5 posts from March 2008

While my other classes got to do labs today, 7th period will not have the privilege.  They'll continue to do bookwork, because as usual they had no interest in my teaching and didn't have the respect to at least be quiet.  One of the students who is disrespectful to me was back at it today and she needed a sheet of typing paper to complete an assignment on.

"Mr. Fiel, can I have a sheet of typing paper?"  She said it in a slow, dull tone, meant to mock me. 

"Not from me.  You're so disrespectful to me it makes me want to puke."

She ended up getting another student to ask for a sheet and then got it from them.  Sometimes I think I get paid to take crap from kids all day.  But it's payday, so I guess I'll stop complaining and go get my check.

My 7th Period Chemistry class has had problems throughout the year controlling themselves.  Overall, they're hyped up and difficult to calm down.  There are a couple of really disrespectful students in there too.  The result, and what pisses me off so badly about them, is that they refuse to listen to me and most of them start talking when I'm talking.  It's almost unbelievable.  It's like they will sit there and be quiet and look at me, and as soon as I start talking, they start having side conversations. 

So yesterday durinig a short lecture that was pretty important if they hope to understand the material, I noticed them spiraling out of control again.  I could start going from left to right, picking out students and going through my consequences.  I could get stressed out and yell and maybe cuss them out and tell them to shut up.  I could just keep on pissing in the wind and try to teach the ones who are listening.  But it's 7th Period and it's the end of March.  The end of the day and almost the end of the year.  The bottom line is they don't allow me to teach, and at this point I don't feel like forcing them to.

Anyway, I stopped in mid-sentence, told them never mind, and wrote their assignment on the board.  I told them to copy down the definitions of all the bold terms in that section of the book, and copy down all the tables, too.  I told them I don't think I'm going to teach them anymore because they don't want to listen anyway.  I said I'm going to go sit down and take it easy.  All of this, in addition to the assigned homework, is a grade and due before class starts tomorrow. 

I'll probably give teaching a try again next week, but if I decide to do that then I'm going to have to make the committment to all the discipline it will require with this class.  That might mean corporal punishment, but I haven't paddled anyone in over a month (not that it would cause me any stress).  It also might mean I start just putting kids out of class the first time they interrupt or disrespect me.  It also might mean throwing the responsibility writing assignment transparency on the overhead and having the whole class do it, giving a zero to anyone who refuses (or maybe giving them corporal punishment). 

It's really a shame, but by the end of the day I just can't make myself do everything I need to do to be able to teach them.  We'll see how they do learning on their own. 

For the record, here are my NCAA tournament picks from the elite 8 on.

Elite 8: North Carolina, Louisville, Kansas, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, Texas, UCLA, Xavier

Final 4: North Carolina, Georgetown, Pittsburgh, UCLA

Championship: North Carolina, UCLA

Champs: UNC of course, 82-73

Here in Leflore County we had our spring break last week.  That creates a small problem since the NCAA tournament is this weekend, starting Thursday, but we have school.  That means I'll miss half of Day 1 of the tournament at least.  I thought about taking a day off, but I might feel guilty.  The good news is that we have Friday and Monday off for Easter, so I won't miss any of the games Friday.  After this weekend though, we are in it for the long haul.  I don't think we get another day off until school is out.

Coming back from the break is always tough, but I came back energized, mainly because I remember how fast the last 9-weeks goes.  Compared to the rest of the year, this is the easy part.  I already have relationships and expectations established with my students, and most of them are trying to finish up the year and either pass or make the grade they want to make, so students are more concerned with their work now.  I also know we'll get to miss some school for track meets. 

The rocky parts will be dealing with all the absences, testing, tutoring, etc. that will be taking students out of class.  I'll have to make sure to stay on top of my absentee folder.  I also have some seniors that are borderline and need to do really well to pass, and if they don't make the effort I'll probably be the reason they won't graduate.  I know of at least one who has no chance, and several who need to have a good nine weeks.  The kids are also a little bit wilder towards the end of the year, and it won't be fun to deal with that.  Today a fight broke out at lunch.  I just sat there and watched.  I've broken up enough fights.  This year I'm keeping my stress level low.  I'll let them beat each other down to the ground, then I'll take them to the office.  Most of the time they won't really start fighting until they know someone is going to step in, then they can act tough.  I'm not the one for that, I'll let them go and see what happens.  Unless their in my class, then I'll break it up. 

I'm going to make sure I plan a light, manageable 9-weeks so that I can also take care of all the other stuff (books, documentation, cleaning, etc.) before the last day or two when everyone is a ball of stress.  I'll probably give my tests early too.  So far the first 3 days have gone really well, and I hope it keeps up.  I'm ready for the long weekend, and then I'll be ready for the long haul through April and May.

I'm trying to get recharged over the break, so before I get into planning lessons and getting ready for the stretch run, I'm going to think about the things I like about my job.

Coaching: It's track season, and to be honest I don't do much at track practice, but I am out there as an assistant coach.  What I think I'm going to contribute this year is get kids started lifting weights.  I'm a gym junkie, and I know alot about it, and it gives me something to do at practice.  I'll get the much-neglected throwers and help them lift weights, and also the kids coming back for basketball next year.  I really like coaching because you get to work with small groups of kids who are somewhat motivated and you don't have to do as much disciplining.  You get to know more kids, and you get to know them better, and it helps in the classroom too.  Mainly, it's just a way to spend a few hours at work in a pleasant situation, which makes the job more bearable. 

Students: The best and worst part of the job.  I really enjoy the students I have positive interactions with, though.  That's really my favorite part of the job.  I get along well with most of the students I teach or know, and it's a lot of fun to be around them as long as everyone is doing their job. 

Teachers: There are several teachers I get along with well and enjoy talking with at school.  I think the only reasons I'm leaning toward coming back to my school for a 3rd year are the relationships I've developed with students and fellow teachers, in addition to the fact that I hate moving.

Success: Those rare moments when I feel like I've succeeded.  Students are learning and want to learn, and I can really see that I've done something to help someone.  Hopefully there will be a few of those this last 9 weeks.