10.30.12

Almost forgot to post.
Alg2 went well. We are going over linear function basics and the girls are pickin it up fairly well. At least when we work together. Homework assigned is due Friday. Tomorrow we will talk about correlations.

Alg1- nothing special. Worked inequalities and will do more the next couple days, mainly focusing on word problems. Kids seem to be picking it up for the most part with a couple not doing well cause they don't turn in their work. Argh.

MMA - worked regressions and will do a quiz tomorrow. Friday we start a new part of the lesson and then we will move on to bigger and better things. The kids are ready to move on.

Geometry - those kids love to talk. We did a quiz today and as always, some did well and I'm still grading the rest. Need to do a journal day tomorrow and then test on Friday. Whew. Gotta keep moving with them.

Yearbook- working on fall festival layouts. Hope that goes well. Trying to back off and let them do their thing. Hard to do. Oh. And I need to make a deposit. I better do that email tonight.

Last but not least we have a meeting tomorrow after school. No one knows what they'll be talking about but I'm guessing it will deal with technology and whatever else they want to talk about. It's a whole campus thing so who knows how this will go. We are a bit nervous b/c they've been onry with us lately. Hopefully they think we're not total dork heads.

Well. I'm sleepy. Much to do but I'm tired. Need sleep. Laters.

10.27.12 fall festival

Fall festival is over!! One less thing to worry about. We should have done better than we did, but I learned a lot about how to run/plan for a concession stand. I think if I have to do it again next year, things will turn out better. If I did my numbers right, we made what I figured we would.
Things I learned -
Get your info ASAP on when it all goes down.
Get donations for food/items u need.
Reconsider setting a higher price for larger items (ex. the soft tacos we did were bigger than expected and we could have charged a dollar more and it would have made sense.)
Frappacinos/specialty drinks should have their own booth.
Go ahead and sell chances if possible.
Cut up lettuce, etc the night before or earlier in the day.
Soft tacos sell well. 20lbs was not enough.
Toffee sells very well.
Less cookies.
Sell cokes too. Not too many but have some on hand.
I'm sure there's more that I picked up or would hve picked up if I worked all the stations but that was quite a lesson. Luckily we did make some money so it wasn't a busy. I think it can be better next year. Ok. Laters

10.26.12

Long week full of interesting events. The folks I know are worried about the future of our district and there's a bit of unrest. Doing our best to stay open to changes but whew.
Our fall festival is tomorrow so that involved a LOT if prep and there's still more to go. Made so many cookies yesterday and today. Ready to have that over with.
Recap of classes:
Alg 2- got good work done yesterday but missed class due to shopping today. Hoping Tuesday will go all right.
Alg1- solving inequalities. Dude. I need to brush up on those. I was a space case on that one and so lesson didn't go well. Argh. Didn't have class today.
MMA- missed yesterday and today due to baking and prep for fall fest. Will find a way to do a quick rundown of unit 4 so we can move on fast.
Geo- they goofed off today so I made them finish worksheet from yesterday and then do another. Got on one student for not getting work turned in. Was onry but only enough to get point across that I wanted him to try and do well.
And yeah. After that, just worked on grades and tht. Oh shoot. I have to do attendance. Laters.

10.24.12

Lots o drama today. Not really ready for it all but guess ill see how it all plays out.

Kept things going for all classes. Was observed in geometry by someone from the region dept. hopefully they liked what they saw or maybe they saw how we made do with what we haven't got. Note to self, email Ag teacher to let him know he's wasting my time by keeping them late and to find another way of disciplining his kids other than keeping them late. Also, no more STUCO during geo either. It was embarrassing that over half my class was late b/c of those two things.
More tomorrow, I need sleep and it's gonna be another long day.

Today's log. 10.23.2012

I just turned up Areosmiths "Rag Doll". Does that make me a skid?

I am glad today's over. It wasn't a horrible day, I'm just glad it's over. In order to stay awake I've been trying to stay busy and on top of things. All went well until geometry. So from top to bottom, here we go:

Alg 2- one girl seemed like she had attitude this morning. Didn't want to start the day with that so I just got to work. Went over the test and then moved on to linear review for the new unit. Once they got warmed up, that actually went pretty well and we got through that plus halfway through the 2nd worksheet. Not too shabby! The girl with attitude, she apologized later for seeming like a punk. Just tired it all. I laughed and told her I know how it feels.

Alg1- eh. Finished up something from yesterday and started something new. Will get that all done tomorrow and then start inequalities. Just keep swimming.
** right about here I started cleaning**
MMA - got through a whole paper today which amazed all of us. Just have independent practice to work on tomorrow and hopefully we will get through that too.

Geometry- *big sigh* supposed to work on dilations. I have one group actually trying, the other half was busy messing around. Wanted to get through stuff today but I guess that wasn't in the cards. Tomorrow we need to get it done. I rather not go into bitch mode but I guess I have to. Turds. Deep breath. I can do this. Must push forward. Must find a way.
Yearbook- had them go through pages to make sure we're up to par. Have some pages to fill up. Ok. I'm bored of this. Later.

scout date 10.22.12

Over the weekend I visited the doctor for some things that seemed to need attention. No big deal but the part that is killing me is the part where I am not supposed to consume any caffeinated items. holy cow. do you know how many products have caffeine in them?
on top of that, the medicine i am taking say that i can't consume anything with calcium 6 hours prior to or 2 hours after taking my meds. do you know how much food has calcium in it? its not like i need to eat food or anything (i could lose a couple pounds and be ok and thats the honest truth) but holy cow. so i'm trying to follow those instructions AND teach high schoolers.

Alg 2 - one student needed to finish her test and she had a x-country meet so we didn't move on yet. tomorrow we will start the new unit. nothing too spectacular there. probably should have moved on but i think we will be ok.

Alg1 - was like pulling teeth to get them to do much. went over the previous test then finished up some story problems and then started something new. had to keep them moving or we would never get anything done. luckily they went along, but they were fairly unresponsive to my trying to be happy/bubbly. eventually i just went into ultra-professional mode and moved on.

MMA - got the paper done that we needed to and that left us time for them to work on their homework (that's due wednesday.) tomorrow we start correlations and its been a while so i better brush up. hard to keep them motivated to keep going but we have to. need them to get this done.

Geo - dude. got one paper done in one day as we should. it was terrific. nevermind that we didnt get signatures checked on but it was good. until apparently we had TOO much time left because they started horsing around and the next thing i know is a couple kids go crashing into the stand i had my OPEN bottle of water on. sweet. :0[  bless my boy's hearts, they got right to cleaning up, even if they weren't a part of the mess. what was a little disappointing were the two kids who caused the problem in the first place, they just walked off and when called to repentance, they acted like it wasn't their fault. that even though they were a part of the problem, they started blaming everyone else. at that point to keep from being a turd, i just told that person that what i was really focused on was getting things cleaned up, that people who weren't even involved were helping clean up and that spoke volumes about their character in general. to which the person responded with how she wasn't to blame. *sigh* just accept responsiblility for your actions (but she didnt so at that point i just wanted her to go away and eventually she did). but it was very nice to see the boys get things cleaned up like they did. at least they were honorable in their actions.
and now here i am trying to stay awake (oh gosh. caffeine. i miss you.) so i can finish out the day. just a little while longer!!

on another note, the weather here was CRAZY this morning. just windy and lightning and thunder all over. thought the power would go out. and currently i'm listening to my yearbook students ask if they can go do something else. i told them there is an empty computer waiting for them to work on layouts instead. they are now just sitting there. rad. :0[ better go before i get on my soapbox, cause really? you're in yearbook? asking me what there is to do? seriously? why not go and sell more ads? why not work on layouts? why not get off your butt and do something? or ask sooner for something to do. so lame. i'm out. laters.

Scout report 10.19.12

Friday. Good golly miss Molly. Happy to be home and to not have to go back for a couple days. Not sure what was weird about this week, but it was pretty "off." Someone else that visited today mentioned that it was "off" as well but we couldn't pin point what made things feel so odd.
Some graduated students of ours came back to visit today. A bit distracting but I was able to remind them that I needed to teach my classes and that I would visit with them on breaks. Good to see them again. Sure miss them.
Ok. Today's rundown.
Test in Alg 2. I reminded them that while this was a test, it would be less stressful to think of it as a "where am I at?" assessment for their benefit. Probably didn't help much but at least they seemed to calm down a little. I have a student that has bad anxiety so I'm learning how to help her cope. Tough.
Alg1- not all kids done with the test so we couldn't go over the test. Started the new unit instead and they were lame at first but were better by class end. Didn't assign homework so they could enjoy the weekend (and so could I).
MMA - tough to keep them focused right now. T is still a pain so I gotta find a way to get him to work better. I guess I should be happy he works at all, it would be nice if he helped others when he was done instead of distracting them. D was taken off his medication so he's been more quick to temper. He let me know today so there's one more kid to worry about. Wonder if the SpecEd knows?
Geometry- one more day on reflections. Dude. At least it's done. Whomever wrote the units for CScope was on drugs when they decided these worksheets would take a day. I'm behind and will have to email the Region people to find a way to condense and speed up. And unfortunately, the person I have to talk to is buddies with administration so there's no handling crap on my own. Gotta do what I gotta do to make sure they get what they need.
So much extra drama at school. Need to remember to avoid it. I'm fine with listening about it... But I don't want to get involved. At all. At all. Drama free zone starts with me!!!!!!!! And that's all I have to say about that. The lost boys are on and I'm ready to go to bed soon. Have a good weekend! Later!

Homework.

Captains log 10.18.12

The honeymoon is over. Kids are mostly back to their normal selves. Hard to remember what it was like and I now apologize to any of my good math teachers for cutting up in my classes. It's coming back to me. Argh.

Alg2- the kids struggled with their quiz but it was first thing so I didn't expect much. They test tomorrow so that should be interesting. It's gonna be ok. I hope.

Alg1- the test isn't much like what they learned. But they did ok. They looked pretty freaked out but overall it's ok. Will start a new unit tomorrow and I'm ready to move on. Oi.

MMA - T is a pain in the butt. He chose a different place to sit today and then proceeded to cut up with S and C. I made him move and ignored him until he asked math related questions. Frustrating. But at least we got some work done and I've found a unit I should be able to cut out. I think it's the one Kathy told me I could skip. So I will to keep them up to speed.

And then there's Geometry. What should have taken 1 day is now on day 2 and they seem to want to make it a 3 day event. Which would be fine b/c it'd complicated a bit but its mostly b/c they cut up. It was a little better today b/c I moved some people so I hope it starts to get better. I don't know. One on one, the kids are awesome. Get them together and it's insane. I can do this. I can do this.

It probably didn't help that we had school pictures today for yearbook. Then I tutored some more, counseled a student and after that I was done. Just done. Some old students dropped by so we joked around with another teacher until it was time to go. Needed that. Just to end the day on a less stressed note. Good to hear that college is going well for them and all that too. Well. Tests to grade, translations to correct... I miss you summer. 😉 Laters!

Scout report 10.17.12

The sophomores and juniors had testing today (half the staff didn't remember and no body bothered to email a memo about times, etc.) so I have most the morning off. Time was spent catching up with goings-on and not on grades. Oh well. Will work on that some tonight. :(
Alg 1 went well. Didn't have much of a backup plan (all our calculators were being used for PSAT) so we did a journal page about algebraic properties and then we cut out a CScope page to show the different visualizations of algebra (concrete, algebraic, graph, table). The kids actually responded well to it although later in the day I realized there were some vocabulary words we probably should have clarified. Guess we shall do that before the test.
MMA was not great. That's juniors so they were not motivated to do any work seeing as they just took a test. I made them work anyway and we are on course for the most part. Off by about a week but that's not too shabby for us.
Geometry. Holy cow. I have to find a way to get their attention. I have random groups that will work but some that get distracted and then everyone starts talking again... But then there's the few that are just trying to answer my questions. Frustrating.

I cut a students hair today (with parental permission). Funny to see the kid with shorter hair. Hopefully he likes it. Now I have a stomach full of enchilada and I'm feeling sleepy. Have grades, laundry, other stuff to do but I'm sore today and am ready for some sleep. Perhaps I ought to sleep just so I'm not cranky tomorrow. Ok. That's all I have for now. Later.

Scout report 10.16.12

Alg 2 went well. As she did yesterday, the one student who didn't think she could do math, could. Very happy for her to build her confidence. Other student was more with it today and the last student was still sick BUT the 1st student offered to take her homework to her and show her what we did so she wouldn't be behind. Very exciting to hear 😄
Alg 1- ended up doing a paper for review instead of test. Bad idea. PSAt is tomorrow and all the calculators will be used. Seriously?!? So I either need to put off the test ANOTHER day or let them struggle. Argh. Oh well. One day. Perhaps we can go over fractions as well. ?
MMA- T was a big distraction today. Everyone did not appreciate it. Hopefully he will be more on the ball tomorrow/Thursday. Starting stats but need to go over test. Gotta remember to get that done.

Geometry- getting into transformations (more fun that what we have been doing) so most of the class is ready to go. AV is not and is more interested in cutting up. Wouldn't be so bad but it's constantly inappropriate stuff and that gets old fast. It got to the point that I told them all that if they continued to talk while I was instructing that they could just use the book and we would not do the activity as a group. That worked wonders and they focuse. Except the one kid. Will have to sit him down and have a talk I suppose.
And that's pretty much it for that. Went through calculators tody and found I am missing some. Big sigh. I did number all the ones I DO have with a purple marker and then I applied fingernail polish over top. Hope that keeps the numbers intact!
Well, Time to grade. Always something school related to do. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it overwhelming. Later.

Scout report 10-15-12

Doing my best to stay objective but I can already tell this is gonna be a challenging week.
Alg 2- one kiddo was sick so I sent her home. Another one was tired/anxious so she couldn't concentrate and my other one was on the ball. The one who usually doesn't understand, understood and so that was good. My 2nd girl came back to make things up but child had me super worried this morning. Got her help and someone to talk to, but she had me worried. Luckily by the end if the day, things were ok.
Alg1 - need one more day on our unit to review. Still not catching on to total concept so ill do one more review day. Ready to move on.
MMA - more stats. Bored of stats. Hoping there's a way to cut the unit shorter.

Geo- holy cow. Those kids don't shut up. One more day to review then move on to transformations. Need to pick up pace in there but whew. They won't shut up. Must find way to keep them all engaged. Argh. Love them but they drive me nuts.
Currently at a flag football practice. Probably ought to help but don't feel like it. Am I horrible for that? Kinda want the head coach to realize the help my hubs gives him week after week. Anyway. Guess eventually I might. No. I won't. Or I will. Idk. Just want to go home and curl up and sleep. Anyone else with me? I'm sure there is.

Teachers log 10-12-12

It is Friday and I wanted to end the week on a productive note. In alg2 we moved on to Inverses and managed to get TWO worksheets done instead of just one. Booyah. 1 less day behind.
In Alg 1, we are behind but working our way back to normal. Had to clarify some stuff but the kids have enough examples to try it on their own. The majority seem to know what's up. This is good.
MMA took a test and while they did that, I tutored a student that "needed help." I put that in quotes because he admitted that he was just trying to get me to do the work for him. Ahha!! So I told him I knew that one and guided him back to working on his own.
Quiz on quadratics in geometry. They earned that one. Tried to explain things yesterday but they wanted to good so practice problems turned into a quiz. Unfortunately, that put us behind another day so hopefully I can compensate. I need to email a lady at the regional center to make sure I'm ok with my pacing or if I need to start worrying.
Other than that, just making sure kids have their work done and getting help if they need it. Finished the workday with a pep rally. Got me out early and on the road home sooner. Good good things. Have work to do this weekend but I had to get out if there. :) going to enjoy the rest of my day now.

A quick funny.

Star date 10-11-12

Ok. So my kids forgot how to "party" in Alg2 but luckily they started to remember enough to finish their quiz. My Alg 1 kids seem to be doing all right but their enthusiasm was less today. I needed more but at least they weren't stumps.
Math models... Eh. Even I'm tired of statistics. Ready to move on but I have 2 more units of stats. Gotta do correlations and junk.
Geometry... Gah. That class frustrated me to no end. We needed to review quadratics but alas, they don't remember it soooo they don't want to do it. Blargh. Tomorrow is a new day. And it's also Friday. If anything, it's Friday. I think this is the year that will make me or break me. Hard to say. I want to do well, but sometimes I wonder if I'm trying to do too much instead of focusing on doing the right thing. I don't know. Guess I better go and grade something. Night.

Today was a good day

Today was a bit better than yesterday. We did transformations in Alg2 and the best way I've come up with to help them remember the movements is to compare it all to a party. Slides move the party to a diff location, parent function is what type of party u have and the front numbers are what happened at the party (how many people showed up). Amazingly they are catching on very well. Whew.
In Alg1 we got through one whole paper and started on another. Did the whole hand movement thing (distribute, 3-card Monty and booty) which seems unorthodox but the kids remember it sooooo I guess it could be worse. ? Then I got told that an 89 was a bad thing. I guess next time ill give the kid an 88? It they earned a 90, then they would have a 90. But they didn't. How many 89s have I had to deal with over the course of my schooling?? Many!! I just nodded my head and then just walked away. I can understand if its a mid-6weeks grade but if that's what they earn, that's what they get. My kids get 89,... Whatever. I will continue to grade as I see fit.
Other than that, eh. Not much. Have decided to be done with grading tonight. I have 2 kids turn work in late (I don't take late work) so I'm ok with taking my sweet time as well. Plus it's over. Done. Late is late and there wasn't a decent excuse to be late. Hm. Too harsh or just plain common sense?
Either way, I'm tired. I am off to bed.

Teachers log October 9 2012

The main thought for today was whether or not it was ok for me to eat my students. You know how like mothers eat their young in the animal kingdom? Since the school I teach at is so small and I see these kids as much, if not more than their own parents, does that entitle me to eating them when they frustrate me to no end?
My other thought was- I suck at the while note booking thing. But it is my wish to provide my students with something more than the basic handouts which I am expected to use as requested by my district. It is my wish to do something more with my students but it seems like I fail miserably each time I have a somewhat "brilliant" teaching idea.
It would be rad if those who designed the resources also threw in already made foldables since I'm not entirely experienced enough to make my own. I try to confer with other teachers in my region but let's face it, we're all super busy and are lucky to be alive at the end of the day.
*sigh* more to come later. Time to eat food.