Teenagers and Ice Cream

Teenagers should not be teachers. I'm telling you - in my experiences in the education world - teenagers aren't the best at explaining things clearly and getting things done. I would have to say the fine arts classes are the ones that test my patience the most. Like today - watching the "team captains" try to get the kids started on their new dance was like watching a group of people who have never ice skated, step onto the ice for the first time.

Also-my husband is amazing. While driving home, we were chatting about my upcoming birthday plans, which will include a trip over for some delicious Thrifty ice cream. To which he asks "does that sound good right now?" I said heck yes. And then we missed out turn to our house and went to get ice cream as a spontaneous date day! Oh delightful. And I got Bubble Gum flavor. Because as a kid Lord's Ice Cream parlour had it and it was so delightful. Except I don't like the gum balls in it so I ask for as much ice cream and as little gum balls as possible. And they oblige. And it is delightful every time.

Happy Monday.

For real?

As I mentioned before, my job assignment is to fill in holes on campus that are last minute needs. Today, a sub didn't show up for a particular assignment; so I was called to the classroom. No biggie-right? Wrong!

How does this teacher even have a job? I have subbed this class before. How do I know this? Because the agenda I wrote on the board from Nov. 7th was still there! For real? His classes have NO respect for the classroom or any adult for that matter. Several stood by the door the entire 100 minute class; eating, texting, and chatting obscenely loud. Many "went to the bathroom" and didn't return. It was the most insane class with no real lesson plans, and no real direction given at all! I just hate when I have to sub in rooms like this. Not so much because it is a bad experience - which to tell the truth it is a nightmare - but more because I don't understand why this type of person has a job teaching and one such as myself doesn't. Really?

Piercings, Spandex, & Barefeet

I seriously think some of these students I encounter on a daily basis need to have a full length mirror somewhere in their direct line of sight. Seriously. I do.not.get it.

First off - lets talk about the piercings. Ears, eyebrows, cheek bones, and lips are one thing. I've sort of gotten use to all that crap. Its the tongue and belly thing I CAN NOT understand. Do you suppose they think they are alone in the world when it is time to clean said piercing? The belly for example. They scrunch down in their desk, with their shirt pulled up to their boobs, cleaning out around the stud. Sometimes with wipes! Followed by lotion. SICK. And the tongue is no different. Except it requires a mirror to be held with your tongue sticking right out, and your free hand scraping around the stud. Can you imagine the sickness of this display? And yet, for some reason, it is totally accepted. In fact, sometimes one girl will ask another girl to do the lotion part!

And the Spandex. Seriously girls. No where. In America. Or the world. should any female. OR MALE. ever. wear. spandex. Leggings, pants, shorts, shirts. Ever. Especially not the bright colors. Or white. Its just gross. Haven't you people seen the 70's and 80's photos. What an era. Let's leave it there. Wow. {as a side note, the under the skirt look, although not my preference, is acceptable.}

And finally - the footwear. Or lack thereof. Is there someone in the world that thinks it would be just fine to walk around a grocery store without any shoes or socks on? What about a mall. Or a school? It just seems really nasty to me. Why would anyone take their shoes off in a nasty classroom? Have you seen what is under the desks kids? What makes you think the floor is any cleaner?

And yet - without fail. Every. Single. Day. The piercings must be cleaned. The spandex is apparently a fashionable trend. And the shoes will come off. Welcome to High School. I hope they can look back at these years and smile.

A little Classroom Love?

I am settling in quite nicely into my new routine. We started with WW2 which happens to be one of the better chapters so things are going great. I've put a few things up on my walls and even got the key terms wall mostly finished. (I wish every day that I didn't throw out last year's sets).

I only have one thought. Could I possibly get my room vacuumed? I've been in there 3 weeks now and not once has a custodian vacuumed my room. I have to go up and down the aisles at the end of the day and pick up what I can with my hands. I am a huge believer of a clean and orderly room. So a little vacuuming would go a long way with me. I realize that my room may not look like it needs it terribly, but I would just like a little classroom loving.

Missing my book

I miss this history book. Today was my first day starting with the World History classes and looking over their book was a minor nightmare. Paragraph after paragraph with no highlighted or clear information. For someone who has taught this course 8 times, I should not be as confused as I am while reading this text. Seriously, this is lame-o stuff. It is no wonder kids don't like history.

In regards to the classes, I think that things are going to be good. I only saw 2 classes today being that they have block scheduling and today was my prep day. And there was the other sub in there from the past several weeks. Lets just say it was like a fake day. And the next 2 days are CAHSEE testing (which I pronounce K.C. and they pronounce Cassie; I think my way is better) so there won't really be any classes then either. BUT - I am excited about it and am hopeful that this might get me in the door for next year. Maybe

New Job Assignment

I am very pleased to announce that yours truly will be back in the classroom starting Monday! Woo-hoo. I have been substitute teaching for several weeks now, and haven't loved it, but haven't hated it either. (well, that 2 weeks science class stint was a bit much but...lets not go into details).
Well, to my luck and great blessing, I have been selected to fill in as a permanent substitute for a World History teacher at the high school. what!? Crazy to think that I will be doing the same classes that I was doing in Riverside. I just feel so blessed.
So - starting tomorrow I am up and at it again. Perhaps my blogging in increase now that I will have something to jot down. The only thing that makes me slightly nervous is it appears he has AP courses which I have never taught before.

All in all it is very exciting. :)

Ten Lessons

Things I've learned my 3 days of substitute teaching.

1. I hate Middle School.

2. No amount of classroom management techniques can control a class lacking teacher management.

3. I hate 6th graders most.

4. I like that I don't have to go to the meetings.

5. It's super weird hearing the kids talk outside the classroom about "having a sub today"...and that being me.

6. I miss having my own classroom.

7. Over planning, although helpful, is sometimes stressful because I'm not sure what really needs to get done.

8. Agenda's are underused in classrooms.

9. Spelling counts.

10. Bring a book; you'll be bored for most of the period.

In-Famous

Since the first day I started teaching I thought about when my students would make-it in life. You know, become rich and famous fashion designers, or movie stars, or rock band peeps; and I'd look back and say, I had them as a student. I've been in their presence.

Well my fine readers, it has happened...although not like I had envisioned. Way to go Terrence Harris, you've done your family proud. (Being that he is in the newspaper, I don't feel bad calling him out.)
Read story here if your interested. (Which, with that introduction, how could you not be?)

And a special thanks to another former student who brought this story to my attention. I always counted on them to keep me informed. :) 1 student down; 1054 hopefuls to go

Last Days

Let it be known the world that I love my job.

Somedays I think I am a good teacher and the kids actually do learn stuff I give them. Like a few days ago while reviewing chapter 2 from eons back, they remembered Locke (and Key), Hobbes (and Calvin) and Mon-tes-que with 3 syllables and 3 branches of gov. I always had my grades updated and posted every Friday. I sent letters home to parents several times and emailed a ton! Parents were always in the loop. and I had no problems with the yearbook this year like last year.

BAM! Good teacher.

Other days I think I have room for major repairs. Lots of former students visit toward the end of the school year; especially those I had as freshmen and are now graduating seniors. A few bring up the lesson we learned about not pushing friends out windows. (Toy Story-don't ask) And they mention that all we did was watch movies. Although this is an entirely false statement, it does make me cringe at that being their memory. I threw pencils at kids in 4th period. And I doubt I talked to every one of my students. I think there are some that I've never really talked to.

Not cool.

There are a lot of things that I will miss about teaching. I loved the start of school when I can recommit to organization. I love that control that I feel - when I say stuff people listen, and they come to me for direction. I love that I have a job I can wear jeans to every day. Early to work. Early home. This is totally my cup of tea. I am ALL ABOUT getting up early and getting the job done. Home by 3ish isn't a bad life. Students keep my style fresh(ish). And I just love looking at them all. Sitting and seeing them in their desks doing their work or chatting amongst themselves. There are some fun kids. I loved my room being right next to the copy room. When I was in 3002, the hike across campus was avoided at all costs. Here in 101A I am neighbors with the copy room, the office, the attendance, and activities. All the major hot spots on campus. It is prime real estate.

Things I will not miss: meetings! I have learned that I am not a get-together and talk about it person. I understand if there is something that needs to be discussed but when we are meeting just because we are told to. That bugs. 4th Period! will not miss them. I don't know what it was about that period this year. Guidance did a grand-slam job at putting a bunch of the wrong kids into the same class. Sure I have a few here and there in all my classes but 4th period was out-of-control this year. Will. Not. Miss them.

So-as I pack up my room for the last time and head up north, I bid my eagle soaring friends farewell. How lucky I was to be hired, on-the-spot, 4 years ago at a job fair at BYU. It has been good.

STAR testing

I struggle with state standardized testing.

Downside:

--most students don't care enough. When the first question is "will this hurt my grade?", its a sure sign that they'll be off task soon.

--anytime 33 Language Arts questions are done in 5 minutes...that's not so good.

--I think they make students feel more stupid. The directions say you will be tested to see how much you learned, then they ask a series of questions that can sound foreign; making kids feel like they have learned nothing. I just don't like that.

Goodside:

--I have 3 hours to catch up on grading.

--I have 3 hours to post grades and clean off my desk

--I have 30 minute class. 30 minutes of 4th period is totally do-able.

**Sidenote**

I've conducted a study.

I have working on being more "available" in my classroom to my students. Rather then giving them the assignment and checking every 10 or 15 minutes on them, I am now continally "roaming" during the entire class time. I have noticed a difference immideatly. I feel a closer connection to my students who are off task. I also feel like more kids get at least through the first question where before the wouldn't. I can look at what they are writing as they are writing it and catch corrections right off the bat. I also find that the kids ask questions more frequently.

Intresting. So although now I have more after school work to do (bummer), my 4th period class doens't drive me crazy (of course problem child has been absent both days) and the other classes seem to be cheating less. **I realize this is a confession of what could be seen as a purge of my lazy teaching style, but it sounds worse then it really is. I promise I interact with the kids and really do teach**

Funny Kiddos

I've had a great day today.

Fourth period worked. They were funny, and quiet, and nice to me. And I liked them.

We took pictures for the Senior Hall of Fame today. Funny kids. They're all my former students from my Freshmen Seminar days. It was fun to see them and laugh with them. The best of the best. The cream of the crop. Fun kids.

Sixth period were all a riot. I couldn't focus on the lesson cuz they were so funny. Finally I get them started on their assignment. Twenty minutes pass. I remind them to get back to work to which they respond "when is it due". This is the classic response for "do I have to work today or not?" Its due today. One kid says, "I won't be done!" I say--You've had 40 minutes to finish it. Then he says, without skipping a beat, "I didn't know what we were doing for 20 of those minutes." I don't know why that made me laugh out loud, but it did.

They had to freehand a map of Europe today. One kid tried hard but had a rough go of it. The BEST part was on the bottom of his paper he wrote: "Not drawn to scale". he's a funny kid and it just fit his personality. Another great laugh.

They're funny. I've had a good day.

Teacher Appreciation

This year I've made a larger effort to keep my parents informed about their students grades. I make Tutoring Invitations like its some kind of birthday party for those who have failing marks. I email grade printouts and even write personalized notes along with grade printouts to send home before each Report Card and after Parent Conferences. That's a ton more then I've done before. It mostly goes unnoticed...except for when it doesn't. Not that I seek praise, but it does brighten any day.

"Thank you so much for all the updates regarding [student's] progress. We really appreciate all the efforts being taken by you to help us get her back on track."

"Thanks for the update. We very sincerely appreciate your efforts and encouragement that you perpetually provide to your students."

"Thank you so much for your thoughtfulness of sending the study sheet for [student]. I was quite surprised as I've never had a teacher so aware of their students."

"Thanks so much for your quick and detailed reply! J I know you are very busy and I really appreciate the time you give for your students."

"Thank you so much for the email and keeping us parents updated. You sound like an Awesome teacher."

"Thank you Mrs Morrell for keeping the parents informed and making yourself available to us."

"Thank you very much for this e-mail. It really made my day. I know that at this time of the year everyone is very busy, but you made the time to let me know how my child is doing which is very important to me."

"I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate the fact that you take the time to individually send out notifications on your students. I truly believe that because of you, [student] is successful in your class."

Ahhh--good stuff! Although to you readers this may seem lame; I wanted to record some good words just for my future. Once upon a time I did have a job that I loved and was pretty good at. :)

My favorite sentences:

I have the students write "Daily Questions" at the start of each period. There are all kinds of names out there for this activity--Bell Work, Starters, Warm Ups--you get the picture. I require they write in complete sentences and explain themselves. 2 word answers aren't good enough.

Mostly they are about what we've learned or are going to learn, but with the winter break just passed, last Monday I asked them what their favorite part of Break was. Here are some answers (copied exactly):

--Partyin' hanging out with my step sistas

--I got alot prezants

--Wii wet to disneyland and it waz fun

--I got to sleepin everyday and do what ever I want all day till night

--It's cause I wanted a no routine time so it was better to just to do something at any given time.

--We just hanged out

--The best part of my Break was not wacking up early

--going to Barns & Nobles becaus I got to red my favorit mangas.

--I was bored and then I went shoppin.

--My favorite part was I got to go outside.

I couldn't choose a favorite in these could I? I love that the gaming system went to Disneyland, and the boy who went outside because apparently he never gets to go outside. And the Sistas...precious

Semester Wrap Up

The greatest thing about being a teacher is the breaks! Today I finished up Semester 1 and now am ready for a fabulous 2 week long break. Allow me to toot my horn for a minute:

--I am especially proud of my students this semester. 2nd period specifically. They are rock stars. Overall I only failed 18% of my students. A huge improvement from last year where I failed 28%. Pretty sure that my hours of after school tutoring was actually worth something for a few of those kids.

--I am just not going to count period 4 for anything! At least 6 of those students. If y our percentage in class is 28.41% or lower (the lowest being 5.24) I'm pretty sure you have bigger problems in life other then the fact that you're not passing World History. With that being said, it really helps the fail rate percentage in that class. Do you think the school will care that I'm deleting 6 kids from that class period in my stats?

--I did exceptionally well with my parent contacts this semester; better then any before. Many of the parents had numerous emails and letters home to notify them of their kids progress, both good and bad. Pretty sure that is what got George, Karen, Denisha, and Ana to pass. It didn't work for everyone but, it did for some and I am really proud of myself. Can't lie, I totally went back through my "sent mail" and re-read what I wrote. I'm good!

Next semester will pose new challenges and changes. With yearbook no longer being "my" class it will make the structure different which will be an interesting adjustment. Some of my favorite students are graduation again. So weird to think I have been here long enough to have seen an entire class go through their 4 years of school. I just smile thinking of all those good kids. Meena & Aaron, and Chris, Jenny, Sean who I've had every year these 4 years...such good kids all of them. So-here's to another semester down. One more to go!

Please Step Down

Late last night I got a phone call from the principal of my school. Really? I have never received a personal phone call from the school. Conveniently I had taken the day off from work, which added to my anxiety as to why I would receive a phone call!

This morning I got word that I would be forced to step down from my Yearbook position. Being that I am not "highly qualified" under NCLB (no child left behind); the state threatens revoking my teaching licence if I continue to teach without obtaining either an English degree or an Art degree. So-I am being replaced. My room will still be the yearbook room; the book is 3/4 done. I'll still edit, and submit the pages, and essentially do all the work for it. Just not be the teacher on record. Or get paid for it. I am really sad about the whole thing.

Kinda a crappy deal. But I suppose that this was inevitable; considering I refused to go to another several semesters of classes to get an English degree. At least I made 2 books. Sad.

"I quit yesterday"

I haven't said much about school lately. Mostly because it feels like the same thing all the time. But I have one period every day that really tests my sanity. I changed the seating arrangement thinking it would be the cure all pill; and for all other periods it is! Except fourth period; the period that holds the children from...well, in the spirit of the season, we are all God's children, but these are definitely the...never mind.

The point is Martin. Started out a quiet kid. Didn't do a lot of work, (then again, none of these kids do) so I contacted mom to try and get some outside support. Fast Forward to today. He has 17%. Yesterday he came in after lunch smelling like smoke real bad. Then, to my shock, he came in after school to see if tutoring could help raise his grade. (um...you're asking me now? 5 days before the end of the semester?) I told him no, we had an interesting conversation about how he has turned in blank assignments, and even gone as far as giving me the assignment back telling me he wasn't going to do it and to save paper. Then we had this conversation:

Martin: Its better then last year, all I did was smoke weed before every period.
Me: [stunned] Every Period?
Martin: yeah, but I quit that. Now I just smoke cigs.
Me: Why are you doing that? You know it is a stupid choice right?
Martin: Yeah, but I'm quitting.
Me: That's good. are you on the patch or the gum?
Martin: The patch. I've got two on right now.
Me: That's good.

--at this point, Martin starts to get work to me that he wants credit for which is a whole new story; and he says something to me which made me feel like I had entered a smokers only zone--
Me: MARTIN! Did you smoke before you came in today?
Martin: Yeah. Just a cig though.
Me: and did you smoke before lunch too?
Martin: Yeah.
Me: You told me you were quitting. You've had 2 in 2 hours! That's not quitting!
Martin: I quit yesterday. It was too hard. I'll quit again later.

Nice. Wisdom from a 15 year old with a 17% in world history. Take it for what its worth.

Behind--Catching up

1) We went to Medieval Times for FHE this past week with some of the neatest people on the planet. (Seriously, afterwards both of us just couldn't get over how much we like the Wallaces. How lucky we are to call them friends). It was beyond fun. Highlights include:
-- "Three Waves for Tom" followed by flag waves in unison. Totally unplanned.
-- Eating without utensils. Something about the mug made me feel like a Barbarian. Weird.
-- The horse dances and actual Jousting. How do people get that job? Do they see the show and think, yes, I'd like to do that. Our "serf" had been doing it for TWO YEARS! Wow.

2) Other dear friends the Marcum's visited town Saturday and we got to spend the day in Disneyland with them. Mark took the day off so it was Disney from sun-up to sun-down. And I must say, when Mark and I do Disney, we tend to spend more money then we originally plan. But it is so delicious! And I love it. Highlights from that trip included
-- The Hunt of the Army Man. Such a cute tradition. I must boast, I did find the placement for the newest addition.
-- Delicious Salad bowl and Mexican food.
-- Seeing Fantasmic...twice.
-- Jack Skeleton? Weirdest costume ever.
-- The "hands belt" invention
-- For the record, I totally rocked everyone on Toy Story Mania. I don't think I am even that good, but I do love it.

3) School has been funny today. Discussions include:
-- Why do you scratch your leg?
-- Do you have those clear braces right now? Or is it just a lot of plaque?
-- Are you going to Couples Therapy? (when I told them I had a thing after school that I like to look nice for, which led to a meeting with my husband, which led to couples therapy? Don't ask)
-- "I prayed to my friend to win! And I did! I'm so happy!" (we draw tickets for "free quizzes". You prayed to your friend? really?)

4) I'm insanely busy. I realized last night that I have NO TIME for anything. I don't have time to mail my sisters Only me October package that has been in pieces on my floor since mid August. I haven't talked to my distant friends in weeks. I barely see my husband. All my time is dedicated to school, tutoring, grading, sleeping, church responsibilities, meetings, hosting guests, more school, and an occasional catch up on my favorite shows: Amazing Race, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, ANTM, 18 Kids and Counting, House Hunters, Top Chef, Toddlers & Tiaras, and a few Biographies.

5) I'm beginning to really like the look of the yearbook. Finally. I was uber excited about it in the start, and then I felt like it just wasn't jiving. Recently, I've added some color effects and wa-la: it is looking better. This is very likely my last year doing yearbook becuase I don't have an English Crediental and they can only excuse me so long. That and I may-or-may-not be an employee here at all if we have a move in our future.

I'm pretty sure I ask Mark several times a week when are we going to retire and just enjoy life! I think we've put in our time. No? All in favor of early retirement and a life of luxery and fun say I. (or say nothing--as most of you do since our comments are minimal. Another thought, how do people get 14-24 comments or more per post. Really? I always knew I wasn't the popular girl! This just confirms it :) hahahaha)

Caught!

Today I hit a limit. Not the first time I must admit. In 4th period I have a kid that genuinely might rid me of my sanity. I can't control him. I've tried everything in the book. I've tried calm and collected, I've tried putting him in the corner, sending him to On Campus Suspension, calling home, corners and closets. Everything. Today, I couldn't handle his little antics. He randomly outbursts in class, does these outlandish dance moves across the front of class mid-lecture, throws paper! Seriously everything. So-I broke. I yelled a little. And threw my pen at him. Then banned him to the office room to sit and be alone so I could finish my lecture about pre-Revolutionary French Estates in peace. From the office window he continued to make faces at the other students, tap on the window, and whatever other distracting things he could think of to get attention.

I mean no disrespect but the "excuse" I often get from administration is he has an undiagnosed ADHD. I understand that this makes attention difficult and at times can be frustrating. I don't know personally anyone with it, but have several students who have it. This particular student I think takes it to a whole new level. My annoyance comes when it becomes the crutch. Almost like he doesn't have to even try to behave. Seriously, if his antics are this out of control, he should be in a more supervised class where other students aren't disrupted. Anyway, I digress.

After class, I calmly confronted the student saying, this was his last straw. I'm contacting his counselor and father to have him removed from class. Or to find a solution because I can't do this everyday anymore.

I was quite proud because I didn't fall for his whimpering eyes and promises to be better today. I called dad (got answering machines) and contacted his counselor.

I got a return call from the counselor. Mostly good news and totally on my side with some good suggestions for solutions. Until the counselor said..."and one more thing. Don't throw s*** at the students girl. You couldn't get into SERIOUS trouble for that. We're talking legal stuff. Don't do it!"

Woops. My bad. Guess that means I should stop shooting rubber bands at them too. :)

The good news is that the students has been formally confronted with administration. Is apparently up for expulsion. Is it bad that I'm hoping it goes through? Tomorrow is another day. I hope I can keep my cool for at least 10 minutes.

I did it!

Our "Smart Goal" in the History Department this year is to lower our fail rate from 30% to 25%. Hence why I have been working so hard in after school hours to try and get these kids to make up their work and get that passing grade.

Today marks the end of our 6 week progress report grading period. Reports will be mailed home early next week. After calculating my kids scores--I have a 21% fail rate. This counts the 7 students I have on my rolls that have more truancy's then actual days attended. (3 I have never seen.) If you ask me, that is pretty darn good. That means I have 130 passing students.

I must say, my 2nd period class are pretty much rock stars. All of them. I have 16 A's in that 33 student class alone. Followed by 11 B's and NO D's. So kudos to them.

I can't say that this improvement in grades has anything to do with me. I have changed my teaching methods slightly this year. I do my notes differently, and have done a different activity here or there, but overall I think its the same stuff. So, maybe I am getting to be a better teacher, or maybe its just a smart year of kids. I will say, I got an email today from one of my parents (I'm really making a concerted effort to email/call/contact all my parents frequently) responding to an email I sent that his kid had an A and was just a good kid overall. He responded saying thanks and that I "must be an OUTSTANDING educator!!!" That made me feel good.

Self-great day!

Former Students

I have reached a milestone! Last Friday my former student who has graduated stopped by to visit. Sure I've had kids stop by the next year on their way from one class to another, but now I've been there long enough to see them graduate and then have them come back! Fun.

My first student to visit was Kenneth Peyton who I wish I got a picture with but didn't. I've had Kenny in my class since the first day of my first year at La Sierra. Back as a sophomore this boy was just a short lad. Maybe 5.5. Then I had him his Junior year as my TA and then his Senior year in Yearbook. To say the least, he is just one of my favorite kids. By graduation, my little 5.5 sophomore towered over me at a staggering 6.4. He laughed as he visited saying he remembers how afraid he was of me that first year cuz I was so tall. What a great kid!

Friday this little gem, Amanda Sanchez, came in to say hello. Now SHE is a funny girl for a few reasons. She was in my yearbook class just until the book was finished then sort of "dropped out" for the last 3 months. But I remember we would sit several times a week by my desk and just talk about nothing. Her boyfriend, and my religion, and her job. She'd give me relationship advice since she had been with her boyfriend for 4 years and I was just starting out. (I guess she felt that after I had decided to marry him after just a few months, I needed all the advice she could give!) We laugh becuase she got in an accident driving to the Cross Country meet to take pictures for yearbook. And not just a fender bender, she totaled her car! Its funny now.My all time classic conversation with Amanda was just before I got married and she said..."Miss Wright, let me just tell you, sex is going to change your life!" Oh thank you Amanda! And why is the picture above so blurry you may ask, because we are laughing when she smelled my hair and said I smelled "sexy". Wow.

I love these kids. I love my job. And I especially love when my graduated favorites actually thought I was neat enough that they want to come back to visit. Self--great day!