Glory glory hallelujah. My fourth period class was GOOD today! I kept feeling like I should pinch myself to check if it was really happening. They were mostly quiet. They were following directions. The majority of them were participating. And only once did I have to intervene in a would-be confrontation.
I guess the combination of a lot of serious calls home this weekend, a new, deliberate seating chart, and new, severe consequences worked. I am crossing my fingers that it continues.
I found a "contract" today scrawled on notebook paper. Two of my students are renting out a desk at their table to another boy. He must pay one package of pop tarts per week to keep his seat.
Oh man- and when I can- I am SO using some "This I Believe" essay lesson plans, from NPR. Although it is a struggle to get them focused enough to write it down- my students certainly have some things to say.
My family might come down this weekend! I am too busy to be truly homesick but it has been nibbling at me now for weeks. I have images of Washington on my computer and around my classroom. My students scoff when I mention camping. The highest point in this area is an overpass.
From a student's bell-work about respect: "...and not to be loud in a quiet place and like being screaming in a library. stuff like that."
Touche.
I guess the combination of a lot of serious calls home this weekend, a new, deliberate seating chart, and new, severe consequences worked. I am crossing my fingers that it continues.
I found a "contract" today scrawled on notebook paper. Two of my students are renting out a desk at their table to another boy. He must pay one package of pop tarts per week to keep his seat.
Oh man- and when I can- I am SO using some "This I Believe" essay lesson plans, from NPR. Although it is a struggle to get them focused enough to write it down- my students certainly have some things to say.
My family might come down this weekend! I am too busy to be truly homesick but it has been nibbling at me now for weeks. I have images of Washington on my computer and around my classroom. My students scoff when I mention camping. The highest point in this area is an overpass.
From a student's bell-work about respect: "...and not to be loud in a quiet place and like being screaming in a library. stuff like that."
Touche.
3 comments:
after many phone calls, i think i finally got my schedule for work changed so i can come visit you! so unless anything changes or we don't get on a flight, i'll see you thursday night!
i'm so excited. i miss you!
Carrie, I am so glad that you are writing down your experiences, I wish I would have done the same. Hopefully someday we can sit at the ranch room and have one of our conversations about education, and this time it won't be just about how we feel, but what we have learned and KNOW.
You are such a blessing in these kids lives Carrie...they've gotta love Miss Craven! :) Keep up the good work. Oh, and I think you should write up a "contract" for every desk in your room...think of all the cool stuff you could get! ;)
Post a Comment