I contacted the mom of the student I confiscated the cellphone from. Apparently, she is not aware that her son's phone is not with him. She sounded tired of dealing with the son's misbehavior at school that she asked me what to do. After I suggested what she needs to do, according to the book, I also set up an appointment with the guidance counselor to meet with his parent and his other teachers. It came to my knowledge that I am not the only teacher this student had problems with.
I am hoping that with 2-day suspension, the student can think what he did and be a "good" student. I know this is too much to ask but I ask it anyway.
Hopefully, the meeting will turn out okay.
tfr
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Last Quiz Installment For the Quarter
I cannot believe it's halfway through the semester already! Most of my students welcome the midterm exams with open arms but others just sit there and wait for nothing. I really hope that they will realize soon that they are the ones making their grades.
Anyway, it is what it is. I tell my students all the time that their grades in my class is a reflection of their performance. They sure are worth more than their grades (if they are failing) but they don't do anything about it. I guess I just have to deal with it. Hopefully they will mature soon!
I am moving on. tfr
Anyway, it is what it is. I tell my students all the time that their grades in my class is a reflection of their performance. They sure are worth more than their grades (if they are failing) but they don't do anything about it. I guess I just have to deal with it. Hopefully they will mature soon!
I am moving on. tfr
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Cracking down on cellphones...
I can't believe how many times in a day we hear that p.a. reminding students that electronics, such as cellphones, ipods, etc etc (except calculators) are not allowed in the hallways and classrooms!
For the past weeks, I've been very "nice" about the issue. Yes, I implement the rule but I did not feel like I have to confiscate their personal possession - it's important to them - actually seems like more important than their grade!
Three days ago, I made it clear to all my students that I am not going to be nice anymore. I told them I am done reminding them to put them away and made that announcement as their last reminder from me. This is the eighth week in the semester and should be pretty much aware of the school's rules and regs. It's not that I have a lot of problems about electronic usage in my class but a few. Pretty much same students are doing the trick! When you tell me to keep it, they do but they will use it again if you're not looking. Or I would take it from them during class and give it back after class. But the handbook states to take the electronic item/s items from them and give it to the administrators for the student's parents to retrieve.
Anyway, I confiscated the 2nd cellphone yesterday. This student made it known since day 1 that he's a pest! He's one of those who just doesn't want to follow the crowd but makes his own. He's defiant and he thinks his cool! So, his cellphone was taken from him. At the end of the class wanted it back. Well, guess what I told him? Have your parents come tomorrow to get it from the principal. That's right! I said that. He was upset, grabbed my timer from my desk. He said that if I have his possession, he can have mine. Refused to listen to what I say and told me that he don't care whatever I say. Just imagine how kids around here get upset, how they use profane language - he was that bad!
I am not even done writing the report for the admin when I heard knocking on my door. Guess who? Yes, the principal. He basically wanted to hear what happened from my view, returned my timer and retrieved the cellphone. I asked him what I should have done. He agreed to what I've done, but told me I can also give it back to the student if I want to! Oh boy, I felt like that student's waiting for him to take his cell back. I thought it would be nice if they can follow their own rules!
In the end, I decided that I let it up to them to decide what happens next. I did my job, so I let them do theirs. Hopefully, the student will not brag about how he won over me. I promise you they will hear something from me.
tfr
For the past weeks, I've been very "nice" about the issue. Yes, I implement the rule but I did not feel like I have to confiscate their personal possession - it's important to them - actually seems like more important than their grade!
Three days ago, I made it clear to all my students that I am not going to be nice anymore. I told them I am done reminding them to put them away and made that announcement as their last reminder from me. This is the eighth week in the semester and should be pretty much aware of the school's rules and regs. It's not that I have a lot of problems about electronic usage in my class but a few. Pretty much same students are doing the trick! When you tell me to keep it, they do but they will use it again if you're not looking. Or I would take it from them during class and give it back after class. But the handbook states to take the electronic item/s items from them and give it to the administrators for the student's parents to retrieve.
Anyway, I confiscated the 2nd cellphone yesterday. This student made it known since day 1 that he's a pest! He's one of those who just doesn't want to follow the crowd but makes his own. He's defiant and he thinks his cool! So, his cellphone was taken from him. At the end of the class wanted it back. Well, guess what I told him? Have your parents come tomorrow to get it from the principal. That's right! I said that. He was upset, grabbed my timer from my desk. He said that if I have his possession, he can have mine. Refused to listen to what I say and told me that he don't care whatever I say. Just imagine how kids around here get upset, how they use profane language - he was that bad!
I am not even done writing the report for the admin when I heard knocking on my door. Guess who? Yes, the principal. He basically wanted to hear what happened from my view, returned my timer and retrieved the cellphone. I asked him what I should have done. He agreed to what I've done, but told me I can also give it back to the student if I want to! Oh boy, I felt like that student's waiting for him to take his cell back. I thought it would be nice if they can follow their own rules!
In the end, I decided that I let it up to them to decide what happens next. I did my job, so I let them do theirs. Hopefully, the student will not brag about how he won over me. I promise you they will hear something from me.
tfr
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Tuesday, Common Task Day
I teach 3 classes of 9th graders this semester. There are a lot of benefits as well as disadvantages teaching these vigorous, young adults.
Students were advised and encouraged to study (do they? really?!) for their first common task for the year. This is a proficiency-based, on-demand task that students (all students) have equal opportunity to take. They have to get a grade of 4 out of 4 for this task to be called "portfolio-worthy" task. Students will then collect all these task to put in their graduation portfolio.
This would mean that I will have a lot of reading and checking to do afterschool today! I just love it. I wish all my students will meet my expectations. Seriously, I wish they studied last night.
tfr
Students were advised and encouraged to study (do they? really?!) for their first common task for the year. This is a proficiency-based, on-demand task that students (all students) have equal opportunity to take. They have to get a grade of 4 out of 4 for this task to be called "portfolio-worthy" task. Students will then collect all these task to put in their graduation portfolio.
This would mean that I will have a lot of reading and checking to do afterschool today! I just love it. I wish all my students will meet my expectations. Seriously, I wish they studied last night.
tfr
Monday, October 27, 2008
Happy Monday!
I look forward to meeting my students today. Their Warm-Up problem is ready and a new lesson waiting. I can't wait to see who and how many will get the right answer. I also have to make sure to reiterate tomorrow's Common Task. Their first for the year!
Well, students, I wish you lots of luck. tfr
Well, students, I wish you lots of luck. tfr
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Welcome to my Blog
Mabuhay! I created this blog so I have a place to share my thoughts, fears, aggravations, and my joys of being a teacher. I teach high school students. Sometimes it feels like my husband alone is not enough for me to vent to. Don't get me wrong, he's a very supportive and a very good listener but I just feel that he can enjoy just me without that "teacher baggage".
I promise I won't be too over bearing. I will write all that makes my day at school so people who wonder what's happening in my "teacher bubble" will be informed. I also would like to share my experiences and joy of being a teacher to anyone who may want to become one. Warning: some experiences might scare you off too.
I teach in an inner city school where child abuse and neglect is the highest in the state, birth rate for older teens (18 -19) is the 2nd highest in the state and the birth rate for younger teens (15-17) is the 3rd highest in the state, the graduation rate is only 54% compared to the state's 70%, and the free breakfast program for all students are free!
Please don't get me wrong, I am still safe, I love my job, and I not complaining. I just thought it would be nice if you know a little background so you have some idea about what I'm talking about when you read some of my posts in the future. I know that I have a big responsibility for changing the mindset of our young adults. They need to be taught so we'll have better future.
Whew, I miss my class already! tfr
I promise I won't be too over bearing. I will write all that makes my day at school so people who wonder what's happening in my "teacher bubble" will be informed. I also would like to share my experiences and joy of being a teacher to anyone who may want to become one. Warning: some experiences might scare you off too.
I teach in an inner city school where child abuse and neglect is the highest in the state, birth rate for older teens (18 -19) is the 2nd highest in the state and the birth rate for younger teens (15-17) is the 3rd highest in the state, the graduation rate is only 54% compared to the state's 70%, and the free breakfast program for all students are free!
Please don't get me wrong, I am still safe, I love my job, and I not complaining. I just thought it would be nice if you know a little background so you have some idea about what I'm talking about when you read some of my posts in the future. I know that I have a big responsibility for changing the mindset of our young adults. They need to be taught so we'll have better future.
Whew, I miss my class already! tfr
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Goodies!
Ok, so I signed up for this technology workshop offered by the district last summer. It's about using technology in the classroom. The state wanted to improve the ratio of desktop computer to the number of students so this is one of the ways they thought they could make up for it, I guess. We are at the bottom of the list (again) in the desktop-student ratio. I was one of the teachers who signed up to use 2 weeks of our previous time in the summer.
Today I am lucky to receive these goodies! Two brand new desktops, mimio, and my digital camera is yet to come. I don't think I would be able to receive the digital cam but I can hope for it.
Here's the new desktop my students can use!
The mimio is for me to get use to. I need more time to play with that tech. I can't say that I'm confident using that thing just yet.
I have my goodies and I'm happy! tfr
Today I am lucky to receive these goodies! Two brand new desktops, mimio, and my digital camera is yet to come. I don't think I would be able to receive the digital cam but I can hope for it.
Here's the new desktop my students can use!The mimio is for me to get use to. I need more time to play with that tech. I can't say that I'm confident using that thing just yet.
I have my goodies and I'm happy! tfr
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