Mental meltdown. I just described my weekend. Saturday, my PD class was canceled by the instructor. I really wanted to get back on some kind of track, but I did any but. I had one of my mental slowdowns. I spent most of Saturday staring at my lesson plan book. I was not able to get my lesson plans completed. I only just finished completing my homework sheet. I got hung up on trying to make heads or tails out of the new reading program. Strange. 90 minutes of the school day was taken out for teaching another group of students (but as of this writing), we are not required to provide assessments for the new groups. However, we are still expected to teach (and assess) our regular students. And, I was told that we will only have this new program for this year only. Oh, did I mentioned that due to this new program, we have had about 10 official schedule changes in the past couple of weeks. Official meaning changes (major changes) to scheduling and lunch times.
Anyway, this weekend I wanted to get back on track, but I did not accomplish much of anything. My Saturday was mostly review the materials that I will have to teach (integrating and putting things in mental order). I was in bed about 11:30pm.
Sunday morning, I decided to cut and shave my head. My plan was to get things done early so that I would not be up at 2 or 3 in the morning. Looking at this posting will tell you how miserable I've failed in that regard. After cutting my hair, I soaked in the tub. I did some more of my lesson planning (Math for the next two weeks). I decided to go to Barnes and Nobles to buy a couple of related stories to the stories in the anthology that I will be teaching in class. Mainly, I just wanted to get out of my apartment. Having the extension stories are supposed to provide an opportunity for the students to extend their understanding of the themes presented in the anthology.
I went to the B&N on Broadway and 82nd street. I had to go to the kid's section of B&N. Wow! Next time, I think I will order online. The place was like a flop house, kids and adults were laying all over the place. And of course, they could not be bothered to move when some old guy is trying to find books on the shelves they are leaning on. Observations:
There was a mother negotiating with a 5 year old to come in the bathroom. She even offered to give him the option of finishing playing with the book he had. She wanted him to come in the bathroom because he "can't stay outside the bathroom by himself where she can't see him". Since he refused to go, she changed the diaper on the floor.
A father with a monster stroller blocking the aisle trying to persuade his son to stop doing something and come with him.
There were kids playing with toys, and people just laying about.
Trying to find the books was not made easier stepping over kids and adults with my granny cart in tow. I also could not make heads or tails of the book order. I was told to go to JUV Holiday section, but I could not find that section. Finally, a clerk helped me.
After getting a couple of books:
When I was Young in the Mountains
Gracias, the Thanksgiving Turkey
I went to the Science Fiction section. It was like another world. I quiet world.
After the bookstore, I went to my father's place to pick up my mail and say hello. I caught the 5:30 to Yonkers. I got off the MN at Yonkers to go shopping. About $114 poorer, I caught the 6:50pm local train home. I went to the laundry to wash my work clothes. I had some leftover barbecue chicken (I made it yesterday), but I wanted to save it for some time during the workweek, when I know I would not feel like cooking. Instead, I had a can of low sodium chicken noodle soup and a turkey sandwich.
I typed up my homework sheet. I also type up a reading log that both kids and their parents would have to sign off on it each day. I assign reading each night for homework, but I know my students are not reading.
I was planning to go to the gym tomorrow (now today), but it is now 3am. I will have about 3 hours of sleep before I have to get up. I will be too tired to go. So, I will have to try again another time. I also told myself that I have to get out of that school building by 5pm. When I leave at 6pm or 7pm, I am not really being productive, I am just wasting time.
Time to go.
Oh, I will do a quick summary of the couple of incidents (meeting with Sticky Finger's father, school newsletter, back pain etc...) another time.
Post Date - Monday, October 29, 2007 3:03am
Monday, October 29, 2007
Saturday, October 27, 2007
It has been a while. Sorry about the gap in postings. Last week I was just not in the mood to post. Part of the problem was that I would fall asleep moments after arriving home. An old story I've written so many times before. Today, my Saturday PD class was cancelled by the instructor. I really needed a full weekend.
Sorry to cut this short, but I need to start my lesson planning. I really don't want to waste this Saturday procrastinating all day only to have to stress out on Sunday night with an after midnight bedtime. I'll do another post later this evening(hopefully, after I've completed my lesson plans).
Post Date - Saturday, October 27, 2007 10:41am
Sorry to cut this short, but I need to start my lesson planning. I really don't want to waste this Saturday procrastinating all day only to have to stress out on Sunday night with an after midnight bedtime. I'll do another post later this evening(hopefully, after I've completed my lesson plans).
Post Date - Saturday, October 27, 2007 10:41am
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Since nothing much happened last week, instead of doing a day by day summary, I'll just briefly summarize the week:
Monday, October 15th
I ended up going to bed at 3pm, so I was really out of it this morning. I almost missed my train. Only comment today was Sticky finger's slumber party. She is laughing making invitations on scrapes of paper after I took her other invitations. She is really starting to get on my nerves.
Tuesday, October 16th
A major multinational company did a community service program in our school. Company workers volunteer to teach lessons about communities. After a 10 to 12 minutes lecture on the value this multinational company serves, then the volunteers got started. I wasn't too thrilled with the "intro" but I have to say that I enjoyed the program. I think some of the ideas were a bit over my students' heads, but the exposure was good for them I think. Also, it was an (almost)all day event, so it was a relatively stress-free day. All I had to do was to keep my kids from getting too hyper.
Quick summary. The program brought about 3 volunteers to each of the 3rd grade classrooms. Each 45 minute lesson consisted of a different aspect of community. Of the 3 volunteers that came to my room, one guy seemed to have been the seasoned pro (or the guy in charge). Mr. Tie seemed to have done this a few times. He seemed very comfortable. The other two were younger analysts. Princess didn't do much but assists Mr. Tie, she did do a lesson, but I can't seem to remember anything. I only remember how she kept to the side staying in the background. Junior (no tie) was a bit nervous throughout, both assisting Mr. Tie and when his turn came to present.
Every now and then, the teacher in me had to interrupt the presentations of all three because my kids were getting a bit too excited and to (try) clarifying something. Normally, I tend to be a bit passive, but for some reason, I was more aggressive (for lack of a better word) than usual. I apologized each time I interrupted a presenter. I think Mr. Tie liked that I was keeping my kids (relatively) on task and focused. Every time, I cut a presenter off to remind my kids to tone it down, I would apologize, but Mr. Tie would say, "no, no, please keep doing that". I got the impression that some of his experiences volunteering "in the city" were not pleasant experiences. All in all, I think I got a good group of volunteers. Ms. Across the Hall (another third grade teacher) felt her volunteers were a bit too green and really didn't handle her group very well.
During the ending, the school had a surprise fire drill. How do you know when it is a surprise fire drill? Admin will call to let you know. :)
After the fire drill, Mr. Tie asked me if it was okay to wrap up the presentation. He had certificates and toys for the students. It was last minute, but Mr. Tie gave me certificates for the students. He had wanted to give the certificates out, but the certificates didn't have the students name on them. I told him that I would write the students names while he wrapped up. I wrote the names on the certificates and the certs. were presented to each student with the toy. All in all, I thought it was a nice day. Ms. Across the Hall told me her volunteers left the box of toys and the certificates for her to hand out. I had to smile. My kids this year are a handful (although nothing like last year's group), but they are relatively nice...when they want to be. It was a positive experience.
Wednesday, October 17th
Hyper day to the max. Today, I had a flashback to last year. Last year, I would have a super hyper day where the students were just so, so, so, much too, too, too, hyper. It was like most of them were strung out on a sugar high...all at the same time. Last year, Wednesday...(every Wednesday) was that day. This year I am hoping this will not become a regular thing. Anyway, today my students were so hyper that neither rewards or punishment worked. Finally, I had to threaten to do an after school detention. And of course someone had to push and force me to mean what I said. That honor went to little ms. cackler. She doesn't laugh, she cackles like a little witch in training. A loud top of her voice cackle. over any and every misfortune that is not hers. She can be nice and polite when she wants to be, but too often she has a mean spirit about her. She takes great pleasure in other people's misfortunes:
someone stumbles, she cackles
someone's pencil point breaks, she cackles
someone scores low on a test, she cackles (even when she scored lower)
someone's book drops, she cackles
someone can't find something, she cackles
someone reads too low, she cackles
It is never good enough to just laugh, she has to cackle...loudly. She dances to her own music...literally.
The positive of the Cackler is that she does have good moments...few, but they are there. It is those good moments that proves...so far, that every child does deserve and education...when they want one. Sorry, I got sidetracked.
Anyway, the cackler was in one of her evil moods. She likes to spread that evil around. When she wouldn't stop disrupting class, and when my threats only resulted in, "so, I don't care", and, "so what". I had had enough. I locked up her coat and backpack. I dismissed the class, and brought back the Cackler. She continued to be disruptive, and she was the only student in the room. I added 5 minutes for each disruptive, or defiant act. I ended up keeping her til five. Oh, just a little clue to the background. Originally, she told me she could not stay because she had to take her little cousin home. I told her to call her mother to let her mother know. She told me her mother wouldn't answer the phone, so she would have to leave a message:
"Mom, I'm not going to after school. I'm taking my little cousin home." click (she hung up). I might be a bit out of touch, but I was a bit shocked by the message (including the tone and the authority she put into it). This was an 8 year old girl basically telling her mother what she (the girl) was planning to do. Well, since she was supposed to be in the after school program anyway. I kept her in detention. Did it change her behavior? No, she ended up doing detention with me again the very next day.
Anyway, the since I ended up keeping the cackler in til 5pm, I escorted her out the front door. Seeing the other kids (from the after school program) being dismissed reminded me that I was supposed to go to Sticky fingers' mother's place of business. Sticky fingers was actually more disruptive and disrespectful for most of the day, but the Cackler was more defiant. When I saw Sticky fingers, I remembered that I'd threaten to go to her mother's business, but I did the detention with the Cackler instead, so to make up for not going, I was determined to speak to her mother...again. I spoke to the mother. She seemed annoyed at me for bothering her...again about her daughter's behavior. I thought when I I explain the pencil sharpener incident, she would be on my side. No, I was wrong.
Earlier today, Sticky fingers was being loud and disruptive. I was about to send her to another room or lock up her backpack. (I don't remember which). Anyway, I noticed she is holding a green pencil sharpener. I look to see if my sharpener is on my desk, and no it's gone. I'm angry that she took my sharpener without my permission. After I ask her if that is my sharpener, she looks me right in the face and says, "yea". Then she takes her ink pen and tries sharpening it with my sharpener, not once taking her eyes off me. To be honest, I had a very violent thought, but instead I turned over her desk dumped everything on the floor. I took everything that wasn't school related and locked it in my closet. I then told her to clean the mess (I made). Unfortunately, being the wimp that I am immediately after telling her to clean up the mess that I made dumping the contents of her desk on the floor, I felt guilty for losing my temper. Luckily, the guilt came after she started picking up the mess.
Anyway, after telling the mother about my day with her daughter, she gets angry. She starts shouting "throw everything away", "just throw everything away". I reminder her that one of the contents was a cell phone that kept going off (and she refused to give it to me -- so I took it). The mother told me to throw it away also. AP2 was on the steps standing next to me, so she heard the whole conversation. Then, things to another turn into Bizzaro world.
While I was finishing up my conversation with Sticky finger's mother, there was a problem with an ice cream truck. The school is on a small two-way residential street. There is very little room for cars to go passed if a car (or a truck)stays idle. The guy in the red sports car says something, then AP2 apparently makes a snide comment. The guy in the red sports car starts shouting at her. Now, AP2 is about yeh high to a leprechaun's knees, but she has a mouth on her (not to mention a tattoo or two). She can be very nice, but get on her wrong side, and she knows how to talk the talk. Anyway, the guy is yelling at her for a snide comment she made -- I was involved with my parent conversation, so I honestly don't know what she said. but she did not back down for a minute, so the guy parks, gets out, and continues yelling at her. And yes, she continues yelling at him. If the guy wasn't doped up on steroids, then he could have very well been doped up on something else. He was big. He's yelling at her about knowing how much money she makes, and how he makes more...but not hustling (he pointed out several times). She's yelling at him to about how he knows nothing about her and he needs to take his behind back to (I don't remember the particulars). The guy now has gotten out of his car comes up to the stairs to get up in her face. AP2 doesn't blink, bat an eyelash or backs down. Now, the scene is the ice cream guy is watching out the truck window, and parents with their kids are also watching the shouting match. The math "coach" is also watching, but he seems to be enjoying the show. As Mr. Sports Car continues to get angrier and angrier he continues to move closer to AP2, but AP2 just won't shut up, and the "math coach" looks like he is not going to assist. Not wanting violence (actually hoping a fight doesn't breakout), I start inching between the two. Being Mr. Polite not wanting to interrupt either, I'm not being very effective (or is it affective). Finally, one of the school guards comes out, Mid to late something woman, who in her own right also has an aggressive side. And can be loud when she wants to be. I was surprised quiet she was a easy-going. "Sir, sir, just calm down". I was impressed. She was far more affective than I was. I was just feeling too stupid for words. I'm almost as big as a house, but about as soft as a jellyfish (without the sting). To be honest the only thought running through my mind was I was going to be one of the wimpy guys who throws himself on the landmine to save the loudmouth one in the company who was the one who tripped the booby trap in the first place.
Anyway, after the shouting stops, then people start coming out. They all (strangely enough) pretty much said the same thing, "what's going on. I heard shouting". One of the last ones to arrive, the 20 something school security guard. The one I've mention as the tackler in previous entries. Finally, the principal came out,and yes, she too heard the shouting. Apparently, she has told the ice cream lady not to park on the corner because it is a safety hazard. She even mentioned that the angry guy could call and report the ice cream truck lady so that she (the truck lady) can be fined. Then, when the guy leaves (and the ice cream truck also), everyone jokes about what a jerk that guy was carrying on like that in front of the children.
Well, That's it for now. It was way longer than I was planning. I can't believe I spent a couple of hours on this. I really need to get my act together.
Post Date - Sunday, October 21, 2007 2:16am
Monday, October 15th
I ended up going to bed at 3pm, so I was really out of it this morning. I almost missed my train. Only comment today was Sticky finger's slumber party. She is laughing making invitations on scrapes of paper after I took her other invitations. She is really starting to get on my nerves.
Tuesday, October 16th
A major multinational company did a community service program in our school. Company workers volunteer to teach lessons about communities. After a 10 to 12 minutes lecture on the value this multinational company serves, then the volunteers got started. I wasn't too thrilled with the "intro" but I have to say that I enjoyed the program. I think some of the ideas were a bit over my students' heads, but the exposure was good for them I think. Also, it was an (almost)all day event, so it was a relatively stress-free day. All I had to do was to keep my kids from getting too hyper.
Quick summary. The program brought about 3 volunteers to each of the 3rd grade classrooms. Each 45 minute lesson consisted of a different aspect of community. Of the 3 volunteers that came to my room, one guy seemed to have been the seasoned pro (or the guy in charge). Mr. Tie seemed to have done this a few times. He seemed very comfortable. The other two were younger analysts. Princess didn't do much but assists Mr. Tie, she did do a lesson, but I can't seem to remember anything. I only remember how she kept to the side staying in the background. Junior (no tie) was a bit nervous throughout, both assisting Mr. Tie and when his turn came to present.
Every now and then, the teacher in me had to interrupt the presentations of all three because my kids were getting a bit too excited and to (try) clarifying something. Normally, I tend to be a bit passive, but for some reason, I was more aggressive (for lack of a better word) than usual. I apologized each time I interrupted a presenter. I think Mr. Tie liked that I was keeping my kids (relatively) on task and focused. Every time, I cut a presenter off to remind my kids to tone it down, I would apologize, but Mr. Tie would say, "no, no, please keep doing that". I got the impression that some of his experiences volunteering "in the city" were not pleasant experiences. All in all, I think I got a good group of volunteers. Ms. Across the Hall (another third grade teacher) felt her volunteers were a bit too green and really didn't handle her group very well.
During the ending, the school had a surprise fire drill. How do you know when it is a surprise fire drill? Admin will call to let you know. :)
After the fire drill, Mr. Tie asked me if it was okay to wrap up the presentation. He had certificates and toys for the students. It was last minute, but Mr. Tie gave me certificates for the students. He had wanted to give the certificates out, but the certificates didn't have the students name on them. I told him that I would write the students names while he wrapped up. I wrote the names on the certificates and the certs. were presented to each student with the toy. All in all, I thought it was a nice day. Ms. Across the Hall told me her volunteers left the box of toys and the certificates for her to hand out. I had to smile. My kids this year are a handful (although nothing like last year's group), but they are relatively nice...when they want to be. It was a positive experience.
Wednesday, October 17th
Hyper day to the max. Today, I had a flashback to last year. Last year, I would have a super hyper day where the students were just so, so, so, much too, too, too, hyper. It was like most of them were strung out on a sugar high...all at the same time. Last year, Wednesday...(every Wednesday) was that day. This year I am hoping this will not become a regular thing. Anyway, today my students were so hyper that neither rewards or punishment worked. Finally, I had to threaten to do an after school detention. And of course someone had to push and force me to mean what I said. That honor went to little ms. cackler. She doesn't laugh, she cackles like a little witch in training. A loud top of her voice cackle. over any and every misfortune that is not hers. She can be nice and polite when she wants to be, but too often she has a mean spirit about her. She takes great pleasure in other people's misfortunes:
someone stumbles, she cackles
someone's pencil point breaks, she cackles
someone scores low on a test, she cackles (even when she scored lower)
someone's book drops, she cackles
someone can't find something, she cackles
someone reads too low, she cackles
It is never good enough to just laugh, she has to cackle...loudly. She dances to her own music...literally.
The positive of the Cackler is that she does have good moments...few, but they are there. It is those good moments that proves...so far, that every child does deserve and education...when they want one. Sorry, I got sidetracked.
Anyway, the cackler was in one of her evil moods. She likes to spread that evil around. When she wouldn't stop disrupting class, and when my threats only resulted in, "so, I don't care", and, "so what". I had had enough. I locked up her coat and backpack. I dismissed the class, and brought back the Cackler. She continued to be disruptive, and she was the only student in the room. I added 5 minutes for each disruptive, or defiant act. I ended up keeping her til five. Oh, just a little clue to the background. Originally, she told me she could not stay because she had to take her little cousin home. I told her to call her mother to let her mother know. She told me her mother wouldn't answer the phone, so she would have to leave a message:
"Mom, I'm not going to after school. I'm taking my little cousin home." click (she hung up). I might be a bit out of touch, but I was a bit shocked by the message (including the tone and the authority she put into it). This was an 8 year old girl basically telling her mother what she (the girl) was planning to do. Well, since she was supposed to be in the after school program anyway. I kept her in detention. Did it change her behavior? No, she ended up doing detention with me again the very next day.
Anyway, the since I ended up keeping the cackler in til 5pm, I escorted her out the front door. Seeing the other kids (from the after school program) being dismissed reminded me that I was supposed to go to Sticky fingers' mother's place of business. Sticky fingers was actually more disruptive and disrespectful for most of the day, but the Cackler was more defiant. When I saw Sticky fingers, I remembered that I'd threaten to go to her mother's business, but I did the detention with the Cackler instead, so to make up for not going, I was determined to speak to her mother...again. I spoke to the mother. She seemed annoyed at me for bothering her...again about her daughter's behavior. I thought when I I explain the pencil sharpener incident, she would be on my side. No, I was wrong.
Earlier today, Sticky fingers was being loud and disruptive. I was about to send her to another room or lock up her backpack. (I don't remember which). Anyway, I noticed she is holding a green pencil sharpener. I look to see if my sharpener is on my desk, and no it's gone. I'm angry that she took my sharpener without my permission. After I ask her if that is my sharpener, she looks me right in the face and says, "yea". Then she takes her ink pen and tries sharpening it with my sharpener, not once taking her eyes off me. To be honest, I had a very violent thought, but instead I turned over her desk dumped everything on the floor. I took everything that wasn't school related and locked it in my closet. I then told her to clean the mess (I made). Unfortunately, being the wimp that I am immediately after telling her to clean up the mess that I made dumping the contents of her desk on the floor, I felt guilty for losing my temper. Luckily, the guilt came after she started picking up the mess.
Anyway, after telling the mother about my day with her daughter, she gets angry. She starts shouting "throw everything away", "just throw everything away". I reminder her that one of the contents was a cell phone that kept going off (and she refused to give it to me -- so I took it). The mother told me to throw it away also. AP2 was on the steps standing next to me, so she heard the whole conversation. Then, things to another turn into Bizzaro world.
While I was finishing up my conversation with Sticky finger's mother, there was a problem with an ice cream truck. The school is on a small two-way residential street. There is very little room for cars to go passed if a car (or a truck)stays idle. The guy in the red sports car says something, then AP2 apparently makes a snide comment. The guy in the red sports car starts shouting at her. Now, AP2 is about yeh high to a leprechaun's knees, but she has a mouth on her (not to mention a tattoo or two). She can be very nice, but get on her wrong side, and she knows how to talk the talk. Anyway, the guy is yelling at her for a snide comment she made -- I was involved with my parent conversation, so I honestly don't know what she said. but she did not back down for a minute, so the guy parks, gets out, and continues yelling at her. And yes, she continues yelling at him. If the guy wasn't doped up on steroids, then he could have very well been doped up on something else. He was big. He's yelling at her about knowing how much money she makes, and how he makes more...but not hustling (he pointed out several times). She's yelling at him to about how he knows nothing about her and he needs to take his behind back to (I don't remember the particulars). The guy now has gotten out of his car comes up to the stairs to get up in her face. AP2 doesn't blink, bat an eyelash or backs down. Now, the scene is the ice cream guy is watching out the truck window, and parents with their kids are also watching the shouting match. The math "coach" is also watching, but he seems to be enjoying the show. As Mr. Sports Car continues to get angrier and angrier he continues to move closer to AP2, but AP2 just won't shut up, and the "math coach" looks like he is not going to assist. Not wanting violence (actually hoping a fight doesn't breakout), I start inching between the two. Being Mr. Polite not wanting to interrupt either, I'm not being very effective (or is it affective). Finally, one of the school guards comes out, Mid to late something woman, who in her own right also has an aggressive side. And can be loud when she wants to be. I was surprised quiet she was a easy-going. "Sir, sir, just calm down". I was impressed. She was far more affective than I was. I was just feeling too stupid for words. I'm almost as big as a house, but about as soft as a jellyfish (without the sting). To be honest the only thought running through my mind was I was going to be one of the wimpy guys who throws himself on the landmine to save the loudmouth one in the company who was the one who tripped the booby trap in the first place.
Anyway, after the shouting stops, then people start coming out. They all (strangely enough) pretty much said the same thing, "what's going on. I heard shouting". One of the last ones to arrive, the 20 something school security guard. The one I've mention as the tackler in previous entries. Finally, the principal came out,and yes, she too heard the shouting. Apparently, she has told the ice cream lady not to park on the corner because it is a safety hazard. She even mentioned that the angry guy could call and report the ice cream truck lady so that she (the truck lady) can be fined. Then, when the guy leaves (and the ice cream truck also), everyone jokes about what a jerk that guy was carrying on like that in front of the children.
Well, That's it for now. It was way longer than I was planning. I can't believe I spent a couple of hours on this. I really need to get my act together.
Post Date - Sunday, October 21, 2007 2:16am
Sunday, October 14, 2007
I had breakfast and showered around 10am. I started cleaning my living room. I had shopping bags unopened(since August), and papers almost covering the entire floor. I started getting used to at the same time of being frustrated with the piles that were everywhere. I also finally put together another plastic shelving unit that was bought in August sometime. With the shelving unit up, I could now get the papers and books off the floor. I have to be honest, it feels great to be albe to walk into the living room with out having to stumble or
I fell asleep at this computer. I was trying to say how much I like having an organized a (relatively) clean space. It is nice having an open space without having to step over objects, etc...
I spent most of the morning cleaning and organizing papers and materials. My online groceries arrived about 2pm. I also did my laundry. By the time I settled down to do lesson plans, I knew I would not be able to do the whole week. I settled for a complete day and a homework sheet.
I had breakfast and showered around 10am. I started cleaning my living room. I had shopping bags unopened(since August), and papers almost covering the entire floor. I started getting used to at the same time of being frustrated with the piles that were everywhere. I also finally put together another plastic shelving unit that was bought in August sometime. With the shelving unit up, I could now get the papers and books off the floor. I have to be honest, it feels great to be albe to walk into the living room with out having to stumble or
I fell asleep at this computer. I was trying to say how much I like having an organized a (relatively) clean space. It is nice having an open space without having to step over objects, etc...
I spent most of the morning cleaning and organizing papers and materials. My online groceries arrived about 2pm. I also did my laundry. By the time I settled down to do lesson plans, I knew I would not be able to do the whole week. I settled for a complete day and a homework sheet.
By now, I'm sure you've already figured out that I am a bit behind in my blogging. Sorry. From head colds, to shoulder pain, to rapidly approaching deadlines, I have not been in the mood for blogging this past week. However, I know I have one (or two) who enjoys reading my blog, so I will try to be more diligent in the future. I am going to try to set a 30 minutes limit to blogging.
Well, on with the recap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Today was the first day of my Saturday PD class. Professional Development classes (the good ones) fill up very quick, so you have to grab what you can. It was only after I'd registered that I discovered the travel requirements. To get to class on time, I would have to take the 6:30am Metro North train. The new class is located in Brooklyn. It wasn't until a couple of days ago, that I did Internet map search to find the specific travel routes (by mass transit). Since I was up until 2am the night before, I was not in the best of shape (or mood) this morning. I did manage to catch my train.
The PD class is on the basics of Microsoft applications. Two trains, and a bus ride later, I arrived at the school at about 8:20am. Needless to say, I was the first one to arrive. The guy who is teaching the class is also the principal of the school where the class is being held. Strange. It is the first time I've seen a principal wanting to teach. I did tell myself that if and when I ever became an administrator, I would continue to maintain a presence in the classroom. The guy was actually a nice guy. He had a pleasant manner about him. He really didn't carry himself like an administrator. The only hint that showed he is one of the "others", was with his comment on doing things correct:
"If I ask you to do something, if you do it your way does not mean that your way is wrong. But it is wrong because it is not done my way."
Yep, that's an administrator.
The class was from 9am to 3pm. The instructor did go a bit too fast with his explanations, but he earned a lot of points for taking the time to circulate and provide practice opportunities. He also taught like a host hosting a party, he mingled and he checked. He was fairly mobile. With every new concept presented, the instructor made sure he made the rounds to check and see that everyone understood. He didn't just rely on the vague and distant question, "do you(all) understand". He did take regular breaks, and we go a 30 minute lunch break. I enjoyed the lesson. Even me fighting the urge to sleep, didn't diminish the experience. Although, I am fairly comfortable with the basic desktop applications the instructor presented, I still learned a couple of tricks (like format paintbrush). The format paintbrush will be very useful on my homework sheet.
We were finished at 3pm. On the way home, I decided to stop off at bookstore. I finished R.A. Salvatore's book, Spearwielder's Tale. I enjoyed the writing, and the characters. The ending of each part of the trilogy were nice, but after thinking about them, I was a bit disappointed. I like happy endings, and the endings were fairly happy, but still, I could help getting the feeling "is that all feeling". Without giving away an plots, I'll just say that characters are given opportunities for big things, but end up say, "no thank you".
Anyway, I was in a good mood, and the weather was nice. I got off at the 14th street and Union Square. I was planning to go to the small Barnes & Nobles near the Union Square park, but decided to go to the main B & N on 5th avenue. My thinking was that of the various stores the main flagship store is sure to have an incredible selection.
OH BOY was I was wrong. I've been to a couple of B&N's that took almost half a store floor space.
What did the flagship store have?
Two single-standing bookcases. What a major disappointment!!! Anyway, since I was there I did peruse the meager selection. After about 30 or 40 minutes of my usually indecisiveness, I finally settled on R.R. Martin's "A Storm of Swords". I tried to find the next E.E. Knight's Dragon book "Dragon Outcast", but the clerk told me that it won't be out until December. What happened to the Children of Hurin? I remember the book after I started looking through the book selection, but since I was there, I decided to buy another book anyway.
After B&N, being bored, I went to MacDonald's on 14th street. There was something I was supposed to write about MacD., but I can't remember. Anyway, when I got home, I did a blog entry. I also did something else.
I did my first online shopping for groceries. Have I really gotten that lazy? The cost was about $70(including the "shop at home" fee[$15] and the $5 tip I gave to delivery guy).
Well, I think that is about it for now...
Post Date - Saturday, October 20, 2007 7:52pm
Well, on with the recap.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Today was the first day of my Saturday PD class. Professional Development classes (the good ones) fill up very quick, so you have to grab what you can. It was only after I'd registered that I discovered the travel requirements. To get to class on time, I would have to take the 6:30am Metro North train. The new class is located in Brooklyn. It wasn't until a couple of days ago, that I did Internet map search to find the specific travel routes (by mass transit). Since I was up until 2am the night before, I was not in the best of shape (or mood) this morning. I did manage to catch my train.
The PD class is on the basics of Microsoft applications. Two trains, and a bus ride later, I arrived at the school at about 8:20am. Needless to say, I was the first one to arrive. The guy who is teaching the class is also the principal of the school where the class is being held. Strange. It is the first time I've seen a principal wanting to teach. I did tell myself that if and when I ever became an administrator, I would continue to maintain a presence in the classroom. The guy was actually a nice guy. He had a pleasant manner about him. He really didn't carry himself like an administrator. The only hint that showed he is one of the "others", was with his comment on doing things correct:
"If I ask you to do something, if you do it your way does not mean that your way is wrong. But it is wrong because it is not done my way."
Yep, that's an administrator.
The class was from 9am to 3pm. The instructor did go a bit too fast with his explanations, but he earned a lot of points for taking the time to circulate and provide practice opportunities. He also taught like a host hosting a party, he mingled and he checked. He was fairly mobile. With every new concept presented, the instructor made sure he made the rounds to check and see that everyone understood. He didn't just rely on the vague and distant question, "do you(all) understand". He did take regular breaks, and we go a 30 minute lunch break. I enjoyed the lesson. Even me fighting the urge to sleep, didn't diminish the experience. Although, I am fairly comfortable with the basic desktop applications the instructor presented, I still learned a couple of tricks (like format paintbrush). The format paintbrush will be very useful on my homework sheet.
We were finished at 3pm. On the way home, I decided to stop off at bookstore. I finished R.A. Salvatore's book, Spearwielder's Tale. I enjoyed the writing, and the characters. The ending of each part of the trilogy were nice, but after thinking about them, I was a bit disappointed. I like happy endings, and the endings were fairly happy, but still, I could help getting the feeling "is that all feeling". Without giving away an plots, I'll just say that characters are given opportunities for big things, but end up say, "no thank you".
Anyway, I was in a good mood, and the weather was nice. I got off at the 14th street and Union Square. I was planning to go to the small Barnes & Nobles near the Union Square park, but decided to go to the main B & N on 5th avenue. My thinking was that of the various stores the main flagship store is sure to have an incredible selection.
OH BOY was I was wrong. I've been to a couple of B&N's that took almost half a store floor space.
What did the flagship store have?
Two single-standing bookcases. What a major disappointment!!! Anyway, since I was there I did peruse the meager selection. After about 30 or 40 minutes of my usually indecisiveness, I finally settled on R.R. Martin's "A Storm of Swords". I tried to find the next E.E. Knight's Dragon book "Dragon Outcast", but the clerk told me that it won't be out until December. What happened to the Children of Hurin? I remember the book after I started looking through the book selection, but since I was there, I decided to buy another book anyway.
After B&N, being bored, I went to MacDonald's on 14th street. There was something I was supposed to write about MacD., but I can't remember. Anyway, when I got home, I did a blog entry. I also did something else.
I did my first online shopping for groceries. Have I really gotten that lazy? The cost was about $70(including the "shop at home" fee[$15] and the $5 tip I gave to delivery guy).
Well, I think that is about it for now...
Post Date - Saturday, October 20, 2007 7:52pm
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Friday, October 12, 2007
Today started off not good. The night before, there was a notice that the cold water was turned off. This morning, it was rainy and cold. I was dreading coming to work. I had the feeling this was going to be one of those days.
It turns out I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
4 of my "headaches" were out due to the Ramadan holiday. Then, AP1 called to say I was due a make-up preparation period to due the new scheduling. There was a school-wide (grades 3 to 6th) that was more suitable than "school-wide" tests in the pasts. There was a Hispanic assembly last period. Oh, and there was a birthday luncheon for teachers with birthdays during the months of Aug., Sept., and Oct. I'm not a party person, so I skipped the party part (especially when the event organizer pulled out party hats for the birthday people. I ran for the hills. I came back later at the very end to see if there were any leftovers. I got a couple of pieces of fried chicken, some macaroni salad, and a slice of cake.
Oh, the principal stopped by. She came in looked around, then scribbled a note on a piece of paper:
"Kudos!!! You got caught being on task."
Across the hall (teacher) seemed very pleased to have also have received one. Me? I am sorry to say, I was offended by the comment. 1. it is the kind of comment a child would get. 2. Someone who is usually early picking up his kids. Always dressed professionally. Rarely sits when the students are in the room (never sitting at his desk during school hours). A nice, neat and orderly classroom.
What else would I be doing?
Other than the note, today was a day for the record. I'll probably never have another day like today. I smiled more today than I did in the past two or three years.
The day was that good!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:18
Today started off not good. The night before, there was a notice that the cold water was turned off. This morning, it was rainy and cold. I was dreading coming to work. I had the feeling this was going to be one of those days.
It turns out I was wrong. Very, very wrong.
4 of my "headaches" were out due to the Ramadan holiday. Then, AP1 called to say I was due a make-up preparation period to due the new scheduling. There was a school-wide (grades 3 to 6th) that was more suitable than "school-wide" tests in the pasts. There was a Hispanic assembly last period. Oh, and there was a birthday luncheon for teachers with birthdays during the months of Aug., Sept., and Oct. I'm not a party person, so I skipped the party part (especially when the event organizer pulled out party hats for the birthday people. I ran for the hills. I came back later at the very end to see if there were any leftovers. I got a couple of pieces of fried chicken, some macaroni salad, and a slice of cake.
Oh, the principal stopped by. She came in looked around, then scribbled a note on a piece of paper:
"Kudos!!! You got caught being on task."
Across the hall (teacher) seemed very pleased to have also have received one. Me? I am sorry to say, I was offended by the comment. 1. it is the kind of comment a child would get. 2. Someone who is usually early picking up his kids. Always dressed professionally. Rarely sits when the students are in the room (never sitting at his desk during school hours). A nice, neat and orderly classroom.
What else would I be doing?
Other than the note, today was a day for the record. I'll probably never have another day like today. I smiled more today than I did in the past two or three years.
The day was that good!!!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007 1:18
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Nothing worth writing about. The only thing that comes to mind at this moment was at dismissal time. Sticky-Finger Fredda managed to sneak away while I was talking to a parent. Later, I see mom at the ice cream truck buying ice cream. I'm sure it was only yesterday that mom was telling me that she would be asking for a daily report about her daughter's behavior. Even if her daughter was an angel from above (and no, she wasn't), she did not deserve ice cream after the nonsense yesterday.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:28pm
Nothing worth writing about. The only thing that comes to mind at this moment was at dismissal time. Sticky-Finger Fredda managed to sneak away while I was talking to a parent. Later, I see mom at the ice cream truck buying ice cream. I'm sure it was only yesterday that mom was telling me that she would be asking for a daily report about her daughter's behavior. Even if her daughter was an angel from above (and no, she wasn't), she did not deserve ice cream after the nonsense yesterday.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:28pm
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Rainy morning. Again, I missed my "early" train. This morning the "new" reading program started. The new learning groups were in the teacher's mailboxes this morning. We found out then and there that we would not have any of our regular kids. My group? I would have a group of 4th and 5th graders. My reading level group? 2.2 Yes, that is a second grade reading level. There was more than a few "WTF"s including me. The announcement was that we would be having our "new groups" for a full 90 minutes. I have to be honest. I am responsible for a part of the confusion and lack of preparation. I knew that eventually the "new" program would start. With no official start date, and weeks of "the program will start soon". I got comfortable with not thinking about the program. I tried to be as professional as possible, I had a "do now" activity, that gave me 5 to 10 minute prep time. I found the training book for the program and the teacher's guide. I skimmed them quickly, then photocopied a few pages(about 12) about getting started with the program. I made copies for "Across the Hall"(third grade teacher and a second grade teacher (also across the hall). Problem? The training manual and the teacher's guide mentioned the first couple of weeks are "getting along" cooperative building activities, but without the activities.
So with some teachers seemingly a bit lost, I managed to quickly put my students on task and productive (while I organized the program materials that I did have), and I assisted a couple of other teachers. While the kids are doing a third grade reading comprehension activity, the principal walks in, " that's not the program materials", and walks out.
After the 90 minute "new" literacy block, I gave my regular students the math unit one test. Today was also the start of the "spider making" art project. For one reason or another, the felt material wasn't accepting the glue and would not stick. After school, I reglued each of the students' 16 spiders using a hot glue gun.
There was a PTA meeting that I'd forgotten about. I stayed for the meeting (one of 3 teachers with about 6 or 7 parents attending) I was out about 6:30pm. In the Bronx, I went to Target to buy more glue and Weight Watchers Smart Meals (on sale 3 for $5). For dinner, I had a smart meal with a couple of slices of plain wheat bread.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:18pm
Rainy morning. Again, I missed my "early" train. This morning the "new" reading program started. The new learning groups were in the teacher's mailboxes this morning. We found out then and there that we would not have any of our regular kids. My group? I would have a group of 4th and 5th graders. My reading level group? 2.2 Yes, that is a second grade reading level. There was more than a few "WTF"s including me. The announcement was that we would be having our "new groups" for a full 90 minutes. I have to be honest. I am responsible for a part of the confusion and lack of preparation. I knew that eventually the "new" program would start. With no official start date, and weeks of "the program will start soon". I got comfortable with not thinking about the program. I tried to be as professional as possible, I had a "do now" activity, that gave me 5 to 10 minute prep time. I found the training book for the program and the teacher's guide. I skimmed them quickly, then photocopied a few pages(about 12) about getting started with the program. I made copies for "Across the Hall"(third grade teacher and a second grade teacher (also across the hall). Problem? The training manual and the teacher's guide mentioned the first couple of weeks are "getting along" cooperative building activities, but without the activities.
So with some teachers seemingly a bit lost, I managed to quickly put my students on task and productive (while I organized the program materials that I did have), and I assisted a couple of other teachers. While the kids are doing a third grade reading comprehension activity, the principal walks in, " that's not the program materials", and walks out.
After the 90 minute "new" literacy block, I gave my regular students the math unit one test. Today was also the start of the "spider making" art project. For one reason or another, the felt material wasn't accepting the glue and would not stick. After school, I reglued each of the students' 16 spiders using a hot glue gun.
There was a PTA meeting that I'd forgotten about. I stayed for the meeting (one of 3 teachers with about 6 or 7 parents attending) I was out about 6:30pm. In the Bronx, I went to Target to buy more glue and Weight Watchers Smart Meals (on sale 3 for $5). For dinner, I had a smart meal with a couple of slices of plain wheat bread.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 11:18pm
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Today was basically an okay day, a day after the three-day Columbus holiday. Nothing major, just the usually headache. Example? Sticky-finger Fredda was in one of her playful moods. She blows a whistle in class in the middle of a lesson, then laughs. I take the whistle. About 2 minutes later, she is playing with a toy, so I take the toy. She laughs. About another 2 minutes later, she takes out a toy puzzle and proceeds to play with it on her desk...yes, in the middle of the lesson. I take the puzzle. Threatened to call her mother. And reminding her how her mother doesn't like hearing from me. With the reminder, she decides to start imitating a baseball player in front of the room with a balled up wad of paper as her ball(one of the "since I'm in trouble, I don't care" disruptive and/or distructive behaviors. I had had enough. I wanted to throw her out(dragging her into the hallway if necessary). Teachers are discouraged from putting kids in the hallway. I settled for sending her to a former teacher with some work to complete independently. Later of course, I spoke to the mother...yet again. I was surprised how attentive the mother seemed. Not the usually "I gotta go body language". After about 5 minutes, the mother asks when her daughter is coming out. It turned out the mother was only humoring me waiting for her daughter to come out. Mom didn't know that today was the first day of our schools after-school program. The empty sidewalk in front of the school should have been a clue.
I was planning to go to the gym, but feeling disorganized in the classroom and with the students' work, I changed my mind.
I ended up leaving the building about 6pm. At home, I spent about 1.5 hours preparing for an art project. With the students' researched report on different types of spiders, they are going to make spiders with arts & craft materials. A part of the bulletin board display would feature the students' spiders on a spun web background. To make the spun web background, the frames are paper plates with the center cut out, and 40 holes cut around the perimeter. I did the cutting and hole punching.
After the art prep, I relaxed in the bath and then fell asleep.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:34pm
Today was basically an okay day, a day after the three-day Columbus holiday. Nothing major, just the usually headache. Example? Sticky-finger Fredda was in one of her playful moods. She blows a whistle in class in the middle of a lesson, then laughs. I take the whistle. About 2 minutes later, she is playing with a toy, so I take the toy. She laughs. About another 2 minutes later, she takes out a toy puzzle and proceeds to play with it on her desk...yes, in the middle of the lesson. I take the puzzle. Threatened to call her mother. And reminding her how her mother doesn't like hearing from me. With the reminder, she decides to start imitating a baseball player in front of the room with a balled up wad of paper as her ball(one of the "since I'm in trouble, I don't care" disruptive and/or distructive behaviors. I had had enough. I wanted to throw her out(dragging her into the hallway if necessary). Teachers are discouraged from putting kids in the hallway. I settled for sending her to a former teacher with some work to complete independently. Later of course, I spoke to the mother...yet again. I was surprised how attentive the mother seemed. Not the usually "I gotta go body language". After about 5 minutes, the mother asks when her daughter is coming out. It turned out the mother was only humoring me waiting for her daughter to come out. Mom didn't know that today was the first day of our schools after-school program. The empty sidewalk in front of the school should have been a clue.
I was planning to go to the gym, but feeling disorganized in the classroom and with the students' work, I changed my mind.
I ended up leaving the building about 6pm. At home, I spent about 1.5 hours preparing for an art project. With the students' researched report on different types of spiders, they are going to make spiders with arts & craft materials. A part of the bulletin board display would feature the students' spiders on a spun web background. To make the spun web background, the frames are paper plates with the center cut out, and 40 holes cut around the perimeter. I did the cutting and hole punching.
After the art prep, I relaxed in the bath and then fell asleep.
Post Date - Saturday, October 13, 2007 10:34pm
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Three day(Columbus) weekend update. Since I didn't do much this shouldn't take that long.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
I slept most of the day. Finally, about 4pm I took a bath. Not a productive day, just a lot of procrastinating. Dinner was a Weight Watcher's "Smart One" meal. I fell asleep and ended up missing the Britcoms on PBS.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
So many plans, so much wasted time. A lot of coulda, woulda, and shoulda. I ended up doing nothing productive. :(
Monday, October 8, 2007 (Columbus Day)
I was out of bed about 8:43. I stepped on the scale for the heck of it. I weighed 196lbs. I graded "school-wide" test. I relaxed in the bath. I went to the teacher supply store in Brooklyn, I came out $104.46 poorer. I only planned to get a couple of art supplies (felt material and pipe cleaners). I ended up buying the art supplies mentioned along with bulletin board paper (and border), monthly idea books for the months of November (and December), another general curriculum skills practice book, chalk holders, and rubber stamps. I visited my father's place for mail pick up. I also went to a cheap imitation discount store to buy some cheap white undershirts. Since they were "slightly irregular" they were very cheap. Since they are "undershirts", no one will see the "slight irregularities". I got back home in time to take my clothes to the laundry for washing only, but that was okay since most of the clothes are my "work clothes" (my white shirts and black slacks that I don't put in the dryer anyway [avoiding shrinkage and fading]). While my clothes were washing, I walked up the hill to the local Chinese restaurant. I bought a grilled half chicken (actually, they fry it then grill it to "save time"). When I got home, I zap some rice in a cup and frozen vegetables. I am really determined to start at the gym on Tuesday, but considering how late I am up, gym might be a long shot.
Post Date - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:36pm
Saturday, October 6, 2007
I slept most of the day. Finally, about 4pm I took a bath. Not a productive day, just a lot of procrastinating. Dinner was a Weight Watcher's "Smart One" meal. I fell asleep and ended up missing the Britcoms on PBS.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
So many plans, so much wasted time. A lot of coulda, woulda, and shoulda. I ended up doing nothing productive. :(
Monday, October 8, 2007 (Columbus Day)
I was out of bed about 8:43. I stepped on the scale for the heck of it. I weighed 196lbs. I graded "school-wide" test. I relaxed in the bath. I went to the teacher supply store in Brooklyn, I came out $104.46 poorer. I only planned to get a couple of art supplies (felt material and pipe cleaners). I ended up buying the art supplies mentioned along with bulletin board paper (and border), monthly idea books for the months of November (and December), another general curriculum skills practice book, chalk holders, and rubber stamps. I visited my father's place for mail pick up. I also went to a cheap imitation discount store to buy some cheap white undershirts. Since they were "slightly irregular" they were very cheap. Since they are "undershirts", no one will see the "slight irregularities". I got back home in time to take my clothes to the laundry for washing only, but that was okay since most of the clothes are my "work clothes" (my white shirts and black slacks that I don't put in the dryer anyway [avoiding shrinkage and fading]). While my clothes were washing, I walked up the hill to the local Chinese restaurant. I bought a grilled half chicken (actually, they fry it then grill it to "save time"). When I got home, I zap some rice in a cup and frozen vegetables. I am really determined to start at the gym on Tuesday, but considering how late I am up, gym might be a long shot.
Post Date - Wednesday, October 10, 2007 11:36pm
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
Today started with my taking the later train. The trains were a bit slow this morning. I arrived at school with about 8 minutes to spare. I went down to pick up my class at about 7:55am. Admin is strongly encouraging teachers to pick up students at 7:55am. At first, I was (like several other teachers) not happy about picking up my students any earlier than I had to. According to our current contract, teachers are not required to pick up their students until 8am (the start of our workday). I did not like the early pick up at first, but I began to think about it, now the idea doesn't bother me. I don't mind picking up my students a few minutes early.
Today was another relatively easy day. AP2 photocopied five lessons from a test prep book, and that was the "school-wide" test on finding the main idea. There were 5 passages, each one was a page long with 5 questions (4 multiple choice and one extended response). Personally, I think that "test" was a bit too much for the students who had little test prep skills in second grade.
Since the usual candidates were their usual disruptive selves, I did a lunch detention. I think I was fighting a bit of a head cold, so I was not really in the mood for the usual nonsense. I told the talkers and the players that if they were going to take from me (in this case my time to teach), then I would take from them (their lunch/recess time). What was different this time?
I didn't allow them to speak...or even ask a question. In the past, during detention, even though I was suppose to be mad, I would still try helping the students with the work. Basically, if they were loud, disruptive and disrespectful in class, I would still try being teacher during detention. Explaining again what they should have gotten if they were not being disruptive. This time, I just wasn't in the mood. When they did the "I need help", I did the "ain't that the truth". You talked, played, and disrupted the lesson, and now you want me to teach you during my lunch time. NO!!!
Normally, I'd get a "that's not fair attitude argument, but sensing that I was in an evil mood, they said nothing. It was a nice detention. Friday's is pizza day. Since I've lost a few pounds just from my poor sleep habits and exhaustion, I did not want to spoil the weight loss with pizza. I forgot to bring my Healthy Choice meals with me, so I did not eat lunch.
Today was early dismissal for everybody(2:20pm), but I stayed in the building until 7:00pm. I got tired of the disorganization and the "soon I will start...". Before I got started with my classroom, I went to the local Chinese takeout. I ordered a lo mein and fried rice lunch meal($5).
I was home about 8pm. I was asleep about 8:15pm. Again no dinner.
Post Date - Monday, October 8, 2007 1:55am
Today started with my taking the later train. The trains were a bit slow this morning. I arrived at school with about 8 minutes to spare. I went down to pick up my class at about 7:55am. Admin is strongly encouraging teachers to pick up students at 7:55am. At first, I was (like several other teachers) not happy about picking up my students any earlier than I had to. According to our current contract, teachers are not required to pick up their students until 8am (the start of our workday). I did not like the early pick up at first, but I began to think about it, now the idea doesn't bother me. I don't mind picking up my students a few minutes early.
Today was another relatively easy day. AP2 photocopied five lessons from a test prep book, and that was the "school-wide" test on finding the main idea. There were 5 passages, each one was a page long with 5 questions (4 multiple choice and one extended response). Personally, I think that "test" was a bit too much for the students who had little test prep skills in second grade.
Since the usual candidates were their usual disruptive selves, I did a lunch detention. I think I was fighting a bit of a head cold, so I was not really in the mood for the usual nonsense. I told the talkers and the players that if they were going to take from me (in this case my time to teach), then I would take from them (their lunch/recess time). What was different this time?
I didn't allow them to speak...or even ask a question. In the past, during detention, even though I was suppose to be mad, I would still try helping the students with the work. Basically, if they were loud, disruptive and disrespectful in class, I would still try being teacher during detention. Explaining again what they should have gotten if they were not being disruptive. This time, I just wasn't in the mood. When they did the "I need help", I did the "ain't that the truth". You talked, played, and disrupted the lesson, and now you want me to teach you during my lunch time. NO!!!
Normally, I'd get a "that's not fair attitude argument, but sensing that I was in an evil mood, they said nothing. It was a nice detention. Friday's is pizza day. Since I've lost a few pounds just from my poor sleep habits and exhaustion, I did not want to spoil the weight loss with pizza. I forgot to bring my Healthy Choice meals with me, so I did not eat lunch.
Today was early dismissal for everybody(2:20pm), but I stayed in the building until 7:00pm. I got tired of the disorganization and the "soon I will start...". Before I got started with my classroom, I went to the local Chinese takeout. I ordered a lo mein and fried rice lunch meal($5).
I was home about 8pm. I was asleep about 8:15pm. Again no dinner.
Post Date - Monday, October 8, 2007 1:55am
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Today was a fairly easy day. I received a call from AP1 that the meeting with the worried parent would take place at about 10:15am. Later(at about 11:00am), I received a call from AP1 to bring my students down to the lunch room, they would be watch while I had the meeting with the parent and AP1. I was expecting the meeting to last 15 or 20 minutes. I arrived with my class in the lobby. The parent was there, but AP1 wasn't. The parent told me that AP1 had another matter to attend to. I was hoping for AP1 to be there, I did not want to speak (and show my hand) until AP1 arrived. After taking a long(slow) walk to the bathroom, AP1 still had not arrived. So, I had no choice but to sit and wait. The parent started talking first about how the meeting wasn't really about me.
?!?!?
She was worried about other teacher's attitude towards her son...and then finally, she was worried about her son's work.
To be honest, I wanted the slap, but in the end, it turned into more of a finger pluck. I explained how I was going to share my concerns about her son on the day she informed me of the meeting, but I told her I decided against it. She quickly told me that she really did not want to get me into trouble, she was just worried about her son. I wanted to say, "you sure have a funny way of not getting me into trouble. Calling a meeting with the Admin. is not the best way to express concerns". However, in the end, I didn't say anything. I did show her her son's work so far. She got a bit nervous. I had the feeling that she took the low grades personally. She admitted that she is trying to help her son. She is teaching him multiplication, division, and fractions, and is feeling a bit frustrated that he isn't getting it. She went on about how frustrating it is to know that her son can remember a song or an event that happened 2 years ago, but can't remember something she is teaching him now. I tried explaining the human nature of what she just described. I also tried offering suggestions on how she could help her son. Number 1, was that the focus of "help" should be coming from the child not from her. She should be solidifying the basics, not trying to add more before he is ready. Unfortunately, I think she still has her heart set on "having her son earn some kind of title in the future (MD or PhD etc...)". Each suggestion from me resulted in the following kind of response:
OkayokayIseeIshoulddothisandthenthisand...
I wanted to say lady, get a grip...But I didn't. By the end of the meeting(about 12pm), I think I made some progress. I just hope it was enough. I think the meeting went very well (from my point of view). From a determined parent, to a parent grabbing her purse (seemingly) eager to leave. Stupid me, when I am on a roll, I don't know when to shut up and walk away. The meeting could have ended in 15 or 20 minutes, but I didn't know how to end the meeting. I was on top from beginning to end, but I just couldn't keep my mouth shut.
Oh, what happened to AP1? AP1 arrived about 10 minutes, opening up with "our curriculum is challenging, and becoming more challenging. She was also very happy that I didn't come to the meeting empty-handed. When she saw that I was able to support myself with the student's work, and she saw that the parent wasn't really angry... but concern, AP1 took off. Strange. She must have had another emergency.
The meeting finally ended during the kids'/my lunch period, so I did not have to pick up the kids. I did have to return to the room to allow a couple of students to get their lunches. By the time, I was ready to get my lunch, the lunch period was almost over. I decided to put my milk and juice in the refrigerator. With only about 2 minutes to go before it was time to pick up the kids, the UFT rep. tells me that there is union meeting in the teacher's room. She said that she put a notice in the teachers' mailboxes, but I don't remember seeing any notice. And since there was only one other teacher who just happened to be in the teacher's lounge at that time, I suspect she might have forgotten. I hate being late picking up my kids. I like getting my kids before the mad rush starts. But, I ended up staying for the "shorten" meeting.
With no time to eat, I grabbed a couple of oatmeal cookie bars that were left out for the meeting.
The afternoon was fairly nice. I had one period to teach, then I had my planning preparation period (I like afternoon prep periods). Then, small group. Here in NYC, the last period of instruction is what is called the 37.5 small group (literacy)instruction. Only those students in need of tutorial assistance are supposed to be in attendance. Whereas in other schools, the 37.5 minute period is optional for students, at my school it is mandatory. Although I suspect it is from an Admin decision that it is easier to have one dismissal time instead of two (that is just my opinion), the (official) argument that "all of our students would benefit from the 37.5 minute period" is a valid one. Even though I have my entire class during the 37.5 minute period, I like the period. Actually, I am supposed to have someone in my room during the period to work with a small group as well. The third group is supposed to be of independent workers. However, this year like last year, I've been assigned an out of classroom teacher whose schedule is often too busy to allow him to assist me with a group of 5 kids. I think my co-teacher has only assisted twice since school has started. I am from the old school, if work has to be done, then I don't waste time worrying if "so and so" will be here to do his part. My main concern is the lowest group of readers (my group), the middles (the music teacher's group) and the (relatively speaking) high readers can work independently. My area of weakness is getting the groups settled on time so that I can work with the lower group.
Okay, moving on. I left school about 6:30pm. Sorry to say, I've started to ignore that annoying fire drill bell used to say, "get out now". Although next week, I really am going to have to make an effort to get out earlier so that I can get to the gym. I know most (if not all of you) reading this blog have given up on me ever going to the gym. However, I will prove you wrong...eventually. I now have Tuesday as my start date to start working out at the gym with a Monday through Friday routine.
Anyway, I was out of the building about 6:30pm, and I got caught by the talkative, extremely talkative kindergarten teacher. I had a feeling she was in a talkative mood. It almost looked like she was waiting for someone. I saw her "looking" at bulletin boards. I walked past her and went to the lobby bathroom thinking she would be gone when I got out. Out of the bathroom...she wasn't there. Outside the building...there she was. Caught!!!!
She talked about the lack of loyalty for the principal. She talked about how she moved two classrooms worth of books and furniture. She talked about how she has to organize her classroom closet. She talked about the problems other teachers bring to the school. She talked about the house she fixed up with her daughter. She talked about the tumor on her neck. She talked about how she stopped eating fish on the advice of one of the security guards. She talked about the tenant problem she had. She talked about the loan problems she had. She talked about her bank being bought out by another bank. I'm trying to paint a mental picture. The lady likes to talk.
The one-sided monologue went on for about 30 or 40 minutes. After a day of kids shouting, banging and screaming, I needed the peace and quiet of an evening walk to the train station. This lady was giving me a headache. Looking at my watch didn't help. Slowly walking didn't help. She would start walking with me, and then somehow end up in front of me. She even talked in the middle of the street. Okay, not really in the middle, she was more like 3 or 4 feet in the street(still talking). With the traffic light changing (yet again), I told her to come back to the sidewalk. And she started talking again. The way I was feeling, if I had mace, I probably would have used it. After about 20 or 30 minutes (time just seemed to stop), she decided that she could walk (with me) to the train station. And she continued talking on the way.
In hindsight, it is possible she might have been afraid to walk to the train station. Although, she often leaves the school late, sometimes later than I do. Also, she talks a lot in school. On more that a few occasions, I have had to walk my class around her while she was talking in the middle of the hallway about something or another. I forgot to mention, she also talked about how she does not drive her car because the alarm doesn't work and she is worried about disturbing her neighbors. For those of you wondering, if I had thought it was a matter of fear, then of course I would definitely have walked her to the train station...any train station she needed to go to. Incessant talker or not. Unfortunately, I was tired, and annoyed and I wasn't thinking clearly. I just wanted to get away from her. Sorry. In the future, if I see her again -- I will avoid the urge to run in the opposite direction. If it is dark outside, I will offer to walk her to her station.
I ended up arriving home about 8pm. Another tiring day, with no dinner. Out like a light in a matter of minutes of just "resting for a few minutes". The upside is that I've lost a few pounds from skipping dinner. Now, I weigh about 197lbs.
Post Date - Sunday, October 7, 2007 6:19pm
I just reread what I just posted. Yes, I know. There seems to be a smack of hypocrisy with my statements about the kindergarten teacher. So, I think an apology is in order. However, I still believe I don't talk as much as the kindergarten teacher. My conversation are usually topic specific, after that, I don't really have much to say.
Today was a fairly easy day. I received a call from AP1 that the meeting with the worried parent would take place at about 10:15am. Later(at about 11:00am), I received a call from AP1 to bring my students down to the lunch room, they would be watch while I had the meeting with the parent and AP1. I was expecting the meeting to last 15 or 20 minutes. I arrived with my class in the lobby. The parent was there, but AP1 wasn't. The parent told me that AP1 had another matter to attend to. I was hoping for AP1 to be there, I did not want to speak (and show my hand) until AP1 arrived. After taking a long(slow) walk to the bathroom, AP1 still had not arrived. So, I had no choice but to sit and wait. The parent started talking first about how the meeting wasn't really about me.
?!?!?
She was worried about other teacher's attitude towards her son...and then finally, she was worried about her son's work.
To be honest, I wanted the slap, but in the end, it turned into more of a finger pluck. I explained how I was going to share my concerns about her son on the day she informed me of the meeting, but I told her I decided against it. She quickly told me that she really did not want to get me into trouble, she was just worried about her son. I wanted to say, "you sure have a funny way of not getting me into trouble. Calling a meeting with the Admin. is not the best way to express concerns". However, in the end, I didn't say anything. I did show her her son's work so far. She got a bit nervous. I had the feeling that she took the low grades personally. She admitted that she is trying to help her son. She is teaching him multiplication, division, and fractions, and is feeling a bit frustrated that he isn't getting it. She went on about how frustrating it is to know that her son can remember a song or an event that happened 2 years ago, but can't remember something she is teaching him now. I tried explaining the human nature of what she just described. I also tried offering suggestions on how she could help her son. Number 1, was that the focus of "help" should be coming from the child not from her. She should be solidifying the basics, not trying to add more before he is ready. Unfortunately, I think she still has her heart set on "having her son earn some kind of title in the future (MD or PhD etc...)". Each suggestion from me resulted in the following kind of response:
OkayokayIseeIshoulddothisandthenthisand...
I wanted to say lady, get a grip...But I didn't. By the end of the meeting(about 12pm), I think I made some progress. I just hope it was enough. I think the meeting went very well (from my point of view). From a determined parent, to a parent grabbing her purse (seemingly) eager to leave. Stupid me, when I am on a roll, I don't know when to shut up and walk away. The meeting could have ended in 15 or 20 minutes, but I didn't know how to end the meeting. I was on top from beginning to end, but I just couldn't keep my mouth shut.
Oh, what happened to AP1? AP1 arrived about 10 minutes, opening up with "our curriculum is challenging, and becoming more challenging. She was also very happy that I didn't come to the meeting empty-handed. When she saw that I was able to support myself with the student's work, and she saw that the parent wasn't really angry... but concern, AP1 took off. Strange. She must have had another emergency.
The meeting finally ended during the kids'/my lunch period, so I did not have to pick up the kids. I did have to return to the room to allow a couple of students to get their lunches. By the time, I was ready to get my lunch, the lunch period was almost over. I decided to put my milk and juice in the refrigerator. With only about 2 minutes to go before it was time to pick up the kids, the UFT rep. tells me that there is union meeting in the teacher's room. She said that she put a notice in the teachers' mailboxes, but I don't remember seeing any notice. And since there was only one other teacher who just happened to be in the teacher's lounge at that time, I suspect she might have forgotten. I hate being late picking up my kids. I like getting my kids before the mad rush starts. But, I ended up staying for the "shorten" meeting.
With no time to eat, I grabbed a couple of oatmeal cookie bars that were left out for the meeting.
The afternoon was fairly nice. I had one period to teach, then I had my planning preparation period (I like afternoon prep periods). Then, small group. Here in NYC, the last period of instruction is what is called the 37.5 small group (literacy)instruction. Only those students in need of tutorial assistance are supposed to be in attendance. Whereas in other schools, the 37.5 minute period is optional for students, at my school it is mandatory. Although I suspect it is from an Admin decision that it is easier to have one dismissal time instead of two (that is just my opinion), the (official) argument that "all of our students would benefit from the 37.5 minute period" is a valid one. Even though I have my entire class during the 37.5 minute period, I like the period. Actually, I am supposed to have someone in my room during the period to work with a small group as well. The third group is supposed to be of independent workers. However, this year like last year, I've been assigned an out of classroom teacher whose schedule is often too busy to allow him to assist me with a group of 5 kids. I think my co-teacher has only assisted twice since school has started. I am from the old school, if work has to be done, then I don't waste time worrying if "so and so" will be here to do his part. My main concern is the lowest group of readers (my group), the middles (the music teacher's group) and the (relatively speaking) high readers can work independently. My area of weakness is getting the groups settled on time so that I can work with the lower group.
Okay, moving on. I left school about 6:30pm. Sorry to say, I've started to ignore that annoying fire drill bell used to say, "get out now". Although next week, I really am going to have to make an effort to get out earlier so that I can get to the gym. I know most (if not all of you) reading this blog have given up on me ever going to the gym. However, I will prove you wrong...eventually. I now have Tuesday as my start date to start working out at the gym with a Monday through Friday routine.
Anyway, I was out of the building about 6:30pm, and I got caught by the talkative, extremely talkative kindergarten teacher. I had a feeling she was in a talkative mood. It almost looked like she was waiting for someone. I saw her "looking" at bulletin boards. I walked past her and went to the lobby bathroom thinking she would be gone when I got out. Out of the bathroom...she wasn't there. Outside the building...there she was. Caught!!!!
She talked about the lack of loyalty for the principal. She talked about how she moved two classrooms worth of books and furniture. She talked about how she has to organize her classroom closet. She talked about the problems other teachers bring to the school. She talked about the house she fixed up with her daughter. She talked about the tumor on her neck. She talked about how she stopped eating fish on the advice of one of the security guards. She talked about the tenant problem she had. She talked about the loan problems she had. She talked about her bank being bought out by another bank. I'm trying to paint a mental picture. The lady likes to talk.
The one-sided monologue went on for about 30 or 40 minutes. After a day of kids shouting, banging and screaming, I needed the peace and quiet of an evening walk to the train station. This lady was giving me a headache. Looking at my watch didn't help. Slowly walking didn't help. She would start walking with me, and then somehow end up in front of me. She even talked in the middle of the street. Okay, not really in the middle, she was more like 3 or 4 feet in the street(still talking). With the traffic light changing (yet again), I told her to come back to the sidewalk. And she started talking again. The way I was feeling, if I had mace, I probably would have used it. After about 20 or 30 minutes (time just seemed to stop), she decided that she could walk (with me) to the train station. And she continued talking on the way.
In hindsight, it is possible she might have been afraid to walk to the train station. Although, she often leaves the school late, sometimes later than I do. Also, she talks a lot in school. On more that a few occasions, I have had to walk my class around her while she was talking in the middle of the hallway about something or another. I forgot to mention, she also talked about how she does not drive her car because the alarm doesn't work and she is worried about disturbing her neighbors. For those of you wondering, if I had thought it was a matter of fear, then of course I would definitely have walked her to the train station...any train station she needed to go to. Incessant talker or not. Unfortunately, I was tired, and annoyed and I wasn't thinking clearly. I just wanted to get away from her. Sorry. In the future, if I see her again -- I will avoid the urge to run in the opposite direction. If it is dark outside, I will offer to walk her to her station.
I ended up arriving home about 8pm. Another tiring day, with no dinner. Out like a light in a matter of minutes of just "resting for a few minutes". The upside is that I've lost a few pounds from skipping dinner. Now, I weigh about 197lbs.
Post Date - Sunday, October 7, 2007 6:19pm
I just reread what I just posted. Yes, I know. There seems to be a smack of hypocrisy with my statements about the kindergarten teacher. So, I think an apology is in order. However, I still believe I don't talk as much as the kindergarten teacher. My conversation are usually topic specific, after that, I don't really have much to say.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The kids were (relatively) okay. Today was a fairly easy-going day. It is nice not having the "personalities" that I had last year. Not much to write about today. The meeting with the parent was postponed until Thursday. AP1 told me that a "bigwig is coming for a meeting with the principal, and she should be there". I'm going to pass on reading between the lines on that one. :)
Today, the college intern came. I have to say I am happy that she has started to warm up a bit. I don't know if I mentioned the college intern. Part of the process for getting a degree in education requires field work in the classroom. This intern will be my third since I've been at this school. I think there are about thirty this fall semester. Quick summary of my interns:
#1 - (Fall 2006)Young woman, early 20's(African-American). Nice. Eager to assist. Messy penmanship.
#2 - (Spring 2007)Older gentleman, early to mid 50's(European-American). "Had to be there because of a class requirement." Hid in the back of the room.
#3 - (current)Young woman, early 20's (Hispanic - specifics unknown). Bad first impression, but has started feeling comfortable in the classroom. First comment/first impression? Arrived in the middle of a lesson, "I have to observe math lessons. I will sit in the back of the room. I have to interview a student." At first, I thought she was some kind of administrator in training. Very cold and impersonal. She had the same "shell-shocked look" as intern #2.
Today, intern #3 felt more comfortable and sat at a table with the students. And even felt comfortable with telling "Beady Betty" to stop talking. On top of incessant speaking (not talking but speaking), she rattles the beads in her hair like a mad maraca. She will talk to anyone and everyone. And when there is no one she will often start speaking out loud. To be honest, I can't tell you how many times, I've visualize duct tape when she starts her rantings. No, this is not "Sticky fingers Freda" (another duct tape candidate). Of course I am not going to act on the "duct tape fantasies", but a guy can't stop the mental images. :)
School ended the same as in previous days. At home about 8pm. For dinner, I had beef lo mein from the local Chinese restaurant near the MN station.
Well, that's it for now.
Post Date - Sunday, October 7, 2007 3:08pm
The kids were (relatively) okay. Today was a fairly easy-going day. It is nice not having the "personalities" that I had last year. Not much to write about today. The meeting with the parent was postponed until Thursday. AP1 told me that a "bigwig is coming for a meeting with the principal, and she should be there". I'm going to pass on reading between the lines on that one. :)
Today, the college intern came. I have to say I am happy that she has started to warm up a bit. I don't know if I mentioned the college intern. Part of the process for getting a degree in education requires field work in the classroom. This intern will be my third since I've been at this school. I think there are about thirty this fall semester. Quick summary of my interns:
#1 - (Fall 2006)Young woman, early 20's(African-American). Nice. Eager to assist. Messy penmanship.
#2 - (Spring 2007)Older gentleman, early to mid 50's(European-American). "Had to be there because of a class requirement." Hid in the back of the room.
#3 - (current)Young woman, early 20's (Hispanic - specifics unknown). Bad first impression, but has started feeling comfortable in the classroom. First comment/first impression? Arrived in the middle of a lesson, "I have to observe math lessons. I will sit in the back of the room. I have to interview a student." At first, I thought she was some kind of administrator in training. Very cold and impersonal. She had the same "shell-shocked look" as intern #2.
Today, intern #3 felt more comfortable and sat at a table with the students. And even felt comfortable with telling "Beady Betty" to stop talking. On top of incessant speaking (not talking but speaking), she rattles the beads in her hair like a mad maraca. She will talk to anyone and everyone. And when there is no one she will often start speaking out loud. To be honest, I can't tell you how many times, I've visualize duct tape when she starts her rantings. No, this is not "Sticky fingers Freda" (another duct tape candidate). Of course I am not going to act on the "duct tape fantasies", but a guy can't stop the mental images. :)
School ended the same as in previous days. At home about 8pm. For dinner, I had beef lo mein from the local Chinese restaurant near the MN station.
Well, that's it for now.
Post Date - Sunday, October 7, 2007 3:08pm
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Workday fairly uneventful. At dismissal time, I was planning to speak to a parent about her son. I think I mentioned (in a previous blog entry) about a parent who had "high expectations" for her son. She is very strict and checks his notebooks daily. Knowing that she is strict (and checks her son's notebook daily), was about to let her know that her son has been beginning to slip. He seems more laid back now than he was at the beginning. And with comments like, "my mother wishes I had a stricter teacher", and "are we going to be doing harder stuff, told me that I needed to keep the mom informed. I suspect that when kids feel that mom has an ax to grind with the school and/or the teacher, kids tend to feel relaxed about their school work responsibilities. It is very easy to divert mom's anger about school work or an assignment (or a report card), with a comment beginning with "My teacher forgot to..., or my teacher didn't...". Mom then goes into a ranting about that "%^&$ing" school, or the school system, etc..."Little man (or little miss) know it all" sits back and relaxes. Just a personal observation. I've seen failing grades justified with, "the teacher doesn't like me, or the teacher forgets my name, etc...
Anyway, when I saw the mother, I had to wave the mother over, she didn't come to me like she often did. When she got to me, the first words out of her mouth were, You know we are having a meeting tomorrow. (no, I didn't) I am worried about my son."
I hate those slaps in the faces. No, I did not know about a meeting. I think that being so concerned, she should have come to me first, and then if she did not see a result, then take the next step.
Anyway, since a meeting was called, I just smiled, and said I understood. I would have given her examples of how her son is slipping. High level, star student he is not. Nice, well-mannered, but not a star student. But hey, a slap in the face deserves the same. I am a bit of a doormat most of the time, but sometimes I can have a bit of an evil streak. I already had work samples of her son on about every curriculum area. I was just waiting to lay those graded papers on the table after she went on (and probably on) about how her son needed to be challenged. The kid struggles with telling time.
I also took the dismissal time to speak with another parent. Sometimes, it is just a waste of time and breath. I'd spoken to this girl's mother yesterday about how disrespectful, disruptive and playful she can be. I even told the mother that if the daughter would not stop, I wouldn't hesitate to stand in her place of business (hair-braiding business) to talk about the disrespect and disruptive behavior her daughter shows in my classroom. Today, I got more of the same disrespect and disruptive behavior from "little miss sticky fingers".
After dismissal, upon returning to my classroom, I walked passed AP1's office. She stopped me. She wanted to talk to me about a couple of things. "A parent wants to have a meeting tomorrow. The parent feels that the work is too easy for her son." Also, AP1 wanted to tell me that feedback from formal observations are really embedded in the observation itself. However, in the future, feedback would be given after the observation with follow-ups as well.
Where did that come from? :)
I got home about 7:40pm. I was too tired to even zap a frozen dinner. About 8:00pm, I was out like a light...clothes and all. About 9:40pm my phone rang, one of those "wrong number, no response". I wanted to throw the phone against the wall.
The rest of the evening was basically a repeat of previous entries. Sleep. Late. And, procrastinate.
Post Date - Saturday, October 6, 2007 4:21pm
Workday fairly uneventful. At dismissal time, I was planning to speak to a parent about her son. I think I mentioned (in a previous blog entry) about a parent who had "high expectations" for her son. She is very strict and checks his notebooks daily. Knowing that she is strict (and checks her son's notebook daily), was about to let her know that her son has been beginning to slip. He seems more laid back now than he was at the beginning. And with comments like, "my mother wishes I had a stricter teacher", and "are we going to be doing harder stuff, told me that I needed to keep the mom informed. I suspect that when kids feel that mom has an ax to grind with the school and/or the teacher, kids tend to feel relaxed about their school work responsibilities. It is very easy to divert mom's anger about school work or an assignment (or a report card), with a comment beginning with "My teacher forgot to..., or my teacher didn't...". Mom then goes into a ranting about that "%^&$ing" school, or the school system, etc..."Little man (or little miss) know it all" sits back and relaxes. Just a personal observation. I've seen failing grades justified with, "the teacher doesn't like me, or the teacher forgets my name, etc...
Anyway, when I saw the mother, I had to wave the mother over, she didn't come to me like she often did. When she got to me, the first words out of her mouth were, You know we are having a meeting tomorrow. (no, I didn't) I am worried about my son."
I hate those slaps in the faces. No, I did not know about a meeting. I think that being so concerned, she should have come to me first, and then if she did not see a result, then take the next step.
Anyway, since a meeting was called, I just smiled, and said I understood. I would have given her examples of how her son is slipping. High level, star student he is not. Nice, well-mannered, but not a star student. But hey, a slap in the face deserves the same. I am a bit of a doormat most of the time, but sometimes I can have a bit of an evil streak. I already had work samples of her son on about every curriculum area. I was just waiting to lay those graded papers on the table after she went on (and probably on) about how her son needed to be challenged. The kid struggles with telling time.
I also took the dismissal time to speak with another parent. Sometimes, it is just a waste of time and breath. I'd spoken to this girl's mother yesterday about how disrespectful, disruptive and playful she can be. I even told the mother that if the daughter would not stop, I wouldn't hesitate to stand in her place of business (hair-braiding business) to talk about the disrespect and disruptive behavior her daughter shows in my classroom. Today, I got more of the same disrespect and disruptive behavior from "little miss sticky fingers".
After dismissal, upon returning to my classroom, I walked passed AP1's office. She stopped me. She wanted to talk to me about a couple of things. "A parent wants to have a meeting tomorrow. The parent feels that the work is too easy for her son." Also, AP1 wanted to tell me that feedback from formal observations are really embedded in the observation itself. However, in the future, feedback would be given after the observation with follow-ups as well.
Where did that come from? :)
I got home about 7:40pm. I was too tired to even zap a frozen dinner. About 8:00pm, I was out like a light...clothes and all. About 9:40pm my phone rang, one of those "wrong number, no response". I wanted to throw the phone against the wall.
The rest of the evening was basically a repeat of previous entries. Sleep. Late. And, procrastinate.
Post Date - Saturday, October 6, 2007 4:21pm
Monday, October 01, 2007
Did he or didn't he? Sorry, he didn't. I really was planning to go to the gym today, but I didn't make it. Details?
Last night after returning home, I ended up falling asleep at the computer, and later on the couch having not finished my lesson plans or (even starting) my homework sheet. This morning, I was not able to get up early enough for the (my) early train (6:26am). I ended up getting to work with 8 minutes to spare taking my regular "late as possible and still get to work on time" train(6:53am). I arrived just in time to brush my teeth. I think I've mentioned in previous blog entry that I have been making my breakfast in a cup for the past few months. I buy 16oz. Styrofoam cups from the 99 cent store (ten per pack). I fill the cup to the premarked 8oz. line with hot water and add two packs of instant oatmeal (or cream of wheat) and stir. By the time I am on the MN train, my breakfast is good and ready. Since I've been "eating my breakfast on the train, I have not missed breakfast in a very, very long time.
Anyway, I arrived with no time to set up my morning "Do Now" or write my schedule on the chalkboard. On Friday, I spent most of the afternoon talking with the other third grade teacher across the hall. A lot of talking without much productivity. So, from my morning start, I believe that my day might not be a very good day.
About 8:15am, AP1 came in to tell me that the third grade teacher (across the hall teacher) was absent. AP1's solution?
She divided up the class between the two remaining third grade classes. I got 9 (three girls and 6 boys) students. All the boys "Across the Hall" has been complaining about. Five minutes after the "new 9" arrived, one of my late-comers arrived with a mini Mohawk. His father who works at a barber shop did it. And the boy said that his mother approved the hair cut. Most of my day was spent acting like a crazy man about to explode. I told the kids that the situation was a crazy one, and if anything set me off, I would not be held responsible. I strongly believe the situation could have been much worst. However, to be very honest, the experience wasn't that bad. Considering that last year my class register was about 23, I was grateful that this was only temporary. To show her gratitude, AP2 gave me $7 dollars to buy myself lunch.
About 10am, a revised daily bulletin arrived. There would be a faculty meeting today at 3pm. Crap!!
Since I did not do my homework sheet over the weekend, I had to do one during the school day. I also hooked up my new(refurbished) laptop (with wireless Internet connection) to my personal classroom copier. I was able to print out my homework sheet directly to my copier. I was like a babe with a new toy. Oh, My copier can also function as a scanner. I also thought about the lunchtime detention that I could do with my wireless laptop in the lunchroom. I have a couple of kids who did not do their (very easy) research homework assignment. They will be doing it during lunchtime. Unfortunately, mine as well as theirs. :(
About 3:10pm, I arrived to the first faculty meeting (of the school year) after dropping off the students not picked up on time. The meeting started with the newly hired "Data Analysis" person reading a poem having something to do with humanity in data. Then she did a PowerPoint presentation looking at data of the fourth grade. Then...the faculty meeting took a turn into the "Bizarre".
The principal started discussing the results of the "anonymous" survey from parents and teachers about the school and the principal. The survey is sponsored by the BOE and will now be the basis for a part of a school (and a Principal's) report card. the principal was not happy that she scored low in certain areas like: leadership, and trust of the faculty, etc... the last 15 minutes of the meeting was the principal and AP1 basically asking for written "anonymous suggestions" (then and there)on how she (and the school) could get higher scores. Everyone was asked to stay until they submitted "suggestions". Some teachers did not submit anything even though both the principal and AP1 were asking that no one leaves unless an "anonymous suggestion" was put in AP1's hands. Me? I wrote my name on my "anonymous suggestion" and left.
Personally, I think the principal was well within her right (and reasonable) to ask for suggestions on improvements, I just thought the method was all wrong. I am also leaving out details like the principal on the one hand asking for suggestions and claiming to be open-minded to suggestions and expressing a willingness to "do whatever it takes to get higher scores" -- like, "willing to come in a teacher's classroom everyday with her notepad and offer suggestions to teachers who feel they are not getting support or feedback from the principal". Those of you not in the classroom...that's not a good thing. Also, saying she is open to suggestions, but later saying that she thinks "she is a 9 or 10 in most of the scoring areas". 10 is the highest score. Can you really offer suggestions to perfection? I don't think so, so why bother.
Oh, so what "anonymous suggestion" did I give. I just mentioned that I did not receive reports or feedback from my formal observations. I did not get 3 of my 4 formal observations.
After that faculty meeting, I returned to my classroom. I ate a Smart Ones mini meal with a can of apple juice. I cleaned up and organized a bit. I was out of the building about 5:45pm. I decided to take a quick trip to Staples to buy some red pencils. I thought it might be a nice idea to have the students correct their own homework with me providing the correct answers (after I have checked that they did it). Well, I left Staples about 7pm...and about $114 poorer. I bought 100 folders (.49 cents each), red pencils, erasers, overhead blank transparencies, colored index cards, etc...
I returned home about 8pm. I had a bowl of frosted mini wheats and a Healthy Choice meal. I dozed off soon after. Now, I am up finishing this blog entry. After I finish this entry, I need to find and grade some papers. Then, I will shower and call it a night. I will try again to go to the gym this week.
Well, it time for me...
Oh wait! I almost forgot. Before I wrote this blog entry, I checked my e-mail. I received an e-mail from "Across the hall". She wanted to thank me for providing her with suggestions for lesson plan aims for reading and writing periods. She also told me the reason she was absent...
Death in the family?
No.
Sickness?
No.
Family emergency?
No.
She had a college paper she had not done over the weekend.
Oh, I almost forgot. The other third grade teacher also sent me an e-mail on Sunday, since she had a long weekend, she was not planning to come to work today. I am glad she came today. I think the day could have been much worst. I am also a little bit nervous, last year both teachers used up all of their sick days (about 10 I think). In the past 10 years or so, I have only missed one day.
Well, that's enough for now.
Post Date - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 12:37am
Last night after returning home, I ended up falling asleep at the computer, and later on the couch having not finished my lesson plans or (even starting) my homework sheet. This morning, I was not able to get up early enough for the (my) early train (6:26am). I ended up getting to work with 8 minutes to spare taking my regular "late as possible and still get to work on time" train(6:53am). I arrived just in time to brush my teeth. I think I've mentioned in previous blog entry that I have been making my breakfast in a cup for the past few months. I buy 16oz. Styrofoam cups from the 99 cent store (ten per pack). I fill the cup to the premarked 8oz. line with hot water and add two packs of instant oatmeal (or cream of wheat) and stir. By the time I am on the MN train, my breakfast is good and ready. Since I've been "eating my breakfast on the train, I have not missed breakfast in a very, very long time.
Anyway, I arrived with no time to set up my morning "Do Now" or write my schedule on the chalkboard. On Friday, I spent most of the afternoon talking with the other third grade teacher across the hall. A lot of talking without much productivity. So, from my morning start, I believe that my day might not be a very good day.
About 8:15am, AP1 came in to tell me that the third grade teacher (across the hall teacher) was absent. AP1's solution?
She divided up the class between the two remaining third grade classes. I got 9 (three girls and 6 boys) students. All the boys "Across the Hall" has been complaining about. Five minutes after the "new 9" arrived, one of my late-comers arrived with a mini Mohawk. His father who works at a barber shop did it. And the boy said that his mother approved the hair cut. Most of my day was spent acting like a crazy man about to explode. I told the kids that the situation was a crazy one, and if anything set me off, I would not be held responsible. I strongly believe the situation could have been much worst. However, to be very honest, the experience wasn't that bad. Considering that last year my class register was about 23, I was grateful that this was only temporary. To show her gratitude, AP2 gave me $7 dollars to buy myself lunch.
About 10am, a revised daily bulletin arrived. There would be a faculty meeting today at 3pm. Crap!!
Since I did not do my homework sheet over the weekend, I had to do one during the school day. I also hooked up my new(refurbished) laptop (with wireless Internet connection) to my personal classroom copier. I was able to print out my homework sheet directly to my copier. I was like a babe with a new toy. Oh, My copier can also function as a scanner. I also thought about the lunchtime detention that I could do with my wireless laptop in the lunchroom. I have a couple of kids who did not do their (very easy) research homework assignment. They will be doing it during lunchtime. Unfortunately, mine as well as theirs. :(
About 3:10pm, I arrived to the first faculty meeting (of the school year) after dropping off the students not picked up on time. The meeting started with the newly hired "Data Analysis" person reading a poem having something to do with humanity in data. Then she did a PowerPoint presentation looking at data of the fourth grade. Then...the faculty meeting took a turn into the "Bizarre".
The principal started discussing the results of the "anonymous" survey from parents and teachers about the school and the principal. The survey is sponsored by the BOE and will now be the basis for a part of a school (and a Principal's) report card. the principal was not happy that she scored low in certain areas like: leadership, and trust of the faculty, etc... the last 15 minutes of the meeting was the principal and AP1 basically asking for written "anonymous suggestions" (then and there)on how she (and the school) could get higher scores. Everyone was asked to stay until they submitted "suggestions". Some teachers did not submit anything even though both the principal and AP1 were asking that no one leaves unless an "anonymous suggestion" was put in AP1's hands. Me? I wrote my name on my "anonymous suggestion" and left.
Personally, I think the principal was well within her right (and reasonable) to ask for suggestions on improvements, I just thought the method was all wrong. I am also leaving out details like the principal on the one hand asking for suggestions and claiming to be open-minded to suggestions and expressing a willingness to "do whatever it takes to get higher scores" -- like, "willing to come in a teacher's classroom everyday with her notepad and offer suggestions to teachers who feel they are not getting support or feedback from the principal". Those of you not in the classroom...that's not a good thing. Also, saying she is open to suggestions, but later saying that she thinks "she is a 9 or 10 in most of the scoring areas". 10 is the highest score. Can you really offer suggestions to perfection? I don't think so, so why bother.
Oh, so what "anonymous suggestion" did I give. I just mentioned that I did not receive reports or feedback from my formal observations. I did not get 3 of my 4 formal observations.
After that faculty meeting, I returned to my classroom. I ate a Smart Ones mini meal with a can of apple juice. I cleaned up and organized a bit. I was out of the building about 5:45pm. I decided to take a quick trip to Staples to buy some red pencils. I thought it might be a nice idea to have the students correct their own homework with me providing the correct answers (after I have checked that they did it). Well, I left Staples about 7pm...and about $114 poorer. I bought 100 folders (.49 cents each), red pencils, erasers, overhead blank transparencies, colored index cards, etc...
I returned home about 8pm. I had a bowl of frosted mini wheats and a Healthy Choice meal. I dozed off soon after. Now, I am up finishing this blog entry. After I finish this entry, I need to find and grade some papers. Then, I will shower and call it a night. I will try again to go to the gym this week.
Well, it time for me...
Oh wait! I almost forgot. Before I wrote this blog entry, I checked my e-mail. I received an e-mail from "Across the hall". She wanted to thank me for providing her with suggestions for lesson plan aims for reading and writing periods. She also told me the reason she was absent...
Death in the family?
No.
Sickness?
No.
Family emergency?
No.
She had a college paper she had not done over the weekend.
Oh, I almost forgot. The other third grade teacher also sent me an e-mail on Sunday, since she had a long weekend, she was not planning to come to work today. I am glad she came today. I think the day could have been much worst. I am also a little bit nervous, last year both teachers used up all of their sick days (about 10 I think). In the past 10 years or so, I have only missed one day.
Well, that's enough for now.
Post Date - Tuesday, October 2, 2007 12:37am
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