Second grade
Little Girl 1 (LG1) returns from the bathroom and excitedly tells LG2 that one of their friends is in the bathroom. LG2 immediately runs for the pass.
Me: Um, uh-huh. LG2, you are not going to the bathroom right now.
LG2: But I really have to go!
Me: Because you're friend is in there? No way. You have to wait at least 5 minutes.
LG1: But [our friend] won't wait 5 minutes! I'm going to go tell her!
She actually thought it would be ok to go let her friend know she'll have to wait longer for LG2. AND they tried to act innocent like I didn't hear the plan.
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Monday, October 10, 2011
kids crack me up!
Second graders lined up for lunch...
Kids: What's your real name?
Me: Miss Fxxxxx
Kid1: I'm going to call you Miss F
Kid 2: I'm going to call you M
Kid 3 from the back of the line: I'm going to call you Justin Bieber!
Kids: What's your real name?
Me: Miss Fxxxxx
Kid1: I'm going to call you Miss F
Kid 2: I'm going to call you M
Kid 3 from the back of the line: I'm going to call you Justin Bieber!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
behavior
First Grade:
I was handed a behavior chart by a first grader today. He was expected to: keep his hands and feet to himself, sit up, be quiet, listen to directions, stay on task and finish his work. He certainly wasn't a model student but I couldn't decide how to answer those questions. How much of his behavior was him being a pill and how much of it was him being a first grader?
Overall, today was another good day.
I was handed a behavior chart by a first grader today. He was expected to: keep his hands and feet to himself, sit up, be quiet, listen to directions, stay on task and finish his work. He certainly wasn't a model student but I couldn't decide how to answer those questions. How much of his behavior was him being a pill and how much of it was him being a first grader?
Overall, today was another good day.
Friday, September 16, 2011
First day back 2011
Was awesome! Thank goodness!
Third graders were super sweet. One decided I should continue to be in her classroom as a second teacher and added a note to my sub notes about it. I told the office about it and the receptionist exclaimed, "Oh! And she liked O.! Let's keep her!" Apparently not everyone thinks O. is as cute as I do.
This school does Make Your Day and I probably should've used the program more, but after those other schools last year I just couldn't punish them. They were practically angels.
Oh, and the staff ate in the lunch room. Green flag!
Third graders were super sweet. One decided I should continue to be in her classroom as a second teacher and added a note to my sub notes about it. I told the office about it and the receptionist exclaimed, "Oh! And she liked O.! Let's keep her!" Apparently not everyone thinks O. is as cute as I do.
This school does Make Your Day and I probably should've used the program more, but after those other schools last year I just couldn't punish them. They were practically angels.
Oh, and the staff ate in the lunch room. Green flag!
Sunday, July 24, 2011
mid-summer blues
I still have well over a month before the school year starts but I'm already getting anxious about subbing again. This will be my third year. I keep thinking back to all the horrible experiences I had in the past two years. Carrots thrown, fights started, unsupportive staff, down right awful kids, and it all makes me feel like I'm a bad teacher.
In teacher school, we were taught about the importance of building relationships and being consistent. They never prepared us for subbing. My first year, I was a much gentler teacher. Last year, my patience went to shit. I feel like I"m downright mean and that's no way to teach. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it.
I applied for two dreams jobs at a dream school. The posting closed a couple of weeks ago so I have given up hope on an interview. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong other than not being someone they already know. Almost all of my classmates have jobs and they have far less experience than I do. You'd think 7 years of teaching and creating curriculum would get you somewhere.
My ego has taken a huge hit. Hopefully this last month or so of summer will re-energize me and i'll be ready to face the classroom. Thankfully I don't have to do that tomorrow.
In teacher school, we were taught about the importance of building relationships and being consistent. They never prepared us for subbing. My first year, I was a much gentler teacher. Last year, my patience went to shit. I feel like I"m downright mean and that's no way to teach. Makes me feel sick just thinking about it.
I applied for two dreams jobs at a dream school. The posting closed a couple of weeks ago so I have given up hope on an interview. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong other than not being someone they already know. Almost all of my classmates have jobs and they have far less experience than I do. You'd think 7 years of teaching and creating curriculum would get you somewhere.
My ego has taken a huge hit. Hopefully this last month or so of summer will re-energize me and i'll be ready to face the classroom. Thankfully I don't have to do that tomorrow.
Friday, June 24, 2011
end of year
Last day of school and last day of subbing for the year. Middle school. Without any sub notes or ways to entertain them.
After first period, my introductory speech had to include, "don't do things like pull your hood over your face and let people kick you." First period was supposed to be the smart class.
Thank goodness for a half day and 35 minute periods.
After first period, my introductory speech had to include, "don't do things like pull your hood over your face and let people kick you." First period was supposed to be the smart class.
Thank goodness for a half day and 35 minute periods.
Monday, June 13, 2011
speachless
Today was so bad I don't want to put it into words. But there are a couple things that are red flags to me now.
1. Office doesn't give you the office phone number
2. No one eats in the staff lounge. You can be sure this is no team environment
I was on the verge of tears and felt sick all day. Almost left in the first fifteen minutes. I should have counted how many times I saw "fuck" or "bitch" written. (these were second graders).
1. Office doesn't give you the office phone number
2. No one eats in the staff lounge. You can be sure this is no team environment
I was on the verge of tears and felt sick all day. Almost left in the first fifteen minutes. I should have counted how many times I saw "fuck" or "bitch" written. (these were second graders).
Friday, June 3, 2011
beautiful
There's nothing like the hush that falls on a classroom when students are engrossed with what they're doing.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
the whole district blows
I was excited to get a half day call for a north end school today. While waiting for the office manager and signing in I met another substitute who told me that the class i was going into was difficult. In fact, in the past a sub actually left at noon when hired for a full day.
Great.
I took a deep breath and headed to the classroom where I met with the teacher. She gave me instructions on what she wanted me to do but was so scattered I realized I would be winging it. Thankfully she printed out a copy of the sub plans....oh wait those were so sparse they were no help at all.
On accident, I arrived at the lunchroom a few minutes too early and got to hear that my class was being so rude they lost pm recess. I no longer had that to hold over their heads. AND I now had 15-20 minutes extra that I needed to fill with no tools.
They lost tomorrow's recess in the first half hour.
They lost the movie (oh, yes part of my sub plans was a movie) shortly after that.
We tried to work on the Social Studies worksheet she gave us. The questions were pretty straight forward but the answers were nowhere in the book. I couldn't even find them. Of course they are going to act up if they can't do the work! So we gave up on it and I did some read aloud.
During the science packet I was watching the clock. I was running out of things to do!! The kids were surprisingly engaged (at least two were kicked out though). I told them if they could continue this behavior then they could earn back the movie time. Little did they know that I had no other option!
No one watched the movie. They were talking, writing notes, throwing things, being jerks.... I told three students their job the next day was to clean the floors. Lord I hope the janitor doesn't come in and clean for them. It was DISGUSTING!
Finally, my 3 hours of these knuckleheads was over. Most of the kids had left. I looked over and not five feet away from me one was writing on the desk with a marker. Guess whose job it is to wash the desks tomorrow?
And how much do you want to bet that teacher won't follow through with the consequences I gave them?
Great.
I took a deep breath and headed to the classroom where I met with the teacher. She gave me instructions on what she wanted me to do but was so scattered I realized I would be winging it. Thankfully she printed out a copy of the sub plans....oh wait those were so sparse they were no help at all.
On accident, I arrived at the lunchroom a few minutes too early and got to hear that my class was being so rude they lost pm recess. I no longer had that to hold over their heads. AND I now had 15-20 minutes extra that I needed to fill with no tools.
They lost tomorrow's recess in the first half hour.
They lost the movie (oh, yes part of my sub plans was a movie) shortly after that.
We tried to work on the Social Studies worksheet she gave us. The questions were pretty straight forward but the answers were nowhere in the book. I couldn't even find them. Of course they are going to act up if they can't do the work! So we gave up on it and I did some read aloud.
During the science packet I was watching the clock. I was running out of things to do!! The kids were surprisingly engaged (at least two were kicked out though). I told them if they could continue this behavior then they could earn back the movie time. Little did they know that I had no other option!
No one watched the movie. They were talking, writing notes, throwing things, being jerks.... I told three students their job the next day was to clean the floors. Lord I hope the janitor doesn't come in and clean for them. It was DISGUSTING!
Finally, my 3 hours of these knuckleheads was over. Most of the kids had left. I looked over and not five feet away from me one was writing on the desk with a marker. Guess whose job it is to wash the desks tomorrow?
And how much do you want to bet that teacher won't follow through with the consequences I gave them?
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Hold the fire
Middle school: sixth graders, sixth period
Today was lovely. Not a single student talked back to me. I read A Wrinkle in Time cover to cover. Life was good. The fire alarm didn't even phase me. I locked my door, followed the kids out to the field....
It took a little bit of hustling to keep up with my kids but I found them on the field all lined up standing quietly. So proud. The band teacher was even there already checking off names for me.
"Miss Sub? You're supposed to meet your morning class up there." The student pointed far far away.
"How am I supposed to remember what my morning class looks like?" I ran, best as I could to the upper field. All the lines looked like they had teachers assigned to them. Embarrassed and flustered, I asked someone to help me.
Finally, I found them standing in line quietly. They were even in alphabetical order. Relieved, I pulled out the key lanyard before our line started heading back in. Empty.
The key is still out on that field, kids. I spent 7th period searching for it.
Once again, I had to tell someone I messed up.
Today was lovely. Not a single student talked back to me. I read A Wrinkle in Time cover to cover. Life was good. The fire alarm didn't even phase me. I locked my door, followed the kids out to the field....
It took a little bit of hustling to keep up with my kids but I found them on the field all lined up standing quietly. So proud. The band teacher was even there already checking off names for me.
"Miss Sub? You're supposed to meet your morning class up there." The student pointed far far away.
"How am I supposed to remember what my morning class looks like?" I ran, best as I could to the upper field. All the lines looked like they had teachers assigned to them. Embarrassed and flustered, I asked someone to help me.
Finally, I found them standing in line quietly. They were even in alphabetical order. Relieved, I pulled out the key lanyard before our line started heading back in. Empty.
The key is still out on that field, kids. I spent 7th period searching for it.
Once again, I had to tell someone I messed up.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Clap-repeat means "SHUT UP!"
Elementary: first grade
I have been spoiled by first grade teachers whose classrooms are set up with consequences. It makes me think I can sub in any first grade classroom.
I really want to be the sweet talking primary teacher who can have one on one moments with students. That doesn't work very well when the moment you aren't standing like a sentinel up front the class goes wild. And how many times must one clap-repeat?
I do feel bad for yelling at the girl for bringing her slugs to school and telling her they will die in that little container if she doesn't release them. But it's true. And she wouldn't shut up about the damn slugs! And I probably scarred her for life.
I am a horrible teacher.
I have been spoiled by first grade teachers whose classrooms are set up with consequences. It makes me think I can sub in any first grade classroom.
I really want to be the sweet talking primary teacher who can have one on one moments with students. That doesn't work very well when the moment you aren't standing like a sentinel up front the class goes wild. And how many times must one clap-repeat?
I do feel bad for yelling at the girl for bringing her slugs to school and telling her they will die in that little container if she doesn't release them. But it's true. And she wouldn't shut up about the damn slugs! And I probably scarred her for life.
I am a horrible teacher.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
I don't want to see your face anymore
Elementary: fifth grade
How many times can I kick a student out of my class and have him returned to me?
I sent a student to the office in the AM for being disruptive, disrespectful and driving me crazy. At lunch, I talked to some woman who apparently "taught him a lesson". It sounded like he was on track to behave the rest of the day. Oh foolish Miss Sub.
This child did not stay in my classroom long. When I sent him to the office in the PM he told me to shut up and slammed the door so hard I thought the glass was going to break. I called the office to tell them he was being VERY disrespectful. I figured they would get the hint that I didn't want to see him when I sent him with all the work for the rest of the afternoon.
The cat came back. He wasn't in the class long before he said something to cause another student to get up out of his seat and start a shoving match. I broke that up and the shover and shovee went to the counselor. THEY SENT HIM BACK TO ME! The counselor's advice: "you guys just need to get to know each other better. Talk about non-confrontational things and become friends."
This was the same day the sass-mouthed blind girl stormed out of the classroom because I asked her to return to her seat since she was talking too much where she was.
How many times can I kick a student out of my class and have him returned to me?
I sent a student to the office in the AM for being disruptive, disrespectful and driving me crazy. At lunch, I talked to some woman who apparently "taught him a lesson". It sounded like he was on track to behave the rest of the day. Oh foolish Miss Sub.
This child did not stay in my classroom long. When I sent him to the office in the PM he told me to shut up and slammed the door so hard I thought the glass was going to break. I called the office to tell them he was being VERY disrespectful. I figured they would get the hint that I didn't want to see him when I sent him with all the work for the rest of the afternoon.
The cat came back. He wasn't in the class long before he said something to cause another student to get up out of his seat and start a shoving match. I broke that up and the shover and shovee went to the counselor. THEY SENT HIM BACK TO ME! The counselor's advice: "you guys just need to get to know each other better. Talk about non-confrontational things and become friends."
This was the same day the sass-mouthed blind girl stormed out of the classroom because I asked her to return to her seat since she was talking too much where she was.
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