How in the world do I reach them?

I know the 2 most important things I can teach in Algebra 1 are solving equations and graphing. But I can't even start there because their math is so low.

Today, one kid checked himself out before my class started because he's 18 and he can.

One boy said he dropped out last year and only came back because it was boring at home with everyone at school - but he's dropping out again at Christmas.

Two boys talked non-stop. Bear in mind I am preparing for a test.

One boy slept.

And another boy just copped attitude the whole hour.

The girls tried or were quiet.

I am resigned to failing 2/3 and I know that they act like this because they don't know it but I don't know how to make it simpler.

grades

Graded my first test. The senior course, average grade was a 75 - curved, but not majorly.

Easy assignment (listen, copy this off the board, turn it in) has an average of 65 - mostly because of the kids who were sitting in class and couldn't be bothered to turn it in.

team teaching

I hate team teaching.

Not a fair statement. At this point I have team taught with 6 teachers (varying lengths of time) - one was awesome. Two are with me this year. One looks promising, one looks like something to be survived - by me and the students.

She will not plan with me. We do not have common planning, but she stops by my room in the morning to drop stuff off but never says anything. And then wants to plan while the kids are there (not going to happen).

I gave a quiz this week. She talked (low voice, but talking) to a student the whole time - and this kids is not on her roll. She will only work with 2 of the kids (one on her roll, one not) in a large class. She says she will only help those who want to work. (Gee, can I only teach those kids?) Then she started talking to me - until I reminded her that there were still people talking the quiz. (Wouldn't you think my saying "stop talking = there are still tests out" to the class would apply to her as well?)

I don't want to go to her department chair but this teacher is real into what she will and will not do. (It's like having someone clean your house, except they don't vacuum, do windows, do laundry or pick up. And no, I don't see her as my assistant.)

If she really pushes it, I will put my certificate on the bulletin board, as she is not certified in this subject. Other teacher is.

She argues with me about how to do the math. In class. Across the room. (I am right - not because I have to be right, because I have been known to make mistakes and admit it when I do, but because I know this material. I would never do this to her - even she makes basic errors. I correct her after the kids leave.) I have noticed that the brighter kids are avoiding asking her problems. You would think she would notice that as well.

Crap.

Last year I had an older woman teaching with me. Had never taught before and kept saying she couldn't do math. (So why did they hire her - I have no clue.) She again wouldn't plan with me - but we had common planning. Instead she would just start helping and screw the kids up so badly I had to reteach often. I spoke with the department chair who gave the two of us lectures about working together.

I finally reached a point that I would see that she was misteaching and address the whole class with the correct way to do this. I don't want to do this again - I look like a difficult person and I don't think that I am. Maybe I'll talk with teacher 2. We seem to have a better rapport.

And document this up the whazoo.

Or say to heck with it and teach around her as I have been doing.

With the economy the way it is, who wants to rock the boat? They have move 2 teachers from other departments because of enrollments. Who wants to be complainer?

Head down, no noise, work hard - I can overcome this.

Good Day

They will only change schedules if you need something to graduate, have failed THAT class for THAT teacher, or - nope, that's it.

Had a boy come to me today, wanting out of beginning basket weaving because "it's lame" - I explained that "it's lame" would never fly as a reason, so he started to sit down. Wait, I said - what do you want to take instead? Don't know - OK, what do you plan to do after graduation? Go into the military. OK, go tell them that this course won't help you pursue my dreams after graduation. And they might change the course. Keep an open mind - if they give you home ec - well, girls are in home ec and you will live someplace that you are responsible for.

They changed his course, he's happy, and he got home ec.

Trying new things

My repeater class continues to give me problems. I tried teaching out of a different book, using more activities, and only about 1/3 were engaged. Yesterday I tried something different and no one would respond to me, so I got out gum and tossed it at whoever would give me a right answer.

Today, I started at the beginning of the book, using the overhead, and worked the problems alongside them. Better response - for about 30 minutes then downhill.

It is time to write some up for classroom disruption.

students

Girl fight in the hall - two little girls who had to have three coaches EACH haul them off of each other.

Had a girl in my repeater class cry. She's afraid she won't pass again and most of the class refuses to pay attention. I told her as long as she does what I ask, she will pass - and the others may not, depending on choices they make. She told me several only sit next to her so they can cheat. I told her let them. I usually make different versions and apparently have to make a point.

One of these who talks over my lecture and does no math asked for a paper clip. I told her I didn't have one. "You're lying." Ok, I said, let me reword it. I do not have one that I will give to you.

"You have to. You're the teacher."

Actually, no, I said.

With the cut in pay, no supplies, more students, I refuse to be the supply store.

Going to be an interesting year.

I love a good laugh

Last year I had a student who would do NOTHING and told me, almost daily, how he'd rather be suspended than be in my class.

Today he stopped buy my room to ask me what grade I was teaching this year (nothing he can take). He told this year's teacher he'd rather be in my class.