Oct 12 2007

Columbian Day

by chrisb

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This week has been rather crazy for us here in the Bay Area. We administered the CELDT- the California English Language Development Test- on Tuesday and Thursday. My kids who have already mastered English- called “English-Only” or EO- had to go to another teacher’s room while I administered the test. Afterwards, during recess, G comes up to me and says, “Ms. Bennett, did you know yesterday was a holiday? It’s called Columbian Day and we watched a video on it!”

Yes, Columbian Day. The day when the Columbias were discovered.

Not only have I entered the disillusionment phase, I’ve also developed a nice stress-induced cold that just won’t quit. Yesterday my voice was squeaky and the kids wanted to know why I sounded so weird. Last night I felt so terrible that I attempted to line up a substitute for today just so that I might actually get over this. Unfortunately, when I attempted to log into the sub finder system, it kept denying me. I called on the phone, entered my info exactly as it is on the card they gave me, and all I got was “Invalid.” Super. So I worked today even though what I really needed to do was sit on the couch, eat chicken noodle soup, and sleep. Sigh. Maybe this weekend.

Next week we have our next Big Goal quiz. I feel like my students are working towards mastery relatively well, based on homeworks and whatnot. Although, I have to admit that the realization that I’m really not that great of a teacher is slowly creeping upon me. I don’t give my kids exit slips and I certainly don’t write 5 step lesson plans for every single lesson. I feel like I spend more time trying to get them to be quiet and listen to me than I do actually delivering academic content. My PD came by today and I was telling her how I feel like I’ve got about 5 kids who, no matter where I seat them, will speak, non stop, regardless of rewards or consequences. She suggests contacting parents. She’s right of course. I’m just not the good teacher who has already established a positive relationship with my families. I’m trying. Honestly, I’m a little intimidated by how these conversations will go. We don’t speak each other’s language and I feel like it’s obvious to everyone that I have no idea what I am doing. So we’ll see how it goes.

Last thing: a plea: does anyone out there in cyberspace have any clue how to plan for workshop in Open Court? Or have any tips for managing it at all? Because I need serious, serious help.

 

Categories: First Year, Teach For America · 7 Comments

7 Responses

1. nancy

   Here is an archived list of blogs on Open Court. Hunt around and you might find someone to help you with workshop. Keep working—things will get better. N

   http://www.needleworkspictures.com/ocr/blog/?cat=1

   on October 13, 2007 at 10:52 pm · Reply
2. NancyH

   I am shocked that teachers anywhere have to find their own subs! When I mentioned this to my husband (a middle school teacher here in northern Maine), his thought was that the sub-finding program you mention may be programmed to deny access randomly anyway and that it had nothing to do with you. Such a move would certainly provide a strong disincentive to calling in sick.

   As to the classroom discipline issue – the Nancy above is right: stick with it; things will get better. You don’t have to be perfect, so take few deep breaths and remember that one of the nice things about being a teacher is that you always have tomorrow if today didn’t go so well. You don’t expect your students to get everything right the first time, do you? Then don’t expect it of yourself either.

   Good luck!

   on October 14, 2007 at 9:07 am · Reply
3. KarenG

   Hang in there–teaching is HARD work! I had an assistant principal a few years ago who said “Don’t ever be afraid to call parents.” Most of the time you will get a positive response! I teach in an intermediate school with a lot of Spanish-only parents, and I don’t speak more than a few words. Our school does have aides (bless them) who will call for us if we write down what we want to communicate. Would that be a possibility for you? And don’t worry about sounding like a beginner. It sounds like you’re doing a good job and you just need the parents to know that the kids are being disruptive. Start with something positive about each of these little talkers, and then let the parent know that the constant talking is not helping that kid or the others in the class!

   on October 14, 2007 at 3:58 pm · Reply
4. Mathew

   There is a podcast about Indpendent Work Time/Workshop at http://www.independentworktime.com

   on October 14, 2007 at 6:30 pm · Reply
5. MHowie

   Hang in there! The most difficult first year comes to the best teacher, because she knows when things feel out of hand. I am amazed at how my first students come up now to tell me how much they learned from my class; some days I thought I did more harm than good! The important thing is that we show them we care about their learning and we’re willing to do that hard work that pays off for them in the future.

   I found that my best approach to most things in school was to assume the best from people. Send positive notes and make posititive calls first. Once you get your confidence up, think about all the ways that you can make the hard conferences easier–maybe face to face, maybe after warning the student, maybe inviting the parents to dinner, maybe meeting them with a more-seasoned teacher, anything you can think of…I can tell from your notes that you are resourceful and creative. All the best of luck to you and hang in there!

   on October 16, 2007 at 3:54 pm · Reply
6. Nancy Grabowski

   Hang in there Chris. This sounds like my first year of teaching. I really thought I was worthless. Wish I could see you at Thanksgiving, but I will be out of town also. Maybe the next time you are back in CO!
   Nancy

   on October 16, 2007 at 5:34 pm · Reply
7. The Teacher’s Mailroom : The Inside Scoop on TFA linked to this post.

   on October 31, 2007 at 7:01 pm · Reply