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Published: November 25th 2006
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Hot Hat
Me modelling the hat :) So I was REALLY excited to go things in my class this week after an awesome weekend at the conference last weekend. Things didn't quite go as planned.
My new seating plan DID work though. Students aren't out of their seats as much, as they can all see eachother in the horseshoe, and I can see them all.
My students, however, feel that they can be disrespectful to everyone. Here are some things that they did this week to contribute to my frustration:
- talking while I am talking
- talking while their classmates are talking
- talking while they should be doing work
- fooling around in class
- not handing in homework
- not following directions
- not reading instructions
- pushing each other
- taking things out of my cupboard that has MY things in it
- going through my file folder when I'm not there
- handing out the mail in the mail box on the day I'm sick (even though I said it wasn't going to be handed out until Friday) just because I'm not there and they feel they can
- going through the question jar reading the questions that only I
Happy Thanksgiving!
Jenna in the cute pilgram hats the school made us to wear at our Thanksgiving lunch in the library am supposed to read and answer
- Adding/ trying to sneak in marbles to the class party cup (even though I'm the only one who is supposed to add and take marbles out)
- Telling Art (he substituted for me while I was home with the shits) that they don't have certain books so that they don't have to do the assigned work
- Telling Art he's a bad teacher
- Using things from my desk without asking
- Not listening to other teachers in the school for things like fooling around in the hallway
- interupting class by making silly noices
These things and then just a combination of everything has had me very frustrated this week. I tried to follow what I had learned in the behavioural workshop about WHY students do behaviours. I realise that a lot of these behaviours could mean that the students are bored of sitting in their desks doing monotonous (sorry in advance for the spelling father) work in workbooks. So shall fun activities with interaction work? FAT CHANCE! Every time I try to do something fun with them, they're out of control. I'm determined to have them in order by Christmas.
Carrot Cake
Jenna put the icing on the cake before it was cool so Alisa, Kari, and I were "saving" the icing from falling on the counter ;) I want the new year to be a good one for both them and me.
So ya, we've had a class meeting, individual behavioural notes sent home, Cesar (the director/principal) came in to talk to them yesterday, and a letter being sent home to all parents on Monday. They lost ALL the marbles from the class party cup, and they weren't allowed to purchase new jobs for next week with their earned bonus bucks. I'm also starting individual interviews with each student to ask how they feel they're doing in school, what they like or don't like, any goals they have for this partial, and any suggestions for the class. I don't know what else to do at this point. It really has left me feeling crappy about myself as a teacher. I realise that a lot of it is out of my hands but you always wonder "Is there something I'm not doing? What am I doing wrong? What else should I be doing?"
I think the most disappointing part is that I was so refreshed and excited about implementing new things into the classroom. I started the week on such a high with huge expectations for
Thanksgiving Dinner
Kari, Chris, Jenna, and Alisa enjoying the lovely dinner :) the week and how it would play out. I guess high expectations just lead to disappointment.
On a happier note, we have today off from school because it's Thanksgiving. They don't celebrate in Honduras except for a select few people who have Americans in their family. Hennaman's Bar (which I still have yet to go to) does a big dinner but that's about it.
Yesterday at lunch they had all the staff eat together in the library at big tables where we had our "thanksgiving dinner". It was chicken but SO good. They made us these funny pilgram hats out of construction paper that we all wore. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me.
For dinner lastnight, Jenna, Chris and Kari made us another thanksgiving dinner. It was a little non-traditional, but nice to sit down together and eat a nice meal. They made mashed potatoes, lasagna, green beans, and carrot cake. It was great.
A bunch of us then went to Morgan's for some drinks and then to La Gota afterwards for some dancing. It was a good night all around. Today I've done laundry, chatted with Ginny for awhile and just chilled at
Boys at the Bar
Donray and Chris behind the bar at Morgan's lastnight home. Tonight will b a chill night too and then I'm off to Tegus tomorrow with Jill and Alisa to do some shopping. Should be fun.
Happy Thanksgiving to any Americans reading this!
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Ginny
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Nice hats! I remember the horse show seating arrangement in school. I always loved it when the teacher put the seats like that, it was a cool way to bring the class together as a whole. At least you've gotten rid of the whole out of seats problem the kids. mmmm carot cake, i now have a craving for yummy carrot cake, thanks sis ;)