Wow, has it ever been awhile since I've hit these blog walls.
The year has been going well so far. Nothing major to report on. I am still wading through the curriculum, trying to get comfortable with it. I'm doing the best I can, and I know that next year will (hopefully) be a lot better.
I have nothing more to add right now. I hope that everyone is having a fun and successful year so far!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Saturday, September 6, 2008
And We're Back ...
I should be excited, right?
After a somewhat restful summer, it's back to steady pay again.
Is it just me or does it always seem that once you're back, it's like you were gone for a long weekend and nothing more. I suppose that's a good thing. I couldn't imagine still being on vacation mode while trying to convince the students that it's time to buck up and get back to work!
I've survived my first week teaching a new grade that I've never taught before. So far, I'm way too busy wrapping my mind around the curriculum and trying to jog my memory of it from back when I learned it to think about anything else.
I'll be diving into curriculum moreso next week. I think we're all in honeymoon mode, but before I know it, I'll need to write up report cards, and I'll need some proof of their grades. Like with assignments and stuff.
I'm glad to be back but it's strange knowing that I need to re-learn stuff. Now I understand why teachers never want to change grades. Nice and cushy to teach the same thing over and over again.
After a somewhat restful summer, it's back to steady pay again.
Is it just me or does it always seem that once you're back, it's like you were gone for a long weekend and nothing more. I suppose that's a good thing. I couldn't imagine still being on vacation mode while trying to convince the students that it's time to buck up and get back to work!
I've survived my first week teaching a new grade that I've never taught before. So far, I'm way too busy wrapping my mind around the curriculum and trying to jog my memory of it from back when I learned it to think about anything else.
I'll be diving into curriculum moreso next week. I think we're all in honeymoon mode, but before I know it, I'll need to write up report cards, and I'll need some proof of their grades. Like with assignments and stuff.
I'm glad to be back but it's strange knowing that I need to re-learn stuff. Now I understand why teachers never want to change grades. Nice and cushy to teach the same thing over and over again.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Annnnnnd SCENE!
The year is finally done. The summer is finally mine.
I will see you all in September ...
I will see you all in September ...
Sunday, June 15, 2008
It's Crunch Time Dammit!
What do you do when your report cards are due and you realize that a student missed a question in a test?
Well, if you're me, you put your self into the shoes of your student, and answer the question as you think they would.
Luckily for me, this is grade one.
Even more luckily is that there was no writing involved (seriously, this kid's writing is atrocious - and even my fake atrocious writing would be too need to resemble his). He forgot to colour to show an ABB pattern for a math test, and since it was only worth one mark (and only colouring was involved) and I knew he KNEW it, I grabbed an orange and blue and started to scribble the ABB pattern, colouring outside the lines and everything.
You do what you gotta do!
9 days left!
Well, if you're me, you put your self into the shoes of your student, and answer the question as you think they would.
Luckily for me, this is grade one.
Even more luckily is that there was no writing involved (seriously, this kid's writing is atrocious - and even my fake atrocious writing would be too need to resemble his). He forgot to colour to show an ABB pattern for a math test, and since it was only worth one mark (and only colouring was involved) and I knew he KNEW it, I grabbed an orange and blue and started to scribble the ABB pattern, colouring outside the lines and everything.
You do what you gotta do!
9 days left!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
10 Days Left
Not that I'm counting.
Now that I'm changing rooms, I need to start packing up my shit. Thank goodness the school has an elevator, because I don't think I'd be able/willing to carry boxes up stairs. Just not happening.
Of the two room available, I apparently got the room that has the better set up and doesn't have any awkward aspects to it.
Oh and the part I love the most? I'll be moving from a room that had NO sinks, into a room that has THREE sinks. Is that not awesome or what?
And! My classroom has included a second smaller room that I can use as a workroom or a place where I send students when they behave badly and I don't want to look at them. I already am mentally dividing up the space ... figuring out where things can go. I already know that I will be moving the teacher's desk because I don't like where that teacher kept it. That space would be perfect as a centre of sorts. I just need to figure out what that could be.
So yes, I'm gearing up for next year and this year hasn't even ended yet! My reports are due "tomorrow" but I will most likely have them done by Monday. I still have some marking to do and I keep putting it off. I should just suck it up and do it!!!
Now that I'm changing rooms, I need to start packing up my shit. Thank goodness the school has an elevator, because I don't think I'd be able/willing to carry boxes up stairs. Just not happening.
Of the two room available, I apparently got the room that has the better set up and doesn't have any awkward aspects to it.
Oh and the part I love the most? I'll be moving from a room that had NO sinks, into a room that has THREE sinks. Is that not awesome or what?
And! My classroom has included a second smaller room that I can use as a workroom or a place where I send students when they behave badly and I don't want to look at them. I already am mentally dividing up the space ... figuring out where things can go. I already know that I will be moving the teacher's desk because I don't like where that teacher kept it. That space would be perfect as a centre of sorts. I just need to figure out what that could be.
So yes, I'm gearing up for next year and this year hasn't even ended yet! My reports are due "tomorrow" but I will most likely have them done by Monday. I still have some marking to do and I keep putting it off. I should just suck it up and do it!!!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Breaking Through The Surface
There are 5 weeks left of school.
Can I get a "yee-haw!!!"?
Man, I remember this time last year. Not fun for me. I was taking this killer course for my Master's program while trying to finish up the year. Everyday, I felt a little bit more like shit. Not good times. Not. I had the summer to look forward to in which I would be taking TWO courses (the final two) right up until the end of August. This meant classes every effing day. NOT FUN.
But that's over with now. Man, what a difference one year can make. I'm slowly starting to feel better about myself. I'm gearing up to teach a new grade next year. I'm gearing up for another course this summer, but one which will only last for part of July and will be more fun, since I'm taking it with friends. I'm gearing up for a summer of outdoor activities. Yoga classes. Taking care of me.
Last year at this time, I was drowning. Now, I'm treading water. Next year at this time, I expect to be equivalent to a professional swimmer.
Can I get a "yee-haw!!!"?
Man, I remember this time last year. Not fun for me. I was taking this killer course for my Master's program while trying to finish up the year. Everyday, I felt a little bit more like shit. Not good times. Not. I had the summer to look forward to in which I would be taking TWO courses (the final two) right up until the end of August. This meant classes every effing day. NOT FUN.
But that's over with now. Man, what a difference one year can make. I'm slowly starting to feel better about myself. I'm gearing up to teach a new grade next year. I'm gearing up for another course this summer, but one which will only last for part of July and will be more fun, since I'm taking it with friends. I'm gearing up for a summer of outdoor activities. Yoga classes. Taking care of me.
Last year at this time, I was drowning. Now, I'm treading water. Next year at this time, I expect to be equivalent to a professional swimmer.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
No, really. She's a teacher.
Sometimes teachers act just like their students ... IF NOT WORSE.
There was a teacher at my school who actually threw a TEMPER TANTRAM at work. This is a grown woman who has children of her own. I don't know why that is relevant, but it just is.
She yelled and bitched about how she hates the grade she's teaching and hates being there and bla bla bla, whine whine whine, wa wa wa, blubber blubber blubber.
Seriously, who the FUCK does that??
But more importantly ... who does that TO YOUR ADMINISTRATION??
Umm can you say unstable? Can you say ticking time bomb? Can you say CUCKOO!
I hate this place. I'm sure that the new admin loved to hear that, especially seeing as this is their first year at the school and she didn't admit to this in prior years.
I'm also sure they know that she freaked out because she didn't get what she wanted for next year. Grow the fuck up! GROW. UP.
Did she really think that by having that little episode, she would be handed the position? I don't know how she was able to come to work after that day and act like nothing happened.
Someone needs happy drugs.
There was a teacher at my school who actually threw a TEMPER TANTRAM at work. This is a grown woman who has children of her own. I don't know why that is relevant, but it just is.
She yelled and bitched about how she hates the grade she's teaching and hates being there and bla bla bla, whine whine whine, wa wa wa, blubber blubber blubber.
Seriously, who the FUCK does that??
But more importantly ... who does that TO YOUR ADMINISTRATION??
Umm can you say unstable? Can you say ticking time bomb? Can you say CUCKOO!
I hate this place. I'm sure that the new admin loved to hear that, especially seeing as this is their first year at the school and she didn't admit to this in prior years.
I'm also sure they know that she freaked out because she didn't get what she wanted for next year. Grow the fuck up! GROW. UP.
Did she really think that by having that little episode, she would be handed the position? I don't know how she was able to come to work after that day and act like nothing happened.
Someone needs happy drugs.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Meme-alicious
Tagged by Mister Teacher ...
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Finishing up my first year of University ... realizing that "the sciences" was not my forté and switiching majors to psychology.
2) Five things on my "TO-DO" list for today?
One - Go to my last class for the course I'm taking.
Two - Finish my reflection paper for that class.
Three - Wrap my niece's gift for her communion tomorrow.
Four - Make sure my outfit for tomorrow isn't dirty/wrinkled/all of the above.
Five - Workout
3) Snacks I enjoy?
Healthy or unhealthy? I'll go the healthy route ... hummus and pita, veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, popcorn, cookies, chocolate ... oh crap, I'm venturing into unhealthy territory. Oops.
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
Was I born into this money? Because if that were the case then I'd probably do nothing except embarrASS myself on the social scene and take up an "acting" career because I was bored. If this money came to me by some random fluke? I would invest most of it and donate most of it. If I'm that rich, then I could probably donate to a lot of different causes without having to pick and choose. I would buy houses for me and my family and friends in different parts of the world. I'd buy a jet so I could visit these parts of the world whenever I'd please. I'd make sure that every city in every world had a fully stocked library of all the classics. Oh the possibilities are endless ...
5) Three of my bad habits?
One - Picking at my face.
Two - Eating as though it were my last meal when I get really hungry.
Three - Being paranoid that there is something stuck in my teeth.
6) Five places I have lived?
One - Big City, Canada.
Two - Not So Big City, Canada.
That's about it.
7) Five jobs I have had?
One - Receptionist at a Chiropractor's Office.
Two - Deli Girl at a Grocery Store.
Three - Sales Associate at a Department Store.
Four - Tutor/Daycare Worker
Five - Last but not least ... but definitely last ... Teacher.
8) Six peeps I wanna know more about?
I can't pick. Do this meme if you'd like and I'd be happy to read it!
:)
1) What was I doing 10 years ago?
Finishing up my first year of University ... realizing that "the sciences" was not my forté and switiching majors to psychology.
2) Five things on my "TO-DO" list for today?
One - Go to my last class for the course I'm taking.
Two - Finish my reflection paper for that class.
Three - Wrap my niece's gift for her communion tomorrow.
Four - Make sure my outfit for tomorrow isn't dirty/wrinkled/all of the above.
Five - Workout
3) Snacks I enjoy?
Healthy or unhealthy? I'll go the healthy route ... hummus and pita, veggies and dip, crackers and cheese, popcorn, cookies, chocolate ... oh crap, I'm venturing into unhealthy territory. Oops.
4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
Was I born into this money? Because if that were the case then I'd probably do nothing except embarrASS myself on the social scene and take up an "acting" career because I was bored. If this money came to me by some random fluke? I would invest most of it and donate most of it. If I'm that rich, then I could probably donate to a lot of different causes without having to pick and choose. I would buy houses for me and my family and friends in different parts of the world. I'd buy a jet so I could visit these parts of the world whenever I'd please. I'd make sure that every city in every world had a fully stocked library of all the classics. Oh the possibilities are endless ...
5) Three of my bad habits?
One - Picking at my face.
Two - Eating as though it were my last meal when I get really hungry.
Three - Being paranoid that there is something stuck in my teeth.
6) Five places I have lived?
One - Big City, Canada.
Two - Not So Big City, Canada.
That's about it.
7) Five jobs I have had?
One - Receptionist at a Chiropractor's Office.
Two - Deli Girl at a Grocery Store.
Three - Sales Associate at a Department Store.
Four - Tutor/Daycare Worker
Five - Last but not least ... but definitely last ... Teacher.
8) Six peeps I wanna know more about?
I can't pick. Do this meme if you'd like and I'd be happy to read it!
:)
I Need ...
... to learn how to be more tolerant.
... to stop jumping to conclusions.
... to walk a mile in other's shoes.
... to let things slide.
... to be more understanding.
... to never stop learning.
... to ...
... to stop jumping to conclusions.
... to walk a mile in other's shoes.
... to let things slide.
... to be more understanding.
... to never stop learning.
... to ...
Friday, April 4, 2008
Ask And Ye Shall Receive
A recent comment by damned_cat reminded me that I have this blog. And that I should probably update it. If you have to think really hard about when you last wrote a post, then chances are it's been too long.
So I'm no longer a grade 1 teacher for next year but am moving to a grade 8 class. Thank you God. I am counting down the days (months ... cries!) that I have to spend being next to the most selfish woman alive. I hate her. She's manipulative and acts all dumb so that people will do things for her. She can kiss my ass. Bitch.
That's all for now.
So I'm no longer a grade 1 teacher for next year but am moving to a grade 8 class. Thank you God. I am counting down the days (months ... cries!) that I have to spend being next to the most selfish woman alive. I hate her. She's manipulative and acts all dumb so that people will do things for her. She can kiss my ass. Bitch.
That's all for now.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Anecdote
"My nose burns. I think I blowed it too hard."
"You blew it too hard."
"What did I say?"
"Blowed."
"Jesus. I need to get the fuck out of grade 1."
"You blew it too hard."
"What did I say?"
"Blowed."
"Jesus. I need to get the fuck out of grade 1."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Could This Year Go Any Faster PLEASE
So today was "family day" which meant I got a holiday ... yippee! 3 more weeks until March break.
I'm going through a really weird situation at school that I don't know what to make of. I feel like I should ignore it and turn a blind eye but at the same time I want them to know that I know and that I think they are disgusting.
I know that I'm not giving a whole lot of detail here but I need to be careful with what I put out there.
I'm wondering how tomorrow will be after what happened Friday ...
I'm going through a really weird situation at school that I don't know what to make of. I feel like I should ignore it and turn a blind eye but at the same time I want them to know that I know and that I think they are disgusting.
I know that I'm not giving a whole lot of detail here but I need to be careful with what I put out there.
I'm wondering how tomorrow will be after what happened Friday ...
Thursday, January 31, 2008
February already?
Wow this blog has been taking a blow. I haven't been posting much at all. Most of the reason is I just feel like every post I write about work will just be littered with complaints about how I hate working with one of my teaching partners.
She acts dumb so she doesn't have to do anything.
She takes stuff from us (tests we make, etc.) and will not bother "lending a hand" and doing something herself without having to be told.
She never takes initiative.
She doesn't share any resources she does with her students. I walk in on her class (unfortunately we share a sink which happens to be in her room) and will see her kids working on stuff that I've never seen before. Hence no sharing.
No sharing yet taking what we've got = selfishbitch.
Even though I would like to teach grade 1 again, I'm asking for a grade change. We're allowed three choices. Grade 1 will not make the cut.
She just makes me feel all GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
She ignores me unless she needs something = bitch
And these are my days. Hence the lack of posting. I hope that your years are going better than mine is.
She acts dumb so she doesn't have to do anything.
She takes stuff from us (tests we make, etc.) and will not bother "lending a hand" and doing something herself without having to be told.
She never takes initiative.
She doesn't share any resources she does with her students. I walk in on her class (unfortunately we share a sink which happens to be in her room) and will see her kids working on stuff that I've never seen before. Hence no sharing.
No sharing yet taking what we've got = selfish
Even though I would like to teach grade 1 again, I'm asking for a grade change. We're allowed three choices. Grade 1 will not make the cut.
She just makes me feel all GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
She ignores me unless she needs something = bitch
And these are my days. Hence the lack of posting. I hope that your years are going better than mine is.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Back At It
Two weeks into it and I already feel like an old lady. I don't know what it is but I can't believe how tired I can get (so easily too) throughout the day. Nevermind the fact that my sleeping patterns are off. Or that I don't make my lunch the night before so I rush to get it done in the morning.
My new year's resolution was to get to school before the bell rings. Preferably an hour before. I've been doing alright with this but have slowly (actually not slowly at all) crept to the 8:30 mark. Must do better with this because I hate feeling rushed in the morning before the kids get there.
Teaching neighbour is at her best. She ignores me until she needs something and then acts all sweet. Fuck her. If you don't want to talk to me then don't talk to me EVER. I hate that she's my neighbour and she's the one reason why I'd want to ask for a different grade next year even though I'd like to teach grade 1 for at least one more year. Gah!
I have some kids who are acting up. Kids who have the potential of acting up but were doing so well before the break are now irking me to no end. And the attitude is something that I won't tolerate. Little fuckers.
I'm enrolled in two courses that start soon (boo!). Reading part 1 and Religious Education part 2. Reading is on-line through Queen's and Religion is through my board and is on-site (2 nights a week from 5:30 - 9pm). Yippee. Whatever ... it has to be done. I might as well get everything I need to get done for admin now (in terms of courses) and be done with it. By the end of the summer I'll have my Religion Specialist, I've just graduated with my Master's and I'm completing my 5th year of teaching and have 3 certified divisions, which technically means I can take my Principal courses if I want to. I think I'll hold off on that for another year or two. Get even more involved with school committees, voice my intentions to my principal and v-principal. All that fun stuff.
Yay for having no life and being able to do all this stuff at such an early age!
My new year's resolution was to get to school before the bell rings. Preferably an hour before. I've been doing alright with this but have slowly (actually not slowly at all) crept to the 8:30 mark. Must do better with this because I hate feeling rushed in the morning before the kids get there.
Teaching neighbour is at her best. She ignores me until she needs something and then acts all sweet. Fuck her. If you don't want to talk to me then don't talk to me EVER. I hate that she's my neighbour and she's the one reason why I'd want to ask for a different grade next year even though I'd like to teach grade 1 for at least one more year. Gah!
I have some kids who are acting up. Kids who have the potential of acting up but were doing so well before the break are now irking me to no end. And the attitude is something that I won't tolerate. Little fuckers.
I'm enrolled in two courses that start soon (boo!). Reading part 1 and Religious Education part 2. Reading is on-line through Queen's and Religion is through my board and is on-site (2 nights a week from 5:30 - 9pm). Yippee. Whatever ... it has to be done. I might as well get everything I need to get done for admin now (in terms of courses) and be done with it. By the end of the summer I'll have my Religion Specialist, I've just graduated with my Master's and I'm completing my 5th year of teaching and have 3 certified divisions, which technically means I can take my Principal courses if I want to. I think I'll hold off on that for another year or two. Get even more involved with school committees, voice my intentions to my principal and v-principal. All that fun stuff.
Yay for having no life and being able to do all this stuff at such an early age!
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Last Day Of School
Friday was the last day of school and I'm off for 2 wonderful weeks!! This is so needed and while I have a list of things to do that would probably give the length of Santa's naughty list a run for it's money, I am glad to do them because there will be NO CHILDREN AROUND which I think is key. I actually look forward to ticking off all those things on my list because it will feel as though I'll have a restful but also productive holiday. I always get the rest part right but feel like shit when I have to go back to work and realize that I've actually done NOTHING.
The last day was pretty standard in that the kids didn't do a damn thing other than be merry and festive and fully loaded with sugar.
We threw in a movie in the afternoon as well. There were 4 classes (all grade 1's) and the teachers in one of the bigger classrooms. One of my teaching partners was writing up her Christmas cards and told me that she was just going to go to her room to put the cards away and that she'd be right back. Well the bitch didn't come back AT ALL! She stayed in her room and cleaned up/got herself organized while I was with my class (as were the other teachers) because it wasn't meant to be a planning time for us! So while she got her shit together, we were babysitting her kids and not doing any of the stuff we had to do (which would get done AFTER school was over, which is when we'd technically have the time). That pissed me off to no fucking end. Like 10 minutes before recess I sent her kids back to her room. No fucking way was I looking after them during recess. We kept the movie playing but just sent her kids back. I don't care if that was rude, but her being gone for like ONE HOUR getting her shit together while I'm stuck in there just took the cake. I think she realized that only her kids were sent down because she sent a couple of kids back to get the movie (which belonged to her) but we told them that we'd give it back to her later. Fuck that!!!
So that totally ruined the end of my day! The next time we do a class movie I'm going to take off when it's just her in the room and not come back. Fucking bullshit.
Anyways ... Merry Christmas everyone!
The last day was pretty standard in that the kids didn't do a damn thing other than be merry and festive and fully loaded with sugar.
We threw in a movie in the afternoon as well. There were 4 classes (all grade 1's) and the teachers in one of the bigger classrooms. One of my teaching partners was writing up her Christmas cards and told me that she was just going to go to her room to put the cards away and that she'd be right back. Well the bitch didn't come back AT ALL! She stayed in her room and cleaned up/got herself organized while I was with my class (as were the other teachers) because it wasn't meant to be a planning time for us! So while she got her shit together, we were babysitting her kids and not doing any of the stuff we had to do (which would get done AFTER school was over, which is when we'd technically have the time). That pissed me off to no fucking end. Like 10 minutes before recess I sent her kids back to her room. No fucking way was I looking after them during recess. We kept the movie playing but just sent her kids back. I don't care if that was rude, but her being gone for like ONE HOUR getting her shit together while I'm stuck in there just took the cake. I think she realized that only her kids were sent down because she sent a couple of kids back to get the movie (which belonged to her) but we told them that we'd give it back to her later. Fuck that!!!
So that totally ruined the end of my day! The next time we do a class movie I'm going to take off when it's just her in the room and not come back. Fucking bullshit.
Anyways ... Merry Christmas everyone!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Week From Hell
This is by far the worst time of the year for a teacher. All the kids are on a constant high, anticipating the Christmas break (and let's face it the teachers are too but on a high that says I can't wait to not have to work and do absolutely nothing for two weeks).
Unfortunately, this high can be destructive in a sense. We have a specific grade in our class where I swear these kids are the spawn of satan. They are just absolutely horrid. But the kind of horrid where they get satisfaction from being asses.
The cops being at our school has become something of the norm these days. I think that since September they've been at our school about 5 times. And for having been at our school NO times in a year ... those stats aren't the greatest. The most recent incident was a grade 8 kid who stole from a teacher's purse. 20 dollars and her cell phone. Unfortunately no one saw and can't really pinpoint it was him ... but it was him. He had a key to her room (it's a storage room to the gym). Why he even had the key is beyond me.
So there's one more week left. This week is going to be killer. I'm hoping I can get the kids to sit for enough time to actually get some work done.
Unfortunately, this high can be destructive in a sense. We have a specific grade in our class where I swear these kids are the spawn of satan. They are just absolutely horrid. But the kind of horrid where they get satisfaction from being asses.
The cops being at our school has become something of the norm these days. I think that since September they've been at our school about 5 times. And for having been at our school NO times in a year ... those stats aren't the greatest. The most recent incident was a grade 8 kid who stole from a teacher's purse. 20 dollars and her cell phone. Unfortunately no one saw and can't really pinpoint it was him ... but it was him. He had a key to her room (it's a storage room to the gym). Why he even had the key is beyond me.
So there's one more week left. This week is going to be killer. I'm hoping I can get the kids to sit for enough time to actually get some work done.
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
8 More Days ...
Seems like just yesterday that I started the school year ... and I suppose that's because I haven't been the greatest with keeping this blog up.
These next couple of weeks are super hectic with Christmas stuff. It's pretty fun for the kids but tiring for me. We have our Advent mass on Thursday and I'm hoping that we don't have to walk to the Church and we just have it in our gym. It's so wet and slushy outside ... I can't imagine the whole school having to walk through that.
Interviews went well. I had one no show and the parents were pretty decent with me. I just hope that some of the low kids improve their reading marks. It seriously is so very frustrating for me to have so many kids at a level 0. I've never had that before and it's making me a little nervous and I feel like I'm not doing enough for them. I know that this Christmas holiday I'm going to be hammering on the literature on reading recovery and writing programs. I'm starting a new program by Lucy Caulkins come January and I need to read up on that some more. Also I was thinking of taking a Reading part 1 course ... has anyone taken that? Is it helpful?
Well I have lots more I can write but will leave it at that. It's not all good stuff and I'm just too much in an air of negativity right now to delve into it. I'll save it for another day.
These next couple of weeks are super hectic with Christmas stuff. It's pretty fun for the kids but tiring for me. We have our Advent mass on Thursday and I'm hoping that we don't have to walk to the Church and we just have it in our gym. It's so wet and slushy outside ... I can't imagine the whole school having to walk through that.
Interviews went well. I had one no show and the parents were pretty decent with me. I just hope that some of the low kids improve their reading marks. It seriously is so very frustrating for me to have so many kids at a level 0. I've never had that before and it's making me a little nervous and I feel like I'm not doing enough for them. I know that this Christmas holiday I'm going to be hammering on the literature on reading recovery and writing programs. I'm starting a new program by Lucy Caulkins come January and I need to read up on that some more. Also I was thinking of taking a Reading part 1 course ... has anyone taken that? Is it helpful?
Well I have lots more I can write but will leave it at that. It's not all good stuff and I'm just too much in an air of negativity right now to delve into it. I'll save it for another day.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
To Fail or Not To Fail
It's about time I updated this puppy.
Oh my. What's my problem when it comes to this blog!! I even changed the banner for it and everything to make it look more teacher-pretty.
So report cards are done (finally!) but they go home on Tuesday which means that this week is interview week. I hate interviews with parents but I'm not as nervous as I used to when I first started teaching. I'm sure this comes with experience and the fact that I'm more confident as a teacher and the activities that I do with my students. I send home a weekely homework sheet where the students have something to do every night of the week. It's not tedious but it's extra practice and it gives the parents an idea of what their kids are working on during the day so that there are no surprises. This is partly a scheme to cover my ass as well because I hear of a lot of parents complain that they have no idea what their kids do during the day. Since I don't send home their daily work, this is the next best thing and it makes the parents happy.
I have a really low class this year. Like really, really low. I have a handful of students who aren't even at a level 1 for reading. They can't even read the first book! I've never had that before. It is a difficult year for me in this sense. I have a lot of kids who are at the level the ministry says they should be at and a few that are above ... but those 6 or 7 kids who are below ... oh my. Takes a toll on me because I'm just at my wits end when it comes to trying to teach them in such a way that will motivate them and make them understand. And I have to accomodate for them.
In all honesty, I wish that I could fail students (we're not allowed to anymore). I just don't understand the point of pushing students through to the next grades when they aren't fully grasping the concepts that needed to be learned in the previous grades. I understand that now there are IEP's (individual education plans) but by the time those are finally put into place, a few years have passed. And then when they are in grade 6, they are learning math at a grade 2 level?!?! How does that make any sense?!
I'm just frustrated that I have such a low class. They are improving, but these improvements are so small that it almost feels like I'm not doing enough. As their teacher, I of course feel responsible for how much they learn. I just hope that by June, they will be a lot further than they are now. And for kids their age, 7 months is a long time and a good chunk of time for growth. I just have to keep telling myself that.
Oh my. What's my problem when it comes to this blog!! I even changed the banner for it and everything to make it look more teacher-pretty.
So report cards are done (finally!) but they go home on Tuesday which means that this week is interview week. I hate interviews with parents but I'm not as nervous as I used to when I first started teaching. I'm sure this comes with experience and the fact that I'm more confident as a teacher and the activities that I do with my students. I send home a weekely homework sheet where the students have something to do every night of the week. It's not tedious but it's extra practice and it gives the parents an idea of what their kids are working on during the day so that there are no surprises. This is partly a scheme to cover my ass as well because I hear of a lot of parents complain that they have no idea what their kids do during the day. Since I don't send home their daily work, this is the next best thing and it makes the parents happy.
I have a really low class this year. Like really, really low. I have a handful of students who aren't even at a level 1 for reading. They can't even read the first book! I've never had that before. It is a difficult year for me in this sense. I have a lot of kids who are at the level the ministry says they should be at and a few that are above ... but those 6 or 7 kids who are below ... oh my. Takes a toll on me because I'm just at my wits end when it comes to trying to teach them in such a way that will motivate them and make them understand. And I have to accomodate for them.
In all honesty, I wish that I could fail students (we're not allowed to anymore). I just don't understand the point of pushing students through to the next grades when they aren't fully grasping the concepts that needed to be learned in the previous grades. I understand that now there are IEP's (individual education plans) but by the time those are finally put into place, a few years have passed. And then when they are in grade 6, they are learning math at a grade 2 level?!?! How does that make any sense?!
I'm just frustrated that I have such a low class. They are improving, but these improvements are so small that it almost feels like I'm not doing enough. As their teacher, I of course feel responsible for how much they learn. I just hope that by June, they will be a lot further than they are now. And for kids their age, 7 months is a long time and a good chunk of time for growth. I just have to keep telling myself that.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
I'm Still Here
Man I'm not doing a great job keeping this site updated. I have another blog that I update pretty frequently and I guess it's harder than I imagine keeping two sites afloat. But I will make a vow to myself to try and post here at least once a week. Lord knows I've got stuff to write about.
Well it's November now. Yes, yes ... I'm quite perceptive I know. First term report cards are due at the end of the month, and as usual there is a scramble to get units wrapped up. I have one more math unit and a science unit to finish up. So not too bad, but I do need to get a move on with marking more stuff. I have an idea where my kids are with reading and writing. I have a low group this year (one of the lowest I've had in my 4 years of teaching). I've been pretty good about letting the parents know where their child is at and have been having frequent meetings with a number of parents. I'm pretty sure that they'll still want to meet in December for the "formal" interview anyways. Which is fine. I actually enjoy meeting with parents. I remember this wasn't always the case and I used to be really nervous about it.
Well I will try my darndest to keep this site updated with silly anecdotal things that happen in my classroom. Like I said ... it's not for lack of material that I haven't been writing here. I've got some pretty funny students (am teaching grade 1 again) and I've got an interesting teaching partner as well. So I will gather my thoughts and be back here soon with some good stories to share.
Well it's November now. Yes, yes ... I'm quite perceptive I know. First term report cards are due at the end of the month, and as usual there is a scramble to get units wrapped up. I have one more math unit and a science unit to finish up. So not too bad, but I do need to get a move on with marking more stuff. I have an idea where my kids are with reading and writing. I have a low group this year (one of the lowest I've had in my 4 years of teaching). I've been pretty good about letting the parents know where their child is at and have been having frequent meetings with a number of parents. I'm pretty sure that they'll still want to meet in December for the "formal" interview anyways. Which is fine. I actually enjoy meeting with parents. I remember this wasn't always the case and I used to be really nervous about it.
Well I will try my darndest to keep this site updated with silly anecdotal things that happen in my classroom. Like I said ... it's not for lack of material that I haven't been writing here. I've got some pretty funny students (am teaching grade 1 again) and I've got an interesting teaching partner as well. So I will gather my thoughts and be back here soon with some good stories to share.
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