What to do? What to do? (Online Reflection #4)

Why is the students that need the most help and encouragement are the ones that always miss school?Aaarrgghhh!
A bright young man named Joe (a pseudonym) got moved from the 5th hour block into 1st hour. My CT's 3rd and 5th hour blocks were honors level classes. Joe is very quiet and keeps to himself but has not come to more than a handful of classes since he was moved out of honors Language Arts and Math. We heard that he was moving to another school but now, now that may not be the case. Whatever the situation something  has changed since he was moved. He rarely participates and mainly just draws during class. I have noticed that he has not moved his journal from the 5th hour crate to the 1st hour one. I told my CT that and she had not noticed that. She was going to refer him to the school's counselor.
I can only imagine how this young man must feel. No one even talked with him about it that I know of, they just moved him. I am wondering what else I can do to help him. Today I tried to help him get caught up with the writing of his narrative to where the other students are but he is very resistant. He will engage only as long as you are right there with him. Once you leave he starts drawing. I really don't know what to do.
And I have noticed that it seems that the ones who need the most attention are the ones who have issues with being tardy or chronic absenteeism. When you ask them why they are late the answers they give you are sometimes heartbreaking, "My mom didn't wake up" or "I was up till 2am watching a movie and didn't wake up."
Back to Joe. I did get him to smile today. He was telling me about his story entitle "The Good Guy." I asked him if he was the good guy and he and said, "No, that is Eugene." I told him I bet he was a good guy just maybe not for his story and he smiled. All I can hope is that somehow he will start coming to class and that we can make him see that it is okay to be in the class he is in. Such a sweet and sensitive young man!

To Color Coordinate or NOT to Color Coordinate? (KATE post)

I really just loved the KATE conference. I don't get out much so maybe that is why. Nah! It was awesome. I have several observations, one that is disconcerting.
First, off the most informative and fun break out session was the one directed for first year teachers. The caption said "New to building, staff or teaching" but it was mainly for us newbies. The wonderful thing about this session was that we got to see two different ways of organizing your classroom and yourself. One of the presenters had her classroom files completely color coordinated. Whatever color the textbook, that was the color for the class. She had their copies on colored paper, she clipped papers together with colored paper clips, and even color coordinated calendars. The other wonderful presenter did most of her organizing on her computer. It was nice to see that either way is acceptable and easy to manage. It just depended on what type of person you as a teacher are. I actually am a little of both and could not wait to run out and start stock piling all sorts of primary colored nick-nacks for my room. YAY!!!!
I also really found the session on writing dialogue to be useful as well. The husband and wife team offered some valuable tips on how to engage students and ways to help them practice getting the dialogue as authentic as possible. The Mrs. of the duo admitted to being admonished this year for not writing more as a model for her students. I found that this took great courage to admit in a roomful of English teachers. But I was encouraged by it because I struggle with this as well. I never thought I was a good writer so all this time I have been looking for this magic formula to give to my students and take me out of the equation. Unfortunately, I am the teacher and my writing, good or bad, is what the students need to see. Thank you to this couple for the break out session on dialogue for opening my eyes!
The disconcerting observation that I had was there seemed to several negative teachers there. I know you get that everywhere you go but I was just taken aback by it. It was not widespread and maybe I am just naive.
As far as what I would have liked to have seen that wasn't there was just the inclusion of some classroom management strategies in the Survival session. I think the vast majority of sessions were very informative and covered a wide range of topics so as to appeal to the fresh off the turnip truck teacher as well as the more seasoned veterans.
What kind of networking did I do and who did I meet? Well, let me tell you who I met. I met Clare Vanderpool and Jay Asher that's who I met. I took wonderful notes for Clare Vanderpool's presentation and she had such wonderful descriptions of writing that I can give to my students. How experience is just one thing to add to the story pot and stir. I love that! And I got my picture taken with her. A big thank you to Amy Hart for being my photographer for the day. But it was Jay Asher who I really enjoyed listening to. Probably because I wanted to hear him talk about his  book. I know the storyline but have yet to read the book. However, his main character is a Hannah and I have a Hanna at home. (ye,s they are spelled differently) As many of my friends know my Hanna has been bullied and has struggled with self-esteem issues and has recently began speaking of suicide although I do believe this is out of frustration and not out of a deeper need to hurt herself. But I will not take any chances when it comes to any one of my children. So as I stood in line to get my book signed by Mr. Asher for my daughter, I was hard pressed to remain composed. As he opened my book, I showed him a scrap of paper with my Hanna's name on it, so he wouldn't misspell it (she hates that) I leaned toward him and said "My daughter needs to read this." He paused as he looked at me and said "I love hearing from parents who buy this book for their child. It lets that child know that the parent cares and is ready to talk." I told him I was going to save this book as a Christmas present but had decided to give it to her today. And I thanked him for his time. He closed the book and posed for a picture with me and said "Tell Hanna hi for me." The tears began to flow as I drove home. Well, my Hanna has started reading her book. She thought it was cool that her old mom met the author. She even got online to listen to the Hannah tapes. Thank you Jay Asher!

How Small is TOO Small?

Once this post is published I will already have moved on to a different section of Language Arts at my school site. I have been with this wonderfully small class of all girls. At first, I thought that this was going to be a breeze. There were only six girls. Too easy, right? How could there be any problems with a class that small? Well, let me tell you, there were problems!

First off, I want to say that the problems were not really what most would consider a problem. The girls had no behavior issues. The class was classified as an “honors” level language arts class. So, they were all well ahead in their reading skills. Delightful and sweet, every one of them.

So, these “problems” I speak of are not behavior issues but more issues with how the class actually runs. The girls have a knack of getting the teacher off subject. All the other classes run great, according to the teacher but this one. She can never get through a lesson without the girls talking about all sorts of things. Their weekend, something funny that happened in the lunchroom or just generally giggling for no reason. And it is amazing how something so small as that can disrupt the whole schedule. The teacher ends up rushing at the end to make sure she gets through the lesson.

Another issue is group work. How can you have small group instruction when there are only six girls? You can’t. It’s always just one big group discussion. At that is ok but there is no diversity. They are all girls. Five of the six are Hispanic and they are all friends. So, they all really feel about the same about things. You get one to answer a question and no one else will volunteer. So, you ask, “Does anyone have a different opinion?” And they all shake their heads no.

This presented a problem for me as I began to plan my unit to teach them. I wanted to conduct small group workshops on their Senses Poem I was going to have them write. It would end up being just one big group and they cannot offer a different perspective because they are all female. And I love cooperative learning. I want my future class to have tables for groups of four. I think this creates a friendlier classroom environment. But we can’t have groups of four, because there are only SIX of them!!

So, how small is too small? Or how big is too big for that matter? It is an interesting problem because one would think the smaller the better. I think there needs to be a happy medium. A big enough class so that we can have small group interactions but small enough so that every student gets the attention that they need. I imagine that will be different for every class.

Unfortunately, I will not get to teach my unit to this wonderful group of young ladies. I am moving to a larger class to get a better grasp on what it is like to teach a normal class. I will miss them. But I will let you know if group work is easier with my new group of students.

Explorations in the World of Poetry (Genre Reflection #1)

Teaching a Lesson for the First Time

By Amy Haight

I see

the anticipation in the students’ eyes

and the eagerness in their posture.

I smell

my own fear in the form of

and my own failing deodorant.

I taste

the leftover burrito I had for lunch

as it lingers on my breath.

I hear

the pounding of my own heart

and the slight quiver in my voice as I give instructions.

I feel

anxious waiting to begin teaching my lesson

but hopeful that I just might teach them something new today!

Go to the FRONT of the Class Ms. H!

I swear there is something wrong with me. I must suffer from some sort of Paraprofessional disorder!!!! Through my college’s Cooperative Education Program I have been a Para for the past two years at a local high school. I have been used to standing in the back of the classroom or milling around the periphery while the teacher lectures. Only venturing in the mid-sections once he/she is done and it is time to assist the students. It has been a difficult transition to standing in the front of the classroom. My Language Arts CT is great about sharing the front with me, always asking if I have anything to add or having me pass out papers. I have to tell you that the view is quite different up in the front.

In fact, I have to force myself to do it. I end up in the back repeatedly throughout the class. It is like this fight I keep having with myself. “Hey you, get back up there.” “You are back in the back again, good grief.” I really hope I am not the only one suffering from this. And I wrongfully called it a Para disorder. Maybe it is something else like an Observer Syndrome. Or maybe it is some weird new problem that only I suffer from. But it is really tough to stay at the front. And my girls, there are only six, are all so beautiful and attentive. You would think I would want to see their lovely faces and not just the backs of their heads. But no…..not me! I will continue to work on this!

And on a higher note, did you know that the students do actually listen to teachers! Really, I’m serious. I was leading a book talk on Monday. I knew they were learning how to “Interview” books and would be going to the library the next day. So, I just thought it was the perfect time. I picked out 7 books I thought would interest them. I knew one young lady liked soccer and all of them liked mysteries. I made sure there was something for everyone. I modeled how I wanted them to consider each book and then we began. They filled out their sheets and when we were done I had then put them in their binders for library day the next day.

Tuesday arrived and at the end of the hour we were at the library. After the librarian had given his spiel (I looked up how to spell this) on how to “Interview” a book, not near as thorough a job as I did the day before, they were ready to look for themselves.

Two of the six came up to me, yes me, and asked if they could have the books from our list. I told them I had gotten them from the library and to look at their forms. Two girls wanted the same book. Luckily, they did not fight over it. Like I said they are good girls. But three of the six got books that I had chosen for our book talk just the day before.

The one little girl, I will call her Suzie, though that is not her real name, made sure that when the teacher asked how she picked her book she said that Mrs. H had it in the book talk. I felt really good. I guess, I always knew that the students do listen to the teachers but I had never experienced it personally before Tuesday. It made me very aware of the responsibility we teachers have to our students; to be kind with our words, to make good suggestions and be an example to follow, among a whole long list of other responsibilities.

Those are just a couple of the good things that happened this past week!

Wowee! What a Week!

My first week was excellent. The students are awesome and sweet. That is because they are just new sixth graders and I am sure this will ALL change by Christmas, if not sooner. I am at Castle Middle School (pseudonym) and I am in one Social Studies class and one Language Arts class. Both of my CT’s have been so kind and have made me feel welcome.

My Language Arts teacher I will name Ms. Cleary. This week the students have been working on the writing assessment so there has not been much for me to do. And there are only seven girls. That’s right no boys. Actually, tomorrow there is will only be six. One has moved away already. I have been told that they will see as many students come into Castle as they see exit in one year. The turnover is very great.

But Ms. Cleary has offered me resource after resource. Anything and everything I want to borrow, look at, thumb through is mine for the asking. She has asked me to help her incorporate more of their literature curriculum into her daily lesson plans. Castle Middle School uses America’s Choice as their base language arts curriculum and it is only skeletal and must be supplemented a lot. I have told her about my idea for the poetry unit I wish to teach and she really liked it. And again, offered me many things to look at to get more ideas. Walking out of the school today I felt like I was carrying an elephant, my arms were that full. I only hope that I can meet her expectations and help her in some way.

My social studies CT I will name Mr. Bodfish, in honor of the only social studies teacher I ever liked in high school. Mr. Bodfish used to be an elementary teacher and so has unique and interesting ways of incorporating other content areas into social studies. I can learn a lot for him. Science and Social Studies at Castle are only 45 minute classes, where Core classes are a full block. So, he is challenged with fitting a complete lesson into a shorten class period. He greets the students everyday with a loud “Good Morning beautiful students of Castle Middle School” and the respond back with a “Good Morning Mr. Bodfish.” A little hidden curriculum, throwing some manners in there for the students. In addition to me there is also a paraprofessional in the class as well. Since it is a fairly large class, the more adults in the room, the better!

My goals for this semester are quite simple.

·         To plan and teach an outstanding unit for each of my content area classes.

·         Feel comfortable taking control when my CT needs me to.

·         To continue to expand my knowledge of Young Adult Literature

·         To learn more ways to differentiate my instruction so that I can teach more effectively

·         Learn some ELL strategies for my English Language Learners

I am certain that this list will grow and change as my year progresses. I am so thankful to be in a school that has a diverse student body and teachers and administration that seem to really love what they are doing. It is going to be an awesome year!

My Very First Blog Post

I have just set up my very first blog. This is just the test to see if I did it correctly. Today is the first day of the Fall semester! It is going to be a great one filled with many opportunities and wonderful experiences. I am looking forward to all of them!