1. With the end of the semester looming, I am pleased with the students who are cruising into exams. I'm so happy to see that there are some students who have cared about their grades all semester and continue to care, even in the home stretch. I appreciate these students more than anything right now, because sometimes it feels like they're outweighed by students who don't care.
2. I have an awesome and supportive EA second hour, who is so great to talk to and very supportive. I really appreciate him!
3. NHS is planning the blood drive for next month. We met with a representative from the Red Cross to discuss it, and I'm really excited about it. Our students can have a huge positive impact on the community just by donating blood, so I hope it is successful!
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Monday, January 2, 2017
3 Things I'm Looking Forward To This Week
In less than 16 hours, I will be back in my classroom at Central... I'm quite ambivalent about returning. I've been battling an annoying cold for the last week, and I would really like for it to just go away before school tomorrow. Teaching while sick is not something I look forward to.
Though I'm sick, there are reasons to be excited to go back to school tomorrow. Here are three things I'm looking forward to doing this week:
1. On Wednesday some social studies teachers are getting together to discuss possible textbook options for the new U.S. History course debuting next year. I'm excited to be part of the group, and I am looking forward to hanging out with fellow history teachers.
2. On Friday, I meet with the assistant principal and academic dean to discuss my update on my passion project, which I will share with the staff at a future staff meeting. I'm nervous about speaking in front of the whole staff, but I'm also really looking forward to sharing what I learned about social media in the classroom.
3. On Saturday I go to the second session of COMP training at my school. I really really loved the first session back in December, and look forward to feeling excited and refreshed again. It's also great to spend time with teachers that I don't normally see much. Though it's 8 hours at school on a Saturday, it's worth it!
Though I'm sick, there are reasons to be excited to go back to school tomorrow. Here are three things I'm looking forward to doing this week:
1. On Wednesday some social studies teachers are getting together to discuss possible textbook options for the new U.S. History course debuting next year. I'm excited to be part of the group, and I am looking forward to hanging out with fellow history teachers.
2. On Friday, I meet with the assistant principal and academic dean to discuss my update on my passion project, which I will share with the staff at a future staff meeting. I'm nervous about speaking in front of the whole staff, but I'm also really looking forward to sharing what I learned about social media in the classroom.
3. On Saturday I go to the second session of COMP training at my school. I really really loved the first session back in December, and look forward to feeling excited and refreshed again. It's also great to spend time with teachers that I don't normally see much. Though it's 8 hours at school on a Saturday, it's worth it!
Thursday, December 29, 2016
3 Things to Change
The first half of my winter break was not productive when it came to schoolwork, but as bad as I feel about it, I think it is probably for the best. Sometimes a good detox is all you need to feel better. And I definitely feel better. I've had some time to reflect on how this school year is going so far, and I've thought about the things I want to improve upon for the next five months. I lost sight of some priorities over the last few months, and I want to make sure I continue to do what is best for my students-- I want to re-ignite my spark for the rest of the year! There are three things that I am going to consciously change as soon as possible.
1. I want my students to write more. It's so important that they feel comfortable writing paragraphs, essays and more, since their academic and lifelong careers will probably require some form of written expression. Though my students are pros at writing tweets and passionate facebook posts, they aren't as comfortable with academic writing at school. The first thing I'm going to have students do when we get back on Tuesday is WRITE! They're going to write about their winter break-- a topic that they surely will have something to say about.
2. I want to create more. Some of the assignments and worksheets I created over the last few years are great, and only need small changes each year, but there are others that need to be scrapped, with new activities created in their places. I want to commit myself to creating more cool assignments that will increase student engagement in my class. I've started by creating a "Renaissance Man" lesson for the first week back. I think it will be good!
3. I want my students to be appropriate when asking to use the restroom. I know this sounds super trivial, but it really bugs me when my students ask to go to the bathroom during the middle of a lesson. I am going to institute some major changes in two weeks at semester break, but I plan to more clearly communicate my expectations about bathroom breaks to my students on Tuesday. Hopefully setting clear expectations, and reminding students of them, will decrease the inappropriate bathroom requests.
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1. I want my students to write more. It's so important that they feel comfortable writing paragraphs, essays and more, since their academic and lifelong careers will probably require some form of written expression. Though my students are pros at writing tweets and passionate facebook posts, they aren't as comfortable with academic writing at school. The first thing I'm going to have students do when we get back on Tuesday is WRITE! They're going to write about their winter break-- a topic that they surely will have something to say about.
2. I want to create more. Some of the assignments and worksheets I created over the last few years are great, and only need small changes each year, but there are others that need to be scrapped, with new activities created in their places. I want to commit myself to creating more cool assignments that will increase student engagement in my class. I've started by creating a "Renaissance Man" lesson for the first week back. I think it will be good!
3. I want my students to be appropriate when asking to use the restroom. I know this sounds super trivial, but it really bugs me when my students ask to go to the bathroom during the middle of a lesson. I am going to institute some major changes in two weeks at semester break, but I plan to more clearly communicate my expectations about bathroom breaks to my students on Tuesday. Hopefully setting clear expectations, and reminding students of them, will decrease the inappropriate bathroom requests.
Sunday, December 25, 2016
12/22/16 - Last Day!!
I MADE IT TO CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!! YAY!!!!
1. I gave my student aides a card with thoughtful words and a bunch of candy today. It wasn't big, but I think they appreciated the gesture. It feels good to show and tell people that you appreciate them.
2. A few of my students gave me small gifts today, which was incredibly sweet. I know that many students don't have the resources to give presents to their teachers, so I was honored that these students were able to give gifts to me; and also that I've made a large enough impact for them to even want to get me something. Feels good!
3. Although tensions in the school seemed to run high today, several students from each hour found the time to wish me and others a Merry Christmas. I hope that my students have a restful and enjoyable holiday break.
1. I gave my student aides a card with thoughtful words and a bunch of candy today. It wasn't big, but I think they appreciated the gesture. It feels good to show and tell people that you appreciate them.
2. A few of my students gave me small gifts today, which was incredibly sweet. I know that many students don't have the resources to give presents to their teachers, so I was honored that these students were able to give gifts to me; and also that I've made a large enough impact for them to even want to get me something. Feels good!
3. Although tensions in the school seemed to run high today, several students from each hour found the time to wish me and others a Merry Christmas. I hope that my students have a restful and enjoyable holiday break.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
12/21/16
One day of school left!!!! Today was a challenge because we were in the library working on Achieve 3000, and it's always difficult to keep order when moving to a different room. But I survived, and now we have only one day left.
1. I don't expect to get gifts from students as a high school teacher, so I was pleasantly surprised that my student aide got me a card and some cash (so awesome!). She wrote many nice things in my card, and it really brightened my day. I don't even need the cash, just getting the nice card was enough for me! I really appreciate having such kind and thoughtful students.
2. One of my struggling students kicked butt on his Achieve 3000 article and worksheet today. Usually he performs somewhere in the middle-back of the pack, but today he did awesome. I was so proud of him.
3. I participate in a book study with the Dean of Students, and the book we're reading is called, "Phoning Parents." Our book group met today and discussed some of the barriers to making phone calls. I really enjoyed starting my day with a productive conversation about how to better communicate with parents. I like hearing other teachers struggles and successes, which give me ideas for how to be a better teacher.
1. I don't expect to get gifts from students as a high school teacher, so I was pleasantly surprised that my student aide got me a card and some cash (so awesome!). She wrote many nice things in my card, and it really brightened my day. I don't even need the cash, just getting the nice card was enough for me! I really appreciate having such kind and thoughtful students.
2. One of my struggling students kicked butt on his Achieve 3000 article and worksheet today. Usually he performs somewhere in the middle-back of the pack, but today he did awesome. I was so proud of him.
3. I participate in a book study with the Dean of Students, and the book we're reading is called, "Phoning Parents." Our book group met today and discussed some of the barriers to making phone calls. I really enjoyed starting my day with a productive conversation about how to better communicate with parents. I like hearing other teachers struggles and successes, which give me ideas for how to be a better teacher.
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
12/20/16
Today was a test day, and I always feel pretty ambivalent about them. On one hand I love them because I get a break from teaching and some peace and quiet. But on the other hand, I hate them because they're so boring for me, and I always have to be on cheater patrol (which is basically painful).
Not a whole lot happened today that was good or bad, really. Test days are just, meh. But on the bright side, we're only two days out from Christmas Break now and the kids are still maintaining some composure!
1. My first hour was somewhat engaged when going over important news topics today. Some students asked questions about the Berlin attack, and nearly everyone was interested in the discussion about the "Russian Hunger Games." Some students even said they'd be interested in doing them... crazy!
2. I met with the assistant principal and academic dean to discuss the status of my "passion" project-- engaging students using social media. I was pretty nervous going into this discussion because my project didn't really go very well, and I was unable to do much of what I hoped. However, the assistant principal and dean were really supportive and provided great feedback to help me move forward. Just because it didn't work the way I hoped, doesn't mean that it was a failure. I've got to keep reminding myself of that!
Not a whole lot happened today that was good or bad, really. Test days are just, meh. But on the bright side, we're only two days out from Christmas Break now and the kids are still maintaining some composure!
1. My first hour was somewhat engaged when going over important news topics today. Some students asked questions about the Berlin attack, and nearly everyone was interested in the discussion about the "Russian Hunger Games." Some students even said they'd be interested in doing them... crazy!
2. I met with the assistant principal and academic dean to discuss the status of my "passion" project-- engaging students using social media. I was pretty nervous going into this discussion because my project didn't really go very well, and I was unable to do much of what I hoped. However, the assistant principal and dean were really supportive and provided great feedback to help me move forward. Just because it didn't work the way I hoped, doesn't mean that it was a failure. I've got to keep reminding myself of that!
Monday, December 19, 2016
12/19/16
ONLY THREE DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS BREAK!!!!!!! YAY!
1. My freshmen were really good in the IMC today. I always get nervous taking a class down to the library to work, because it's an unfortunate opportunity to make a bad impression on other teachers with my students' behavior. However, my freshmen class is really quiet walking the halls and also relatively quiet in the IMC. Last week, the IMC lady even complimented my class for being so much quieter than other classes.
2. Several students came to me today to pick up missing work. It's always refreshing to see students taking control oft their own educations. It also feels good not to have to chase a student down for missing work!
3. One of my 4th hour students has made some major improvements over the last week. After talking to his mom early last week, he was upset with me, but by the end of the week his behavior had markedly improved. I didn't expect it at all! He got several pieces of work done today, and even asked for more missing work to complete! It felt so good to not be angry about this student after 4th hour today!
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2. Several students came to me today to pick up missing work. It's always refreshing to see students taking control oft their own educations. It also feels good not to have to chase a student down for missing work!
3. One of my 4th hour students has made some major improvements over the last week. After talking to his mom early last week, he was upset with me, but by the end of the week his behavior had markedly improved. I didn't expect it at all! He got several pieces of work done today, and even asked for more missing work to complete! It felt so good to not be angry about this student after 4th hour today!
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