I am quickly realizing you can't beat an Independence Day celebration in the heart of America--the south. LA is home to so many different cultures, ethnicitys, and non-natives that the pride and importance of the 4th just seems to be lacking. Where are the bar-b-ques? The parades? The fireworks? The Uncle Sam impersonators? On a day that celebrates all things American, I am feeling uncomfortably far away from "Small Town USA."
Maybe I'm not in the 4th of July spirit because I've accumulated about 12 hours of work I need to have done by the end of the day. My lesson plans sucked and need a complete overhaul, and I've yet to figure out how to plan for a day of teaching efficiently. I'm more of a stand-up-there-and-wing-it sort of gal, so strategically planning for every second is pretty overwhelming. We've also been talking about classroom management skills lately and my bosses have pegged that particular skill as a "potential weakness" of mine. I feel so young, so it's hard for me to lay out these rigid rules and consequences for a group of seventh graders who, to be honest, I can still relate to in many ways. We'll see how it goes, but spending 20 minutes of class time explaining and practicing bathroom procedures (they actually recommended we do this) just seems a little excessive. I might be singing a different tune in 2 weeks, however, when my students are walking all over me, refusing to take off their sunglasses in class and making animal noises instead of converting numbers into scientific notation. It's all a learning experience.
Thanks for the awesome support and advice y'all have thrown at me lately! From experienced math teachers to east coast friends, it's nice to know people back home are with me on this new adventure. Happy Independence Day!
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Really, you didn't miss much. It rained the entire day! Go to the Michael Jackson tribute--now that's some real Americana action!
ReplyDeleteOh, and smile on the first day and tell 'em a bit about yourslef, but put your foot down and be firm. They WILL walk all over you, but only if you let them. Bargaining works well with a lot of unruly kids: "I'll let you go to the bathroom after you finish these 5 problems and get them correct." Most of 'em forget, but remember, you reserve the right to just say no!
ReplyDeleteAmber, I wish I had read that before I walked in there spineless the first day. I have some ground to make up on the hardass front. Your advice is invaluable to me so please keep it comin'. Afterall, YOU taught me how to be a teacher ;)
ReplyDeleteMiss you.