What do I do if they JUST WILL NOT WORK? Not "pretend to work, but when my back is turned they talk again," although that happens too, but outright in front of me refuse to do anything? Is that defiance, and deserving of a referral? Or just a bad day, and deserving of maybe a timeout and some understanding? What happens if they come back from a timeout and still won't work? How the hell can these kids learn if they don't do jack shit?
Okay. I know. More phone calls home. Sorry, ignore the entirely predictable and formulaic new teacher whining, okay? It's just that I just now looked at the state frameworks, which talk about three-phased instruction, and how if the students are still showing confusion during the second phase, you should do the first phase again, with particular attention to the individual abilities, and if they show confusion during the third phase or at any later time ditto. And then I look at the pacing guide, which tells me I should be doing a chapter a week and have already given a chapter test because the first district test will be at the end of September. So I've got a big hate on for this whole business. And the kids are throwing spitballs, and the heat's on in my classroom, which faces west, during 75-degree weather.
Er. Oops. Did it again.
I need that color. It fits my mood.
Restful sleep ma for meara.
What do I do if they JUST WILL NOT WORK?
Zat gun.
I need that color. It fits my mood.
It's fabulous. Looks like I daintily dipped my toes in the still bleeding wounds of my enemies. A ladylike slaughter, if you will.
What do I do if they JUST WILL NOT WORK?
Make them kneel before Zod.
How old are these kids?
Have you split them up, Em?
Zat gun.
I sent one kid to another room for a timeout for talking and disrupting class. He filled out a "what did I do wrong" sheet, and it said what he thought I could do to help him not do it anymore was "control the class." Another one filled one out that said that he'd misbehaved because I was giving him "a attitude" and he didn't like it, so what I could do to help him was "not have a attitude at me." They're rather charming in their total insane trollness.
Zat gun, you say...
Yeah, I see the issue. Then you'd have 72 13 year olds who won't shut up. (See that? I did MATH)
Can you karate chop them and then teach them calculus?
all I ever learned about teaching comes from movies about teaching
They're rather charming in their total insane trollness. Zat gun, you say...
I hear that it only stuns them when you shoot the once... Two shots and you could soon end up with a manageable class size even.
I really wish I had the kind of helpful advice that won't lead to a prison term. Or a guest spot on SG1.
I think a lot of what works with kids that age is not what you do but how you present yourself. Kids will think that a teacher is really strict, even if she never punishes anyone, based on her demeanor. They are very primal: If you act like the alpha of the pack, they'll acquiesce. Look them in the eye, be a bit challenging in your stance and facial expression, etc.
THEN use the zat gun.
Anyone good with dream analysis? I keep having the same dream, and I'm getting sick of it. I know it's something stressy, because the dream is stressy, but I can't figure out what I need to change to make the dream stop.
In the dream I am visiting my family in Roswell. I have flown to Albuquerque and driven the 3.5 hours to Roswell, and I've been there a few days - when suddenly I realize that my departing flight was yesterday! And I missed it! Alternately, sometimes the departing flight is Today! But I'm not packed and can't drive to Albuq. in time to make it.
I usually lucid my way out these days, since I know this dream well. I lucid-dream that I've called and changed my reservations and all is well. But I never really believe it, and I always have this "Oh god how could I forget that?!?" feeling.
Help?
