Bad Day...New Ideas

This crazy new career called teaching is stressful. Year one is a challenge. There is a good side to bad days though. It forces me to look at what I am doing and think hard about why it isn't working and what I need to try next. Of course then there is all the thinking that makes my head hurt. Speaking of that, that very comment was made by two of my students today. Thinking makes their head hurt. I really don't think they are used to critical thinking at all. How do I teach my students to think for themselve and try something that is new? That is the big question of the day.

We have been working on distributive property for about 3 days now. Today was a disaster mixed with a few rays of light poping though. The projector would not work and I had spent about an hour making a great presentation online. I decided to take the challenge in stride and had the students write the information on the white board as I explained things to them.

What went well...
The students were engaged and willing to work at the board. We went over all the the work we did last week and I really thought the students were ready to tackle the problems.

What didn't go well...
The students get very frustrated when they have to think. Today they had to facor out like terms using the distributive property. Even though I gave them an example on the board, the students could not apply the concept to a new problem. One of my students refused to work. I ended up giving him a detention. I would have accepted work that was done incorrectly, but this student didn't even try. He did not have his name on his paper after 10 minutes! I was so frustrated.  Now I look back and wonder what I could have done differently.

So what is my new plan? I was thinking things over on the way home from dinner. I remembered a suggestion at conference. A teacher actually gives students an answer key for the assignments. I am thinking about giving that a try. It won't work for every type problem, but I think it will for most of them. When it comes right down to it, I am not so worried about that one final right answer. I am more interested in the student learning a concept or process. I want to see that they know how to think critically and apply information. If getting the right answer is hanging them up, then I will supply it. There are other possitives to consider. also. If a student has an answer key, there is less pressure to "get it right" and they can focus on the steps. Also students know where they should end up. If they worked a problem and don't end up at the correct answer they are able to self check their work to try and find out where they went wrong.

So what do you think? Will it help? I am going to give it a try. I will let you know how it goes. I wish I had some followers that had great ideas on lessons for a self contained classroom. We are working under the label of Pre Algebra, but I really need to modify the material so that the students can be successful. Lord, please connect me with some great thinkers out there that I can chat with.

The Newbie...Reflections

In honor of NCIS, I am taking on the title of "Newbie" for my teacher reflections. There are so many wonderful things about being the Newbie in a school. During the first few weeks I had not been tainted by the undercurrents that flow in the school. Wonder is starting to wear off now and reality is setting in.

OK, I just really feel like getting this out there in regards to the week I have had, "What was that???" Daily I find myself facing something new and I just can't quit get caught up with any one thing. My special education duties are starting to get in the way of my teaching. Seriously, you non teachers out there just have no idea what kind of time and thinking go into really being prepared. I know, I could just slap some worksheets out there for the students. Think about it though, seriously, who wants to do worksheets? I hate them! Boring. I understand there is a time for them, but not everyday.

Back to SPED this week. One of my students is struggling. I am going to call him "Fred". He is in the 10th grade and has only managed to earn 4 credits. Currently he is failing every class he is enrolled in. I am trying to find a way to reach him, help him, or at the very least reason with him. Can I just tell you, it isn't going so well right now? I can admit it. I don't know how to help him. Plus there are some issues with the administration. Fred called me a f....ing B on Friday when talking to another teacher and he was not punished in any way for it. Let me repeat that...NOT PUNISHED! I just feel like the school lets the students get away with too much. I could give you a list: hoodies up, pants down, fighting, outburst, cursing, calling teachers names, untruth fullness, general disrespect...I am not done, but I will stop.

Fred has stopped working completely. He was told last year that Indiana Law states that a student can test out of a class if they can pass the final. This kid isn't being logical though. We are 4 weeks into the school year and he thinks he can suddenly test out of classes...there fore he won't work. The assistant principal allowed him to take a Pre Algebra final yesterday, which he failed because he didn't show any of his work. Now the student won't go into that class at all.

Today Fred went to resource room to take a quiz. While in resource room he sat and talked instead of working on the test. Support and help were offered but he stated "I don't' need your help. I can do this". Twenty minutes later he turns in a blank quiz, states he is going back to class and tells the TA he didn't do it because he didn't know how. See what I am working with here? he isn't logical in his thinking at all. What do I do with that?

More to come from the Newbie. Good night for now.

Once Apon a Time...

So much of my life feels like a series of novels linked together by some characters who remain in every book while the other characters come and go. I am learning to embrace both the people who are solid and steady and the people who enter for only a few chapters. I guess I am on the whole book thing because I am starting a new novel in life and have been introduced to a new set of associates who are sure to become friends.

August 18, 2009 marks the day that I began my teaching career. Well it was the first student day anyway. I was working for free trying to get ready prior to the 18th. I am working at a high school as a special education teacher. So much to learn, so many great ideas flowing in and out of my head. You will read more than you care to as I work through notes to myself.