Day 7: Group therapy.

I was straight forward again today, but instead of vocabulary I showed clips of videos that related to the upcoming chapter. Unsurprisingly, many asked to watch the whole movie. Mr. Siler doesn't go for that sort of thing. Also 4th period is a challenge. Five students or so left for track and overall, the class seems either over or underwhelmed with the book. (Sigh.)
I have a seminar tomorrow. My mentor teachers will teach short stories or something. Monday through Thursday will be interesting because Friday is spring break. Ideally, I'd be at the half way point of the book by then, but that isn't going to happen. This weekend is all about coming up with the perfect strategy. The next few chapters are fairly episodic. Ideally, I could devise a series of assignments appealing to different learning styles from which the students could choose and work on until presentation day on Wednesday/Thursday. I could video tape this and look awesome while keeping everyone up to speed on the story. Yes. Let's do that.

Day 6: Better day.

I still have a long way to go, but today was probably better than yesterday. Finding the right amount of material to go over is tricky, tricky, tricky. 1^st period ended right on time, but 2^nd got done way early–the opposite of yesterday. I just can’t understand it. I gave them the facebook assignment that I’d given 4^th a few days back. Having it on the agenda immediately peaked their interest. Many didn’t really give me much, though. I’m a little disappointed. I got a ton of feedback from 4^th. Maybe it was just a different day or they were more excited about me (not that it’s all about me). Maybe I need a more official Facebook example.

I did the reading today, and I think that made a difference, that and it was a really good chapter. I think some of the students are coming around to the idea that this might actually be a good book. Better than they're used to anyway.

Tomorrow is going to be challenging and I need a good amount of prep to do for it to be completed….another random thought: I can’t think of who I’m looking at when I talk to the class. Do I talk to the board, should I be doing something differently? Anyway, I’ve got a little time to plan. Better get to it.

Day 5: Trying to figure it out.

Today was better. I'm curious to know what they thought. I still think Connecticut... is a great book, but I've got to push a bit to get them warmed up to it. Today I had them write down vocabulary words and fill out a graphic organizer while reading and listening to the story. I still spoon-fed them what to write though, and it was pretty basic who, what, when, where, kinda stuff. Some students really don't want to work for themselves. They want me to tell them what to write. I've got to shake them out of that and get them to take risk and generate their own thoughts, but I'll have to be deliberate about it. Hard to state that kind of thing as an objective, which probably speaks volumes about what's needed in our educational system.

I played my mean teacher hand-it isn't my strongest hand, but it held. A comforting thought was the reminder that I am working with teenagers. If we can just be decent to one another, each will exceed the other's expectations.

Day 4: And the waves crash.

Today was really difficult and frustrating. I don't have control of the class, kids keep asking to go to the bathroom, I'm not getting the classes attention, people are chatting, others don't know what their doing, still others don't know what to do with themselves.

I only had a half plan. It's difficult to get prepared in the morning even without a homeroom, which is a real shame to me. I graded a retarded amount of homework this weekend. It isn't as though they were a ton of in depth papers and I was grading for grammar or anything, but I just felt like and idiot spending hours grading something they took 5 minutes to complete. Maybe that should be an assignment goal. Don't create an assignment that will take more time for you to grade than it took the student to complete. I also need to set criteria that is clear, but challenging. I can't keep giving everyone great grades for mediocre work, but I've got to build up to it so students feel prepared.

I'm not against group work in theory after today, but having two or three kids busy on a computer while the rest chat and look bored is not a good plan. I can't believe how far behind we are on Connecticut Yankee.

Blah blah Arrrgh Npttthbbbthhh!

My adviser is coming to observe tomorrow. Sarcastic yay!

Not today.

Not that it's been a bad day, but I'm not really on track yet for the everyday accountability thing. It's actually taking up attention that I don't have to spare. In order to keep this space effective, I will definitely be transitioning toward teaching reflection and planning because it's the proverbial "elephant in [my brain]."

Student teaching is going very well, but it's certainly dawning on me that a teacher really is signing up for a lot of work, especially if the job is to be done right. I'll be giving more details in future notices, but I am grateful that the classes and staff I am working with have been so supportive. I'm really looking forward to learning through this experience.

F-6: Effen anyway...

Got all sorts of confused on the system the other day. Even though I then missed a day, I'm chalking it all up to minor error and will continue going about my business. (The "b" was because I'd skipped a day by labeling incorrectly.)

I didn't know what a Moleskine was, so I deduced it was some kind of notebook. I bought a Mead 5x7 spiral notebook. It's bigger than the 3x5 I was using before for to-do lists, but now there's room for a weekly agenda and calendar. I'll just have to keep in the car or in routine places. Lined paper is definitely better for me instead of a more formal planning notebook. I always would get bothered by days or pages I wasn't using in those things. This way I call the shots.

Tonight we're hoping to figure out a car rental for our southern tour.

F-5b: Dilgence is a dirty word.

I listened to a very convicting sermon about planning from Mark Driscoll of Mars Hill Church. I'm glad I'm doing my best to keep up with this blog, but it's only part of a bigger overhaul.

I think that getting my goals in writing and sitting down with Shannon on a weekly basis will make a big difference for both of us. There's nothing like marriage to help one distinguish between where he's easy going and where he's just lazy and fearful.

Anyway. I look forward to having a plan and knowing what's going on, even if it is more or less.

F-5: Well the horse is dead by now at least.

Artax, no!

I'm really glad its Friday, aren't you?

Next week the DSTP will be in progress, so the schedule will be interesting. Hard to believe I'll be full on teaching. I sure hope it goes well.

F-3: Easy does it.

Yesterday was pretty long. I took it a little easier today. Went to the gym with Shannon after school, and that was pretty fun. Made tacoish wraps and are about to watch Rain Man. We've been on a really good streak lately. I watched Rocky and The Never Ending Story in the last few weeks and was impressed with how much I liked them. We also saw an older movie called The Thin Man which was a lot of fun with really good actors that make up for the so so plot.

So school is more or less done the first week of May, but I'm sure there will be a lot of odds and ends to wrap up in order to graduate. I think that right now procrastination has been less of an issue because I've had less opportunity, and the consequences are immediate and direct.

Have a good night.

F-2: Golly what a day.

Was out the door a little after six this morning and have just gotten home at eight thirty. The report today will be brief.

Student teaching goes until April 29th. I begin teaching full days on the 15th of March, so I have about a week before I begin in earnest.

Good day overall, but definitely work.

F-1: Coming Forth

Due to overwhelming demand, I return to write, ponder, and pontificate on matters majestic and mundane. But in gratitude for such demand, I newly resolve to entertain, to play. After all, it is much better for all concerned if those who take the measure of my pulse through this daily check-up are intrinsically motivated to do so.

With the paper completed and grade received (an A!), I now need to focus on setting and meeting appropriate goals for my student teaching experience. I may also use this space for reflections (might as well kill two birds with one stone). I'll try to not change my system up too much. The day and letter system will remain and probably the to-do list. I may add a link for a more comprehensive list of tasks and deadlines. My time issue these days is less about procrastination and more about straight up management. It's a refreshing change really.

I'll keep you posted-heh.