The last couple of weeks have been insanely busy for me. I had to give post assessment essays to all three of my classes- and then grade them, all three classes are doing research papers so I have been receiving those- giving feedback so they can revise, and my CT asked me to teach her tenth grade class because she liked what I have been doing with my tenth grade class (which feels really great to hear...but since we have block periods teaching four of her five classes has left me almost no time during school to do any grading) It is good though because this is how its actually going to be when I have my own classroom so the experience is useful.
Another thing that has kept me busy is figuring out what I am going to do with this new student that started in my tenth grade class. There are only three weeks left in the quarter and I need to make sure that she has a decent amount of grades from me. Her first day was today, so while the class was taking their post-assessment I had her start reading To Kill a Mockingbird. She complained about having to read the book, but we are only a little more than half way through it so it isn't like she cant catch up.
Side note- Her complaints about "how boring the book is" almost started a riot in my class. My students LOVE the book! We spent a couple of classes acting out the court scene and discussing ethos, pathos, logos ( I set up the room like a courtroom and they all had a part) so when they heard her say something negative about it some of them freaked. I didn't laugh in front of them but it was hilarious how upset they got. I had to assure some of them that just because she didn't like the book didn't mean we were going to stop reading it...super funny.
Figuring out what exactly to have her do though is just another added stress I didn't see coming. I asked her to take the long weekend to catch up to where we are in the book so hopefully she does. Another worry I have is that she isn't going to feel like part of the class...especially after what happened today. This class has such a great community built in and they are so comfortable with one another. I was surprised at how welcoming they were to me, I thought that is how they would be with her but because of the tension today I am going to guess it is going to take some work before they send any love her way.
Kaity,
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty amazing when you start seeing the fruit of your labor right there in front of you- These kids love the book because of the unique way in which you opened the book up for them. I love how upset your class got when she began saying how much she hated the book. Very funny.
I know your are a phenomenal teacher- I am so happy we were paired together that day (eons ago), and that we managed to stay paired up, even after we were separated. It has been wonderful to travel along this road with you, and I cannot be more blessed to call you a "friend." You've worked so hard, and I am so proud of you.