kids cared - one little boy even told me he felt sorry for me. Not sure I wanted pity, but it was cute coming from a first grader.
I just hope I sleep through the night and finally feel better tomorrow. My illness hasn't changed much in the past few days and it has dragged on far too long.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Almost Sunk
Today was probably one of the worst days on record. My throat became ferocious today and every time I shouted at (over) the kids it screamed at me. My energy was sapped because I was silly last night and stayed up too late. And the kids were riled because it was Friday and they had a substitute.
My call this morning was actually for a 4th grade classroom but about 45 minutes later I got called back and switched to 5th grade. I arrived and the kids were already talking, talking, talking. And that was pretty much the day. Someone had some sort of bad experience in the bathroom and there was blood all over the floor. Of course this means that every kid wanted to go to the bathroom and go in the hall for a drink. Argh.
I'm so tired I can't even type this blog post. An early exit for me. "And to all a good night."
My call this morning was actually for a 4th grade classroom but about 45 minutes later I got called back and switched to 5th grade. I arrived and the kids were already talking, talking, talking. And that was pretty much the day. Someone had some sort of bad experience in the bathroom and there was blood all over the floor. Of course this means that every kid wanted to go to the bathroom and go in the hall for a drink. Argh.
I'm so tired I can't even type this blog post. An early exit for me. "And to all a good night."
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Teachers Talking Trash
I'll get to the title of my post soon enough. First, I will tell you all about my day.
I returned to the middle school ESL class today. Apparently they always throw you in a language class when you're given an ESL position so I also subbed for one period of Italian. The ESL kids were pretty good, with the exception of the last period of the day. For the most part they completed their work. Difficulty arises when when they speak to each other in their native languages. Especially since there are five or six speakers of one langauge and they like to joke with each other all day long. It drove me crazy. Someone mutters something and all of a sudden half the class is laughing and I have no idea what happened.
I could have really struggled with the Italian class. These were 8th graders and they were not messing around. They were hell bent on being pains in my you-know-what but I was strict right off the bat. I told them the worksheets I passed out were going to be graded and that they had to be completed and handed in at the end of the period. In reality I have no idea if they are going to be graded but that usually lights a fire behind some of the students. I was constantly reprimanding kids for talking and tried not to take crap from anyone. A couple of the students were real winners, the kind of guys who sprawl out when they sit and have that really wonderful bored expression on their faces. These guys did absolutely nothing the entire 45 minutes but as long as they were quiet I let them slack. It's their loss, not mine.
The last period of the day an irritating young man, A, joined us. He had the F word written on his fingers and ate his string cheese inappropriately (let your mind wander into the gutter and you'll know what I mean). He kept saying something about 69 and 666 to the other kids and swaggered around the class disrupting other students. I had to send him to his seat a number of times and eventually moved other kids around so there was a radius of empty desks around A. As the period wore on the kids got louder and louder, stopped listening to me, and began speaking almost completely in their native languages. There wasn't much I could do about it so I just collected their work and tried to keep the noise level down at least a little bit. The teacher next door, who also works with the ESL kids, commiserated with me after school and said I shouldn't feel bad about the day. She deals with A all the time and she had to help me calm them down and focus them after their lunch period. I'm glad I know it isn't me but them!
I do okay in middle school but sometimes I just want to be placed as a kindergarten aide.
Now, about the teachers. I ate lunch in the teacher's lounge and two 7th grade teachers ended up joining me. The entire 45 minutes of lunch was taken up by trash talk about the students. This student is so effing dumb, this student is such an effing bitch, blah blah blah. I couldn't believe the swear words they were dropping! One teacher got a call from a parent during lunch and afterward called the parent a "real bitch". I was amazed. I understand that middle school is tough, especially with some of the kids I've seen, but I'm not sure I'd talk like that in front of a stranger. I would save that conversation for home.
I returned to the middle school ESL class today. Apparently they always throw you in a language class when you're given an ESL position so I also subbed for one period of Italian. The ESL kids were pretty good, with the exception of the last period of the day. For the most part they completed their work. Difficulty arises when when they speak to each other in their native languages. Especially since there are five or six speakers of one langauge and they like to joke with each other all day long. It drove me crazy. Someone mutters something and all of a sudden half the class is laughing and I have no idea what happened.
I could have really struggled with the Italian class. These were 8th graders and they were not messing around. They were hell bent on being pains in my you-know-what but I was strict right off the bat. I told them the worksheets I passed out were going to be graded and that they had to be completed and handed in at the end of the period. In reality I have no idea if they are going to be graded but that usually lights a fire behind some of the students. I was constantly reprimanding kids for talking and tried not to take crap from anyone. A couple of the students were real winners, the kind of guys who sprawl out when they sit and have that really wonderful bored expression on their faces. These guys did absolutely nothing the entire 45 minutes but as long as they were quiet I let them slack. It's their loss, not mine.
The last period of the day an irritating young man, A, joined us. He had the F word written on his fingers and ate his string cheese inappropriately (let your mind wander into the gutter and you'll know what I mean). He kept saying something about 69 and 666 to the other kids and swaggered around the class disrupting other students. I had to send him to his seat a number of times and eventually moved other kids around so there was a radius of empty desks around A. As the period wore on the kids got louder and louder, stopped listening to me, and began speaking almost completely in their native languages. There wasn't much I could do about it so I just collected their work and tried to keep the noise level down at least a little bit. The teacher next door, who also works with the ESL kids, commiserated with me after school and said I shouldn't feel bad about the day. She deals with A all the time and she had to help me calm them down and focus them after their lunch period. I'm glad I know it isn't me but them!
I do okay in middle school but sometimes I just want to be placed as a kindergarten aide.
Now, about the teachers. I ate lunch in the teacher's lounge and two 7th grade teachers ended up joining me. The entire 45 minutes of lunch was taken up by trash talk about the students. This student is so effing dumb, this student is such an effing bitch, blah blah blah. I couldn't believe the swear words they were dropping! One teacher got a call from a parent during lunch and afterward called the parent a "real bitch". I was amazed. I understand that middle school is tough, especially with some of the kids I've seen, but I'm not sure I'd talk like that in front of a stranger. I would save that conversation for home.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Frustration Rising
Oh boy. I was getting so used to pleasant elementary school experiences until this week. Yesterday's kids were a pain and today's 2nd graders were even worse. To top it all off, the teacher left instructions but there were spelling and grammar errors all over the page and it was difficult to understand. Blargh.
I could tell it was going to be a rough day from the start. I think 90% of the kids in this particular classroom have ADHD. Especially two of the boys. They clearly have a rough time sitting and being quiet and they feed off of each other and get worse and worse. J was at least apologetic about his behavior (he made me an "I'm Sorry" snowflake) but N was just a pain in my you-know-what. All day long they talked over me, got out of their seats and bothered other students, refused to do their work, and generally caused distractions.
Even without those two the class was disrespectful. I can't tell you how many times I told them to quiet down. It took clapping to get their attention (they have to repeat the rhythm that I clap) and after listening to instructions they would go back to doing whatever it was I told them to stop doing. Ridiculous. Just like yesterday I tried everything and nothing worked. A reading aide came in right before lunch and she normally just takes a few kids aside and works on comprehension with them but today she offered to read to the whole class. Thank goodness. I was just about to give up on them all. She talked to me a bit and said that this particular group is always noisy and has an extremely short attention span.
I hated doing it but I had to leave a bad note for the teacher. I gave her a list of the misbehaving students and apologized for the state of the classroom. I tried to get the kids to clean up and put their folders away but to no avail. The room wasn't so clean when I left (although I did pick up as much as I could).
Not a good day, and that is twice in a row now. I hope I get better students tomorrow.
On a side note: After school I joined my new job and helped lead a program (teaching hibernation). The group was pretty scattered but the teacher, my new boss, said I did an excellent job managing the group. I hope so! I'm getting plenty of practice when I substitute and thankfully it is paying off. I'm better at dealing with problem children and managing rowdy groups.
I could tell it was going to be a rough day from the start. I think 90% of the kids in this particular classroom have ADHD. Especially two of the boys. They clearly have a rough time sitting and being quiet and they feed off of each other and get worse and worse. J was at least apologetic about his behavior (he made me an "I'm Sorry" snowflake) but N was just a pain in my you-know-what. All day long they talked over me, got out of their seats and bothered other students, refused to do their work, and generally caused distractions.
Even without those two the class was disrespectful. I can't tell you how many times I told them to quiet down. It took clapping to get their attention (they have to repeat the rhythm that I clap) and after listening to instructions they would go back to doing whatever it was I told them to stop doing. Ridiculous. Just like yesterday I tried everything and nothing worked. A reading aide came in right before lunch and she normally just takes a few kids aside and works on comprehension with them but today she offered to read to the whole class. Thank goodness. I was just about to give up on them all. She talked to me a bit and said that this particular group is always noisy and has an extremely short attention span.
I hated doing it but I had to leave a bad note for the teacher. I gave her a list of the misbehaving students and apologized for the state of the classroom. I tried to get the kids to clean up and put their folders away but to no avail. The room wasn't so clean when I left (although I did pick up as much as I could).
Not a good day, and that is twice in a row now. I hope I get better students tomorrow.
On a side note: After school I joined my new job and helped lead a program (teaching hibernation). The group was pretty scattered but the teacher, my new boss, said I did an excellent job managing the group. I hope so! I'm getting plenty of practice when I substitute and thankfully it is paying off. I'm better at dealing with problem children and managing rowdy groups.
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