An update...

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Home : 2003 : January : 20

An update...
By Laura H.

Well I didn't know that my original post would spark so much interest! I am about to start my third week and I am LOVING it!! I am not tired anymore, although going to bed, well actually falling asleep unintentionally at
9pm is a new experience for me. My kids are AWESOME now too. It took them a while but I think they have realized that I have a job to do too.
The name calling has stopped also. I didn't really even say anything. We had the weekend and then that Monday not another word. I also started what I call "The Box". I made it out of a small brown box. The kids can write me questions and

concerns instead of taking up class time to do it. Some write goofy things like, "Do you have a boyfriend?" but overall the questions hold some meaning. At first I was getting over 30 questions but I made a new rule to limit the amount they could ask. I think this line of communication has really improved my relationship with the kids.

Connie, I just had a question. Did your student teacher yell a lot and become frustrated? I feel like I am beginning to do this. Not really yell but when they seem to talk and not get to work after I have told them 4 or 5 times to, I have been known to say rather loudly, "ENOUGH" or "I hope you all are prepared to do a lot of work tonight at home since you can't seem to be quiet!" Sarcasm is also sometimes evident. My CTs (I have 2) do it also and maybe it is rubbing off on me.

I think I too am becoming the teacher I did not want to become. I can't help it though. This is the first time I have felt comfortable disciplining. I actually took a student out in the hall and had a rather long and serious talk with him about his behavior. I knew inside he was laughing at my first attempt at discipline, but it felt good having the nerve to say something. I also call on kids who are talking when they should be listening and being stern when they don't know the answer because they weren't paying attention. Maybe i am doing the right things but they just feel so foreign. Oh well just me rambling now...I am procrastinating. i have a 3 week unit to plan on informational writing and only have the first 2 days planned. I can't wait to get to work.... Laura H.