Monday, October 29, 2007

It’s been a while since I’ve updated.

Tests. Tests. Tests. I’ve had two weeks of bullshit in the name of tests. We happened to be selected to be the guinea pigs for a stupid national test that we had 2 days to prepare for. 3 days of time wasted testing. So, I couldn’t get anything done that week. The next week? Benchmarks. Yeah, like I had time to prepare the kids for their benchmark tests.

So the kids took the benchmarks. Kids had no idea what it means to take a damn test. Bubbling in the wrong circles, skipping circles, asking too many questions, talking to each other during testing. You want to get me fired?!?!?!?!

I gotta say, they did quite well on the Reading. Only ¼ didn’t pass! You’re probably thinking, “WHAT THE HELL! THAT’S A FOURTH OF YOUR CLASS!” But no. It’s actually pretty successful for a benchmark. Not to mention 1/3 of them scored 90% or higher. That’s pretty sweet.


Then I got the math benchmark scores. We are in trouble. We probably did about average for benchmark scores. But we’re still in trouble if that many kids didn’t pass. I’M (ME) in trouble.

So it looks like I’ll be doing a lot of overtime early in the morning or after school tutoring students.

So we wasted 2 weeks of school doing nothing but testing, and “stuff” so that the kids won’t be wiped from testing.

Then the first field trip rolled around on Friday. Wow. Testing, then it’s a Friday field trip. Parents, they make me nervous. Not to mention they showed up early so they got to sit around and watch me teach the kids right before we left for the field trip. They’re nice folks, but it still makes me self-conscious. I guess it was a good experience to have them in the room while I’m teaching so I’ll be more aware of good practices, and to get used to being watched since my evaluations are coming up. Not only that, but to be comfortable inviting parents in so help or get involved.

But yeah, it was somewhat nervy having parents around (and on field trip day) so the kids were all super rowdy and annoying. =]. I was paired with another teacher who has a very well behaved class. I mean, my kids are pretty well behaved, good kids, but lord, they need to know when to stop talking sometimes. Sweet kids, though. Though I’ve been screaming at them more often. =P. So, compared to her class, mine was pretty disorganized.

All this stuff came up after we returned from our field trip, eye exams, emergency music practice for an upcoming program, so it was hectic. When all the 3rd graders came together, it was a little comforting, because my kids were basically in the middle. Our class was given a harder part to sing in the program (that does tell you something about them). They weren’t as perfect and quiet as some kids, nor were they rowdy as others. It was nice when a parent said to me that it seems like we were doing pretty good considering all my kids were following directions and the other half of the 3rd graders were running around. Whew!

Half the times it’s not really the teacher’s fault that the kids are crazy. But it’s hard not to put it all on yourself when the students aren’t doing what they’re supposed to.


Now we’re getting back into the normal routine. It was good taking a break from extreme planning. Extreme planning, kind of sounds like a nerdy sport, huh? Anyways, the “break” was nice, but the kids’ brains suffered from it so we’ll have to get back on track starting Monday. We are going to be so hardcore it kind of scares me. They’re learning multiplication for the first time, and boy, I am frightened to teach it. Considering how bad they did on the benchmarks, it’s kind of troubling being expected to move on.

So, I’m back to exteme planning, though it’s not has punishing as the first 5 or 6 weeks of school.

I was in my classroom on a Saturday one day, and a teacher dropped by my class. She told me that it was just a job, and that I should stop what I’m doing and go home. After she left I got really upset. I cried. Ofcourse, I’ve been crying a lot since I’ve started teaching. But it really upset me that she would say that to me. All the work I put into making quality lessons. And to tell me it’s just a job. I wish it were just a job. It may just be just a job next yeat. But this year, it’s more than a job. I knew she was looking out for me. Although it hurted, it was still good that she nosed in and said what she did. I’ve decided to stop visiting the classroom after hours so often, and instead of pushing things to do over the weekend, try to get as much done during the weekday as possible. And if I have work, to try to complete things at home instead of at school. I guess I’ve just been a little more efficient.

Okay, that’s a bit too much. But I’m going to stop now because I get carried away.

I can’t wait until Thanksgiving break. Save me. =*]

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