On This Day in Math - September 6
43 minutes ago
Monday, September 7, 2009
Kids who don't come to school
I have 2 I haven't seen or have seen once in the past 3 weeks. It shouldn't surprise me (but it does) that I cannot reach their parents by phone. Maybe they moved and forgot to tell the school.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Students and choices
We've had a lot of kids out. Some have the flu (some are told it's swine flu), but at least two of mine are incarcerated. I noticed one has fallen off my roll and when I look at he enrollment history, he has been incarcerated some part of each of the last 4 years. I don't know what he did, but he obviously has made choices that will affect his life forever.
Another is on his second incarceration in his third year as a 9th grader.
Had a girl tell me she'll never pass because of the change in co-teachers. She is in her third year as a ninth grader as well. Her response to having a new teacher? Instead of working on a project in class it was to color advertisements for some band gig of her baby-daddy - something at least two other teachers have told her to stop doing this week.
I have three people in one class who choose to be late to class, skip - or just not come - this is for my repeater course. There is another boy in that class that I haven't even seen in 3 weeks.
And another who I have only seen once.
I will focus on the ones who come and the ones who try. But I will try to reach all of them.
Like POD has said - how do I teach them if they aren't there?
Another is on his second incarceration in his third year as a 9th grader.
Had a girl tell me she'll never pass because of the change in co-teachers. She is in her third year as a ninth grader as well. Her response to having a new teacher? Instead of working on a project in class it was to color advertisements for some band gig of her baby-daddy - something at least two other teachers have told her to stop doing this week.
I have three people in one class who choose to be late to class, skip - or just not come - this is for my repeater course. There is another boy in that class that I haven't even seen in 3 weeks.
And another who I have only seen once.
I will focus on the ones who come and the ones who try. But I will try to reach all of them.
Like POD has said - how do I teach them if they aren't there?
Ain't it wunderful?
I love it when you can introduce two of your friends and help one of them. (Both would be better, but that doesn't always happen).
One friend just got a job teaching at an alternative school - and I have another friend who has had a similar job for 4 years. Introducing them allows the one with experience to advise the other. And I love that!!
Especially when they are both great people who would enjoy each other under any circumstance!
One friend just got a job teaching at an alternative school - and I have another friend who has had a similar job for 4 years. Introducing them allows the one with experience to advise the other. And I love that!!
Especially when they are both great people who would enjoy each other under any circumstance!
Friday, September 4, 2009
Yep Yep Yep
I still have 4 co-taught classes with two teachers, but they both are certified in math, and (more to the point) act like real adults with a job!! No more classroom discussions about babies and boyfriends (as in unwed mother) and tattoos led by the teacher.
The kids weren't thrilled but they'll get over it.
Loved the comment from one that now she won't pass because Ms. X isn't there to help her (do her work). Then she refused to do the project today, insisting on coloring something until I had to open the door because the sharpie was giving me a headache.
A boy came in late yesterday saying it was easy to skip with no administrators in the hall = and then was escorted into my class by the AP today (guess he found one).
The kids weren't thrilled but they'll get over it.
Loved the comment from one that now she won't pass because Ms. X isn't there to help her (do her work). Then she refused to do the project today, insisting on coloring something until I had to open the door because the sharpie was giving me a headache.
A boy came in late yesterday saying it was easy to skip with no administrators in the hall = and then was escorted into my class by the AP today (guess he found one).
Thursday, September 3, 2009
rumor mill
Rumor has it that they will rearrange classes AGAIN (we are at the end of the first month) so that the special education teachers teaching math classes will be the ones who are certified in math. Oh, pray that it is so!
I have two students in jail - hard to believe.
Today 2 skippers, yesterday 2 skippers. Something new for me.
I have two students in jail - hard to believe.
Today 2 skippers, yesterday 2 skippers. Something new for me.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
ups and downs
I truly believe that once you hit 50 you become invisible. Students don't see me or hear me - and my voice carries.
Today. one of my darlings was acting like a toad. He pulled out a phone, told me it was none of my business, not my turn to talk, etc. I called his mother and told her he is bright, capable of so much. He's a senior whose grades tanked last semester so he has to get back on track - and that if he does what I ask him to do, he'll have a high grade. And this is what he did today.
She wants what I want (good behavior and good grades). Old age and treachery beat youth and ingenuity.
Today. one of my darlings was acting like a toad. He pulled out a phone, told me it was none of my business, not my turn to talk, etc. I called his mother and told her he is bright, capable of so much. He's a senior whose grades tanked last semester so he has to get back on track - and that if he does what I ask him to do, he'll have a high grade. And this is what he did today.
She wants what I want (good behavior and good grades). Old age and treachery beat youth and ingenuity.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Back to the drawing board.
Today I reviewed for a test on Chapter 1. Of the ones that tried, they struggle with order of operations and inequalities and solving equations. They could read bar graphs.
Talking to the department chair, I am thinking about changing direction/focus (sort of). Still do mostly graphing and solving equations but lower my expectations and see if I can jump start an interest in math. Who knows, maybe they will then start to learn some of things they've been offered and not accepted.
Maybe graphing pictures for a while - discussing slope, intercepts, etc while they color.
I say this after a day of drama (fight, accusations, arrest) so it seems reasonable now. I was complemented for not giving up - how is that for lowered expectations?
Talking to the department chair, I am thinking about changing direction/focus (sort of). Still do mostly graphing and solving equations but lower my expectations and see if I can jump start an interest in math. Who knows, maybe they will then start to learn some of things they've been offered and not accepted.
Maybe graphing pictures for a while - discussing slope, intercepts, etc while they color.
I say this after a day of drama (fight, accusations, arrest) so it seems reasonable now. I was complemented for not giving up - how is that for lowered expectations?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
