June 28, 2006
My vacation has begun; I started with a light head cold (I think). Yesterday was my last day of work; I had a cluster teacher’s schedule (just a few pre-k and kindergarten classes). This last month turned out to be easier than I thought it would be. It was still stressful, but it was not as stressful. Since I started taking my teaching materials home a little at a time, I did not have much to do in terms of packing up. You know, I forgot to take a photo of my makeshift teacher’s desk in the teacher’s lounge. In Japan, I would always take a photo of my desk in each school I went to. Although in this case, my desk was really a table in the corner of the teacher’s lounge.
Not much to write about beyond the last day. In my shoebox, I was planning to go to the store for sherbet yesterday evening, but there was some kind of argument outside the building, which later escalated into a fight on the street near my building. I did not know how bad the argument would escalate, so I stayed in my shoebox. I don’t think I’ve attached a photo of my neighborhood, so I will attach one now. The first photo is of the building I live in, and the other photo is of the neighborhood.
This morning, I was awaken by the yelling of a young lady to her son in an apartment across the alleyway. From the dialog I could hear, she was yelling at a 5 year old (with a younger child [I could hear in the background]). She mentioned the graduation toy he wouldn’t get now, telling the child to stand in the corner because she was tired of looking at his “f**king face”, and the crying “mommy, mommy” told me the child’s age. The only graduation that would make sense would be a pre-k or kindergarten (5 year old). I don’t think a 5th or 6th grade child would have been crying the way the child was crying. The young lady was cursing at her son like he was her boyfriend (or another person her age); she used the “F” word 10 or 15 times…at least. I believe she use that “F” word in every way grammatically possible. Luckily (with all that yelling), the young lady only slapped the child once. Did I say luckily?
And finally, inside the shoebox, the trash was finally dumped by Mr. 40+, he also mopped the kitchen floor.
Post Date - Monday, July 10, 2006 12:22pm.
Monday, June 26, 2006
June 26, 2006
Cleaning up and packing up. Today, all of the teachers were present, so the administration really did not have anything for me to do. While I was trying to check on the status of my teaching license (more details in a moment), the classroom teacher was complaining about having a lot of packing to do. I was using a classroom teacher’s computer. I volunteered to help her pack. I am one of those people who feels more comfortable (at work) doing something than sitting around doing nothing. I spent the day help the teacher take things off the walls and pack. I could spend an hour writing about poor organization, but I won’t. It is getting late. For helping her, the teacher invited me to her class’ pizza party. She even gave me the leftover pizza, so instead of dinner, I finished off the reminder of the leftover pizza.
Back at my shoebox, did anyone take out the trash? No, it is still sitting there with the note taped above it.
I almost forgot about the status of my teaching license. I tried calling (after I failed several attempts on the internet) only to by put in a strange cycle of none answer. Basically (trying to keep this blog entry short), when I did not get a busy signal, would reach automatic recording. The recording gave me 4 options before I reached the 5th (to speak to a representative), it would then switch me to another recording which said that all reps. were busy and that I could either push #1 to reply the previous recording (or I got a busy signal). The recording gave me 3 seconds to choose #1 or the call would be disconnected. Being the stubborn person that I am, I tried to keep calling the number hoping I would get through, if I heard the recording, I would quickly hang up and dial again. Occasionally, I would seem to get through. The phone would ring about 7 or 8 times, then a silent pause, then the recording would come on.
Post Date - Monday, July 10, 2006 12:18pm
Cleaning up and packing up. Today, all of the teachers were present, so the administration really did not have anything for me to do. While I was trying to check on the status of my teaching license (more details in a moment), the classroom teacher was complaining about having a lot of packing to do. I was using a classroom teacher’s computer. I volunteered to help her pack. I am one of those people who feels more comfortable (at work) doing something than sitting around doing nothing. I spent the day help the teacher take things off the walls and pack. I could spend an hour writing about poor organization, but I won’t. It is getting late. For helping her, the teacher invited me to her class’ pizza party. She even gave me the leftover pizza, so instead of dinner, I finished off the reminder of the leftover pizza.
Back at my shoebox, did anyone take out the trash? No, it is still sitting there with the note taped above it.
I almost forgot about the status of my teaching license. I tried calling (after I failed several attempts on the internet) only to by put in a strange cycle of none answer. Basically (trying to keep this blog entry short), when I did not get a busy signal, would reach automatic recording. The recording gave me 4 options before I reached the 5th (to speak to a representative), it would then switch me to another recording which said that all reps. were busy and that I could either push #1 to reply the previous recording (or I got a busy signal). The recording gave me 3 seconds to choose #1 or the call would be disconnected. Being the stubborn person that I am, I tried to keep calling the number hoping I would get through, if I heard the recording, I would quickly hang up and dial again. Occasionally, I would seem to get through. The phone would ring about 7 or 8 times, then a silent pause, then the recording would come on.
Post Date - Monday, July 10, 2006 12:18pm
Sunday, June 25, 2006
June 25, 2006
A wet wet, and greasy weekend. It has been raining on and off all weekend. I did not do much this week. I have been spending a lot of time doing instant messaging which has been cutting into my blogging time.
Today, I went to my foster father to pick up my mail. Considering where I live, I thought it was best to just continue to have my mail delivered there. Here at my shoebox, there is not a mailbox for each room. Originally this house (from the looks of it) was originally designed to have 3 separate apartments (one on each floor). There are only 3 door bells, and 3 mailboxes, one for each floor. Instead there are approximately 3 individual rooms per floor with about 8 to 10 tenants sharing three kitchens and baths. Sorry, I am getting sidetracked. Basically, I don’t think I’ve been getting all of my mail. On Monday, I will go to the post office and fill out a change of address card. I’ll just have to take my chances with my mail coming to my shoebox.
And how are things in the shoebox? Basically the same. On Friday, I returned to find the mop in the kitchen. Apparently, Screamer (or someone else) spilled grease on the floor and used a dry mop to clean it up, leaving the mop in the kitchen. Result? I (unknowingly) tracked the grease into my room, which explained why my house slippers were slipping and sliding (even on the rug in my room).
Earlier today(Sunday), after I returned from outside, I left my umbrella in the kitchen to dry – it dries faster if you leave it open. When I went to retrieve my umbrella and brought it into my room, I noticed what I thought were drops of water. It turns out more grease was spilt (my umbrella was not in the kitchen on Friday). There was a small puddle of greasy by the microwave in the kitchen. I don’t care how much the kitchen floor turns into an ice rink, I am not cleaning up the grease.
Earlier this evening when I stepped out of my cell/shoebox, I noticed Mr. 40+’s light was on. I know that his work hours are 2pm to 10pm, so I was a little concerned. I knocked on his door (his door was opened about 2 or 3 inches wide), but he did not answer. About 5 minutes later, Mr. 40+ turned on his television full-blast. I could tell from the volume that he was watching Mission Impossible (probably an illegal copy of the current movie [part 3]). I won’t know until Wednesday (his days off are Mondays and Tuesdays) if today was just a one time thing. Oh, I hope he has not lost his job. He likes to play his stereo very loud (along with a few of my other neighbors). Although, I have to admit at least he shows some restraint with his music. In a couple of days, I will be on a two month vacation, I am hoping for at least some peace and quiet.
And finally, the trash. I was about to take out the trash when I noticed that someone had yet again, put some kind of liquid in the trash. When I took the trash out of the trash bin, the trash bag started leaking. I put the bag back and wrote another note:
“Someone has put a liquid into the trash…again. A little help would be greatly appreciated.”
And I signed the letter. See the photo. I wonder how long it will take before someone takes out the trash, and when they do, will they clean out (or even dump out) to liquid that is at the bottom of the trash bin.
Well, until next time…
2 more days until vacation time.
Post Date - Monday, July 10, 2006 11:59am
A wet wet, and greasy weekend. It has been raining on and off all weekend. I did not do much this week. I have been spending a lot of time doing instant messaging which has been cutting into my blogging time.
Today, I went to my foster father to pick up my mail. Considering where I live, I thought it was best to just continue to have my mail delivered there. Here at my shoebox, there is not a mailbox for each room. Originally this house (from the looks of it) was originally designed to have 3 separate apartments (one on each floor). There are only 3 door bells, and 3 mailboxes, one for each floor. Instead there are approximately 3 individual rooms per floor with about 8 to 10 tenants sharing three kitchens and baths. Sorry, I am getting sidetracked. Basically, I don’t think I’ve been getting all of my mail. On Monday, I will go to the post office and fill out a change of address card. I’ll just have to take my chances with my mail coming to my shoebox.
And how are things in the shoebox? Basically the same. On Friday, I returned to find the mop in the kitchen. Apparently, Screamer (or someone else) spilled grease on the floor and used a dry mop to clean it up, leaving the mop in the kitchen. Result? I (unknowingly) tracked the grease into my room, which explained why my house slippers were slipping and sliding (even on the rug in my room).
Earlier today(Sunday), after I returned from outside, I left my umbrella in the kitchen to dry – it dries faster if you leave it open. When I went to retrieve my umbrella and brought it into my room, I noticed what I thought were drops of water. It turns out more grease was spilt (my umbrella was not in the kitchen on Friday). There was a small puddle of greasy by the microwave in the kitchen. I don’t care how much the kitchen floor turns into an ice rink, I am not cleaning up the grease.
Earlier this evening when I stepped out of my cell/shoebox, I noticed Mr. 40+’s light was on. I know that his work hours are 2pm to 10pm, so I was a little concerned. I knocked on his door (his door was opened about 2 or 3 inches wide), but he did not answer. About 5 minutes later, Mr. 40+ turned on his television full-blast. I could tell from the volume that he was watching Mission Impossible (probably an illegal copy of the current movie [part 3]). I won’t know until Wednesday (his days off are Mondays and Tuesdays) if today was just a one time thing. Oh, I hope he has not lost his job. He likes to play his stereo very loud (along with a few of my other neighbors). Although, I have to admit at least he shows some restraint with his music. In a couple of days, I will be on a two month vacation, I am hoping for at least some peace and quiet.
And finally, the trash. I was about to take out the trash when I noticed that someone had yet again, put some kind of liquid in the trash. When I took the trash out of the trash bin, the trash bag started leaking. I put the bag back and wrote another note:
“Someone has put a liquid into the trash…again. A little help would be greatly appreciated.”
And I signed the letter. See the photo. I wonder how long it will take before someone takes out the trash, and when they do, will they clean out (or even dump out) to liquid that is at the bottom of the trash bin.
Well, until next time…
2 more days until vacation time.
Post Date - Monday, July 10, 2006 11:59am
Friday, June 23, 2006
June 23, 2006
“Stepping Up Day” or “Graduation Day” for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. At first the assistant principal did not know where to put me, but then I was assigned to be the substitute for the teacher’s assistant in the pre-k class where I was assigned to cover the regular classroom teacher. Being assigned to the pre-k class, meant that I was able to go to the graduation ceremony. The ceremony was very long for very young children, but it was nice. Each class did two performances, then each classroom teacher presented “diplomas” to each student. I think the 1 hour and 45 minute show was too much for the kids. In my opinion, some of the performances were better than others, and one or two performances I found a bit vulgar. For example, in one class, the students each had an opportunity to step up to the front of the stage to do their own dance. One girl did a dance move that sent the audience into an exciting round of hooting and hollering (yes, an audience of parents and grandparents). The girl did a good imitation of the dance move, but without the style; she was just copying what she must have seen many times. So what was the dance move, chest pumps and pelvic thrusts. Which brings up the parents. From the parents in attendance, I got a pretty good idea the root of a lot of the things that I’ve complained about in previous blog entries. Many of the parents were (in my opinion) inappropriately dressed (skin-tight outfits and tattoos [on the ladies] and street casual clothes and caps [on the guys] were everywhere). Behavior? Other than the hooting and hollering? Parents continued to block the aisles to take pictures of their child even blocking other children from getting off the stage. Jumping into the children’s’ seat when they went to the bathroom, only to have to get up a few minutes later. Calling (and or allowing) their children (in the middle of the show) to leave their seats to go to them. At the reception after the ceremony, jumping the food line ahead of the pre-k/kindergarten children. Parents stealing the stuffed toys that were used to decorate the gymnasium. One parent asked if the toys could be taken, I told her that I thought they were decoration, but later, I noticed that she (and another parent[or adult] still took the stuffed toys). The big surprise (for me)? The assistant principal told me that the parents were much better behaved than at past ceremonies.
After the reception, I volunteered to help clean up the gym (the location of the reception). Since I still had an afternoon (the pre-k children were all dismissed), I was assigned to the wild special ed class (the one with two teachers). Today was an early dismissal day, so I was out of the building 2:30pm. I brought some of my teaching materials home. I have two more days until the end of the school year; I don’t want to wait until the last day to lug all of my materials home.
Post date - Monday, July 10, 2006 11:52am
“Stepping Up Day” or “Graduation Day” for Pre-K and Kindergarten students. At first the assistant principal did not know where to put me, but then I was assigned to be the substitute for the teacher’s assistant in the pre-k class where I was assigned to cover the regular classroom teacher. Being assigned to the pre-k class, meant that I was able to go to the graduation ceremony. The ceremony was very long for very young children, but it was nice. Each class did two performances, then each classroom teacher presented “diplomas” to each student. I think the 1 hour and 45 minute show was too much for the kids. In my opinion, some of the performances were better than others, and one or two performances I found a bit vulgar. For example, in one class, the students each had an opportunity to step up to the front of the stage to do their own dance. One girl did a dance move that sent the audience into an exciting round of hooting and hollering (yes, an audience of parents and grandparents). The girl did a good imitation of the dance move, but without the style; she was just copying what she must have seen many times. So what was the dance move, chest pumps and pelvic thrusts. Which brings up the parents. From the parents in attendance, I got a pretty good idea the root of a lot of the things that I’ve complained about in previous blog entries. Many of the parents were (in my opinion) inappropriately dressed (skin-tight outfits and tattoos [on the ladies] and street casual clothes and caps [on the guys] were everywhere). Behavior? Other than the hooting and hollering? Parents continued to block the aisles to take pictures of their child even blocking other children from getting off the stage. Jumping into the children’s’ seat when they went to the bathroom, only to have to get up a few minutes later. Calling (and or allowing) their children (in the middle of the show) to leave their seats to go to them. At the reception after the ceremony, jumping the food line ahead of the pre-k/kindergarten children. Parents stealing the stuffed toys that were used to decorate the gymnasium. One parent asked if the toys could be taken, I told her that I thought they were decoration, but later, I noticed that she (and another parent[or adult] still took the stuffed toys). The big surprise (for me)? The assistant principal told me that the parents were much better behaved than at past ceremonies.
After the reception, I volunteered to help clean up the gym (the location of the reception). Since I still had an afternoon (the pre-k children were all dismissed), I was assigned to the wild special ed class (the one with two teachers). Today was an early dismissal day, so I was out of the building 2:30pm. I brought some of my teaching materials home. I have two more days until the end of the school year; I don’t want to wait until the last day to lug all of my materials home.
Post date - Monday, July 10, 2006 11:52am
Thursday, June 22, 2006
June 22, 2006
Nothing exciting entry. Yesterday was a very, very easy day, I basically had two classes to cover. I spent much of the day in the teacher’s room reading newspapers. Yesterday reminded me of my time in Japan where I was often assigned to a school with no classes to teach, but I had to go to the school anyway because the school had a contract with the company I worked for. In Japan I often complained about the boredom, but yesterday, I really enjoyed the rest. I enjoyed the peace and quiet over the yelling, screaming, and various classroom dramas I encountered on a daily basis. I have just a few more days before the end of the school year.
This morning, there was a big fire in a warehouse a few city blocks from where I live. I could even hear the helicopter over head. I saw the fire on the television, but I could not recognize the area shown.
In school, I subbed for the pre-k class I subbed for all of last week It was another very good day. I was out of school at 3pm.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 22, 2006 1:31pm
Nothing exciting entry. Yesterday was a very, very easy day, I basically had two classes to cover. I spent much of the day in the teacher’s room reading newspapers. Yesterday reminded me of my time in Japan where I was often assigned to a school with no classes to teach, but I had to go to the school anyway because the school had a contract with the company I worked for. In Japan I often complained about the boredom, but yesterday, I really enjoyed the rest. I enjoyed the peace and quiet over the yelling, screaming, and various classroom dramas I encountered on a daily basis. I have just a few more days before the end of the school year.
This morning, there was a big fire in a warehouse a few city blocks from where I live. I could even hear the helicopter over head. I saw the fire on the television, but I could not recognize the area shown.
In school, I subbed for the pre-k class I subbed for all of last week It was another very good day. I was out of school at 3pm.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 22, 2006 1:31pm
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
June 20, 2006
Today should have been a very easy relaxed day. I had one of the shortest work schedules this year, but for some reason, I was just as tired by the end of the day. To make up for yesterday, I was given a cluster teacher’s schedule. For some reason, this cluster teacher’s schedule only had 3 classes. Cluster teachers are usually assigned other school related duties, that (lucky for me) are not given to substitute teachers. Usually, the assistant principal would fill in the blank spaces with “make-up prep” classes to teach. But again, the assistant principal wanted to make up for the rough assignment that I was given yesterday. She also apologized for “just checking her messages” and did not realize that I really needed her help yesterday. She did suggest that in the future, I should call the main office if I can reach her at her office. Since I have about a week left, I did not point out the flaws in her suggestions (see yesterday’s blog entry) creating a conflict. I made about 3 calls to the main office, and one time, she was just walking into the office (according to the secretary on the phone).
Fourth period, I had the wild pre-k class that I’ve mentioned in previous blog entries. They were still at the year-end awards assembly during the period. I am going to pass on commenting about undeserving kids with medals and certificates for “good work”. The award assembly was (I think) more than an hour long. Since the kids were sitting for such a long time, I thought I would let them play with table toys then finish the period with a story. Unfortunately, things did not go according to plan. No sooner did table toy time start:
* A group of girls had a problem with a girl scratching them
* Two boys (one who spoke very little English) were “wilding” in the classroom
* A group of boys dump 3 or 4 games (each game seemed to have a million pieces—Bingo was one of the games) on the floor, but “none of them did it”
* A couple of parents (with nothing better to do) decided to hang out at the door to watch the chaos unfold
Before all of this happened, the parent volunteer complained that this was her lunch break. Since the assistant teacher was absent, I guess she was filling in. There is more, but I think you get the picture.
Fifth period, I had the wild 5th grade class. Again, no travel time/break to get my materials (or my sanity) organized. They were almost as bad as the 6th grade class I wrote about in a previous blog. Speaking of that 6th grade class, the teacher was late this morning (a trip day for his class) so I was asked to watch the kids for about 15 or 20 minutes. Anyway, since the 5th graders were out of control, I used the only tool I had. I told them I would give up my lunch period to make sure they were the last ones to eat. I ended up giving up about half of my lunch period, because no sooner did the school aid arrive, he undermines my authority by saying the kids need to eat, the kitchen is on a schedule. Even though I explained that I only wanted them to be the last ones called to get their lunches. Whether this 5th grade class was first or last to get their lunches, their line-up time would not have affected the “kitchen schedule”. I settled for standing at the kitchen door to make sure the 3 boys I made the promise to would be sent to the back of the boys’ line. The school aid must have known that he was wrong, after the last boy (one of the boys that was giving me trouble started arguing with the school aid, so the school aid made that boy get on line last – what I originally wanted). When I was about to leave the students’ lunchroom, the school aid in charge told me that if I had told him that I wanted the class to eat last, then he would have pick that class last to line up. Since I have about a week left, I did not point out the flaws…oh, you get the picture.
My 7th period class, a nice 4th grade class, was canceled; they were on a class trip. So you see, an easy day, but I was still tired. I think I’ve been spending too much time instant-messaging lately. Yesterday, I was online until about 4 in the morning. I then had about 2 hours of sleep.
I was out of the building by 3:05, and I was in my shoebox by 4pm. On the way home, I was planning to go to the store, but since it was early, I thought I would first change my clothes, then go, but once home, I was too comfortable to get up. Finally, when I was ready, I’m sure the “pop pop pop” sounds I heard outside were gunshots, so I didn’t go.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006 1:17pm
Monday, June 19, 2006
June 19, 2006
Wild! Wild! Wild! Just what I was afraid of. I was assigned one of the worst classes today. Having a wild class did not bother me as much as feeling powerless to do anything when the kids went wild. The assistant principal told me that if I had any problems, she would have the difficult kids removed. Unfortunately that was not the case.
After I arrived, it took about 45 minutes before the class started to get wild (led by a couple of ringleaders). Now, I know that a teacher is basically on his or her own in terms of being able to control a class. However, a lot of the power comes from the support the administration provides. Once the class started to get wild, I placed a call to the principal asking that she give me 1 or 2 minutes to just come in to help me set a tone of behavior expectation. I was only asking for a couple of minutes I would have taken things from there, but since she did not come, the kids became wilder. About a period later, I place another call to the assistant principal (when I got her answering machine, I put in the request to the main office). I asked that one of the two ringleaders be removed. One was taken out, but 15 minutes later, he returned.
Sorry, I am going to cut this short.
Basically, the class was wild. I did provide work for the kids to do, and knowing that most probably would not care, I still stayed after school to correct the papers. I ended up leaving the school at 6:30pm.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Wild! Wild! Wild! Just what I was afraid of. I was assigned one of the worst classes today. Having a wild class did not bother me as much as feeling powerless to do anything when the kids went wild. The assistant principal told me that if I had any problems, she would have the difficult kids removed. Unfortunately that was not the case.
After I arrived, it took about 45 minutes before the class started to get wild (led by a couple of ringleaders). Now, I know that a teacher is basically on his or her own in terms of being able to control a class. However, a lot of the power comes from the support the administration provides. Once the class started to get wild, I placed a call to the principal asking that she give me 1 or 2 minutes to just come in to help me set a tone of behavior expectation. I was only asking for a couple of minutes I would have taken things from there, but since she did not come, the kids became wilder. About a period later, I place another call to the assistant principal (when I got her answering machine, I put in the request to the main office). I asked that one of the two ringleaders be removed. One was taken out, but 15 minutes later, he returned.
Sorry, I am going to cut this short.
Basically, the class was wild. I did provide work for the kids to do, and knowing that most probably would not care, I still stayed after school to correct the papers. I ended up leaving the school at 6:30pm.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
June 18, 2006
Happy Father’s Day to the fathers of the world! Not much to write about so this entry should be short. On Thursday and Friday, I was given the same pre-k class, which means my days were very nice and easy. Friday was an early dismissal day, I was out of the school by 2:30.
Yesterday was supposed to have been a very hot day (according to the weather reports), but it was only a little hot. However yesterday, the weather was still very nice. My neighbors (Screamer and her boyfriend) went somewhere at 7:00am – leaving a sloppy messy in the kitchen. And since Mr. 40+ has to work on Saturdays (and Sundays), I would have had the floor to myself. However, I went shopping for a Father’s Day present for my foster father. Originally, I was planning to buy a rice cooker (he eats rice almost everyday), but at the last minute, I settled on a motorized back massager. I went to the Mall in Jersey City. Speaking of the mall. Remember the problem I had with one of the turnstiles the last time I went. I don’t know if I mentioned this, but I ended up receiving a refund (for one free ride) in the mail. Unfortunately, I ended up letting the free pass expire before I used it, so I paid the full fare round-trip.
At the mall, I went to see the movie X-Men – The Last Stand. I liked the movie. I thought the movie was a little sloppy, in terms of parts of the plot and parts of the dialog (a little too soap opera-ish for me), but the special-effects made the movie more then worth it. There were very nice special effects.
After I returned to my shoebox, I went shopping for milk, juice and sherbet (I’ve really been fighting an urge to buy ice cream). After returning, I did 25 minutes on my rowing machine. I can now do a ¼ of a mile on my rowing machine. Not too long ago, I remember taking 45 minutes to do a ¼ of a mile. Next month, I am going to try doing 1/3 of a mile at level 3 (of 5 levels). Now, I am at level 4 (the second to the lowest setting).
Well, I think that is it for now. I will go to the Laundromat, and visit my foster father. Oh, I also am going to buy myself a small rice cooker. I don’t mind eating rice, but I am just lazy about cooking it. The rice cooker I am thinking about is a cheap ($14.95) no-name brand, so it might not work as good as the popular named brand that I was planning to buy for my foster father. It the rice cooker works even marginally well, then, I will be happy. I am sure home-cooked rice is much healthier than the rice in a box I’ve been buying.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:58pm
Happy Father’s Day to the fathers of the world! Not much to write about so this entry should be short. On Thursday and Friday, I was given the same pre-k class, which means my days were very nice and easy. Friday was an early dismissal day, I was out of the school by 2:30.
Yesterday was supposed to have been a very hot day (according to the weather reports), but it was only a little hot. However yesterday, the weather was still very nice. My neighbors (Screamer and her boyfriend) went somewhere at 7:00am – leaving a sloppy messy in the kitchen. And since Mr. 40+ has to work on Saturdays (and Sundays), I would have had the floor to myself. However, I went shopping for a Father’s Day present for my foster father. Originally, I was planning to buy a rice cooker (he eats rice almost everyday), but at the last minute, I settled on a motorized back massager. I went to the Mall in Jersey City. Speaking of the mall. Remember the problem I had with one of the turnstiles the last time I went. I don’t know if I mentioned this, but I ended up receiving a refund (for one free ride) in the mail. Unfortunately, I ended up letting the free pass expire before I used it, so I paid the full fare round-trip.
At the mall, I went to see the movie X-Men – The Last Stand. I liked the movie. I thought the movie was a little sloppy, in terms of parts of the plot and parts of the dialog (a little too soap opera-ish for me), but the special-effects made the movie more then worth it. There were very nice special effects.
After I returned to my shoebox, I went shopping for milk, juice and sherbet (I’ve really been fighting an urge to buy ice cream). After returning, I did 25 minutes on my rowing machine. I can now do a ¼ of a mile on my rowing machine. Not too long ago, I remember taking 45 minutes to do a ¼ of a mile. Next month, I am going to try doing 1/3 of a mile at level 3 (of 5 levels). Now, I am at level 4 (the second to the lowest setting).
Well, I think that is it for now. I will go to the Laundromat, and visit my foster father. Oh, I also am going to buy myself a small rice cooker. I don’t mind eating rice, but I am just lazy about cooking it. The rice cooker I am thinking about is a cheap ($14.95) no-name brand, so it might not work as good as the popular named brand that I was planning to buy for my foster father. It the rice cooker works even marginally well, then, I will be happy. I am sure home-cooked rice is much healthier than the rice in a box I’ve been buying.
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:58pm
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
June 14, 2006
Another pre-k day. Today I found out the regular pre-k teacher had a death in the family, so I was asked to cover this class again. Normally, I would not like having a pre-k (or kindergarten) class as a full-time teacher, but as a sub, I am enjoying myself. There is a lot of whining, crying and complaining, but the little kids are much easier to deal with (as a sub) than the older kids are.
I continued to let the assistant teacher lead the class. She is a very good assistant; she is not afraid of hard work. I was a little annoyed that she was a little too attached to her cell phone. In the middle of the class, she is on the phone with her son. Her younger son (8th grader) called several times (called on his way to the school bus stop, he called while he was waiting for the bus, and he called when he was on the bus). Other than the phone, I didn’t have any problems with the assistant teacher.
Today I was in a good mood, but at the same time I did not feel like going out for lunch. Usually, the only food readily available for lunch outside the school is junk food. Today I decided to buy a school lunch ($4.00). I will attach a photo my school lunch today (for my Japanese pen pals). If I can, I will also attach a photo of a typical Japanese school lunch (for the American readers of this blog).Today was another rehearsal for the “moving up” ceremony. The rehearsal went much better today. There was still some confusion, but much better than the other practices.
I was out of the school building about 3:05. Once in my shoebox, I decided to boil some pasta and heat some pasta sauce (very short and simple). I was really pleased with the way the pasta dinner came out. When the younger lady (the Screamer) came into the kitchen, I made the mistake of offering her some of my pasta dinner. I keep making the mistake of saying, “help yourself”, instead of fixing a taste on a separate plate like
she has done on the few times that she has offered me anything. Anyway, after I told Screamer about the pasta dinner, she said that she would try “a little bit”. I left her in the kitchen while I ate my dinner in my shoebox, when I returned, she ended up taking about half. I’d cooked a whole bag of pasta [1lb.] and a whole jar of pasta sauce [1lb.10oz.]; there should have been enough to last for 4 or 5 days.
First Photo (NYC Lunch)
Second Photo (JPN Lunch)
Post Date - Wednesday, June 28, 2006 12:48pm
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
June 13, 2006
Today was a pre-k day. When I arrived this morning, I was a little nervous about what class I would receive today. Last week, I found out that two teachers would be out for a couple of days due to being called for Jury Duty. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that a teacher (later I found out that it was not one but two teachers) would agree to do jury duty two weeks before the end of the school year, instead of deferring until the summer.
When I arrived to school, all of the senior classes (6th grade) were lined up for a field trip. Everyone was wearing a “Class of 2006” T-Shirt. I walked past the line; a few boys whispered something in a group, and then laughed hysterically out loud. Seeing those loud, disrespectful, arrogant “seniors” standing comfortably and safe with the knowledge that they would be going on a field trip, despite the wild behavior, felt a little bit like a slap in the face. I know that I should not take it personally.
Today I was assigned to sub for a pre-k class. It was a very easy day today. Basically, I didn’t have to do anything. The para (teacher assistant) seemed to take her job seriously. She kept the students on their usually routine. The class was a little bit disorganized for my taste, but it was a very nice and easy day.
Oh, I almost forgot. the Pre-k and the Kindergarten classes had another rehearsal for the “moving up day” ceremony. They were still just as disorganized as the last time I observed the rehearsal. The teachers argued over the seating plans and how the classes should line up. 45 minutes was wasted on those two points. It was strange to see the kids almost better behaved than the adults.
Post Date - June 28, 2006 12:45pm
Today was a pre-k day. When I arrived this morning, I was a little nervous about what class I would receive today. Last week, I found out that two teachers would be out for a couple of days due to being called for Jury Duty. I couldn’t believe it when I heard that a teacher (later I found out that it was not one but two teachers) would agree to do jury duty two weeks before the end of the school year, instead of deferring until the summer.
When I arrived to school, all of the senior classes (6th grade) were lined up for a field trip. Everyone was wearing a “Class of 2006” T-Shirt. I walked past the line; a few boys whispered something in a group, and then laughed hysterically out loud. Seeing those loud, disrespectful, arrogant “seniors” standing comfortably and safe with the knowledge that they would be going on a field trip, despite the wild behavior, felt a little bit like a slap in the face. I know that I should not take it personally.
Today I was assigned to sub for a pre-k class. It was a very easy day today. Basically, I didn’t have to do anything. The para (teacher assistant) seemed to take her job seriously. She kept the students on their usually routine. The class was a little bit disorganized for my taste, but it was a very nice and easy day.
Oh, I almost forgot. the Pre-k and the Kindergarten classes had another rehearsal for the “moving up day” ceremony. They were still just as disorganized as the last time I observed the rehearsal. The teachers argued over the seating plans and how the classes should line up. 45 minutes was wasted on those two points. It was strange to see the kids almost better behaved than the adults.
Post Date - June 28, 2006 12:45pm
Friday, June 09, 2006
Another stressful workday.
Second period I had the wild Pre-K class that I'd mentioned a few blog entries ago. I gave them a handwriting practice worksheet. I was surprised how much they seemed to enjoy it. Even when early finishers were starting to play, the remainding students continued to finish their page. Usually, the minute someone starts to play, then others no longer care about finishing their work. Since they were showing an interest in the worksheet I gave them more time to finish, leaving the other kids to play, usually not a good idea. While I was trying to help some kids with the tracing, the other kids were going wild, running, throwing blocks, arguing over toys etc.. Once again, I had to be the screaming monster to get the kids to fall in line. All the toys, games, and blocks had to be put away (by the kids -- I am not a servant). I got very lucky, the entire mess was cleaned up (by the kids), seconds before the regular teacher walked into the room. She was on time. The teaching assistant (the one who lectured me about leaving the kids unsupervised by a teacher) did not return. Actually, the teacher assistant was supposed to stay with the kids, but I told her if she wanted a break, she could have one.
Third period, I had to cover a first grade class. The 1st grade teacher was one of the good teachers; she still had her routines very firmly in place. There was no difficulty with this class.
Fourth period, I had to cover a 3rd /4th grade bridge class; this class was so wild that there were two teachers needed to teach this class, however, the class was prepped by one teacher...me. As the period went on, the class became progressively wild (profanity, arguments, throwing objects etc…) One student seemed to have some major anger issues. After laughing and joking with the other boys at his table about topics completely inappropriate for kids, this kid (in a blink of an eye) started to become increasingly angry. First, he started banging on his desk, then he started flipping his desk over onto the floor, pick his desk up then flipping it again onto the floor. He did this for about 5 minutes. I called the office (getting the usually “thank you for letting us know" reply). The kid was about my height and almost my weight. Yes, this was an elementary classroom. When I realized that I was basically along. I change tactics. I switched to my psychologist persona. I have several classroom personas: bodyguard, referee, warden, psychologist, madman, etc…and teacher is somewhere on the list.
Anyway, I lowered my voice to almost a whisper, and tried to show that I understood his anger. After about 5 minutes of refusing to speak to me (tears in his eyes, and clinched fists), the boy finally explained to me the reason he was angry. He told me he was angry because other kids were throwing things across the room. That moment wasn’t the time to mention that he was also throwing things. I just reacted like I understood, and explained to him the importance of communicating. I managed to calm him down.
So, what do I think the reason was? I think the boys at his table started to speak Spanish and either he was left out, or they were talking about him (in Spanish).
Next period, I had to cover a 6th grade class I covered a few days ago. I walked through the door, and you would have sworn it was the last day of school. The students were all over the room, sitting on desks, signing stuffed toys, talking loudly etc…It took me about 5 minutes to get these kids into their seats. Yes, the classroom teacher was still in the room, but once again I suspect this teacher also had the “it is the end of the school year, and the standardized test have all been taken, so let’s just wait out the clock” attitude.
Anyway, I finally got most of the students into their (or a) seat. Then the assistant principal walked in. Usually she is a tough as nails, don’t take any nonsense kind of person. But I was surprised when she walked in didn’t make any comments about the kids being out of their seats. She just walked in and started handing out coffee mugs (from the 99-cent store I suspect) the mugs were rewards for students who regularly wore their uniform to school. She had told them to put the mugs away. However, they didn’t put the mugs away while she was there, and they didn’t put the mugs away when she left. Now, they had the signature toys (with markers) and the mugs to entertain themselves. They also had some kind of "silly money" (reward coupons for prizes). I handed out my worksheets to a loud chorus of complains about what is it and why is he giving it to us.
One girl came right out and asked why I was giving them work:
Girl: What is this for?
Me: It is work for you to do. It is a reading practice exercise.
Girl:I can see that. I mean why are you giving it to us? Will it go into our portfolio? Will we have a test?
Me: No.
Girl: Then why do we need this?
Me: Because you are in school. I am almost sure your mother would want you to come to school to learn. Just because the school year is almost over, does not mean the learning stops. I am sure most of you (all) will be going to middle school next year. You need to maintain your skills. (I was looking at the girl, but I was really speaking to the whole class.)
Girl: Can I draw instead?
Me: Would your mother really be happy with you drawing in school instead of reading?
Girl: If my teacher gives me permission, my mother would be okay with that.
Me: Really. Well, at this moment, I want the students to be sitting quietly. If you choose to draw, I won’t complain. However, I would rather you did the reading assignment. I won’t give you permission to draw. Some kids will go home and tell their parents (when asked what you did in school) that their teacher told them that they could draw.
From the look on the girl’s face, I am sure she understood what I was trying to say. Result, she did not draw, she just sat and did nothing. Later, she talked, but she stayed in her seat. My impression of this girl is that she is a loophole jumper. If she can find a loophole she will jump through (blaming the teacher), but since I did not give her one, she stayed relatively quiet. Unfortunately, she was the only one. The rest of the disruptive kids just could not care less I was in the room. In a classroom of about 15 students, only one girl did the assignment (without talking or being disruptive), the two others (one a visitor from another class) did the assignment. I think having work for the students knowing full well that most of them could not care less, helped to keep the students (mostly in their seats). Also, since I was there to teach, I acted as if the students were interested. Even if one student was interested, I wanted to make sure his or her time was productive (or at least relatively productive). Even if the students were not interested, I still made myself available. The visitor even managed to do most of the worksheet because I kept returning to him, even when he turned the worksheet into a paper airplane. Yes, I did collect the worksheets, and I did grade the sheets (knowing full well the sheets will probably end up in the trash). The only girl that completed the assignment, I corrected her paper in the class, and explained the only mistake she made on the assignment, the other sheets will be returned next week on Tuesday (Monday is a half-day, which is a no work day for substitute teachers).
So, how did the class end? Wildly, of course. The classroom teacher stayed in the room for about 15 to 20 minutes before leaving, so I was on my own. I stopped the lesson (!?!) 10 minutes early. I use going to lunch on time as a way to try to keep the kids in line. By stopping the lesson 10 minutes early, I let the kids know that if they were quiet they could go to lunch on time. From the classroom, it would have taken about 2 or 3 minutes to reach the lunchroom. Problem.
The students were determined not to make things easy. Or, maybe they resented me being strict about the procedures they’ve had since September. What were my conditions for going to lunch?
1. Clean up the messes they made (including the worksheets they did not do, and the scraps of cut up paper from students cutting up the "silly money").
2. Line up in size order. Although, after about 15 minutes, I compromised about lining up in size order. I settled for just getting on line and stop playing.
They just would not cooperate. After about 20 minutes the messes were cleaned up, but they just would not stop talking and playing on line. I refused to move from in front of the door. Pencils were thrown at me. They continued talking and playing on line. Chanting and shouting: “Let my people go.”, “Attica “. One boy continued with “shut the f**k up several times each time the rowdy ones wanted to know why I would not let them go. The ones who argued the most were the ones who played the most, and were the most disruptive. Normally, I would send a few students out, but they were so wild and out of control, I worried that if I opened the door, several students would push through and run. Problem, I still have about 2 more weeks at this school. There most likely would not have been any consequences for the disrespect. But a good incentive to be even wilder the next time.
Basically, if I could not manage them this time, I would not be able to manage them next time.
Ending. 30 minutes later, the classroom teacher returned. I am happy to say that he supported me and helped me let the children know that they were not in charge. I did have to think twice when I typed the words children. About 4 boys and 2 girls were much bigger than I am. Yes, I am still writing about an elementary school. In one school I subbed at, there was a girl who had to repeat several grades; she was in the same class as her little sister. If I am not mistaken, I believe I was told she was 14 years old in the fifth grade. Unbelievable.
Probably a few kids mention in this class have also repeated a few grades.
I could write about my 7th period class, but I’ve been on this computer long enough.
Post Date Monday, June 12, 2006 2:32am
Thursday, June 08, 2006
June 8, 2006
Yesterday there was not much to write about, it was a fairly nice work day…despite the rain. My work schedule was fairly easy. I was the sub for the Spanish cluster/prep teacher. No, I didn’t do any Spanish lessons. Once again, I just relied on my collection of worksheets. My first period was my prep(preparation) period. Second period was the Spanish teacher’s student council meeting (which was my free period). Third period, there was a dance performance in the auditorium, so I covered the class there.
Fourth period, I had to cover a pre-k class. It was a little disappointing. The teacher seemed to have done what teacher’s often do; she seemed to have loosened up the reins as the school year winds down. Result, the kids were wild.
The big carpet was switched for a smaller carpet, so the kids could have assigned seats on letters of the alphabets. The big carpet was moved to the opposite side of the room (now sharing the block area and the drama area. The idea was good, but the reality was not. The carpet now being used in the meeting area is very small, which means the kids are practically sitting on top of each other. And since the carpet is so small, not every kid has a letter to sit on. Huh?!?!
The kids no longer (since the last time I was there about 2 months ago) have assign seats at the tables. The results, the kids race to sit next to friends, arguing over who got to the seat first.
Most of the time I spent in the room was trying to rein in the kids and keep them from going wild (kids hiding under tables, running around the room, grabbing things, bullying others [yes, I did say this was a pre-k class]). I’ve subbed in this class 3 or 4 times about two months ago, I really don’t remember them being this wild. Luckily, the little kids are easier to manage than the older ones. I did manage to get the reins and quiet the kids down. About 5 minutes after the teacher (and her assistant) was suppose to have returned, I left the kids with the parent volunteer assigned to help out, so that I could go to my next class. I really don’t like being late for classes. Knowing how rough some classes can be, a teacher’s preparation period is very important. As I leave the room, the classroom teacher and her assistant are strolling to the room, remember, they are already five minutes late. My next class is on the opposite side of the building, two floor up (no elevator), and a 5th grade class. Did I mention the periods have no travel time between them? No time to get organized moving from a wild pre-k to a 5th grade class, no time between classes for traveling, I was in sprite mode as I left the pre-k classroom, only to be stopped in the hallway and lectured by the assistant teacher. Why? I should not have left the kids with the parent volunteer. I wanted to say, “you need to get your ass to class on time and stop strolling in the hall”, but I said nothing. I suspect she imagined that I left the kids running wild. No, I didn’t. Despite seeming to have forgotten every rule that they were taught, I managed to give the per-k kids some free time, had them clean up their toys, and had them all sitting quietly on the carpet, before I left. Usually, I like to end a lesson with a quiet activity (in this case reading a story), so that the kids and the classroom are in shape when the classroom teacher returns.
Fifth period, I covered a 5th grade class, since they were planning to go on a trip, I had something to keep them in line. I had no problems with this class. Next period was my lunch period. The finally period of the day was covering the 3rd grade class that I’d subbed last week. A very nice class, especially when one particular boy was absent. That kid has some serious issues.
Since yesterday was an early dismissal, I was out of the building about 2:35. Despite it being a very rainy day, I had a good work day. After returning to my shoebox, I did 30 minutes on my rowing machine, and made baked chicken and rice. The vegetable was okra. I am not a big fan of okra, but I wanted a changed. Actually, I am not really a vegetable fan, I only eat vegetables because they are healthy (and I really can’t afford to get sick). Later in the evening, I ate a full container (1quart) of sherbet. Sherbet (I am hoping is much, much healthier than ice cream. I used to eat about a quart of ice cream (butter pecan and strawberry were my favorites). Sherbet seems to be an okay substitute; I don’t miss ice cream…very much.
Today, I have another day off. I am happy now, but I will not be when payday comes.
I was about to end this entry, but I have one more addition to today’s adventure.
I went to the office supply/copy center to make copies. Upon arriving, there were two copy machines, one was being used by an elderly gentleman who could not make the machine work. The other machine was being used by a couple of young guys giggling and laughing like they were the only people in the copy area, although there was a line of about 4 people waiting to make copies. After about a fifteen minute wait, the copy machine was available (the gigglers were finished). The store clerk was nice enough to lecture the boys about holding up the line, and she was nice enough to take the people waiting on line to the counter so that she could make their copies. I stayed because I had a lot of copies to make.
You are probably saying why waste your money making copies when you can just have the copies made at school. In some schools, copies are easier to have made than in others. At my current school, all copies have to be made by the secretaries, who are usually very accommodating, but will at times be too busy, or don’t get the copies the way I want the copies, or the machine jams, or the machine is out of paper. For me, it is just easier to go to the copy center get the copies made when and how I want them. As you’ve read in previous entries, the classes are usually very wild. I hate going into a class empty-handed. Kids will usually use the “the teacher did not give us any work (so that is why I was going wild).
Anyway, After making my copies, I went to pay at the counter. Although, this copy center is close to where I now live, I really don’t like this copy center.
the copies are more expensive.
After waiting to use the copy machine, customers than have to go to the counter to stand on line to pay for the copies. Usually, copy centers have copy cards that you insert into the machines and the cost is deducted from the card. However, this center wants to be different.
Anyway, when I approach the counter the clerk (a guy this time), is having a conversation with a customer about freedom. According to the clerk, freedom is being able to call in sick if he does not feel like coming in. Also, the clerk mentioned that freedom is not sitting on a yacht sipping champagne, but telling the boss to f**k off if he wants to quit. The clerk rambled on for about 2 or 3 minutes, before he bothers to come to the cash register so that I could pay for my copies. Apparently, freedom is also understanding that a causal conversation takes precedence over a paying customer.
How are things with my neighbors in the shoebox? A few loud (but short) arguments. And the drains are another annoying problem. I bought cheap strainers to catch the things that could clog up the drains. Problem, no one wants to use them. Mr. 40+ always takes the kitchen strainer out when he is washing his dishes. The young lady Screamer (who seems to shed hair like a sheepdog) does not like to clean her hair out of the strainer so she puts it on the side when she is showering. For the last couple of days, I’ve been pulling the hair out of the drain and leaving it on the side next to the strainer. Only time will tell if that does anything.
Post Date Monday, June 12, 2006 2:27am
Yesterday there was not much to write about, it was a fairly nice work day…despite the rain. My work schedule was fairly easy. I was the sub for the Spanish cluster/prep teacher. No, I didn’t do any Spanish lessons. Once again, I just relied on my collection of worksheets. My first period was my prep(preparation) period. Second period was the Spanish teacher’s student council meeting (which was my free period). Third period, there was a dance performance in the auditorium, so I covered the class there.
Fourth period, I had to cover a pre-k class. It was a little disappointing. The teacher seemed to have done what teacher’s often do; she seemed to have loosened up the reins as the school year winds down. Result, the kids were wild.
The big carpet was switched for a smaller carpet, so the kids could have assigned seats on letters of the alphabets. The big carpet was moved to the opposite side of the room (now sharing the block area and the drama area. The idea was good, but the reality was not. The carpet now being used in the meeting area is very small, which means the kids are practically sitting on top of each other. And since the carpet is so small, not every kid has a letter to sit on. Huh?!?!
The kids no longer (since the last time I was there about 2 months ago) have assign seats at the tables. The results, the kids race to sit next to friends, arguing over who got to the seat first.
Most of the time I spent in the room was trying to rein in the kids and keep them from going wild (kids hiding under tables, running around the room, grabbing things, bullying others [yes, I did say this was a pre-k class]). I’ve subbed in this class 3 or 4 times about two months ago, I really don’t remember them being this wild. Luckily, the little kids are easier to manage than the older ones. I did manage to get the reins and quiet the kids down. About 5 minutes after the teacher (and her assistant) was suppose to have returned, I left the kids with the parent volunteer assigned to help out, so that I could go to my next class. I really don’t like being late for classes. Knowing how rough some classes can be, a teacher’s preparation period is very important. As I leave the room, the classroom teacher and her assistant are strolling to the room, remember, they are already five minutes late. My next class is on the opposite side of the building, two floor up (no elevator), and a 5th grade class. Did I mention the periods have no travel time between them? No time to get organized moving from a wild pre-k to a 5th grade class, no time between classes for traveling, I was in sprite mode as I left the pre-k classroom, only to be stopped in the hallway and lectured by the assistant teacher. Why? I should not have left the kids with the parent volunteer. I wanted to say, “you need to get your ass to class on time and stop strolling in the hall”, but I said nothing. I suspect she imagined that I left the kids running wild. No, I didn’t. Despite seeming to have forgotten every rule that they were taught, I managed to give the per-k kids some free time, had them clean up their toys, and had them all sitting quietly on the carpet, before I left. Usually, I like to end a lesson with a quiet activity (in this case reading a story), so that the kids and the classroom are in shape when the classroom teacher returns.
Fifth period, I covered a 5th grade class, since they were planning to go on a trip, I had something to keep them in line. I had no problems with this class. Next period was my lunch period. The finally period of the day was covering the 3rd grade class that I’d subbed last week. A very nice class, especially when one particular boy was absent. That kid has some serious issues.
Since yesterday was an early dismissal, I was out of the building about 2:35. Despite it being a very rainy day, I had a good work day. After returning to my shoebox, I did 30 minutes on my rowing machine, and made baked chicken and rice. The vegetable was okra. I am not a big fan of okra, but I wanted a changed. Actually, I am not really a vegetable fan, I only eat vegetables because they are healthy (and I really can’t afford to get sick). Later in the evening, I ate a full container (1quart) of sherbet. Sherbet (I am hoping is much, much healthier than ice cream. I used to eat about a quart of ice cream (butter pecan and strawberry were my favorites). Sherbet seems to be an okay substitute; I don’t miss ice cream…very much.
Today, I have another day off. I am happy now, but I will not be when payday comes.
I was about to end this entry, but I have one more addition to today’s adventure.
I went to the office supply/copy center to make copies. Upon arriving, there were two copy machines, one was being used by an elderly gentleman who could not make the machine work. The other machine was being used by a couple of young guys giggling and laughing like they were the only people in the copy area, although there was a line of about 4 people waiting to make copies. After about a fifteen minute wait, the copy machine was available (the gigglers were finished). The store clerk was nice enough to lecture the boys about holding up the line, and she was nice enough to take the people waiting on line to the counter so that she could make their copies. I stayed because I had a lot of copies to make.
You are probably saying why waste your money making copies when you can just have the copies made at school. In some schools, copies are easier to have made than in others. At my current school, all copies have to be made by the secretaries, who are usually very accommodating, but will at times be too busy, or don’t get the copies the way I want the copies, or the machine jams, or the machine is out of paper. For me, it is just easier to go to the copy center get the copies made when and how I want them. As you’ve read in previous entries, the classes are usually very wild. I hate going into a class empty-handed. Kids will usually use the “the teacher did not give us any work (so that is why I was going wild).
Anyway, After making my copies, I went to pay at the counter. Although, this copy center is close to where I now live, I really don’t like this copy center.
the copies are more expensive.
After waiting to use the copy machine, customers than have to go to the counter to stand on line to pay for the copies. Usually, copy centers have copy cards that you insert into the machines and the cost is deducted from the card. However, this center wants to be different.
Anyway, when I approach the counter the clerk (a guy this time), is having a conversation with a customer about freedom. According to the clerk, freedom is being able to call in sick if he does not feel like coming in. Also, the clerk mentioned that freedom is not sitting on a yacht sipping champagne, but telling the boss to f**k off if he wants to quit. The clerk rambled on for about 2 or 3 minutes, before he bothers to come to the cash register so that I could pay for my copies. Apparently, freedom is also understanding that a causal conversation takes precedence over a paying customer.
How are things with my neighbors in the shoebox? A few loud (but short) arguments. And the drains are another annoying problem. I bought cheap strainers to catch the things that could clog up the drains. Problem, no one wants to use them. Mr. 40+ always takes the kitchen strainer out when he is washing his dishes. The young lady Screamer (who seems to shed hair like a sheepdog) does not like to clean her hair out of the strainer so she puts it on the side when she is showering. For the last couple of days, I’ve been pulling the hair out of the drain and leaving it on the side next to the strainer. Only time will tell if that does anything.
Post Date Monday, June 12, 2006 2:27am
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
Day off today. Lots of sleep and television watching. I started off on my computer setting up my internet telephone account. Then one of my pen pals from Japan gave me a call. It was great hearing from my pen pal in Japan.
I went shopping for a few items while my clothes were washing in the Laundromat. Since it was getting late, and I have to go to work tomorrow, I did not cook dinner. I had canned soup and toast for dinner.
Post Date Monday, June 12, 2006 2:25am
I went shopping for a few items while my clothes were washing in the Laundromat. Since it was getting late, and I have to go to work tomorrow, I did not cook dinner. I had canned soup and toast for dinner.
Post Date Monday, June 12, 2006 2:25am
Monday, June 05, 2006
Yesterday, I stayed home for most of the day. Unfortunately, so did my neighbors. I could not believe how loud people will play their music. I used to think that there was an etiquette to music playing; if one person is blasting his (or her) music, then another would wait before blasting his (or her) music, but that was not the case. Yesterday there were about 3 stereos going (at the same time) at full volume.
Today I went to check my mail at my foster father’s place. It would probably too difficult to change my address (not to mention probably not safe) to have all my mail come here to my shoebox. After picking up my mail, I went to the store to buy a stereo headset with microphone (see attached photo). I recently downloaded one of those computer programs that will allow me to make phone calls via the internet. I just tried the headset out, wow, it is great. The speakers on my cheap second-hand computer are low, but the headset sounded great. I have not tried the microphone yet, that will have to wait. The microphone was really what I was planning to buy for the purpose of making internet calls; it is suppose to be cheaper than making regular phone calls. I also bought a serving tray; I got tired of making multiple trips back and forth to the kitchen.
Oh, speaking of kitchen, the trash was finally taken out today. The pizza box and the jar of pasta sauce with the note attached were also taken (see previous blog entries for details about the note). Yesterday, I noticed that someone continued to fill up the trash even though the trash was already full; this annoyed me so much that I decided not to dump the trash (which seems to have been my job). I was annoyed that I buy the trash bags, separate the trash, and usually dump the trash, but my neighbors seem too lazy to even take out the trash. Yesterday, I left a clean trash bag by the trash can, I guess someone got the message. Since Mr. 40+ was already gone before the trash was dump, I’m guessing it was either Screamer or her boyfriend.
It is getting late. Tomorrow is a work day. I almost forgot, I have a couple of days off next week. There are two clerical workdays for the regular teachers. Since I am only a sub, my services are not required on those days. I am happy to have the days off now, but I won’t like it when payday comes.
Until next time…
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Another weekend has arrived. Not much to write about, so this entry will probably be short. Yesterday was the second day at the school on the hill. Yesterday, both assistant principals were out of the building, so originally no one knew what to do with me. I was able to use the first period to organize my shopping cart full of worksheets. I didn’t think about it at the time, but maybe I’ll take a photo and attach it to this blog entry. After the confusion, I was assigned to a kindergarten class. My assignment was to cover(watch) the class while the regular teacher completed the year-end assessment tests for the each individual student. Originally, I brought my shopping cart to the classroom (I also contemplated bringing down my shopping bag filled with kindergarten teaching materials. Luckily the class was not in the room. I decided I needed to stop overworking and stressing myself trying to plan for every possible contingency. I decided I would just go in empty-handed and let the teacher give me the materials. Where were the kids?
All of the kindergarten classes were in the auditorium practicing for graduation/moving up ceremony. What did I see? I saw disorganization and chaos, but the kids seemed to be okay. It looked like the teachers had never had a ceremony before. There seemed to be two camps, one for leaving spaces for the absent students , and the other camp for filling in the gaps. As much as I wanted to jump in with my two-cents, I kept my mouth shut…for the most part.
After the rehearsal, and after lunch, I returned to the class. Why was I not surprised. I didn’t know who Ms. A was, but I should have known. I was assigned to a wild class. I had already prepped this class once a few months ago. This was a class of students that did not seem to know the word “no”. Few (if any) could sit still for more than a few minutes. The students’ tables were messy, but the teacher’s table was messier. It was also a class with mostly Spanish speaking kids. Unfortunately, 1. I don’t speak Spanish, and 2. the students (I think) were used to the teacher translating everything. Everything in the room had double labels; the work written on the board was in both English and Spanish. There also seem to be about a 50/50 division of the books between English and Spanish. I am not sure why, but I was suddenly in a very bad mood, maybe it was being in a difficult class without materials that I knew (and was comfortable with), maybe it was not being able to speak Spanish (It seemed like every other kid spoke only Spanish), maybe it was being in a room without an air conditioner (and the windows blocked and covered with junk so that I could not open them[at least a couple of the windows were opened from the top]), or maybe it was so hot (I was sweating like there was no tomorrow). Most likely, it was a combination of all of the above.
The teacher left a few things that I could do with the students, read a story, do a simple math lesson (reversing numbers), and free time. The teacher gave me the option of book activity instead of letting the kids loose. Normally, it would not be a good idea for a class that is wild to be given free rein. However, with this class one of the things I needed most was a bargaining chip. Once the teacher left the room (she did the testing in the hall), I gave the kids a very simple message:
Listen / free time
No listen / no free time
They understood. They listened (for the most part), and the ones that did not listen lost 5 minutes of their free time. Only the twins were consistently disruptive. I was able to read the story (a very long boring story most of the kids probably did not understand); take the whole class to the bathroom down the hall, and have the kids clean up the classroom (before they could have free time). It turned out to be a very nice class. The kids were nice. I could see the potential trouble makers, but since everyone really wanted to have free time, everyone tried to behave…even the twins. I actually liked this class. Usually, there are 2 or more (for lack of a better word) aggressively disruptive, the ones that seem to have no self control (and no fear). This class didn’t seem to have any. This class did have a large number of boys over girls (about 3 to 1), and it did have a number of “hyper” boys. Now that I think about it, there probably was one boy who has some self control issues, but he was manageable yesterday.
At the last minute, my schedule was changed. I was assigned to also go to the K/1 special ed. bridge class. Again, I used the free time to keep them in line. I also told them that if they did not clean up and the end, then I would tell their teacher that they should have a shorter free time next time. They cleaned up very nicely.
Yesterday was a shorten schedule day, so I finished (and was out of the building by) 2:35pm. I even managed to catch a train that was just arriving as I was walking down the steps (no running and no waiting time). There have been a couple of thunderstorms in the area over the last few days, and on Friday (yesterday) another one was expected to hit. I managed to return to my shoebox right before it hit (or in-between). After finishing about 30 minutes on my rowing machine, I decided to risk going to the store (for milk and sherbet) and get some Chinese take-out. The rain had off until I returned to my shoebox.
All in all, yesterday was a good day.
All of the kindergarten classes were in the auditorium practicing for graduation/moving up ceremony. What did I see? I saw disorganization and chaos, but the kids seemed to be okay. It looked like the teachers had never had a ceremony before. There seemed to be two camps, one for leaving spaces for the absent students , and the other camp for filling in the gaps. As much as I wanted to jump in with my two-cents, I kept my mouth shut…for the most part.
After the rehearsal, and after lunch, I returned to the class. Why was I not surprised. I didn’t know who Ms. A was, but I should have known. I was assigned to a wild class. I had already prepped this class once a few months ago. This was a class of students that did not seem to know the word “no”. Few (if any) could sit still for more than a few minutes. The students’ tables were messy, but the teacher’s table was messier. It was also a class with mostly Spanish speaking kids. Unfortunately, 1. I don’t speak Spanish, and 2. the students (I think) were used to the teacher translating everything. Everything in the room had double labels; the work written on the board was in both English and Spanish. There also seem to be about a 50/50 division of the books between English and Spanish. I am not sure why, but I was suddenly in a very bad mood, maybe it was being in a difficult class without materials that I knew (and was comfortable with), maybe it was not being able to speak Spanish (It seemed like every other kid spoke only Spanish), maybe it was being in a room without an air conditioner (and the windows blocked and covered with junk so that I could not open them[at least a couple of the windows were opened from the top]), or maybe it was so hot (I was sweating like there was no tomorrow). Most likely, it was a combination of all of the above.
The teacher left a few things that I could do with the students, read a story, do a simple math lesson (reversing numbers), and free time. The teacher gave me the option of book activity instead of letting the kids loose. Normally, it would not be a good idea for a class that is wild to be given free rein. However, with this class one of the things I needed most was a bargaining chip. Once the teacher left the room (she did the testing in the hall), I gave the kids a very simple message:
Listen / free time
No listen / no free time
They understood. They listened (for the most part), and the ones that did not listen lost 5 minutes of their free time. Only the twins were consistently disruptive. I was able to read the story (a very long boring story most of the kids probably did not understand); take the whole class to the bathroom down the hall, and have the kids clean up the classroom (before they could have free time). It turned out to be a very nice class. The kids were nice. I could see the potential trouble makers, but since everyone really wanted to have free time, everyone tried to behave…even the twins. I actually liked this class. Usually, there are 2 or more (for lack of a better word) aggressively disruptive, the ones that seem to have no self control (and no fear). This class didn’t seem to have any. This class did have a large number of boys over girls (about 3 to 1), and it did have a number of “hyper” boys. Now that I think about it, there probably was one boy who has some self control issues, but he was manageable yesterday.
At the last minute, my schedule was changed. I was assigned to also go to the K/1 special ed. bridge class. Again, I used the free time to keep them in line. I also told them that if they did not clean up and the end, then I would tell their teacher that they should have a shorter free time next time. They cleaned up very nicely.
Yesterday was a shorten schedule day, so I finished (and was out of the building by) 2:35pm. I even managed to catch a train that was just arriving as I was walking down the steps (no running and no waiting time). There have been a couple of thunderstorms in the area over the last few days, and on Friday (yesterday) another one was expected to hit. I managed to return to my shoebox right before it hit (or in-between). After finishing about 30 minutes on my rowing machine, I decided to risk going to the store (for milk and sherbet) and get some Chinese take-out. The rain had off until I returned to my shoebox.
All in all, yesterday was a good day.
Thursday, June 01, 2006
June 1, 2006
A quick entry about my return. Let’s see if I can really keep this brief.
My day:
7 minute walk (uphill) to the train station.
12 minute train ride standing up.
another 7 minute walk (uphill) from the train station to the school.
The weather was about 80 degrees. I was sweating like a roasting pig over a fire.
The office was deserted. I was given my assignment about 5 minutes before I had to go to the classroom. At this school, the kids are sent up to the classes at 8am (it is like the running of the bulls).
The class I was assigned was one with a good reputation in the school.
The lunch period was changed (but no announcement was made), so there was some confusion at lunchtime.
Relatively speaking, I had a good day. The class was nice (relatively speaking). The math coach came in to do an assessment check, so I was able to sit for a couple of periods. My preparation period was right after lunch -- I graded the assignment I’d given earlier. The class also had a computer period last period.
I wrote a brief report for the regular teacher and I was out of the building by 3:30. Once in my shoebox, I rowed on my rowing machine for about a ¼ of a mile. None of my neighbors were home this whole evening. My day was a nice day (relatively speaking).
A quick entry about my return. Let’s see if I can really keep this brief.
My day:
7 minute walk (uphill) to the train station.
12 minute train ride standing up.
another 7 minute walk (uphill) from the train station to the school.
The weather was about 80 degrees. I was sweating like a roasting pig over a fire.
The office was deserted. I was given my assignment about 5 minutes before I had to go to the classroom. At this school, the kids are sent up to the classes at 8am (it is like the running of the bulls).
The class I was assigned was one with a good reputation in the school.
The lunch period was changed (but no announcement was made), so there was some confusion at lunchtime.
Relatively speaking, I had a good day. The class was nice (relatively speaking). The math coach came in to do an assessment check, so I was able to sit for a couple of periods. My preparation period was right after lunch -- I graded the assignment I’d given earlier. The class also had a computer period last period.
I wrote a brief report for the regular teacher and I was out of the building by 3:30. Once in my shoebox, I rowed on my rowing machine for about a ¼ of a mile. None of my neighbors were home this whole evening. My day was a nice day (relatively speaking).
May 31, 2006
Today was the last day at the school that I’ve been subbing at for the last couple of months. Tomorrow, I return to one of the previous schools that I’ve written about in the past. Originally, I was worried about staying at this school for a long time, but as it turned out, I enjoyed my time there (relatively speaking). The school is about a 4 minute walk from the train station. For the last couple of days, I’ve had a very easy schedule. I was assigned to monitor various kindergarten classes while the regular teacher works on the end of the school year assessment test (ECLAS).
Tomorrow’s school is a bit more of a challenge. Relatively speaking, it is nicer than some of the other schools that I’ve taught at, but something tells me that the last 4 weeks will not be easy. Physically, the school is in the same neighborhood (also near the same train station, however, the school is about a 7 to 8 minute walk (up hill). Dismissal time is very chaotic; all of the classes in the building all are dismissed out of the same exit, at the same time.
So why return? I kind of promised that I would return when the long term assignment I accepted (see previous blog entries) was finished. Usually, I try to keep my word. I said usually, because I did not keep my word when I said that I would return to one of the other schools (also mentioned in previous blog entries). Although, I have to be honest, even though I said I would return, I was being polite (and trying to be as vague as possible); I really did not want to return to that school. Although the administration was very nice, I had the feeling that the administration let the kids run wild. This was the school when the principal was adamant about not have photos taken showing the kids going wild.
I kept telling myself that I would go back, but in the end, I didn’t. Why? I felt that there was just too much unnecessary stress. I should have been honest, and told them that I wasn’t coming back. They really were nice, and relatively speaking I did enjoy going to that school.
Shoebox update. It has been fairly quiet since that big argument. However, little by little, the couple seems to be falling back into old habits. Day by day the arguments are getting louder. The young lady (Screamer) seems less and less willing to “keep her voice down”. I suspect the boyfriend thinks that I was the one who called the police (I wasn’t); he no longer speaks to me. The couple of times that I’ve said hello, he hasn’t said anything. Oh, would you believe that the note, the pasta sauce, and the pizza box are all still around.
Well, it is very late. Lately, I’ve been using my rowing machine and that (along with the stress of “teaching” wild kids) has been making me more tired. When I return to my shoebox, I’ve been exercising before I eat dinner. After dinner, I usually fall asleep watching TV. I wake up about 2 or 3 in the morning, wash my dishes and shower, then return to sleep for an hour or two.
Today was the last day at the school that I’ve been subbing at for the last couple of months. Tomorrow, I return to one of the previous schools that I’ve written about in the past. Originally, I was worried about staying at this school for a long time, but as it turned out, I enjoyed my time there (relatively speaking). The school is about a 4 minute walk from the train station. For the last couple of days, I’ve had a very easy schedule. I was assigned to monitor various kindergarten classes while the regular teacher works on the end of the school year assessment test (ECLAS).
Tomorrow’s school is a bit more of a challenge. Relatively speaking, it is nicer than some of the other schools that I’ve taught at, but something tells me that the last 4 weeks will not be easy. Physically, the school is in the same neighborhood (also near the same train station, however, the school is about a 7 to 8 minute walk (up hill). Dismissal time is very chaotic; all of the classes in the building all are dismissed out of the same exit, at the same time.
So why return? I kind of promised that I would return when the long term assignment I accepted (see previous blog entries) was finished. Usually, I try to keep my word. I said usually, because I did not keep my word when I said that I would return to one of the other schools (also mentioned in previous blog entries). Although, I have to be honest, even though I said I would return, I was being polite (and trying to be as vague as possible); I really did not want to return to that school. Although the administration was very nice, I had the feeling that the administration let the kids run wild. This was the school when the principal was adamant about not have photos taken showing the kids going wild.
I kept telling myself that I would go back, but in the end, I didn’t. Why? I felt that there was just too much unnecessary stress. I should have been honest, and told them that I wasn’t coming back. They really were nice, and relatively speaking I did enjoy going to that school.
Shoebox update. It has been fairly quiet since that big argument. However, little by little, the couple seems to be falling back into old habits. Day by day the arguments are getting louder. The young lady (Screamer) seems less and less willing to “keep her voice down”. I suspect the boyfriend thinks that I was the one who called the police (I wasn’t); he no longer speaks to me. The couple of times that I’ve said hello, he hasn’t said anything. Oh, would you believe that the note, the pasta sauce, and the pizza box are all still around.
Well, it is very late. Lately, I’ve been using my rowing machine and that (along with the stress of “teaching” wild kids) has been making me more tired. When I return to my shoebox, I’ve been exercising before I eat dinner. After dinner, I usually fall asleep watching TV. I wake up about 2 or 3 in the morning, wash my dishes and shower, then return to sleep for an hour or two.
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