Defiance, thank the TV gods that I can laugh when I think of that word because I always think of Scandal whenever the word comes out of my mouth or I type it in an email. Yes-- I had two instances of defiance today. It seems so silly; just give me your phone please when I ask for it- you know you will get it back in an hour! But every month or so, I am greeted with.....DEFIANCE( HA- you are thinking about Kerry Washington right now!) Another student decided today that the bell dismisses him not me--luckily everyone else stayed put and respected my wishes. I do not think that he will enjoy apologizing to the class.
I wish Scandal was on tonight.....
A-ha: As a kid I was kind of wild, but I was never defiant-- I knew how to please adults. I think that's why it still surprises me.
Reminder: I know my work is important, but I mustn't take myself too seriously!
Monday, April 11, 2016
Sunday, April 10, 2016
Day 142: TGIF
Friday and the students were able to focus all the way through sixth period. Sixth period is always the most challenging, I take some responsibility for that. Not only are the kids over it by the end of the day, so am I kind of. Its hard to be completely present , available, joyous and free in the 7th hour of teaching. We all did pretty well on Friday and stayed with each other and available for learning. TGIF!!!!!!
A-ha: upon watching an older video today, I see I let a student derail a whole class learning. In retrospect, I should've exited him from the class.
Reminder: Its okay to interrupt a Socratic Seminar by asking a student to leave, waiting for a situation to mature within the circle does not always work.
Thursday, April 7, 2016
Day 141- I am not the savior
Having students work on a project in class can be a mixed bag. They are building a cold war website in US History and first they are in expert groups, then go back to their website group to teach and build each individual page. Most students working, researching, sharing info-- and a few slacking off and not worried "cuz its due Wednesday". I like this set up, because I can visit each group and give a mini lecture on the event that each expert group is working on. Eight mini lectures instead of one long one.
Teachers are starting to get into their "what is wrong with the Seniors?" mode. This is only my 5th year teaching but I am having deja vu because this happens exactly the same at the same time of the year, every year. I will not let myself get sucked into this!!!! I will stay available for my students and allow the same make up assignments but I will be reminding myself on a daily basis that this senioritis has nothing to do with me and me losing sleep and showing all my stress to the kids, does not make them do work. They will do it when they do it- if they do it. When they are ready, I will be there- they hope. They have to figure it out on their own- they will. And yes- a few may not figure it out until its too late....Thats what summer school is for. Hey- I was a summer grad....
A-ha: I need to be ultra conscious of how I internalize students(esp. Seniors) not doing work during the last quarter of school.
Reminder: Stay in my intent-- I am not the savior, I am the teacher.
Teachers are starting to get into their "what is wrong with the Seniors?" mode. This is only my 5th year teaching but I am having deja vu because this happens exactly the same at the same time of the year, every year. I will not let myself get sucked into this!!!! I will stay available for my students and allow the same make up assignments but I will be reminding myself on a daily basis that this senioritis has nothing to do with me and me losing sleep and showing all my stress to the kids, does not make them do work. They will do it when they do it- if they do it. When they are ready, I will be there- they hope. They have to figure it out on their own- they will. And yes- a few may not figure it out until its too late....Thats what summer school is for. Hey- I was a summer grad....
A-ha: I need to be ultra conscious of how I internalize students(esp. Seniors) not doing work during the last quarter of school.
Reminder: Stay in my intent-- I am not the savior, I am the teacher.
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
Day 140 - Brainstorming
Wham-bam, the day is done....today went quick! Usually Wednesdays feel like forever but this momentary relaxation leftover of Spring Break is really keeping me well paced. No drama, some kids a little too hot and antsy in 6th period and the teachers after school were even calm, cool and involved in the staff meeting.
I practiced using lucidchart with my yearbook kids to map out what an issue of a school newspaper might look like and I think it got them more interested. I really think we can do an issue before the end of the year, I just need a little more buy in from a few more students.......and make sure we are selling yearbooks at the same time.....
A-ha: Brainstorming with visuals inspires people.
Reminder: I am lucky to have the classroom that I have.
I practiced using lucidchart with my yearbook kids to map out what an issue of a school newspaper might look like and I think it got them more interested. I really think we can do an issue before the end of the year, I just need a little more buy in from a few more students.......and make sure we are selling yearbooks at the same time.....
A-ha: Brainstorming with visuals inspires people.
Reminder: I am lucky to have the classroom that I have.
Tuesday, April 5, 2016
Day 139 - Banana market
"B is bananas, b-a-n-a-n-a-s-, I ain't no hollaback girl"....a little Gwen Stefani playing in the background of my classroom-turned banana market for a simulation/experiential exercise I love to do with my Econ kids! Teaching them about equilibrium price and how markets work through this game has always been one of my most engaging and impactful activities. Thank you TCI curriculum - ECON ALIVE!!!!!
This is one of the days when students say, "wow. class is already over? It went so fast!" In a block schedule, that is a rarity! Its good for me when time flies too. There was one student who suggested I have the students sell something illegal to make it more fun. Okay- let me see...drugs? guns? what should I do next year????(no thanks, I will stick to bananas).
A-ha: There is nothing more inspiring than seeing kids laughing and learning and taking risks.
Reminder: Don't forget to do reimbursements for my conference!
This is one of the days when students say, "wow. class is already over? It went so fast!" In a block schedule, that is a rarity! Its good for me when time flies too. There was one student who suggested I have the students sell something illegal to make it more fun. Okay- let me see...drugs? guns? what should I do next year????(no thanks, I will stick to bananas).
A-ha: There is nothing more inspiring than seeing kids laughing and learning and taking risks.
Reminder: Don't forget to do reimbursements for my conference!
Monday, April 4, 2016
Day 138 - Back to school/work
Considering how difficult it was to get up, how horribly I slept, how many times I hit the snooze button and how late I was running- I had a pretty good day. Got to work on time( just not as early as I like) and my room was not too dissheveled from having a substitute before vacation. Cords were unplugged, my projector was pointing the wrong way and my audio was messed up, but nothing I couldn't fix in a few minutes.
It was genuinely nice and sweet to see the kids. I think we all felt well rested and patient today. First period seemed more mature than I remember and yearbook seemed way more immature than I remember. I think I would prefer to have immaturity in my elective than in a content class.
Its nice having a prep on Mondays, especially after vacation, because I can ease into the week.
My after school credit recovery kids were supersmooth today and a few finished their course. There are now only 8 kids left to finish and they are right on track. This is the third year of e2020 an online credit recovery program we use, and finally, I think the kids are getting the hang of what is expected of them.
Smooth day back at work, and even though I stayed til 5:40- I made it to the gym and made dinner fro my partner!
Almost forgot to blog tho.....
A-ha: Being without technology or a phone for 5 days in nature, really did bring a deeper sense of relaxation into my body and mind.
Reminder: Don't be scurred- do it more often!
It was genuinely nice and sweet to see the kids. I think we all felt well rested and patient today. First period seemed more mature than I remember and yearbook seemed way more immature than I remember. I think I would prefer to have immaturity in my elective than in a content class.
Its nice having a prep on Mondays, especially after vacation, because I can ease into the week.
My after school credit recovery kids were supersmooth today and a few finished their course. There are now only 8 kids left to finish and they are right on track. This is the third year of e2020 an online credit recovery program we use, and finally, I think the kids are getting the hang of what is expected of them.
Smooth day back at work, and even though I stayed til 5:40- I made it to the gym and made dinner fro my partner!
Almost forgot to blog tho.....
A-ha: Being without technology or a phone for 5 days in nature, really did bring a deeper sense of relaxation into my body and mind.
Reminder: Don't be scurred- do it more often!
Sunday, April 3, 2016
DAy 136 & 137 - CABE conference
SO the last two days before Spring break, I was at CABE 2016- a conference focused on EL strategies and bilingual education. Its hard to be out of the classroom when so much is going on, but at the same time that makes it easy to enjoy too. I have to remember the students have 5 other teachers and plenty to do. Also with technology it is easy to assign content to students when I am out. I was most worried about my Seniors conveniently forgetting about their community action projects and my yearbook team needing some fire from me. I was on the phone with my yearbook crew, lighting the fires under their butts as much as I could from afar. I did end up doing quite a bit of work in my hotel room on that yearbook- but its done.
A bonus from the conference was two of my students parents also attended. It was nice to get to know them, practice my Spanish and best when my student called his Dad, I got on the phone and scared him to death when I said I was with his Dad eating dinner in San Francisco!
I had never been to this conference so I didn't know what to expect. The learning strategies weren't anything that new or exciting- our school and history department really focus on all the common core they were addressing at most sessions. The sessions that inspired me the most were on culturally responsive teaching and bringing creativity back to the classroom. There was also a very informative session with tools and take aways on how to recognize specific language writing issues and how to address those.
Last bonus, it was in San Francisco, so lots of vegan food for me!
A-ha: Social interactions with parents may be just as powerful as a home visit.
Reminder: Keep shooting for an Academy family beach bbq!!!!!
A bonus from the conference was two of my students parents also attended. It was nice to get to know them, practice my Spanish and best when my student called his Dad, I got on the phone and scared him to death when I said I was with his Dad eating dinner in San Francisco!
I had never been to this conference so I didn't know what to expect. The learning strategies weren't anything that new or exciting- our school and history department really focus on all the common core they were addressing at most sessions. The sessions that inspired me the most were on culturally responsive teaching and bringing creativity back to the classroom. There was also a very informative session with tools and take aways on how to recognize specific language writing issues and how to address those.
Last bonus, it was in San Francisco, so lots of vegan food for me!
A-ha: Social interactions with parents may be just as powerful as a home visit.
Reminder: Keep shooting for an Academy family beach bbq!!!!!
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