I guess it's been a while since my last post (February 9th!). I have to say that I love this blogging thing but it is so easy to slip out of the habit! And sometimes writing a post is overwhelming not because I don't have the time but because there is so much to write about!
Since my last post I spent a week in a 7th grade classroom teaching science. I went in to it scared silly and came out of it a stronger person.
The week is long over (it is February break at the moment) and I think I can condense my thoughts into one blog post. I had four classes of kids and each day a different class had a double block of time with me (meaning they spent two periods in my classroom once a week). Two of my classes were regular old groups of 7th graders and I rarely had a problem with them. They were fairly responsive, did their work, and I got through the material in time for them to take a test at the end of the week. The other two classes were much different.
Two of my classes were "combined", meaning regular kids and special ed kids were together in the classroom. When I say special ed I mean kids with dyslexia and ADHD, not cerebral palsy or anything too crazy. About 50% of each class was special ed and it is this fact that made everything so difficult. The grand majority of my issues stemmed from restlessness and too much talking. I'm not one to enforce dead quiet, but being blatantly talked over is not my idea of fun. These kids would not shut up. They had no filter, they were unresponsive to my reprimands, and had not a care in the world about disrupting class. A couple of the boys were really problematic and were constantly putting down other students. It was so difficult to get them through any material.
I even had an aide in these classes and she was extremely frustrated too. Every day I spent at least 5 minutes of my time lecturing them, and not in a good way. I really lost it the last day I was with one group - I laid into them. Shredded them. Really tore them apart. "Why do I have to lecture this class every single day? What is the problem? Grow up! It is unbelievable how disrespectful you all are to me and to your classmates. I can't understand why you think it is acceptable to say the things you all say to each other. Be quiet! This is not a joke! You need to be respectful! Show some respect and shut your mouths when the teacher is talking! I can't believe I have to yell at you all every day. Do you think this is fun for me? I hate disciplining all of you every day. I hate yelling. I hate that I have to be mean in this class. This is not fun for me and it's not fun for you either." Etc.
Luckily the aide said that I did a great job with them overall and that she knew it would be a rough week. She actually said I should be a teacher, which is what everyone seems to think these days. I really couldn't handle it. I would lose it. I really shouldn't have yelled at that class but I couldn't hold it in anymore - they were driving me crazy! Maybe it would be different if I wasn't the substitute but I really don't think I could muster the patience for nine or ten months of the year.
Thank goodness for school vacations and a part-time job with really little kids that's only a half day! Time to breathe and collect my thoughts.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Keeping the Right Perspective
I recently watched the documentary "Waiting for Superman", about the education system in the U.S. and how it is failing kids. The stories in this film, and the school districts they choose to highlight, are really interesting and often depressing. Teachers unions, tenure, teachers, administrators, bureaucracy, and many other issues in our educational system are discussed and shown in detail. It depresses me to think about all of the kids out there who are lost, looking for support, but can't get any at home or at school. It brought some of the experiences I've had working for a school system into sharp perspective.
I was thinking about the movie today as I was subbing for an 8th grade English teacher. For the most part her students seemed average, but it is sometimes hard to tell because even the good and motivated students will still take advantage of a substitute teacher. I had some especially difficult kids my last period of the day. The assignment was to fill out a packet with arguments and evidence that will eventually be written out as a persuasive essay. These four or five kids, all sitting in a row, didn't write a single word on their packets for the entire period. Instead, they talked about smoking, weed, sex acts, orgasms, 1001 Ways to Die, and a variety of other topics that would normally be strictly off limits in a classroom. On top of that they had their phones out. I ended up taking one of the phones away because the girl was blatantly texting.
One girl in particular, C, was a mess. She was wearing extremely tight clothes, her boobs were falling out of her shirt, and she had a lip ring (remember, C is in 8th grade so she's probably 13 or 14). The instant I saw her walking down the hall in the morning I knew she was going to be trouble. The way she walked and carried herself said "I don't give a flying f***". She walked in to the room for her class period and slammed her books on the desk, looking up to see if I'd do anything about it (I did not). Then she sauntered around the row to get to her chair and fake-punched a kid on her way. She was disruptive, obnoxious, mean, and a bully to the kids around her but they clearly revere her for her lack of care toward teachers. I chose my battles today and I was not going to have one with her.
Watching that movie made me think of her differently than I might have normally. It is easy to say, "What a mean spirited person. What is wrong with her. She needs to straighten up." Instead, I thought, "She must have the worst home life I've ever heard about." At the end of the day I mentioned C to the next door teacher and he said her life story is so bad it could fill several novels. What a disaster, to have a life wasted by whatever conflict is at home and to be such a difficult student that teacher's have probably given up on her.
On top of watching the documentary I'm also reading the book "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv, which discusses the current lack of any connection kids have to nature. This is my personal cause, the one that I have so far dedicated my working life to. It is imperative that kids get a chance to connect with nature in a way that is free and without direction. To simply explore a field on your own or with friends allows the senses to act fully, allows the mind to focus on something other than life issues and problems. It gives kids the freedom to concentrate on a leaf, a beetle, a tree, the sky, a field of daisies. In his book, which I haven't finished yet, Louv discusses the therapeutic power of nature and the chance it offers for kids to simply run and play freely (and keep off the pounds). The combination of documentary and book have caused me to fear for the future of this world - a future where kids know about deforestation in the rainforests of Brazil but not about the white pine tree right outside their school's window.
I was thinking about the movie today as I was subbing for an 8th grade English teacher. For the most part her students seemed average, but it is sometimes hard to tell because even the good and motivated students will still take advantage of a substitute teacher. I had some especially difficult kids my last period of the day. The assignment was to fill out a packet with arguments and evidence that will eventually be written out as a persuasive essay. These four or five kids, all sitting in a row, didn't write a single word on their packets for the entire period. Instead, they talked about smoking, weed, sex acts, orgasms, 1001 Ways to Die, and a variety of other topics that would normally be strictly off limits in a classroom. On top of that they had their phones out. I ended up taking one of the phones away because the girl was blatantly texting.
One girl in particular, C, was a mess. She was wearing extremely tight clothes, her boobs were falling out of her shirt, and she had a lip ring (remember, C is in 8th grade so she's probably 13 or 14). The instant I saw her walking down the hall in the morning I knew she was going to be trouble. The way she walked and carried herself said "I don't give a flying f***". She walked in to the room for her class period and slammed her books on the desk, looking up to see if I'd do anything about it (I did not). Then she sauntered around the row to get to her chair and fake-punched a kid on her way. She was disruptive, obnoxious, mean, and a bully to the kids around her but they clearly revere her for her lack of care toward teachers. I chose my battles today and I was not going to have one with her.
Watching that movie made me think of her differently than I might have normally. It is easy to say, "What a mean spirited person. What is wrong with her. She needs to straighten up." Instead, I thought, "She must have the worst home life I've ever heard about." At the end of the day I mentioned C to the next door teacher and he said her life story is so bad it could fill several novels. What a disaster, to have a life wasted by whatever conflict is at home and to be such a difficult student that teacher's have probably given up on her.
On top of watching the documentary I'm also reading the book "Last Child in the Woods" by Richard Louv, which discusses the current lack of any connection kids have to nature. This is my personal cause, the one that I have so far dedicated my working life to. It is imperative that kids get a chance to connect with nature in a way that is free and without direction. To simply explore a field on your own or with friends allows the senses to act fully, allows the mind to focus on something other than life issues and problems. It gives kids the freedom to concentrate on a leaf, a beetle, a tree, the sky, a field of daisies. In his book, which I haven't finished yet, Louv discusses the therapeutic power of nature and the chance it offers for kids to simply run and play freely (and keep off the pounds). The combination of documentary and book have caused me to fear for the future of this world - a future where kids know about deforestation in the rainforests of Brazil but not about the white pine tree right outside their school's window.
Monday, February 7, 2011
What's Hot and What's Not
Since I had such an easy day as an 8th grade Social Studies teacher I figure I'll depart from my normal ranting and raving and list What's Hot and What's Not for 8th grade students in 2011.
What's Hot
Victoria's Secret "LOVE PINK" sweatshirts
Hollister and Aeropostale (especially if the brand name is plastered onto a t-shirt)
Side ponytails
Plain braces (I haven't seen any crazy colored rubber bands yet!)
Ugg style boots for ladies, DC shoes for men
Leggings and sweatpants, especially if there are words/brand names on the butt
Trapper Keepers (they're still cool!)
Plastic wristbands that say "Save the Ta-Tas" (or any other support group, but no more Livestrong)
iPods and smartphones - texting
What's Not
Note: I'm basing this on what I haven't seen in class, not on the kids I assume are dorky.
Jeans and other types of pants - the overwhelming selection is for sweatpants and leggings
Hair poufs/bumps
Folders that have cartoon and movie characters on them
Backpacks - a lady uses a shoulder bag, of course, and gentlemen are far too brawny to be seen using a book-carrying device
Appropriate winter clothing - the North Face fleece jacket rules this winter, although it provides no shelter from the elements
I swear, my children will wear hats and gloves to school. On the absolute coldest day this winter I witnessed high school kids walking in to school with a fleece jacket and nothing on their hands or head. Not even a fashionable scarf. Did I do that? I think I had a pretty hefty winter jacket when I was in high school. Then again, we also carried backpacks and didn't have cell phones to distract us. Even with technology the kids still love to pass notes - it's nice to see that tradition persevere.
What's Hot
Victoria's Secret "LOVE PINK" sweatshirts
Hollister and Aeropostale (especially if the brand name is plastered onto a t-shirt)
Side ponytails
Plain braces (I haven't seen any crazy colored rubber bands yet!)
Ugg style boots for ladies, DC shoes for men
Leggings and sweatpants, especially if there are words/brand names on the butt
Trapper Keepers (they're still cool!)
Plastic wristbands that say "Save the Ta-Tas" (or any other support group, but no more Livestrong)
iPods and smartphones - texting
What's Not
Note: I'm basing this on what I haven't seen in class, not on the kids I assume are dorky.
Jeans and other types of pants - the overwhelming selection is for sweatpants and leggings
Hair poufs/bumps
Folders that have cartoon and movie characters on them
Backpacks - a lady uses a shoulder bag, of course, and gentlemen are far too brawny to be seen using a book-carrying device
Appropriate winter clothing - the North Face fleece jacket rules this winter, although it provides no shelter from the elements
I swear, my children will wear hats and gloves to school. On the absolute coldest day this winter I witnessed high school kids walking in to school with a fleece jacket and nothing on their hands or head. Not even a fashionable scarf. Did I do that? I think I had a pretty hefty winter jacket when I was in high school. Then again, we also carried backpacks and didn't have cell phones to distract us. Even with technology the kids still love to pass notes - it's nice to see that tradition persevere.
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