April 16, 2007
What began as a peaceful, yet energetic, day for me will no doubt be one of those days, I remember forever. My mom could tell me what she was doing the day JFK died or the day the Challenger exploded. I can tell you that I was the 6th grade computer classroom the day of the Columbine shootings, and I was in 10th grade biology when the WTC towers were struck, and I was student teaching in Room 221 when fourth period ended and eating lunch when I found about the tragedy at VT. Words cannot describe the thoughts going through my mind when I saw "Massacre at VT" scrolling on CNN. From numerous high school friends, an ex-boyfriend, and a cousin at VT, as well as my Dad an alum, I've always felt like a Baby Hokie. During planning in the afternoon, I watched as CNN told us more and felt that Tech was my school - not just a basketball rival in Blacksburg. Today I was especially glad that I didn't have a 6th period class. I spent some time worrying about my cousin and friends. I was glad my cell phone was in the car because I didn't want to know if I had bad news or not. When I got to the car, I saw my Mom called twice and my roommate and my best friend from home. I really did not want to return the calls because I was afraid of hearing news I didn't want to hear. Finally, almost back to the dorm, I returned the call to Mama and she told me she'd gotten in touch with my cousin, April, and she was okay. I spent the evening sympathizing with VT students.
7th period: The Internet is unavailable at Grafton, so Marci and I have the students read "The Base Stealer" as an opening poem. We got through all slides except "sonnet" information, but it was somewhat quicker than it needed to be.
4th period: Pace was slower, which caused faster writers to get off topic more, but the slower writers needed the information. My quiz will be Friday for 4th period and next Monday for 5th and 7th period because Friday is an activity period for 7th period.
Today was a faculty meeting about general information (student placements, tragedy at VT, Marzano strategies with mind mapping - which I really love, SOL dates, scheduling, etc.). Marci and I planned for 10th grade afterward. They'll have a research paper due before June 1. She only wants it to be 2-4 pages. While I believe that sounds good for grading 25 of them, I really think that is going to hurt the students because 2-4 pages is nothing. I really feel like I'm not in a place to say that though because I'll be gone before they are due.
April 17, 2007
Today, for some reason, I had an "off" day. I know my students did not see a difference, but I just felt off. I'm not sure if it's anxiety because of my anger about what happened at Tech or it's worrying about my observation tomorrow by Principal Guy, but either way, I'm ready for the weekend. I love teaching, but today on the way home, I wondered whether I'm cut out for this job or not. I miss spending evenings with my friends goofing out and not doing homework. Instead, I'm trying to sleep because I'm always so exhausted or I'm grading papers. This, I realize, is not always the case, but it's the kind of day I've had. I love my kids so much, and I would like to have them all again next year, but I find myself counting down until the end of student teaching. I don't want to wish my life away. I don't. I really want to teach next year at Grafton. I want it so much that I can taste it. I think this is why I'm considering if I'm cut out for teaching or not. I know I'm a good teacher, but I don't see myself anywhere else except Grafton right now. And the thought that I might not get the job - what I've worked for - scares the heck out of me. I knew I was getting into college as an UG. I could see the numbers - colleges would want me. I knew I'd get into graduate school. I don't know about this job. I know that I'll get something, and wherever I get is obviously where God wants me to be. Normally, that's enough for me, but now that push is coming to shove, I'm scared. No wonder I'm tired.
1st period: Some of my tenth graders are very immature. They seem to be stuck in the "only thinking about me" phase. I could really see a difference between mature and immature today during the channel 1 portion about VT. I took students to the computer lab, and Filamentality's website was down, so I had to copy sampler by hand to give to students.
7th period: Somewhat subdued due to yesterday's shooting at VT. Kris and T.J. M. asked me to turn on the press conference. I'm glad we were doing the webquest, so the students could multi-task and see it. Most of the students got 3/4 of the way through Romantic Art, so they'll be able to finish tomorrow. I've gotten good questions thus far on the webquest. I love how comfortable my students are with technology, and I'm also proud of them for the maturity and concern they've shown about the tragedy at VT.
5th period: Webquest went VERY WELL! Students worked all period (even the ones that normally sleep through class). I explained portfolios briefly. I'll explain more Thursday about it. I've had to use World Book and Wikipedia for articles about romanticism and romantic music because two of my websites are blocked from student logins.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Spring Break Hangover
April 10, 2007
Back to the workplace...enough said? If not, I'll explain some more. This week felt so long each morning as I got up, got a shower, and got dressed in the dark while my roomie could keep sleeping. I loved getting to be a college student for a week, but now I'm missing it. Since this is the last part of my last semester, I'm trying to balance spending more time during the week with my friends and doing the activities that have made my W&M college experience amazing: working at the Rec Center and doing Phi Mu events are a couple; however, I also need sleep. Another aspect of this week is Marci's return. It's taking a little bit to get used to her back in the room because I had gotten used to it being "Ms. Owen's classroom" even though it was really only a week and a half.
7th period: We read 001 from Poetry180. I had students read their found poems aloud without writing them on the board. I also wasn't as clear with my expectations or directions regarding found poetry. Collectively, we deemed it "Spring Break Hangover." I still don't feel 100% better yet, so I think that my performance isn't up to its usual.
4th period: We read 001 from Poetry180. Marci suggested that I have students write their poems on the board and then write a found poem from the found poems. This instruction took much more class time than I had planned, so I couldn't get to all that I had planned on the informational materials with gas prices; however, I think that it was a good activity for the students, and I'm glad Marci was here to suggest it.
April 11, 2007
Today is the last day that grades may be turned in. They were due at noon. My grades were finished and in the computer before I walked out the door for Spring Break on Friday. Marci's however, some of them from before I started teaching in February, did not make it into the computer until this morning. I realize that we are all really busy, but this is really showing me not to get behind. All seventh period she stayed upstairs entering grades. Anthony dropped off a paper after 7th and asked if it could count, so I told him I'd check during lunch/duty/planning. I called her at 10am and asked; she said, "Sure," so I said I'd grade it and call her back. She said, "Why don't you come on up and give it to me and we can discuss comments." I hadn't eaten breakfast that day (running late, bad move for me, as I was feeling shaky). I told her that I wanted to grab some lunch first and would be up. When I got up there, she was in a terrible mood and told me "Do you know what time it is? Get your head on straight." I just sat there. I know that when Daddy was sick, I often jumped on people more (especially the people that I was closer to) but it's still really hard because I take everything to heart.
1st period: We were not able to discuss plagiarism. We need to do that later. Some of my 10th graders were too immature for the NewsHour clip, which was gone really well in 12th grade. Marci gave me a really good idea of having students bring poems to class. I'll bring one on Friday and students will begin bringing one a day on Tuesday.
7th period: I began with 002 from Poetry180 and then read "How Gas Prices Work" (15 minutes). We wrote a found poem keeping all sentences and then we wrote one "not about gas prices" using words from the article, which we wrote on the board. I'm really glad that Marci's back; however, I know I feel most comfortable when I'm teaching the students alone. One of my students, Chris, looks like something is wrong - sad, rough day, something.
5th period: Read 001 from Poetry180. I wanted to do gas prices article, but Marci said "No, keep 4th and 5th at the same point."
April 12, 2007
I think that Marci is somewhat annoyed by how much the students like me. She was discussing grades with me and said, "The seniors are going to love you. Only three of them failed." I was worried at first that my test had been too easy and the grades were somewhat inflated (I'm not completely sure that they are not.) I looked at how much they did though, and it drove me crazy, but I stayed on their backs until they did their work. It seems like the people who failed were those who did not do work. When we got to the tenth grade, she said "Yes!" and told me that more of the 10th graders did worse. I know she was teasing, but I'm glad that I won't have to do the grades at the end in her class again.
7th period: Read 003 from Poetry180. I think the "Mad Lib Poetry" was a good way to sneak in a grammar review; however, the class really needed an example before trying to create a poem. I got some really interesting found poems. Also, Marci wants my portfolio to have students creating more poetry (instead 1 of 5 kinds, she wants 3 of 5 kinds), summarizing author info and submitting sources, and giving lots of support for the reader response. On a slightly different note, I handled the Ashleigh infraction notice badly by not speaking to her before she had to go to the A.P. and she was pretty ticked off with me when she returned from the meeting. I guess I would have been angry as well. I only talked with Ankit because he asked about his grade on Friday before we got out for Spring Break. For the future, I need to make sure that the infraction notice does not come as a surprise to my students. Later in the day, she came and talked to me and she left not as angry as during class.
4th period: Read 003 from Poetry180. Chauntielle's having a rough day; she said her house was broken into last night and she didn't feel safe sleeping. They did the gas price article and created two found poems, and we talked about poetry portfolio and plagiarism. For homework, I gave them the plagiarism worksheet.
April 13, 2007
Today I had one of the experiences that make up for not being paid (at all now). Elizabeth looked at me after I gave her report card and said quietly. "Ms. Owen, will you stay the rest of the year?" "What?" I asked. "I've done so much better because I understand what's going on and you grade our papers. I really don't want you to leave." I know that when I think about my first class, it really won't be next year's class -- it'll be these kids.
1st period: We are still not able to discuss plagiarism. Next class, we'll complete the internet sampler. The students were WONDERFUL for Prof. Abdalla. They loved him and loved the show and tell. I'm so glad that I got him to come. I also gave him a Barnes and Noble gift card of $25 that I paid for myself. I really loved having people come in to show my students how much I think of them.
7th period: Read 004 from Poetry180. We discussed plagiarism, completed the worksheet, and I gave back the report cards during their worksheet (at 9:42). They were working quietly and asked if they could get them back. Class ends at 9:52. Marci came in at 9:46 or so, and she asked if I had given back their report cards. I said "Yes" and she replies, "I don't do that until the end of class." I replied, "Do you want me to take them up and hand them out again?" "No" and she walks out again. The students looked at her like she'd gone crazy. She later tells me, "They won't work after you hand out the grades or they want grade sheets, etc." The funny part of this I kept to myself. Today, the students kept working and only one asked for a grade sheet - at the end of class. Maybe it's all in how they are treated...
5th period: We had a pep rally for spirit week. Marci said not to start anything new. I wound up talking to the student I thought had been dipping in class. I told him that I was disappointed that he lied and I didn't appreciate it; however, I thought he'd learned his lesson. He replied "Yes, and Ms. Owen, I will NEVER do that in your class again. I got so sick by the time I got to the truck." That particular day, Marci had told me she thought it was gum (I disagreed) but it's her class. I was glad I didn't have to write him up, but I'm really glad that he learned his lesson. I think the students really respect me.
Back to the workplace...enough said? If not, I'll explain some more. This week felt so long each morning as I got up, got a shower, and got dressed in the dark while my roomie could keep sleeping. I loved getting to be a college student for a week, but now I'm missing it. Since this is the last part of my last semester, I'm trying to balance spending more time during the week with my friends and doing the activities that have made my W&M college experience amazing: working at the Rec Center and doing Phi Mu events are a couple; however, I also need sleep. Another aspect of this week is Marci's return. It's taking a little bit to get used to her back in the room because I had gotten used to it being "Ms. Owen's classroom" even though it was really only a week and a half.
7th period: We read 001 from Poetry180. I had students read their found poems aloud without writing them on the board. I also wasn't as clear with my expectations or directions regarding found poetry. Collectively, we deemed it "Spring Break Hangover." I still don't feel 100% better yet, so I think that my performance isn't up to its usual.
4th period: We read 001 from Poetry180. Marci suggested that I have students write their poems on the board and then write a found poem from the found poems. This instruction took much more class time than I had planned, so I couldn't get to all that I had planned on the informational materials with gas prices; however, I think that it was a good activity for the students, and I'm glad Marci was here to suggest it.
April 11, 2007
Today is the last day that grades may be turned in. They were due at noon. My grades were finished and in the computer before I walked out the door for Spring Break on Friday. Marci's however, some of them from before I started teaching in February, did not make it into the computer until this morning. I realize that we are all really busy, but this is really showing me not to get behind. All seventh period she stayed upstairs entering grades. Anthony dropped off a paper after 7th and asked if it could count, so I told him I'd check during lunch/duty/planning. I called her at 10am and asked; she said, "Sure," so I said I'd grade it and call her back. She said, "Why don't you come on up and give it to me and we can discuss comments." I hadn't eaten breakfast that day (running late, bad move for me, as I was feeling shaky). I told her that I wanted to grab some lunch first and would be up. When I got up there, she was in a terrible mood and told me "Do you know what time it is? Get your head on straight." I just sat there. I know that when Daddy was sick, I often jumped on people more (especially the people that I was closer to) but it's still really hard because I take everything to heart.
1st period: We were not able to discuss plagiarism. We need to do that later. Some of my 10th graders were too immature for the NewsHour clip, which was gone really well in 12th grade. Marci gave me a really good idea of having students bring poems to class. I'll bring one on Friday and students will begin bringing one a day on Tuesday.
7th period: I began with 002 from Poetry180 and then read "How Gas Prices Work" (15 minutes). We wrote a found poem keeping all sentences and then we wrote one "not about gas prices" using words from the article, which we wrote on the board. I'm really glad that Marci's back; however, I know I feel most comfortable when I'm teaching the students alone. One of my students, Chris, looks like something is wrong - sad, rough day, something.
5th period: Read 001 from Poetry180. I wanted to do gas prices article, but Marci said "No, keep 4th and 5th at the same point."
April 12, 2007
I think that Marci is somewhat annoyed by how much the students like me. She was discussing grades with me and said, "The seniors are going to love you. Only three of them failed." I was worried at first that my test had been too easy and the grades were somewhat inflated (I'm not completely sure that they are not.) I looked at how much they did though, and it drove me crazy, but I stayed on their backs until they did their work. It seems like the people who failed were those who did not do work. When we got to the tenth grade, she said "Yes!" and told me that more of the 10th graders did worse. I know she was teasing, but I'm glad that I won't have to do the grades at the end in her class again.
7th period: Read 003 from Poetry180. I think the "Mad Lib Poetry" was a good way to sneak in a grammar review; however, the class really needed an example before trying to create a poem. I got some really interesting found poems. Also, Marci wants my portfolio to have students creating more poetry (instead 1 of 5 kinds, she wants 3 of 5 kinds), summarizing author info and submitting sources, and giving lots of support for the reader response. On a slightly different note, I handled the Ashleigh infraction notice badly by not speaking to her before she had to go to the A.P. and she was pretty ticked off with me when she returned from the meeting. I guess I would have been angry as well. I only talked with Ankit because he asked about his grade on Friday before we got out for Spring Break. For the future, I need to make sure that the infraction notice does not come as a surprise to my students. Later in the day, she came and talked to me and she left not as angry as during class.
4th period: Read 003 from Poetry180. Chauntielle's having a rough day; she said her house was broken into last night and she didn't feel safe sleeping. They did the gas price article and created two found poems, and we talked about poetry portfolio and plagiarism. For homework, I gave them the plagiarism worksheet.
April 13, 2007
Today I had one of the experiences that make up for not being paid (at all now). Elizabeth looked at me after I gave her report card and said quietly. "Ms. Owen, will you stay the rest of the year?" "What?" I asked. "I've done so much better because I understand what's going on and you grade our papers. I really don't want you to leave." I know that when I think about my first class, it really won't be next year's class -- it'll be these kids.
1st period: We are still not able to discuss plagiarism. Next class, we'll complete the internet sampler. The students were WONDERFUL for Prof. Abdalla. They loved him and loved the show and tell. I'm so glad that I got him to come. I also gave him a Barnes and Noble gift card of $25 that I paid for myself. I really loved having people come in to show my students how much I think of them.
7th period: Read 004 from Poetry180. We discussed plagiarism, completed the worksheet, and I gave back the report cards during their worksheet (at 9:42). They were working quietly and asked if they could get them back. Class ends at 9:52. Marci came in at 9:46 or so, and she asked if I had given back their report cards. I said "Yes" and she replies, "I don't do that until the end of class." I replied, "Do you want me to take them up and hand them out again?" "No" and she walks out again. The students looked at her like she'd gone crazy. She later tells me, "They won't work after you hand out the grades or they want grade sheets, etc." The funny part of this I kept to myself. Today, the students kept working and only one asked for a grade sheet - at the end of class. Maybe it's all in how they are treated...
5th period: We had a pep rally for spirit week. Marci said not to start anything new. I wound up talking to the student I thought had been dipping in class. I told him that I was disappointed that he lied and I didn't appreciate it; however, I thought he'd learned his lesson. He replied "Yes, and Ms. Owen, I will NEVER do that in your class again. I got so sick by the time I got to the truck." That particular day, Marci had told me she thought it was gum (I disagreed) but it's her class. I was glad I didn't have to write him up, but I'm really glad that he learned his lesson. I think the students really respect me.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Spring Break Reflection on Non-Reflection
Today is the halfway point of my spring break, and I'm sitting at my computer wondering why I did not try to reflect upon each day after each day occurred. I'm reminding myself that I was trying not to go crazy without my CT while I graded papers I hadn't assigned, entered grades into the computer alone, and planned by myself for classes that I'd never planned to teach alone.
These reasons would be enough for most people, and by most people, I think that I mean people who are not suffering from mild-forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. I know that you are not supposed to self-diagnose, but I feel that I'm justified in this diagnosis.
Also, I'm inside today on the computer as opposed to being outside in the sun (or clouds today) reading Romantic poetry for my next unit. I chose this location as I've gotten a nice tan-burn for the last couple of days, which were definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful (thanks Taylor Mali!). My kids should also love the fact that I'm wearing sunglasses all the time because of the white outline where my glasses were on my face. I can hear them now, "Ms. Owen, what'd you do for spring break??!!"
I'm trying to plan as if Marci isn't going to be back next week, and this Silk Road project has gotten me a little confused. I feel better about 12th grade and even public speaking isn't too bad; however, I'm really not sure about the Silk Road. I guess I'll try to make the web quest for the advanced class into a more user-friendly version for my non-advanced class.
Now I'm going to go complain that our air conditioner won't be turned on until April 15. For those of us living in sunburn heat, we want some AC! :)
These reasons would be enough for most people, and by most people, I think that I mean people who are not suffering from mild-forms of obsessive-compulsive disorder. I know that you are not supposed to self-diagnose, but I feel that I'm justified in this diagnosis.
Also, I'm inside today on the computer as opposed to being outside in the sun (or clouds today) reading Romantic poetry for my next unit. I chose this location as I've gotten a nice tan-burn for the last couple of days, which were definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful, definitely beautiful (thanks Taylor Mali!). My kids should also love the fact that I'm wearing sunglasses all the time because of the white outline where my glasses were on my face. I can hear them now, "Ms. Owen, what'd you do for spring break??!!"
I'm trying to plan as if Marci isn't going to be back next week, and this Silk Road project has gotten me a little confused. I feel better about 12th grade and even public speaking isn't too bad; however, I'm really not sure about the Silk Road. I guess I'll try to make the web quest for the advanced class into a more user-friendly version for my non-advanced class.
Now I'm going to go complain that our air conditioner won't be turned on until April 15. For those of us living in sunburn heat, we want some AC! :)
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