It's been way too long since I've written, I apologize. It's just been one of those weeks (or months), unfortunately it is only Wednesday. There is so much going on at school, I'm a pretty busy person between teaching, coaching, and being a club sponsor!
This spoke volumes to me yesterday. I had a student that always wants out of whatever we are working on ask me, "Can I read this newspaper?" My response, "After math!"
I feel like everything I do there is a mess to clean up, much like the aftermath of a natural disaster. It's crazy.
Disaster #1: (This is how I start my day...every day!)
As teachers, we accept the fact that we will have unmotivated students in each class. Right now, I'm holding on to the fact that less than half of my students in my class of 13 that have been motivated to learn Algebra. It is my goal to look past the students that aren't easily motivated and keep pushing this small group forward. It is HARD. How do you tell a student that they shouldn't sit with someone because they are "holding them back?" It's only October and I already am thinking about completely re-organizing the start of my day. It would be completely self-paced. Students would come in and get to work using the iPads. They would practice at their own pace and I would do my best to keep them on schedule to take the formatives and summatives. My small group of kids that catch on easily could probably get through a 2-week unit in 7 days...tests included. What do I do with them for the next 3 days? How do I get the "unmotivated" students to be motivated? These students can't focus if they have technology in front of them.
Disaster #2: "KOBE!"
What is the thrill of standing up and literally throwing a water bottle 20 feet across the room? I will NEVER understand this. It's not just water bottles, it's paper, it's a pen that no longer works, it's a pencil with no eraser. Please don't mistake this for bad classroom management. I have a group of boys that can't and won't sit still. They go out of their way to stand up and have to "take" something to the trash can...daily! (by take, I mean get within range of where they think they can make it into the trashcan) Today, I finally snapped. You don't need to be throwing any object in my room. I made it very clear I never want to see it again. If you want to play basketball, I will be happy to get you a conditioning schedule for the team so that you can attend all practices and have ample opportunities to make baskets.
Disaster #3: Technology
I don't even know where to begin. I'm frustrated with Apple. Do I think it is great that students can have a very functional scientific calculator in the palm of their hands 24/7? Yes. Is that really why they are on their phones? NO! I may have already said this in a previous post, but I was WAY too lenient with technology at the beginning of the year and I fight it every day. I can't get students to just put the technology away until work time. It was made clear that cell phones could be out when students were working independently because it is disrespectful to be on a phone while you are working with other students, or while I am talking. Apparently, that's really not a big deal. I'm patiently waiting to try a new thing with technology. I can't wait to see how it works, but I have to get my calculator holder (shoe holder) put up in my classroom.
Disaster #4: Microbursts.
All of the little things that go wrong in a day can be very difficult to deal with.
I've recently been told that I'm very good at walking around the room and knowing exactly what students are working on, or just in general being aware of what is going on in the room. Not long after that conversation I was told that I need to work on keeping students engaged. As math teachers it can get difficult to convince students to work on problems when we know they don't understand. How can we convince students that they need to practice? How do you get kids engaged in practice?
In one of my classes I had three students that needed to go to the nurse today. Two were legitimate, one was not so much. I get so annoyed with "Can I go _(insert any where but my classroom here)_?" If kids aren't in my room, then they aren't learning. If they aren't comfortable, they aren't going to learn anyway. Earlier this week, I had three students that needed to be able to prop up their leg due to foot or leg injuries. Seriously, how does this happen?
There is so much more going on, and unfortunately I haven't really written about any of the good things that are happening right now. I will do my best to write again soon. Next week is Homecoming, so perhaps this weekend.
