Everyone loves a great day of teaching, but there are definitely times when I need a reminder why I chose to be a teacher and also a reminder that I have MANY more years of teaching to come if I stick with this. Today, I had a quiet moment with a student while the rest of the class was entering and causing chaos like they always do the first 5 minutes of class. The student told me he got kicked out of his house early this morning and was left wandering the streets for hours before school started. He now isn't sure who he'll live with (friend, relative, who knows) and he just wanted me to know in case he doesn't show up on Monday. It's amazing what it feels like when you hear a student tell you something like this. I felt so sad, angry, helpless and moved by this. This is one of many stories I have heard about the difficult lives these kids live. As much as I can understand to a certain extent, I will never truly relate. I look out at my "audience" of students each day and see looks in their faces that tell me they've had it rough before they got to school that day. I know I get frustrated with their attitudes and lack of motivation day in and day out, but I also like to take time to remind myself that they probably have a LOT more going on than I'll ever know.
On a happy note, I'm starting to learn more that students love doing things for their teacher, I just have to ask. I know it sounds so basic, but I guess I never thought to verbalize it. I had a broken stapler and was frustrated with it so I vocalized it the other day and the next day, there was a brand new one on my desk as a present. I also wanted a new bathroom pass since the other broke. I asked for a student volunteer and I immediately had several hands shoot up, but one of my students actually brought me a pass the other day and told me he had worked on it in wood shop class for the past week or so now. Students love to help even if you've punished them multiple times, they will most likely help you when asked.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Saturday, January 15, 2011
See Me After Class
This is a quick post to tell all you new teachers about a great book you should read. It's called, "See Me After Class: Advice for Teachers By Teachers" by Roxanna Elden. I started reading it about a week ago, so I am around the halfway point in my first year of teaching. There is excellent advice in that book and I found myself saying, "I wish I read this book sooner. I would've been so much more organized." I am not done with the book yet, so I will try to post some points I liked when I finish. This book was free for the Kindle app, so I'm reading off of my Ipod Touch right now. On a side note, I really do enjoy reading off the Ipod Touch. I think there's something fun about "flipping the page" ever 10 seconds or so as you quickly read only about a paragraph or two per page. It makes you feel like you're reading a lot since you keep turning the page, but realistically the screen is just so small to fit more than one paragraph. Maybe just a personal preference, but you should try it.
I know everyone recommends Harry Wong's "First Days of School" book (which I also liked) but there's something more "real" about "See Me After Class"
I know everyone recommends Harry Wong's "First Days of School" book (which I also liked) but there's something more "real" about "See Me After Class"
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Consistency Matters
It's the first week back from our 3 week break and things are a little hectic in the classroom. Kids forgot how to hold their pencils upright, lots of chatter going on since this is the first time they've seen each other in weeks, and all my procedures I've enforced and practiced with the students for months seemed to have disappeared. The good news: the first half of the year has come and gone. I survived up to the holidays, so it should be a breeze from here right?
I'm not going to deny the fact that I'm still working on many factors to hone in on becoming a better teacher (i.e. organization and every aspect of the word: lesson planning, paper management, homework grading), but one thing I feel like I have down is consistency. If there's one thing I learned it's CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY!
Before winter break started, I actually had a substitute cover for a whole week. That means I was actually seeing my students for the first time after a month this week. As much as the students forgot when it comes to any of the math concepts they learned before vacation, it was amazing to see how quickly they remembered the little things about how I like my class periods to go. When the bell rang to dismiss the students, they quickly stood up and jet toward the door. What made me so happy was the fact that I could sit at my desk, give them my "teacher look" and immediately they remembered they had to sit back down and be quiet before I dismissed them. This may not seem like a big deal to some people, but it was to me for 2 reasons. 1) I was able to control the class from my seat. I am definitely a fairly little teacher compared to my students, so I always felt like I had to stand up to be more "assertive." This made me realize the respect I've always wondered if I commanded in class. I tell all my substitutes to always dismiss my students and don't let the bell dismiss them, but I have secretly watched how my kids deal with subs and this is one thing they never do with the sub, so I was happy they followed my direction. 2) Perfecting the "teacher look or stare down" comes a long way because you don't have to waste your breath by yelling at your students. Once they see the look, they yell at each other to be quiet or sit back down and your job is done.
My other "consistent" practice (among others but I'll only talk about this one for now) is saying "good morning/good afternoon class" right when the bell rings. At first I thought it was cheesy or I even felt a little embarrassed doing it. Teenagers are a little intimidating sometimes...especially when they just stare at you and don't respond back! I got over the doubt quickly and continued to do this every beginning of the period. One day, I eventually got a response back from students and I jokingly responded "Oh, it's nice to hear that you all have manners after all" (I definitely don't recommend being sarcastic to your students as a new teacher until you really feel like you understand the students on a personal level). Since then, I've been receiving more responses and even enthusiasm and smiles too! At the end of the period, I always tell them "have a wonderful rest of the day class" (after the students are quiet and in their seats of course). Some of my best days now include students actually reciting "have a good rest of the day class" before I can even say it to them when the bell rings. It makes my heart smile when students actually pay attention to the little things and how much they hold you to it. I truly feel that greeting them every morning and wishing them well when they leave makes them better people. I notice a lot of them walking out smiling and telling me they'll see me tomorrow or they'll tell me to have a wonderful day too etc.
Just some things for you to keep in mind when you think of your procedures in class...
I'm not going to deny the fact that I'm still working on many factors to hone in on becoming a better teacher (i.e. organization and every aspect of the word: lesson planning, paper management, homework grading), but one thing I feel like I have down is consistency. If there's one thing I learned it's CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY CONSISTENCY!
Before winter break started, I actually had a substitute cover for a whole week. That means I was actually seeing my students for the first time after a month this week. As much as the students forgot when it comes to any of the math concepts they learned before vacation, it was amazing to see how quickly they remembered the little things about how I like my class periods to go. When the bell rang to dismiss the students, they quickly stood up and jet toward the door. What made me so happy was the fact that I could sit at my desk, give them my "teacher look" and immediately they remembered they had to sit back down and be quiet before I dismissed them. This may not seem like a big deal to some people, but it was to me for 2 reasons. 1) I was able to control the class from my seat. I am definitely a fairly little teacher compared to my students, so I always felt like I had to stand up to be more "assertive." This made me realize the respect I've always wondered if I commanded in class. I tell all my substitutes to always dismiss my students and don't let the bell dismiss them, but I have secretly watched how my kids deal with subs and this is one thing they never do with the sub, so I was happy they followed my direction. 2) Perfecting the "teacher look or stare down" comes a long way because you don't have to waste your breath by yelling at your students. Once they see the look, they yell at each other to be quiet or sit back down and your job is done.
My other "consistent" practice (among others but I'll only talk about this one for now) is saying "good morning/good afternoon class" right when the bell rings. At first I thought it was cheesy or I even felt a little embarrassed doing it. Teenagers are a little intimidating sometimes...especially when they just stare at you and don't respond back! I got over the doubt quickly and continued to do this every beginning of the period. One day, I eventually got a response back from students and I jokingly responded "Oh, it's nice to hear that you all have manners after all" (I definitely don't recommend being sarcastic to your students as a new teacher until you really feel like you understand the students on a personal level). Since then, I've been receiving more responses and even enthusiasm and smiles too! At the end of the period, I always tell them "have a wonderful rest of the day class" (after the students are quiet and in their seats of course). Some of my best days now include students actually reciting "have a good rest of the day class" before I can even say it to them when the bell rings. It makes my heart smile when students actually pay attention to the little things and how much they hold you to it. I truly feel that greeting them every morning and wishing them well when they leave makes them better people. I notice a lot of them walking out smiling and telling me they'll see me tomorrow or they'll tell me to have a wonderful day too etc.
Just some things for you to keep in mind when you think of your procedures in class...
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