There is a saying that goes,"Sometimes you get the cat and sometimes the cat gets you." Yesterday, the cat not only got me, it chewed me up and spit me out as a partially digested hairball. Yesterday's debacle began in first block. I had changed the seating in the room to rows. I did not make a seating chart which was not good. When I directed certain students to particular seats, they questioned my thinking with that particular move. In short, they wanted to know why they had to sit where I put them. Then within minutes I shushed a student who was talking and he wanted to know why, he wasn't doing anything. Adding those events to general talking and foolishness to a teacher with some private struggles and you have a recipe for explosion. I left the room and stormed into our principal's office and told her that I was quitting. I refused to teach anymore. Bless her, she walked to my room and gave the students a good dressing down. They were quiet the remainder of the class and in fact the remainder of the day went better. I asked my principal what I was doing wrong. She said nothing, that it is the change in attitude of the students. I am not good at meaness on a daily basis. I do get frustrated and lose my temper, but not frequently. I have tried to follow the philosophy of catching more flyies with sugar than with vinegar. Apparently I need to take a daily dose of vinegar. What happens to students that they only respond to bluntness. What kind of adults will these children become? Can I become a "pickle smoker" and not be affected personally? All good questions to ponder. Our grade level will be making some changes after Christmas and I am viewing these as a time to start over. One change I will make is to be much more stern and serious about behavior and class work. I thought I had established reasonable proceedures, but apparently I need to revamp. Well, so be it.
On a different note, we have a snow day today. Usually a snow day is a time for celebration, but this year or at least snow days in December are not welcomed. We have had one snow day and now with today our Christmas vacation will not begin until 3:30 on Dec. 21. Major bummer!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think the snow angels must have known that I needed a day off. Thank you, snow angels.
Well, friends, so as not to waste a gift of a day off, I will take my steaming cup of coffee to the kitchen and throw something in the crockpot for dinner. And maybe, just maybe I will get out of my comfy pjs before noon. No promises, though.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
Snow day, really?
Yes, folks we are having a snow day today. There must be some very treacherous roads somewhere, but not at my house. This is not a complaint, by the way.
Last week, sports fans, the score was kids 4, schoolmarm 1. That's right. It was a week out of hell. Kids were awful!!! I don't know why. That is the crux of the matter. I don't know why their behavior is so unpredictable. My teaching partner says it is the nature of the type of child we have this year. Perhaps so. I was ready to walk out by Wed. Fortunately, another teacher friend said that last week was bad at her school, too. Misery does love company!!!
The following has been sticking in my craw since before Thanksgiving so I better let it go now. This has to do with the immigration service. The Friday before Thanksgiving, INS made a sweep of one of our Hispanic neighborhoods. They took about 28 people, mostly men. Since this random act of horribleness occurred early in the morning, our Hispanic kids came to school with the fear of not finding one or both of their parents at home by the end of the day. There were tears, stomachaches etc. I, personally, was furious. I know we cannot take in everyone who wants to come to the U.S., but surely there can be a distinction between honest hardworking people and lazy, lawbreakers. These people have families. They have jobs. Jobs that "good Americans" won't do. I get far more support from our Hispanic families than I do from most white families. I have never been cussed or threatened by a Hispanic parent. The students are usually among the hardest working I have. After all, what would any of us do if we were moved to another country without knowing the language or customs. Compare these students whose parents have lots of money, who are addicted to prescription drugs or alcohol. They wouldn't bat a eye while telling me that I pick on their child by making him/her behave or expecting homework to be completed. My students have returned, but some are not the same. They don't talk about what is going on in their community, but I know it is affecting them. What do you say to a 12 year old when his/her dad has been deported? Most of these folks are just barely making ends meet and now the breadwinner is gone. I don't have an answer and really wish I did.
On a brighter note, there are changes afoot for my grade level that will relieve overcrowding. I will keep you posted.
Last week, sports fans, the score was kids 4, schoolmarm 1. That's right. It was a week out of hell. Kids were awful!!! I don't know why. That is the crux of the matter. I don't know why their behavior is so unpredictable. My teaching partner says it is the nature of the type of child we have this year. Perhaps so. I was ready to walk out by Wed. Fortunately, another teacher friend said that last week was bad at her school, too. Misery does love company!!!
The following has been sticking in my craw since before Thanksgiving so I better let it go now. This has to do with the immigration service. The Friday before Thanksgiving, INS made a sweep of one of our Hispanic neighborhoods. They took about 28 people, mostly men. Since this random act of horribleness occurred early in the morning, our Hispanic kids came to school with the fear of not finding one or both of their parents at home by the end of the day. There were tears, stomachaches etc. I, personally, was furious. I know we cannot take in everyone who wants to come to the U.S., but surely there can be a distinction between honest hardworking people and lazy, lawbreakers. These people have families. They have jobs. Jobs that "good Americans" won't do. I get far more support from our Hispanic families than I do from most white families. I have never been cussed or threatened by a Hispanic parent. The students are usually among the hardest working I have. After all, what would any of us do if we were moved to another country without knowing the language or customs. Compare these students whose parents have lots of money, who are addicted to prescription drugs or alcohol. They wouldn't bat a eye while telling me that I pick on their child by making him/her behave or expecting homework to be completed. My students have returned, but some are not the same. They don't talk about what is going on in their community, but I know it is affecting them. What do you say to a 12 year old when his/her dad has been deported? Most of these folks are just barely making ends meet and now the breadwinner is gone. I don't have an answer and really wish I did.
On a brighter note, there are changes afoot for my grade level that will relieve overcrowding. I will keep you posted.
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