My favorite was written in my year book. It said,
"Dear Ms. Hemric,
Even though you called my mom like 1000 times this summer, you're still my favorite teacher."
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Showing posts with label students. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Board Love
I usually don't let my students write on the board for fun, but on the last day of school it was free reign on the whiteboard. Here's what they had to say...
My favorite was written in my year book. It said,
"Dear Ms. Hemric,
Even though you called my mom like 1000 times this summer, you're still my favorite teacher."
My favorite was written in my year book. It said,
"Dear Ms. Hemric,
Even though you called my mom like 1000 times this summer, you're still my favorite teacher."
Thursday, May 26, 2011
EOGs
Last weekend was filled with wedding shower festivities at my Grandma's. (more to come on that) This week has been filled with remediation and painting our apartment. (more to come on that as well) So, blogging has temporarily been placed on the back burner despite the fact I have several exciting posts planned. Today is Thursday and I am wiped out from frantically reviewing for the third time with my students who did not pass the EOG and from leaving school and painting for several hours every day. So, while I sit here in my planning with plenty of planning to do, I've decided to relax with some blogging.
Last week was a whirlwind of a week with EOG testing for three days. I didn't realize how exhausting it is to sit and walk and watch students test for 3 hours everyday. Tuesday, after the first test, I went home, crawled in my bed, and slept for an hour. And, still went to bed at 9. Wednesday I was in bed at 8:30. It was a long week for me, I can't imagine how my students felt...
Despite the exhaustion, they did great! Because of all the pressure put on the EOGs, it is three days that every student really puts forth his/her best effort. It amazed me to walk around and watch my class who has been so lazy the past few months spend so much time on their work. It proved to me that they are capable of working hard and of being quiet. :) I was really proud when I saw them showing their work and making themselves a cheat sheet as soon as I said, "You may begin." And, I was so happy to see that they have been listening to what I've been saying all year!
Seventh graders begin going to lunch on a normal day at 11:05. The last set of seventh graders go to lunch at 11:35. With testing starting at 8:00 and being three hours long and sixth graders getting to eat first, lunch was much later than normal. My poor students were SO hungry! The first day, instead of stopping testing, they waited until the whole school was done to allow students to move and begin getting people in the cafeteria to eat. With the testing schedule, seventh graders had the last rotation for lunch. And, I am the last teacher to go to lunch on a normal day with seventh grade. So, that meant I was the last class in the school on that Tuesday to take my students to lunch. We ate lunch at 1:40. I didn't even take my normal lunch group that day so I had students who were used to eating at 11:05. There was a lot of whining going on that day...I may have been doing some of the whining. The next two days the schedule ran much smoother and we got in earlier than 1:40.
The procedure for administering EOGs is intense. There are all kinds of things that can cause mis-administrations. If you have a mis-administration, your whole class has to re-take that EOG. Students have to be silent. The teacher can not communicate in anyway about the test with students. Cell phones must be silenced. Security of testing materials must be maintained at all times. You may not say anything other than what's written in the script. And, the list goes on and on. My biggest concern with this was talking. The one good thing that comes from putting so much pressure on these tests is that students realize the importance of being silent. My students did not utter a word for three and half hours. You know how crazy that is if you've ever been around one seventh grader. Multiply that by 20. It was great!
The last day was our calculator inactive EOG, which only had 28 questions and only took about an hour. However, eighth graders were taking their science EOG, which was still three hours. So, I had to keep my students silent for the other 2 hours after their test. I may have bribed them with candy to keep them quiet...it may have worked...
If you remember this post, you remember we were in the running to win a party hosted by Brian Dawson of K97.5. I am proud to announce that we won!! Not that I ever doubted we would. You can see some pictures of his EOG tour here. Carrington's pictures begin at picture 9. If you look closely, you may even be able to spot me.
Now, I'm getting geared up for re-tests next week. We should be done painting the apartment today and hopefully I'll get to begin moving in some this weekend. But, the pool opens this weekend and I'll be on the lake Saturday, which is definitely higher on the priority list than moving in right now. Bring on the tan!!
11 days and counting...
Last week was a whirlwind of a week with EOG testing for three days. I didn't realize how exhausting it is to sit and walk and watch students test for 3 hours everyday. Tuesday, after the first test, I went home, crawled in my bed, and slept for an hour. And, still went to bed at 9. Wednesday I was in bed at 8:30. It was a long week for me, I can't imagine how my students felt...
Despite the exhaustion, they did great! Because of all the pressure put on the EOGs, it is three days that every student really puts forth his/her best effort. It amazed me to walk around and watch my class who has been so lazy the past few months spend so much time on their work. It proved to me that they are capable of working hard and of being quiet. :) I was really proud when I saw them showing their work and making themselves a cheat sheet as soon as I said, "You may begin." And, I was so happy to see that they have been listening to what I've been saying all year!
Seventh graders begin going to lunch on a normal day at 11:05. The last set of seventh graders go to lunch at 11:35. With testing starting at 8:00 and being three hours long and sixth graders getting to eat first, lunch was much later than normal. My poor students were SO hungry! The first day, instead of stopping testing, they waited until the whole school was done to allow students to move and begin getting people in the cafeteria to eat. With the testing schedule, seventh graders had the last rotation for lunch. And, I am the last teacher to go to lunch on a normal day with seventh grade. So, that meant I was the last class in the school on that Tuesday to take my students to lunch. We ate lunch at 1:40. I didn't even take my normal lunch group that day so I had students who were used to eating at 11:05. There was a lot of whining going on that day...I may have been doing some of the whining. The next two days the schedule ran much smoother and we got in earlier than 1:40.
The procedure for administering EOGs is intense. There are all kinds of things that can cause mis-administrations. If you have a mis-administration, your whole class has to re-take that EOG. Students have to be silent. The teacher can not communicate in anyway about the test with students. Cell phones must be silenced. Security of testing materials must be maintained at all times. You may not say anything other than what's written in the script. And, the list goes on and on. My biggest concern with this was talking. The one good thing that comes from putting so much pressure on these tests is that students realize the importance of being silent. My students did not utter a word for three and half hours. You know how crazy that is if you've ever been around one seventh grader. Multiply that by 20. It was great!
The last day was our calculator inactive EOG, which only had 28 questions and only took about an hour. However, eighth graders were taking their science EOG, which was still three hours. So, I had to keep my students silent for the other 2 hours after their test. I may have bribed them with candy to keep them quiet...it may have worked...
If you remember this post, you remember we were in the running to win a party hosted by Brian Dawson of K97.5. I am proud to announce that we won!! Not that I ever doubted we would. You can see some pictures of his EOG tour here. Carrington's pictures begin at picture 9. If you look closely, you may even be able to spot me.
Now, I'm getting geared up for re-tests next week. We should be done painting the apartment today and hopefully I'll get to begin moving in some this weekend. But, the pool opens this weekend and I'll be on the lake Saturday, which is definitely higher on the priority list than moving in right now. Bring on the tan!!
11 days and counting...
Monday, May 16, 2011
Sidewalk Chalk
Friday morning as I got ready, I heard the thunder and rain outside. I began preparing myself to be stuck inside my classroom all day adapting our awesome idea of sidewalk into something somewhat exciting for my students. When I got to school, we decided we would still try it because the three of us did not think we could stand another day inside doing review. We went outside to assess the rain damage and decided it wasn't going to work. As a last resort and last glimmer of hope, we checked to see if the media center was available for the day. We were so excited to find out it was! So, we spent the next hour planning and preparing for bringing our activity inside. We went to the workroom and tore off 80 sheets of black paper (our new sidewalk), numbered the tables in the library, drew up an example on the board, and greeted our students with a smile as the bell rang for 2nd period to start.
Chalk writes on black paper so we thought it would be no big deal. Well, they had poster size paper, which meant they had to stand up to write on the paper. Standing up makes them think they can roam about wherever they would like and talk to whomever they would like. It was hard to tell who was supposed to be where and who was working and who wasn't. By this point, it had stopped raining outside so we decided they could get over the wet ground and humidity and took the next groups outside.
Third period went to the black top where each group had a whole bus parking spot to make their study guides. It was not hot. It was humid. My co-teach said at one point, "I think I am going to melt." Surprisingly, they did not complain too much about the humidity or heat. But, black top is not the best surface to do sidewalk chalk. It was very uneven and hard to write on. It also took a lot of chalk to write a little bit. I used over half a piece just writing the numbers 13-20 when I numbered the spots.
We stuck with this plan of action for fifth period. The sun had come out by the end of the day so there was a lot of complaining about the heat, but I wanted to whine about it too so it wasn't too annoying. Next year, we'll have to add another aspect to the assignment because every class did finish earlier than we had hoped. But, overall it was very successful. Since we wrote in the area everyone has to walk through to get to the buses, we got lots of compliments from other teachers when the day was over. Too bad it has rained all weekend and it will all be washed away Monday morning...
Chalk writes on black paper so we thought it would be no big deal. Well, they had poster size paper, which meant they had to stand up to write on the paper. Standing up makes them think they can roam about wherever they would like and talk to whomever they would like. It was hard to tell who was supposed to be where and who was working and who wasn't. By this point, it had stopped raining outside so we decided they could get over the wet ground and humidity and took the next groups outside.
Third period went to the black top where each group had a whole bus parking spot to make their study guides. It was not hot. It was humid. My co-teach said at one point, "I think I am going to melt." Surprisingly, they did not complain too much about the humidity or heat. But, black top is not the best surface to do sidewalk chalk. It was very uneven and hard to write on. It also took a lot of chalk to write a little bit. I used over half a piece just writing the numbers 13-20 when I numbered the spots.
(integer hopscotch)
So, fourth period we adapted a little more and went to the sidewalk along the side of the school. This worked much better! You could read what they wrote much better. They were in a more consolidated area so it was easy to tell who was off task and wandering around. And, the sidewalk did not eat up the chalk like the black top did.
We stuck with this plan of action for fifth period. The sun had come out by the end of the day so there was a lot of complaining about the heat, but I wanted to whine about it too so it wasn't too annoying. Next year, we'll have to add another aspect to the assignment because every class did finish earlier than we had hoped. But, overall it was very successful. Since we wrote in the area everyone has to walk through to get to the buses, we got lots of compliments from other teachers when the day was over. Too bad it has rained all weekend and it will all be washed away Monday morning...
Saturday, May 14, 2011
Get Hyped
This week Brian Dawson from K97.5 came to Carrington on his EOG Tour. He has been traveling around to local schools giving a motivational speech trying to get students hyped up about doing their best on the EOGs. A popular DJ from a station like K97.5 is just the thing to get our student population more than hyped up. Along with this tour, he is offering the school with the most school spirit a party hosted by him.
Well, you see...Carrington is used to dominating in any competition. We were undefeated in every spring sport this past season. So, we were not going to let this competition pass us by without a fight.
The pep rally was on Wednesday and it was the loudest event I have ever been a part of. I have been to Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke basketball games. I have been to an N'SYNC concert (when they were popular). I have been to Appalachian State Football games in the student section. I have been to some loud events and none compared to the noise level inside Carrington Middle School's gym Wednesday.
We had more than just the screaming of 1200 young adolescents. Our students made banners that decorated the inside and outside of the school. We recognized our spring sports. The band played. The chorus sang. A teacher rapped. A group of teachers did the cupid shuffle. And, to top it all off, our principal did the dougie. The students went absolutely nuts when they realized what was happening. At the end of our cupid shuffle, we all huddled up like they do at dances around the one person who is doing the best dance. Our principal had snuck in wearing a coat, hat, and sunglasses to disguise herself. Once she got all of that off, we opened up the circle as she did the dougie. It was awesome!
After all of the celebration, Brian Dawson came out and spoke to the students about doing their best. He explained that without an education, they will not be able to achieve their dreams. He explained how he was predicted to fail and was an average student at best BUT he has a two year degree, a four year degree, and a master's degree. He told them that if he could do it, they could, but they had to put their minds to it. It was a simple speech with a powerful message that we try to teach our students everyday. But, it is so much more meaningful coming from someone like him, a local celebrity who is successful in a career that interests them.
It took a lot of work and calling in favors from several teachers at school, but I'm so glad it worked out. It's nice to have a time of excitement about these crazy tests to relieve some of the pressure and help students feel like they can succeed.
I'll keep you posted about our party because I'm just sure he will pick us. Clearly, there's no one better. :)
Well, you see...Carrington is used to dominating in any competition. We were undefeated in every spring sport this past season. So, we were not going to let this competition pass us by without a fight.
The pep rally was on Wednesday and it was the loudest event I have ever been a part of. I have been to Cameron Indoor Stadium for Duke basketball games. I have been to an N'SYNC concert (when they were popular). I have been to Appalachian State Football games in the student section. I have been to some loud events and none compared to the noise level inside Carrington Middle School's gym Wednesday.
We had more than just the screaming of 1200 young adolescents. Our students made banners that decorated the inside and outside of the school. We recognized our spring sports. The band played. The chorus sang. A teacher rapped. A group of teachers did the cupid shuffle. And, to top it all off, our principal did the dougie. The students went absolutely nuts when they realized what was happening. At the end of our cupid shuffle, we all huddled up like they do at dances around the one person who is doing the best dance. Our principal had snuck in wearing a coat, hat, and sunglasses to disguise herself. Once she got all of that off, we opened up the circle as she did the dougie. It was awesome!
After all of the celebration, Brian Dawson came out and spoke to the students about doing their best. He explained that without an education, they will not be able to achieve their dreams. He explained how he was predicted to fail and was an average student at best BUT he has a two year degree, a four year degree, and a master's degree. He told them that if he could do it, they could, but they had to put their minds to it. It was a simple speech with a powerful message that we try to teach our students everyday. But, it is so much more meaningful coming from someone like him, a local celebrity who is successful in a career that interests them.
It took a lot of work and calling in favors from several teachers at school, but I'm so glad it worked out. It's nice to have a time of excitement about these crazy tests to relieve some of the pressure and help students feel like they can succeed.
I'll keep you posted about our party because I'm just sure he will pick us. Clearly, there's no one better. :)
Saturday, April 30, 2011
bad attitude
Seventh graders are crazy. There is no question about that. They don't know if they are coming or going. They don't know if they're happy or sad, mad or content, bored or entertained. Their hormones are going crazy as their bodies are changing the most in the shortest amount of time since they were born. They haven't matured yet, but think they have. These hormones and emotions and the general craziness of 100 students going through puberty at the same time provide for some interesting days in a middle school classroom. Although my days this week have been interesting, they have not been so fun. Some of my students this week got confused and thought that they were grown and could to speak to me however they wanted.
Some quotes from this week:
"I only did that because she did it first so why don't you just shut up!"
"I'll stop talking when you say please to me."
"I'll start being good when you stop calling my parents."
"I'm going to sit here today."
"I'm going to get some water."
As frustrating and sometimes infuriating these comments can be, (I mean, honestly, who do these kids think they are??) I have learned that I don't have to argue with them. I don't have to justify my actions to them. I don't have to prove myself to them. Although these statements seem obvious, in the moment when my pride is wanting to defend itself in front of everyone else and not be shown up by a little 7th grader, they are easy to forget and I just want to put these students in their place and argue with them. You can not reason with a 7th grader. Their world is all about them and they can not see the bigger picture. I want them so badly to just think logically about their actions, but in these instances, they don't want to think logically. And me arguing with them, trying to get them to think logically does not work. Thankfully, I do have some who have gotten over this hurdle/mountain of puberty and are able to see the bigger picture and understand they are in 7th grade and I am their teacher and some of their peers' actions are ridiculous. When they speak up and tell another student that they are being rude or ridiculous or out of control, it speaks much louder than it does coming from me.
I thought at this point in the year, I would see great strides towards maturity developing in my students. In some of my students I am seeing this; however, in others, I am seeing a regression with lots of bad attitude to go along with it.
I love my seventh graders, I really do. They're kind of like the weather in Boone, if you don't like it, wait around for five minutes and it will change. So, maybe next week they will come in and be the most pleasant group of students ever! At least that's what I'm hoping for.
Overall this week flew by and wasn't that bad. Most of these comments happened in one out of my four classes, which is just a fraction of my day. But, I have to be careful to not let their bad attitude lead me to having a bad attitude.
We're told that the Lord is slow to anger (Numbers 14:18) and abounding in love. Weeks like this make me think about just how slow He is to anger and how loving He is. I spend just 180 days with this group of 92 students and it drives me NUTS when they can't figure out how to do what I ask or when they think they can disrespect me or talk to me like I'm their peer. It makes me think how frustrated and angry the Lord should get with me when I do the same thing over and over and over again no matter how many times He teaches me His way is always best. It makes me wonder how many times a day He thinks, "Who do you think you are?" about my actions or words. I'm reminded daily as a teacher of these students just how sinful I am and how much I'm in need of a Savior to forgive my sins. I've never understood why the Lord loves unconditionally; I know I am so undeserving. Teaching has taught me so much about His love and grace and forgiveness. It has taught me a little more about how to love others and has shown me how far I have to go in learning how to love like He loves.
Some quotes from this week:
"I only did that because she did it first so why don't you just shut up!"
"I'll stop talking when you say please to me."
"I'll start being good when you stop calling my parents."
"I'm going to sit here today."
"I'm going to get some water."
As frustrating and sometimes infuriating these comments can be, (I mean, honestly, who do these kids think they are??) I have learned that I don't have to argue with them. I don't have to justify my actions to them. I don't have to prove myself to them. Although these statements seem obvious, in the moment when my pride is wanting to defend itself in front of everyone else and not be shown up by a little 7th grader, they are easy to forget and I just want to put these students in their place and argue with them. You can not reason with a 7th grader. Their world is all about them and they can not see the bigger picture. I want them so badly to just think logically about their actions, but in these instances, they don't want to think logically. And me arguing with them, trying to get them to think logically does not work. Thankfully, I do have some who have gotten over this hurdle/mountain of puberty and are able to see the bigger picture and understand they are in 7th grade and I am their teacher and some of their peers' actions are ridiculous. When they speak up and tell another student that they are being rude or ridiculous or out of control, it speaks much louder than it does coming from me.
I thought at this point in the year, I would see great strides towards maturity developing in my students. In some of my students I am seeing this; however, in others, I am seeing a regression with lots of bad attitude to go along with it.
I love my seventh graders, I really do. They're kind of like the weather in Boone, if you don't like it, wait around for five minutes and it will change. So, maybe next week they will come in and be the most pleasant group of students ever! At least that's what I'm hoping for.
Overall this week flew by and wasn't that bad. Most of these comments happened in one out of my four classes, which is just a fraction of my day. But, I have to be careful to not let their bad attitude lead me to having a bad attitude.
We're told that the Lord is slow to anger (Numbers 14:18) and abounding in love. Weeks like this make me think about just how slow He is to anger and how loving He is. I spend just 180 days with this group of 92 students and it drives me NUTS when they can't figure out how to do what I ask or when they think they can disrespect me or talk to me like I'm their peer. It makes me think how frustrated and angry the Lord should get with me when I do the same thing over and over and over again no matter how many times He teaches me His way is always best. It makes me wonder how many times a day He thinks, "Who do you think you are?" about my actions or words. I'm reminded daily as a teacher of these students just how sinful I am and how much I'm in need of a Savior to forgive my sins. I've never understood why the Lord loves unconditionally; I know I am so undeserving. Teaching has taught me so much about His love and grace and forgiveness. It has taught me a little more about how to love others and has shown me how far I have to go in learning how to love like He loves.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
and then there were these...
I really hate pi
I am really scared of pi
I ate you. Ha ha!
NB
Pi, you equal three
One four and you make my core
Sore and want some more
AL
Pie you are so good
I like you in the morning
You bring out my hood
TW
Pi-ku or Pie-ku??
Pie or pi, which one??
Pie is creamy and yummy
Numbers are in pi
DK
Pi, you're a letter
You are also a number
But, I like pie too!
JT
I like pies sooo much
Apple and key lime are good
Yummy yummy yum
TO
You confuse me, pi
I like the pie you can eat
I don't like you, pi
IC
Pi is a number
The biggest number ever
It really tastes good
JO
One pie tastes real good
The other is an number
Why can't they combine?
BH
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
A Pi-em
3 - Pi is large
1 - Number
4 - That's what it is
1 - Circle
5 - Is what it goes with
9 - It is the circumference divided by the diameter
2 - It's pi
6 - A very, very large mathematical number
CR
3 - No taste! Weird
1 - Numbers?
4 - Why aren't you yummy?
1 - 3.14?
5 - Pie comes in many flavors
9 - Blueberry, Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry, so very, very, very good!
2 - Not you!
6 - All I see are infinite numbers.
5 - Your crust isn't browned and...
3 - You are weird.
5 - Instead of filled with flavor,
8 - You are filled with MANY numbers to come
9 - Pi, you are very different; one of a kind.
BE
1 - Number
4 - That's what it is
1 - Circle
5 - Is what it goes with
9 - It is the circumference divided by the diameter
2 - It's pi
6 - A very, very large mathematical number
CR
3 - No taste! Weird
1 - Numbers?
4 - Why aren't you yummy?
1 - 3.14?
5 - Pie comes in many flavors
9 - Blueberry, Pumpkin, Apple, Cherry, so very, very, very good!
2 - Not you!
6 - All I see are infinite numbers.
5 - Your crust isn't browned and...
3 - You are weird.
5 - Instead of filled with flavor,
8 - You are filled with MANY numbers to come
9 - Pi, you are very different; one of a kind.
BE
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Few Pi-Kus
Pi is very strange
A long and odd decimal
Has more than one use
DK
Pi you can not eat
You are only a number
But you are cool!
DO
Pi is really long
You seem to go on and on
Pi is a cool number
TC
Pi three point one four
Is a never ending thing
No, not that pie, man!
MR
Hi, Pi, how are you?
You've been very hard to find.
You're one of a kind.
KM
You're three point one four
But you equal a lot more
Pi, that is your score
ET
Sunday, March 6, 2011
What Not to Wear
Monday afternoon I was talking to my 5th period class about their weekend. One boy was telling me how he went to the Tanger Outlets and got some new Converses at the Converse store. Lately, Stephen and I have been joking about wearing converses in out wedding. I would want yellow ones to wear under my dress. So, I asked this student if the store had yellow converses. One of my girls heard me asking about yellow converses and came over to show me hers. My first mistake was asking her if her's were real converses. She replied, "pshht, Ms. Hemric, I don't wear fake stuff." Well, excuse me... I then explained that I was thinking about wearing converses in my wedding. This was mistake number two to the one hundredth power. You would have thought I said I was going to kill my dog or something the way she began to freak out about how absurd that thought was. She told me that I ABSOLUTELY could NOT wear converses under my wedding dress. She called her three best friends in the class over to tell them how crazy I was.
"Can you believe Ms. Hemric wants to wear converses under her wedding dress?!?!"
"WHAT?!?"
"Ms. Hemric, no way!"
"You need some heels."
"No, you have to wear stilettos under your dress."
I told them I was not wearing heels or stilettos because I did not want my feet to hurt all day. I explained that I was more than likely going to wear yellow flats. This calmed them down a lot. They were fine with the yellow flats. I was glad to get that settled. They were about ready to call in the fashion police on me.
Later in the week, I asked one boy to sit up and pay attention. His response?
"Ms. Hemric, can't you see my heart is breaking??" Clearly, I had missed the memo.
"Can you believe Ms. Hemric wants to wear converses under her wedding dress?!?!"
"WHAT?!?"
"Ms. Hemric, no way!"
"You need some heels."
"No, you have to wear stilettos under your dress."
I told them I was not wearing heels or stilettos because I did not want my feet to hurt all day. I explained that I was more than likely going to wear yellow flats. This calmed them down a lot. They were fine with the yellow flats. I was glad to get that settled. They were about ready to call in the fashion police on me.
Later in the week, I asked one boy to sit up and pay attention. His response?
"Ms. Hemric, can't you see my heart is breaking??" Clearly, I had missed the memo.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Money on the Top
Monday started with my third official observation. I was standing in the hall greeting my first class of the day when I see the principal walking down the hall with a lap top in her hands. She wasn't even halfway down the hall, but I knew she was coming for me. Luckily she got in my room before most of the students did. So, as the students entered, I would stop them and point out who was in the room. The response was, "Oh. I'm going to be good today!" They were amazing! They all did their warm-up. They all took notes. They all participated when called on. They all did their class work. I'm so glad she came in 2nd period and not 4th because it might have been a different scene. One student who was sitting beside her came up to me a few minutes after class started and asked how long she was going to be in there. When I told him probably the whole time, he said, "She makes my stomach feel nervous." I said, "Mine too!"I haven't had the follow up conference yet, but that should be coming soon...I'll keep you posted.
I gave a test today. Test days are always fun because it is quiet all. day. long. It's wonderful. Some classes I have to fight to be quiet. Today all but one of them were quiet without any fighting; it was great. My fourth period, aka crazy class, was SO quiet I almost didn't believe it was my class. Fourth period is the type of class that has one volume level and that is LOUD. So, them being silent for an hour today was nothing short of a miracle. To top it off, the majority of them did very well on this test!
I'm in a book club, Read Between the Wines. This month we are reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. A lot of my students have read this book and the two that follow it. I just never had picked it up to read because I am bad about judging a book by its cover and its cover didn't appeal to me. However, this month I didn't have a choice and I'm glad I was forced into it. I'm halfway through the second one already and am sure I'll be diving straight into the third when I finish this one. The events in it are disturbing and if I think about them out of a fiction context (aka reality), I get angry. However, I can't seem to put them down. They're filled with adventure, love, heartbreak, tough decisions, frustrations, fear, excitement, hatred, murder, authority, control, etc. etc. If you haven't read them, you should!
As we prepared for our test today, we've been reviewing for the past two days. This test wrapped up our focus on proportions. We've learned about setting up proportions to solve for measurements, unit rates, and percentages. Yesterday we had a unit rate problem for our warm-up. (If 3 oranges cost $2.50, how much does one orange cost?) We've talked over and over and over again about how you form the proportion. Money goes over what you're buying in a fraction and you set that fraction equal to x over 1 because you want to know how much one (hints the term unit) costs. One of my students asked for some help. I said, "Well, where do you start?" He said, "Money goes on top." Usually if they can get that much out, they can get the rest. So, I continued walking past him to circulate the room and check on other students. When I came back by him, he had a fraction bar drawn in the middle of his paper and had a $20 bill laying above it. He said, "I put my money on top, now what?" What else is there to say other than, "You give your money to your teacher!" There's never a dull moment.
I gave a test today. Test days are always fun because it is quiet all. day. long. It's wonderful. Some classes I have to fight to be quiet. Today all but one of them were quiet without any fighting; it was great. My fourth period, aka crazy class, was SO quiet I almost didn't believe it was my class. Fourth period is the type of class that has one volume level and that is LOUD. So, them being silent for an hour today was nothing short of a miracle. To top it off, the majority of them did very well on this test!
I'm in a book club, Read Between the Wines. This month we are reading The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. A lot of my students have read this book and the two that follow it. I just never had picked it up to read because I am bad about judging a book by its cover and its cover didn't appeal to me. However, this month I didn't have a choice and I'm glad I was forced into it. I'm halfway through the second one already and am sure I'll be diving straight into the third when I finish this one. The events in it are disturbing and if I think about them out of a fiction context (aka reality), I get angry. However, I can't seem to put them down. They're filled with adventure, love, heartbreak, tough decisions, frustrations, fear, excitement, hatred, murder, authority, control, etc. etc. If you haven't read them, you should!
As we prepared for our test today, we've been reviewing for the past two days. This test wrapped up our focus on proportions. We've learned about setting up proportions to solve for measurements, unit rates, and percentages. Yesterday we had a unit rate problem for our warm-up. (If 3 oranges cost $2.50, how much does one orange cost?) We've talked over and over and over again about how you form the proportion. Money goes over what you're buying in a fraction and you set that fraction equal to x over 1 because you want to know how much one (hints the term unit) costs. One of my students asked for some help. I said, "Well, where do you start?" He said, "Money goes on top." Usually if they can get that much out, they can get the rest. So, I continued walking past him to circulate the room and check on other students. When I came back by him, he had a fraction bar drawn in the middle of his paper and had a $20 bill laying above it. He said, "I put my money on top, now what?" What else is there to say other than, "You give your money to your teacher!" There's never a dull moment.
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