Times are changing but when should I stop bending?
I have recently allowed the students to take exams with head phones on. I like to listen to music while I study and do math work, I think if students feel more comfortable while listening thats fine with me. I feel that one should be left off incase they need hear emergency information or direction changes.
There is a linger of the topic cheating within the classroom while listening to "equations." If you're going to make a song that contains an equation and listen to it on repeat, I am sure you'll know it by the end of the exam anyway.
My goal for music in the classroom is to promote a better learning environment. Students tend to be more focused on the work and quite while listening to head phones. I do agree that it is hard to multi-task. That you are stealing a sensory when listening to one thing and writing another. however, I feel the ease in my classroom for an exam when the students are listening to music. Mathematics comes with a very rough stigma and music in the classroom might be a great way to relieve some students enough to learn.
Cellphones as a calculator is where I draw the line. This maybe my lack of understanding for technology within the classroom but this promotes cellphone use in the classroom. I do not like , "what about airplane more" either. I feel that using a calculator is a learned skill that students need to experience and be exposed to. Why should they need one if there is one on their phone?
I am not sure why I am so diligent about not using a cell phone to calculate but I am so understanding about music to study/learn/work better.
I wonder if the older generation thinks my music yields a lack of rigor or discipline? I do agree that phones have given students this false sense of instant satisfaction.
The cheerleading team keeps getting better and my semester is finally ending. Phew what a relief no longer will you get to hear about the 16 boys all in one course. What a trip they were. My Seniors ended with music videos that were a riot to watch. I think that was far better than any "final." Alternative assessments are more interesting for the students and demands group effort to fix a project which is a very important life skill, plus they're way easier to grade. My foundations course is moving into my vamped algebra course. I'm hoping to flip the classroom and use this blog to write about my success and failures. I'm still new so I'm sure I'll provide plenty of failures.
Things seem to have ended nicely and I survived feeling accomplished. Something has gone well.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Admin and documentation, why must I CYA
When do you feel the need to constantly document something and then approach administration about a problem?
As a new teacher I do feel that I can handle any situation and I can conquer all that is given to me. When this is very much not the case. When talking with others in my building I hear, "document it." what does this really mean? Why must I constantly write the negative things those around me do? Is this to keep competition strong. My teaching style is loud to which many have reported me on, my work seems unproductive and the kids are loud.
I feel like I am more watched by big brother and other teachers than by administration. A principal has pal in it to be your pal. Do I attack on others as they have on me, or do I let Karma run it's course? There are many of us that get attacked at school for being first year teachers, I think more should reach other observe and help us do better work. I can mathematics loops around any student but I have trouble containing them. This brings other teachers to quickly judge me and "document" the times I suck. Maybe instead of waiting for others to fail we jump in and demonstrate. I feel as though I should "document" more and "cya" better, however I do the right thing and I that should be best.
So, when do you "document" and is it best to constantly get admin involved, I know they are here to back me and support me when needed but are they here to be a crutch and a pin bag for me to use on attacking other teachers? The kids want to learn and I can not teach if I am constantly on the chopping block from other teachers.
Tangent:
I have a coworker that is different. He is very kind and hard worker but has a lack for social skills. I am trying my best to help, without being disrespectful. He complains a bunch but definitely means well. I feel like we are getting to be pretty close friends even if we do not see eye to eye all the time. He has done a few weird tricks like take a class of mine here and there, but he wants whats best. He lacks life skills and some simple understandings. I know he is a great teacher but I wish he could be a great person too.
Life Update:
I am having a different time living on campus, days tend to be wicked long and tiring and I feel very thinly stretched. I do feel awkward that I am 26 and I can not have visitors in my own place. that I now acquire being the parent to 12 HS boys from another country and that my life as a WA employe is 24/7. Cheerleading has many layers of drama as you would expect to since I coach 15 HS girls, the moms are a handful as well. I love the team and all that it offeres next year will be better and less dramatic, I hope.
Family:
To remind you all that i am human, I am starting to be closer with my father. Him and I stopped talking for some time right after high school. I came out when I was a senior in high school and it took a few years for us to talk again, I blame us both. however, most importantly we are close again like the past. I feel as if my mom might be getting jealous she does love to see my dad and I so close. I have three little girls in my life, my brother owns two and my sister owns another. All three a beautiful and I am putty in their hands. My brother and sister are not included in that mix of three.
As a new teacher I do feel that I can handle any situation and I can conquer all that is given to me. When this is very much not the case. When talking with others in my building I hear, "document it." what does this really mean? Why must I constantly write the negative things those around me do? Is this to keep competition strong. My teaching style is loud to which many have reported me on, my work seems unproductive and the kids are loud.
I feel like I am more watched by big brother and other teachers than by administration. A principal has pal in it to be your pal. Do I attack on others as they have on me, or do I let Karma run it's course? There are many of us that get attacked at school for being first year teachers, I think more should reach other observe and help us do better work. I can mathematics loops around any student but I have trouble containing them. This brings other teachers to quickly judge me and "document" the times I suck. Maybe instead of waiting for others to fail we jump in and demonstrate. I feel as though I should "document" more and "cya" better, however I do the right thing and I that should be best.
So, when do you "document" and is it best to constantly get admin involved, I know they are here to back me and support me when needed but are they here to be a crutch and a pin bag for me to use on attacking other teachers? The kids want to learn and I can not teach if I am constantly on the chopping block from other teachers.
Tangent:
I have a coworker that is different. He is very kind and hard worker but has a lack for social skills. I am trying my best to help, without being disrespectful. He complains a bunch but definitely means well. I feel like we are getting to be pretty close friends even if we do not see eye to eye all the time. He has done a few weird tricks like take a class of mine here and there, but he wants whats best. He lacks life skills and some simple understandings. I know he is a great teacher but I wish he could be a great person too.
Life Update:
I am having a different time living on campus, days tend to be wicked long and tiring and I feel very thinly stretched. I do feel awkward that I am 26 and I can not have visitors in my own place. that I now acquire being the parent to 12 HS boys from another country and that my life as a WA employe is 24/7. Cheerleading has many layers of drama as you would expect to since I coach 15 HS girls, the moms are a handful as well. I love the team and all that it offeres next year will be better and less dramatic, I hope.
Family:
To remind you all that i am human, I am starting to be closer with my father. Him and I stopped talking for some time right after high school. I came out when I was a senior in high school and it took a few years for us to talk again, I blame us both. however, most importantly we are close again like the past. I feel as if my mom might be getting jealous she does love to see my dad and I so close. I have three little girls in my life, my brother owns two and my sister owns another. All three a beautiful and I am putty in their hands. My brother and sister are not included in that mix of three.
Monday, January 20, 2014
Recap to cap a semester
Looking back can help you see the future.
Recap on the year Check List
- Taught three mathematics courses. Functions Statistics and Trigonometry to seniors, Algebra 1 to freshmen. Foundations of mathematics to freshmen as well.
- Mentor to Gay Straight Alliance
- Coached Football sideline cheerleading
- Taught students with special needs in mathematics
- Coached Winter competition/ basketball cheerleading
- Interim advisor to Junior class.
- Lived on campus with about 50 international boys mentoring them while boarding.
- lastly, self proclaimed guidance counselor to aspiring students in very tough times.
- starting my YouTube mathematics Rap videos in hopes of being famous.
What have I learned from this?
Kids are tougher than nails but more fragil than styrofoam. Kids will crush each other but breakdown when attacked. Students are looking for help and guidance and assistance. It is amazing how many want to be good and are concerned about each other. There is far more hope in this world than hate. Students will work hard when they can connect or relate. Not only young "cool" teachers are those who can connect with students as well. Kids will speak to be heard and just want to not have words fall on dear ears. They are not always seeking action but a sound board and trust. Attending a school function should be a requirement for teachers since student adore seeing faculty support. kids notice that you give up your time for them, as they give up their time for you.
Teaching is tough, rewarding more than anything and stressful to say the very least. Teaching is acting and the show must always go on, there is no day off and there is no dropping the ball. Kids trust those who the find intelligent and justified in their teaching. Teaching takes tough skin, kids will be honest if your ideas are bad. Messing up is ok and understood IF you can back it up with knowledge. Knowing your material will earn you more respect than being well versed. You might know a math book, but do you know the math is totally different and noticeable. Teaching requires you to be ready for anything, to have the patience of a saint and to be ok with failure. Know that kids are kids mistakes happen but in the end everyone should be given an equal shot to be successful. No one is equivalent, but we can strive towards equality.
Living with international boys alludes to many challenges. The language barrier to start even though many seem to be decent in English. The cultural is a larger worry and a growing battle to understand. In some countries showering is not a mandated or seen as a daily chore. Boys do not follow rules even ones that are very valid, like not hot pots in your room. Guys can be stereotypical gross, as far as bathrooms are concerned. Above all the guys are far more caring, since I live with them and I am their mentor. They listen decently and like to feel respected as kids are constantly seeking. They want to be given rules and rewarded for good work. The boys give me gifts of exotic things to show their approval. As many days that are very hard to live with a dorm full of high school guys is, there are many days that provide great rewards.
Final thoughts, life this first semester has been like a roller coaster, with many falls, loops, and swirls. I'm hoping the second half includes more straight aways. I have missed friends and cheerleading. I so happy to be near my family and those who have supported me but I do miss Logan. I think the teaching is definitely a career that I can be very successful as i am very aspiring to be better than I was before and to be the best possible. To provide great mathematics and life lessons for each student I have to grow mathematically and personally. next semester I'm learning to say no, but saying yes provides many new memories.
Recap on the year Check List
- Taught three mathematics courses. Functions Statistics and Trigonometry to seniors, Algebra 1 to freshmen. Foundations of mathematics to freshmen as well.
- Mentor to Gay Straight Alliance
- Coached Football sideline cheerleading
- Taught students with special needs in mathematics
- Coached Winter competition/ basketball cheerleading
- Interim advisor to Junior class.
- Lived on campus with about 50 international boys mentoring them while boarding.
- lastly, self proclaimed guidance counselor to aspiring students in very tough times.
- starting my YouTube mathematics Rap videos in hopes of being famous.
What have I learned from this?
Kids are tougher than nails but more fragil than styrofoam. Kids will crush each other but breakdown when attacked. Students are looking for help and guidance and assistance. It is amazing how many want to be good and are concerned about each other. There is far more hope in this world than hate. Students will work hard when they can connect or relate. Not only young "cool" teachers are those who can connect with students as well. Kids will speak to be heard and just want to not have words fall on dear ears. They are not always seeking action but a sound board and trust. Attending a school function should be a requirement for teachers since student adore seeing faculty support. kids notice that you give up your time for them, as they give up their time for you.
Teaching is tough, rewarding more than anything and stressful to say the very least. Teaching is acting and the show must always go on, there is no day off and there is no dropping the ball. Kids trust those who the find intelligent and justified in their teaching. Teaching takes tough skin, kids will be honest if your ideas are bad. Messing up is ok and understood IF you can back it up with knowledge. Knowing your material will earn you more respect than being well versed. You might know a math book, but do you know the math is totally different and noticeable. Teaching requires you to be ready for anything, to have the patience of a saint and to be ok with failure. Know that kids are kids mistakes happen but in the end everyone should be given an equal shot to be successful. No one is equivalent, but we can strive towards equality.
Living with international boys alludes to many challenges. The language barrier to start even though many seem to be decent in English. The cultural is a larger worry and a growing battle to understand. In some countries showering is not a mandated or seen as a daily chore. Boys do not follow rules even ones that are very valid, like not hot pots in your room. Guys can be stereotypical gross, as far as bathrooms are concerned. Above all the guys are far more caring, since I live with them and I am their mentor. They listen decently and like to feel respected as kids are constantly seeking. They want to be given rules and rewarded for good work. The boys give me gifts of exotic things to show their approval. As many days that are very hard to live with a dorm full of high school guys is, there are many days that provide great rewards.
Final thoughts, life this first semester has been like a roller coaster, with many falls, loops, and swirls. I'm hoping the second half includes more straight aways. I have missed friends and cheerleading. I so happy to be near my family and those who have supported me but I do miss Logan. I think the teaching is definitely a career that I can be very successful as i am very aspiring to be better than I was before and to be the best possible. To provide great mathematics and life lessons for each student I have to grow mathematically and personally. next semester I'm learning to say no, but saying yes provides many new memories.
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
The End is Near, I think I can.
Classes are nearing an end and Thank you jesus for that! The kids are growing stir crazy and I am as well. I am well ready for the next semester and students it will bring. I think that I am going to try and beef up my expectations of my students next semester. These kids are going to be working more intuitively than physically., well I hope at least.
My dreams to conquer the world through mathematics are still holding strong and I have the drive of a brand new dodge viper, however I feel as if I'm coming more realistic with my days and times. The kids hold low expectations of themselves and they are champions in the art of complaining. I fight fire with fire and complain back in a even more obnoxious whining tone, they get the point. My students are more on-level if you will than accelerated but they are accelerated when it comes to fun. With that fun comes immaturity and lack of organization. The students would forget their brains if they could.
I have been thinking of ideas and more innovatives ways to get students to be more responsible. the constant, "I have no paper and pencil." Gets pretty boring after the first week. PS I still get it at week 17.
More so recently I have been adopted or self-proclaimed I guess a stand-in consoler. Students are coming to me with many life dramas and I admire their courage to speak with an adult. I am worried that I will provide the wrong advice, but I think they are just seeking a non-judgmental outlet. The amount that a student faces is far worse than I remember. I wonder if I had sturggles like these in my days but time has healed the wounds I thought were so large back then? I feel enlightened that students are open with me, in reason knowing I can only with hold so much. It makes me feel like that I am conquering the world, or even just this time piece of downeast Maine for right now.
Cheerleading has been the saving grace to all my days. I have started to love this team of misfits and dramatic girls. They work hard and cry often but we have the best of times. I think that they enjoy what I offer and the help that I bring. I am stern in what I want but I do like having a great time. The kids are those of a new era where the phone is king and expectations are low. These girls have given me more than I have given them and I count the minutes until I see them at practice.
Overall the first semester of teaching has been lined with headaches, bruises, sleepless nights, and constantly feeling behind. These symptoms are normal and will lessen over time. Should they continue, I would suggest seeking seeing a local mentor.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Skype with you best friend
A short post, tried and out of it.
The semester is coming to an end and this has been the best real life example of a roller coaster. Weeks have been great, some have been rough but in all of them I have learned so much. Students are layered hard and soft, and who knows how they will show up. Days are intertwined with emotions and memories that are ever changing the flow of classes.
Post Vacation Stress Disorder, I'm thinking it is real. Kids come back dazed over like the ice storm that cancelled our first day back. They are slow to thaw and fast to complain, however they are willing to work. There is a new vibe and determination about this rested group. It is an enjoyment to see the students sport their new threads at school. There is something that should be done to research how students learn in new christmas clothes.
The start back is rough for more than just the students, teachers have a post vacation stress as well. I feel slow and out of my element. My schedule is the same but it feels very different.
As the days turn, the best end to a really tough day is being able to skype with your best friend. Living in the middle of nowhere East Machias has many difficulties but having some well needed friend time makes it far more manageable.
The semester is coming to an end and this has been the best real life example of a roller coaster. Weeks have been great, some have been rough but in all of them I have learned so much. Students are layered hard and soft, and who knows how they will show up. Days are intertwined with emotions and memories that are ever changing the flow of classes.
Post Vacation Stress Disorder, I'm thinking it is real. Kids come back dazed over like the ice storm that cancelled our first day back. They are slow to thaw and fast to complain, however they are willing to work. There is a new vibe and determination about this rested group. It is an enjoyment to see the students sport their new threads at school. There is something that should be done to research how students learn in new christmas clothes.
The start back is rough for more than just the students, teachers have a post vacation stress as well. I feel slow and out of my element. My schedule is the same but it feels very different.
As the days turn, the best end to a really tough day is being able to skype with your best friend. Living in the middle of nowhere East Machias has many difficulties but having some well needed friend time makes it far more manageable.
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