Cats

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.

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.

Vacation

The schoolmarm is on vacation this week.  Happy Thanksgiving!!!!

Sunday, again.

Here it is again, Sunday.  My papers are graded and plans are made so why am I blue?  Tomorrow is Monday.  We have school for 5 days straight this week.  I know, stop whining at least I have a job.  We had a presentation at last week's faculty meeting regarding changing our perspective.  It was an attempt to remind us to be thankful for what we have because the majority of the world has so very little.  It was inspiring, but that feeling was short-lived.  I have far more than I deserve and that includes relationships and material possessions.  I would just like to have a bit more time and energy to enjoy what I have.  Guess that is a retirement activity.

The score for last week was Schoolmarm 3 and students 1.  Friday was REALLY bad.  Someone said it was like a full moon day.  The kids were very squirrelly.   They couldn't be still for some reason.  The weather this week is supposed to be rainy.  Perhaps the rain will water down their behaviors!!!!!

Isn't Veteran's Day a Great Holiday???

I love November.  Not just because my daughter was born in November, although that is the top of my list of likes about this month.  It is the holidays that makes November so fabulous!!!!!  Every two years there is Election Day.  Then comes Veteran's Day and finally the coup d'etat ... Thanksgiving Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  In my opinion Thanksgiving is the supreme holiday.  It has everything; food, family, cool weather, beautiful colors, parades, and days off from school.  What is not to love???????  My daughter-in-law feels the same as I do about this holiday which makes our day really special. 

This week's score so far is 3 for the schoolmarm and 0 for the kids.  Yes, finally students and teacher have had a 3 consecutive good days.  Never mind that several of the cherubs have been absent and/or in ISS.   What has really made a huge difference is having 2 teaching assistants and a college intern.  All three ladies are terrific and I feel incredibly luck to have them with me each day.  My intern will leave in early December and I will miss her.  She is going to be a very good teacher. If the remainder of the year goes as quickly as October and November have gone, I just may make it through the year.

Best quote this week:
Teacher:  What are the names of the three types of blood vessels in the human body?
Student:  Arteries, veins, and caterpillars!!!!!!!
Now you know why the inside of your nose itches!!!!!!

They are multiplying

3 more new students this week!!!!!!!!!!!  Someone lock the gates, please!!!!!!!!!!

A Good Question

This week one of the 35 asked why I became a teacher.  I started to answer with a wise crack like, "So I could terrorise kids like you."  But I didn't say it.  My reply was because my mother was a teacher and I had several great mentors along the way. This question has been with me all week.  Do I remember why I wanted to teach?  What was I thinking about in the late 60s and early 70s?  Do I still feel the same as then?  Have I become jaded?  Some answers are yes, I do feel I can make a difference in students' lives which is the same as I felt in college.  I now know it is much more difficult than I first believed and the reality is that I will probably never know how much of an impact I have made.  When one spends 180 days out of a year with a group of students, there has to be an impact of some sort.  I do wonder if my teaching has had a positive or negative effect.  I think about a girl I taught probably 30 years ago.  She was in second grade and would not stay in her seat nor would she listen, follow rules, or take turns.  Now I realize she probably was ADHD, but at the time no one had heard of that diagnosis.  So in all my wisdom, I put tape on the floor around her desk and told her not to leave the taped area.  It helped for a while, but was not long lasting.  That was a mean thing to do to a child who could not help herself.  I hope she was able to forgive me.

And yes, I have become jaded especially this year.  I have a hard time finding anything positive to say at school and begin to have stomach issues on Sunday night.  I am trying to be more positive because I have a student intern right now and I don't want to negatively influence her.  She is bright and enthusiastic and I don't want to do anything to dampen her spirit.  So, I have much work to do!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last week's score ...Schoolmarm 4.5 Students .5 Plus another students has moved into our school and onto our team.  The more, the merrier, right?  I would agree but he came to class with red marker all over his face.  Friday was "Wear Red Day", but I am pretty sure the intent was a garment of red. It is getting better.  This week we only have 4 days!!!!!!  Do you think that is a handicap for students or the Schoolmarm????????????????