"All teachers are the same"

"All teachers are the same, Miss. They are all out to get you." This is something I heard today from a very angry and resentful Grade 12 Essential level student. I saw him in the hallway right before my class (that he happens to be enrolled in) and motioned him to come inside. "One second miss, I have to go outside for a cigarette. I will be there in 20 minutes" I resent the fact that students happen to believe that school is an incovenience for them or a drive thru lane in life. They all want the McGrade, the Happy Meal version of life. I proceed to talk to the student who tells me that all teachers are the same. That I know his reputation and have judged him. Not true. I am judging him now, because he has chosen to go out and smoke a cigarette instead of actually showing up for class. As bad as this seems, my class would be great if he chooses not to make an appearance everyday. These kids like to cause me a lot of unecessary paperwork.

I really like teaching--but its all the administration, paperwork and annoying little things that probably cause a lot of teachers to go insane. I am slowly but surely getting there. I just have to have patience.

Praying for patience.

Sick? Already?

Schools are the breeding ground for new and exciting variations of the common cold. It's week 4 and I have just got my first cold. I think I should go to bed now, I'm sure my Grade 10s could handle more work from the short story unit if I don't plan tonight..........Blegh.

Period 5 is slightly more manageable--but still difficult. Its really a daily battle where the captain (myself) is wading through mud. I get things like, "Miss, I hate reading. Why should we have silent reading time? " "Well, you are in Grade 10 Academic... we do read. What.. why am I justifying this to you right now?"

From the stupid question files, one student asked me if I thought another student was cute. RED LIGHT RED LIGHT. My response, " I have no comment on that question". "But Miss, don't you think he's cute??" "I think all of you are very special individuals, that is all" On another note, kids aren't very good at passing notes these days. I should have read one out loud. But I wasn't in my Super Bitch mood today, and reading it would have just irritated me as much as the students. I never got caught passing notes. At least they could be secretive about it.

I love children, really.

A Random Thought

A student asked me an interesting question today in class. He said, "Hey Miss, how much do you think I could get for my virginity if I sold it on Ebay?"

My natural reaction--which I cannot voice "Well, not much."
My actual reaction--" When those words came out of your mouth, did you actually think that sounded like an acceptable question?"

Kids are so darn cute. Really.

Time Flies

Wow.. I just finished Day 2 of Week 3 and I am still alive. Thankfully. Teaching has been taking alot out of me, not physically but merely mentally. A Grade 12 student died in a car accident a week and a half ago, and the students are still trying to wrap their hands around it all.

My fifth period class is a nightmare. I can't seem to not feel inadequate in my classroom management skills--when I can't manage a group of 24 10th graders. I can manage my first and third periods okay.. but this last class is driving me wild. I actually had to slam the door and yell to get their attention. I pretty much asked, "Are you just warming your seat, or are you actively participating in this class...?" One of my more intelligent yet snarky students, told me I was inspirational. How incredibly sweet of him really... blegh. My fifth period class contains quite a few weaker students--18 out of 24 received a 65 or less last year. It proves to be a challenge.

So... I have a new plan. The plan being 1) Changing the seating 2) Talking to each student individually 3) Using a classroom management worksheet to document more and more 4) Talking to their parents. 5) Only explaining things once to ensure better listening skills.

Man... I have turned into such a bitch on wheels during class time. So much for inspiring young minds on a Tuesday.

Day 1 and 2

Ugh.. I am exhausted. Is that okay to say? Who knew dealing with 70 or more teenagers per day could be so physically and mentally exhausting. The first day went okay, Grade 10s tend to hate English and like to test boundaries. One the upside, one of my essential kids made me raise an eyebrow when she asked how to spell the word Swastika. I know.. crazy huh? Supposedly she is reading a book about the history of the symbol. My 5th period English class thinks I am an insane crazy English dictator--who gives them too much work. Really we are doing tons of diagnostic work to make sure that kids are in the right stream and level. I scared a fair bit of kids into wanting to change levels. My patience with the kids has been fair, although with 19 boys and 6 girls in my 5th period class-- I am treading above water at least........... Today was good--I actually had a beautiful first period and third period class--and ended off with my crazy zoo animals. Blegh.. is it too early to call home.

And the entire right side of my closet collapsed. Super. Super. Fun.