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.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Saturday, February 19, 2011
In a Funk
I started out this week in a funk. The kind of funk where I didn't want to go to work and I didn't want to teach. I was bored with what I was teaching, which means my students were definitely bored, which means we were all annoyed with each other. Thankfully, this amazing spring like weather and a half day on Friday has brought me out of my funk.
I have had my windows in my classroom opened everyday. I bribed my students in my third period class with outside time if they walked to and from lunch silently. Outside time can really whip some crazy, sugar filled kids into shape! And, I rode around yesterday with the windows down commenting often on how amazing the weather is! 80 degrees in February? I'll take it! I only thought I wanted another snow day. Bring on spring!!
Funny stories this week:
Sharing good things on Monday, a boy raises his head and proudly announces that his beard is growing in. Before I can comment, another student shares that it is one hair and that she has seen girls with more hair on their face than what he has. Well, now he had to prove himself. So, he comes to the front of the room to show me his "beard." Sure enough, under his chin is one (yes, only one) hair. And, he is very proud of that one hair. By Friday, he had three hairs and made sure to let everyone know. Who knows...he might be shaving by the end of next week. I'm sure he'll keep us updated.
I have this one student whom I have spoken of before. He is about 4 feet tall and his voice is higher than most of the girls in my class. He is full of energy and never fails to make me laugh at something. Anytime something is laying around that another student has left, this student feels the need to have it on his desk. Last week, it was a stuffed dog that someone got for Valentine's Day that needed to sleep under his jacket. This week it was a hat. I come into class and he has this hat on. This is one of those hats that has the ear covers attached and has fur lining. I was already laughing just at the sight of it. However, I composed myself before approaching him to get the hat back. He did not want me to have the hat. He told me he would leave it laying on the desk and not wear it if I would just let him hold it for class. I knew the student who owned it would be back shortly to get it and to avoid too much of a distraction, it could not stay on this boy's desk. So, I told him to lay it there, but not to wear it while planning to snatch it the second he lets go. Well, he was one step ahead of me with quicker reflexes and grabbed it up before I could take it. Then, he informed me that I couldn't just take it; I had to knock because it wasn't okay to just go in someone's space. He said, "Ms. Hemric, you have to knock (and he demonstrated how) and ask nicely before you can have the hat back." So, to humor him, I knocked and asked nicely to have the hat back. His response? "I'm sorry, Ms. Hemric, no one's home; you'll have to come back later for the hat." If I didn't like this kid, I would have been really annoyed at this point. But, instead I just laughed, got my serious face on and demanded the hat back. He eventually gave in, but not without working his charm first.
Wedding Progress:
Met with the florist
Decided on flowers
Ordered my shoes
Narrowed apartments down to two
We're going to register today
First pre-marriage counseling appointment scheduled for next Sunday
Started a marriage class last week at church
Visited the reception site
Decided on food for the reception
Finalized invitations
Finalized guest list
Had engagement pictures taken, which you can see here
Had engagement announced in paper
Arranged accommodations for out of town guests
We're getting down to the very detailed aspects of planning. As picky as I am about details and organization, there are some things I just don't care about and I am bad at making decision. I can't even pick a place to eat when we go out. So, some of these meetings have been a challenge. I just want to tell people the general things I want and then them decide on the best details. Luckily, Allyson has no trouble with voicing her opinion. So, I've been turning to her and going with what she says with some things. Mom keeps asking me who's wedding this is. :) But, we're having fun. Allyson always has been good at getting her way!
I have had my windows in my classroom opened everyday. I bribed my students in my third period class with outside time if they walked to and from lunch silently. Outside time can really whip some crazy, sugar filled kids into shape! And, I rode around yesterday with the windows down commenting often on how amazing the weather is! 80 degrees in February? I'll take it! I only thought I wanted another snow day. Bring on spring!!
Funny stories this week:
Sharing good things on Monday, a boy raises his head and proudly announces that his beard is growing in. Before I can comment, another student shares that it is one hair and that she has seen girls with more hair on their face than what he has. Well, now he had to prove himself. So, he comes to the front of the room to show me his "beard." Sure enough, under his chin is one (yes, only one) hair. And, he is very proud of that one hair. By Friday, he had three hairs and made sure to let everyone know. Who knows...he might be shaving by the end of next week. I'm sure he'll keep us updated.
I have this one student whom I have spoken of before. He is about 4 feet tall and his voice is higher than most of the girls in my class. He is full of energy and never fails to make me laugh at something. Anytime something is laying around that another student has left, this student feels the need to have it on his desk. Last week, it was a stuffed dog that someone got for Valentine's Day that needed to sleep under his jacket. This week it was a hat. I come into class and he has this hat on. This is one of those hats that has the ear covers attached and has fur lining. I was already laughing just at the sight of it. However, I composed myself before approaching him to get the hat back. He did not want me to have the hat. He told me he would leave it laying on the desk and not wear it if I would just let him hold it for class. I knew the student who owned it would be back shortly to get it and to avoid too much of a distraction, it could not stay on this boy's desk. So, I told him to lay it there, but not to wear it while planning to snatch it the second he lets go. Well, he was one step ahead of me with quicker reflexes and grabbed it up before I could take it. Then, he informed me that I couldn't just take it; I had to knock because it wasn't okay to just go in someone's space. He said, "Ms. Hemric, you have to knock (and he demonstrated how) and ask nicely before you can have the hat back." So, to humor him, I knocked and asked nicely to have the hat back. His response? "I'm sorry, Ms. Hemric, no one's home; you'll have to come back later for the hat." If I didn't like this kid, I would have been really annoyed at this point. But, instead I just laughed, got my serious face on and demanded the hat back. He eventually gave in, but not without working his charm first.
Wedding Progress:
Met with the florist
Decided on flowers
Ordered my shoes
Narrowed apartments down to two
We're going to register today
First pre-marriage counseling appointment scheduled for next Sunday
Started a marriage class last week at church
Visited the reception site
Decided on food for the reception
Finalized invitations
Finalized guest list
Had engagement pictures taken, which you can see here
Had engagement announced in paper
Arranged accommodations for out of town guests
We're getting down to the very detailed aspects of planning. As picky as I am about details and organization, there are some things I just don't care about and I am bad at making decision. I can't even pick a place to eat when we go out. So, some of these meetings have been a challenge. I just want to tell people the general things I want and then them decide on the best details. Luckily, Allyson has no trouble with voicing her opinion. So, I've been turning to her and going with what she says with some things. Mom keeps asking me who's wedding this is. :) But, we're having fun. Allyson always has been good at getting her way!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Not Me Monday
I did not drink tea while working out the other day...that would defeat the purpose.
I did not decide to do a quick work out at home one night last week because I had too much school work to do to go to the gym and then proceed to watch 4 episodes of Friends...that would have wasted more time than if I had just gone to the gym.
I did not dare one of my student's to eat an M&M he dropped on the floor just because I knew I could convince him to.
I did not stoop to the level of saying, "You won't do it" when he originally refused...I'm much more mature than that.
I did not then run across the hall to brag about my accomplishment to my team mate..what is there to brag about? I would never play with my student's pride like that.
I did not skip over a week of blogging because I had nothing interesting to write about. I teach 100 seventh graders; I always have something interesting going on.
I did not send my fiance an email with gift reminders for future reference (ahem...valentine's day). He never needs reminding about things like that.
I did not decide to do a quick work out at home one night last week because I had too much school work to do to go to the gym and then proceed to watch 4 episodes of Friends...that would have wasted more time than if I had just gone to the gym.
I did not dare one of my student's to eat an M&M he dropped on the floor just because I knew I could convince him to.
I did not stoop to the level of saying, "You won't do it" when he originally refused...I'm much more mature than that.
I did not then run across the hall to brag about my accomplishment to my team mate..what is there to brag about? I would never play with my student's pride like that.
I did not skip over a week of blogging because I had nothing interesting to write about. I teach 100 seventh graders; I always have something interesting going on.
I did not send my fiance an email with gift reminders for future reference (ahem...valentine's day). He never needs reminding about things like that.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Flow Charts and Puberty
Everyone's day at Carrington starts with START. START stands for Students and Teachers Are Reading Together. The day begins with 15-20 minutes of silent sustained reading with a written reflection and then the last half of the period is either used for a literacy lesson or a read aloud. And, when I'm really lazy, we just read the whole 40 minutes. It is great! Most of the students and all of the teachers love it! Everyone gets to pick their own book and begin the day reading for fun. I have a great START class and there is rarely a battle to get them to read and participate.
Well, one day this week, we had finished our reading and reflecting and were going through our literacy lesson for the day. Our academic coach plans these lessons for us so there is no preparation on the teacher's part, which makes this class that much more enjoyable. So, our topic this past week was on graphic organizers, specifically flow charts and timelines.
We looked at a few examples of each and then we were having a conversation about different situations we could use these graphic organizers. We went over the usual: life cycles, war time lines, etc. When I asked for another example of where we could use a flow chart, a young man in my class raised his hand. When I called on him, he proudly answered, "Menstrual cycles!" This caught me completely off guard; it was the last thing I was expecting to hear, especially from a boy. My fiance who is 22 is still freaked out by any discussion about a menstrual cycle so I just assumed all 7th grade boys would be too and would avoid this topic. My surprised response, with a quick double take was, "WHAT?" He began to respond, "You know..." Before he could go any farther I said, "Yes, I know. Thank you." And, we moved on. Talk about an interesting start to the day...
Every Friday we have a quiz in my class on topics we've learned earlier in the week. Seventh grade is the year of major change for middle school students. Some are well into puberty, some are right in the middle of it, and others still look like they are in third grade. This makes for an interesting mix of students with hormones and emotions going crazy! Any man who teaches 7th grade should be well prepared to deal with a pregnant lady. This past Friday, one of my "third" grade boys, in the middle of his quiz, exclaims partially excited and partially confused, "Ms. Hemric, I have hair growing on my fingers!" One boy behind him advised him to shave it off before it got out of control. Then my "third" grader looks at me with concern in his eyes and says, "I don't want to become as hairy as a gorilla." I assured him he wouldn't and that hair on his fingers was normal. However, he had completely lost his train of thought and spent the rest of his quiz examining his fingers and playing with the peach fuzz that was beginning to grow there. Now, if only his voice would change so that when he yells across the room for me, it wouldn't pierce my ears as high as it currently is.
I am thankful that this is the extent of the sex education that takes place in my seventh grade math classroom!
Well, one day this week, we had finished our reading and reflecting and were going through our literacy lesson for the day. Our academic coach plans these lessons for us so there is no preparation on the teacher's part, which makes this class that much more enjoyable. So, our topic this past week was on graphic organizers, specifically flow charts and timelines.
We looked at a few examples of each and then we were having a conversation about different situations we could use these graphic organizers. We went over the usual: life cycles, war time lines, etc. When I asked for another example of where we could use a flow chart, a young man in my class raised his hand. When I called on him, he proudly answered, "Menstrual cycles!" This caught me completely off guard; it was the last thing I was expecting to hear, especially from a boy. My fiance who is 22 is still freaked out by any discussion about a menstrual cycle so I just assumed all 7th grade boys would be too and would avoid this topic. My surprised response, with a quick double take was, "WHAT?" He began to respond, "You know..." Before he could go any farther I said, "Yes, I know. Thank you." And, we moved on. Talk about an interesting start to the day...
Every Friday we have a quiz in my class on topics we've learned earlier in the week. Seventh grade is the year of major change for middle school students. Some are well into puberty, some are right in the middle of it, and others still look like they are in third grade. This makes for an interesting mix of students with hormones and emotions going crazy! Any man who teaches 7th grade should be well prepared to deal with a pregnant lady. This past Friday, one of my "third" grade boys, in the middle of his quiz, exclaims partially excited and partially confused, "Ms. Hemric, I have hair growing on my fingers!" One boy behind him advised him to shave it off before it got out of control. Then my "third" grader looks at me with concern in his eyes and says, "I don't want to become as hairy as a gorilla." I assured him he wouldn't and that hair on his fingers was normal. However, he had completely lost his train of thought and spent the rest of his quiz examining his fingers and playing with the peach fuzz that was beginning to grow there. Now, if only his voice would change so that when he yells across the room for me, it wouldn't pierce my ears as high as it currently is.
I am thankful that this is the extent of the sex education that takes place in my seventh grade math classroom!
Friday, January 21, 2011
Be Thankful
Lesson of the Week
As my legs were on fire from all the squats my aerobics instructor was making me do, she says, "Be thankful that you can do this. I'm sure you know someone who wishes they could go to the gym and take an aerobics class." Suddenly I had no more reason to complain. God has blessed me with a healthy body that can endure massive amounts of squats with a little pain. It is mine to care for for His glory. Through the sweat and pain, I will be thankful. And, on days I really don't want to go to the gym, I will motivate myself with the thought that not everyone has the option to go to the gym and that I only have one chance to care for this body. I do not want to be unable to be active; so, for myself and those unable, I will go. (This was probably only effective in motivating a room full of women)
We have Saturday school this week. I thought I would be okay with this, but the closer it gets, the less excited I get about it. Granted, it is only a half day and it saved us from giving up a spring break day. I still haven't gotten back into the swing of things since Christmas break and this week has worn me out. Tomorrow is going to be a chill day and then I am soaking in the weekend that I do get. Luckily, no school on Monday either. Really, I have nothing to complain about, but I really want to sleep in tomorrow so I am.
When sharing good things:
Student: "I get my phone back on Sunday."
Me: "Is that why you're being so good today?"
Student: "Yep!"
If only I had the power of taking their phone when they don't behave and keeping it until they get their act together, my authority would be much more respected!
Me: "Sit down."
Student: "I can't."
Me: "Why?"
Student: (With goofy smirk on his face) "My butt hurts."
Me: "Why?"
Student: (With embarrassed look on his face now) "I fell."
[Side note: I love to see people fall. So, hearing about someone falling makes it hard not to laugh...especially when there's a room full of students laughing]
Me: "Just now in the hall?"
Student: "No, last night at basketball. I got tripped up."
Me: "Did you trip over yourself?"
Student: "...yea..."
I could not continue this conversation without laughing in his face so I dropped it and let him stand.
As my legs were on fire from all the squats my aerobics instructor was making me do, she says, "Be thankful that you can do this. I'm sure you know someone who wishes they could go to the gym and take an aerobics class." Suddenly I had no more reason to complain. God has blessed me with a healthy body that can endure massive amounts of squats with a little pain. It is mine to care for for His glory. Through the sweat and pain, I will be thankful. And, on days I really don't want to go to the gym, I will motivate myself with the thought that not everyone has the option to go to the gym and that I only have one chance to care for this body. I do not want to be unable to be active; so, for myself and those unable, I will go. (This was probably only effective in motivating a room full of women)
We have Saturday school this week. I thought I would be okay with this, but the closer it gets, the less excited I get about it. Granted, it is only a half day and it saved us from giving up a spring break day. I still haven't gotten back into the swing of things since Christmas break and this week has worn me out. Tomorrow is going to be a chill day and then I am soaking in the weekend that I do get. Luckily, no school on Monday either. Really, I have nothing to complain about, but I really want to sleep in tomorrow so I am.
When sharing good things:
Student: "I get my phone back on Sunday."
Me: "Is that why you're being so good today?"
Student: "Yep!"
If only I had the power of taking their phone when they don't behave and keeping it until they get their act together, my authority would be much more respected!
Me: "Sit down."
Student: "I can't."
Me: "Why?"
Student: (With goofy smirk on his face) "My butt hurts."
Me: "Why?"
Student: (With embarrassed look on his face now) "I fell."
[Side note: I love to see people fall. So, hearing about someone falling makes it hard not to laugh...especially when there's a room full of students laughing]
Me: "Just now in the hall?"
Student: "No, last night at basketball. I got tripped up."
Me: "Did you trip over yourself?"
Student: "...yea..."
I could not continue this conversation without laughing in his face so I dropped it and let him stand.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Twins?
People often comment that Stephen and I look a lot alike. Often when meeting someone for the first time, people will say, "I thought you were brother and sister not girlfriend or boyfriend or engaged!" They say that the longer people are together, the more they look alike. Well, Stephen better watch out because he is becoming A LOT like me...
After four and a half years, he too has a whole drawer full of underwear!
(I love underwear. His "love" for underwear might just be an extension of my obsession, but nonetheless, he has it!)
He organized his shirts by color. And this was unprompted by me I might add!
Watch out! Who knows what else he might start doing like me at the end of July and in the months after!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Normal?
Normal at the beginning of the school year meant a week that consisted of going to school Monday-Friday, arriving around 7am, leaving around 3:30 or 4pm, planning/grading at night, bed at 9pm. I've come to the conclusion that normal will no longer be an adjective that describes my week until next August.
Last week was a nice change from being a lazy bum to being an active human being again. Although exhausting, it was nice to get back in the routine of things. Granted, there were some grumpy days on both mine and the students' parts; but, we made it through to this week, which has thrown things all off again. Monday we were let out three hours early. This announcement was made Sunday night. No snow or ice began to fall until late in the evening. We could have gone all day, but I'm not complaining about a half day that counted as a school day. I got to leave at 12 and we don't have to make the day up. Yesterday and today were both snow days. Tuesday was understandable and expected; today could have been fine with a 2 hr delay. These days will have to be made up. Part of me wants them to be made up on a Saturday so I don't loose my spring break. When spring break finally gets here, we will all be needing a break from one another. Shortening that break with snow make-up days does not appeal to me. However, I'm not the one making the decisions.
When I woke up yesterday, I wasn't sure if we would still be held accountable for our time. You see, snow days are usually just for students; teachers are expected to serve a work day. So, I got up and got quite a bit of planning done just in case I needed to document my time. It ended up being a snow day for everyone. However, it is still so refreshing to be planned so far ahead. With this unexpected snow day today, I have another day planned for next week; each snow days bumps my plans back a day.
So, now I will go curl up on the couch with my blanket and a good book!
Quotes from this past week:
Everyone was tired Monday morning after being off for two weeks. My first class was extra quiet. So quiet that the students commented on the silence several times. Observing the silence was about all the energy they had for extra conversation and things would fall silent again after each comment. Then, one boy piped up and said, "It's too quiet in here. Ms. Hemric, you need to get some birds in here to sing for us." Everyone else, myself included, decided this was not a good idea and continued to enjoy the silence.
"My mom got me some glow in the dark boxers for Christmas!" (Why? Why do I need to know that??)
I caught two kids in the back of the room loudly "whispering" to each other about texting. I told them to put the phones away that I was a pro at reading lips. One girl at the front of the room was amazed by this fact. So, I decided to inform her that in order for me to get a teaching degree, I had to take a lip reading class, especially to teach middle schoolers. She was impressed. I made sure to let them know I got an A in that course. They believed me. Sometimes you have to have fun with their gullible little selves.
I also received this note after I switched a girl's seat:
Last week was a nice change from being a lazy bum to being an active human being again. Although exhausting, it was nice to get back in the routine of things. Granted, there were some grumpy days on both mine and the students' parts; but, we made it through to this week, which has thrown things all off again. Monday we were let out three hours early. This announcement was made Sunday night. No snow or ice began to fall until late in the evening. We could have gone all day, but I'm not complaining about a half day that counted as a school day. I got to leave at 12 and we don't have to make the day up. Yesterday and today were both snow days. Tuesday was understandable and expected; today could have been fine with a 2 hr delay. These days will have to be made up. Part of me wants them to be made up on a Saturday so I don't loose my spring break. When spring break finally gets here, we will all be needing a break from one another. Shortening that break with snow make-up days does not appeal to me. However, I'm not the one making the decisions.
When I woke up yesterday, I wasn't sure if we would still be held accountable for our time. You see, snow days are usually just for students; teachers are expected to serve a work day. So, I got up and got quite a bit of planning done just in case I needed to document my time. It ended up being a snow day for everyone. However, it is still so refreshing to be planned so far ahead. With this unexpected snow day today, I have another day planned for next week; each snow days bumps my plans back a day.
So, now I will go curl up on the couch with my blanket and a good book!
Quotes from this past week:
Everyone was tired Monday morning after being off for two weeks. My first class was extra quiet. So quiet that the students commented on the silence several times. Observing the silence was about all the energy they had for extra conversation and things would fall silent again after each comment. Then, one boy piped up and said, "It's too quiet in here. Ms. Hemric, you need to get some birds in here to sing for us." Everyone else, myself included, decided this was not a good idea and continued to enjoy the silence.
"My mom got me some glow in the dark boxers for Christmas!" (Why? Why do I need to know that??)
I caught two kids in the back of the room loudly "whispering" to each other about texting. I told them to put the phones away that I was a pro at reading lips. One girl at the front of the room was amazed by this fact. So, I decided to inform her that in order for me to get a teaching degree, I had to take a lip reading class, especially to teach middle schoolers. She was impressed. I made sure to let them know I got an A in that course. They believed me. Sometimes you have to have fun with their gullible little selves.
I also received this note after I switched a girl's seat:
Please notice the dead flower.
She has 6 teachers so I still have one spot to fall!
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