She said, "This is Stupid!" and rolled her eyes...
I continue to do my writing assignments in each class today. They appear to be going well. Kids are writing and staying quiet during the exercise and I am seeing some good stuff out of it.
Today is the day that my principal, Mr. Ward, was going to drop in on a class. Of course, he comes in on the toughest of my 6 classes, Period 4. This class is completely full, without a spare computer. I have one kid working on my computer, because I need the last class computer for overhead presentations. Also, there are a number of kids in the class that need extra help, either because they are behind, don't learn as quickly as others or because they don't like being here.
I have learned that, for the most part, kids like my class. It is mostly fun, at this point and some of the kids really enjoy getting in there and figuring stuff out and making new things.
Some kids hate my class. I don't really think that it is me, or the class, they just don't like much of anything at this point and I happen to be in the way.
I have a couple of these in Period 4. Interestingly enough, they are both females. One of them in particular is vocal about her feelings. I had to talk to her today out in the hallway, because she was getting loud about how stupid things were. Of course, my principal is sitting back taking notes. They always come visit during the toughest classes.
I tried to talk with her about sticking with it and working with me. She didn't give me any quarter. I actually like her a lot, as she has fire. She's just being very difficult right now. I didn't get any agreements out of her at all, but maybe I made some small progress, somehow.
On a brighter note, one student that I have that has missed a number of days came in during my plan period. I spent about 20-25 minutes working with her on the basics of Graphic Design and got her started on her project and she did VERY well, getting a ton of stuff done in a short period of time. That almost helps balance out the other failures. Almost.
I am interested to hear my Principal's comments later today.
Today is the day that my principal, Mr. Ward, was going to drop in on a class. Of course, he comes in on the toughest of my 6 classes, Period 4. This class is completely full, without a spare computer. I have one kid working on my computer, because I need the last class computer for overhead presentations. Also, there are a number of kids in the class that need extra help, either because they are behind, don't learn as quickly as others or because they don't like being here.
I have learned that, for the most part, kids like my class. It is mostly fun, at this point and some of the kids really enjoy getting in there and figuring stuff out and making new things.
Some kids hate my class. I don't really think that it is me, or the class, they just don't like much of anything at this point and I happen to be in the way.I have a couple of these in Period 4. Interestingly enough, they are both females. One of them in particular is vocal about her feelings. I had to talk to her today out in the hallway, because she was getting loud about how stupid things were. Of course, my principal is sitting back taking notes. They always come visit during the toughest classes.
I tried to talk with her about sticking with it and working with me. She didn't give me any quarter. I actually like her a lot, as she has fire. She's just being very difficult right now. I didn't get any agreements out of her at all, but maybe I made some small progress, somehow.
On a brighter note, one student that I have that has missed a number of days came in during my plan period. I spent about 20-25 minutes working with her on the basics of Graphic Design and got her started on her project and she did VERY well, getting a ton of stuff done in a short period of time. That almost helps balance out the other failures. Almost.
I am interested to hear my Principal's comments later today.
posted by silverpenny at 12:48 PM
1 Comments:
I used to teach 8th Grade U.S. History. The only thing I can tell you about the kid "with fire" is to stay on her. Don't back down and don't give up.
A lot of those kids, as you well know, have been abandoned - either emotionally or literally - at home and put up hard defenses in order to protect themselves from being hurt again. That means that most teachers try to break through at first, and then finally give up. But if you make it (as I did with a couple of kids), you will have a DRAMATIC effect on that girl's life just by showing her that she actually is worth the effort.
Alright, off my soapbox now...
Good luck.
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