Day 78

Last Friday was Day 78. I left school at 2:30 p.m. for the airport so I could fly south to get my granddaughter. Friday was the last day before the winter break. We had a school sing-a-long and my class participated with the other at grade classes to sing two songs. It went well.

The day was pretty much a bust, not much going on, just keeping my students involved the best I could. I gave them their gift and most enjoyed it. I am practical in my approach and they should be able to use it for the next few months.

I received a few gifts from my students and their families. They were nice. One student even gave me a pocket watch. It bothered me because this family does not have much money. I talked to my principal about it and he said not to worry. The family just appreciates me.

During the break I will go in a few days. The school will be open from 9-5, but the heat will not be on. I hope it is warm enough so I can get some work done. I have several projects I need to complete over the break.

This is my last posting for this year. I will start up with day 79 on January 5, 2009. Merry Christmas to all and to all a Happy Holiday.

Day 77

The next to the last day before the break and all through the halls the students are on break. Most do not do anything and those that do, are not doing much. We had an assembly today and it was pretty good. We had a visit from a local HS choir & jazz band.

I gave my chapter math test today, after a few weeks of work. It is amazing just how little they remember. I am sure it must be a reflection of my poor teaching; however it is not a lack of trying. Too many of them just give up even if we just talked through it a few minutes before the test. I am very frustrated about their lack of even trying.

Tomorrow, the last day, is pretty much shot. We have a sing-a-long from 9 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., I will try to get something done from then until lunch at 12:10. After they get done with lunch, they leave for home 30 minutes latter.

My "new" student got into trouble today with the playground aids. I counseled him and emailed his mom. I do not know how much help it will be.

I am flying to Phoenix on Friday night and will not be home to make my Day 78 blog. I will try to get to it on Saturday after I return.

I left tonight at 4:30 to go get some more holiday shopping done.

Day 76

We had our Christmas party today and it was a zoo. I like more control than what we had, however I had to let them have fun. Our parents planned it and worked at the booths. Our principal and assistant principal visited and interacted with my students. We even completed our family presents today--so all in all, things were not that bad.

I forgot to mention that the assistant principal visited yesterday. I was busy with my students, helping them with math when she came in. I only saw her as she was leaving. She said my students were doing what they should have been. I only hope that was right.

I have been showing the staff the pictures and presentations my students made. The staff really enjoys them.

We made cards for all of the staff who do not have classroom students. All of the students signed them and then delivered them today. This was a big hit for all.

I attended the choir concert our students presented downtown today. It was very cold and our students did a very good job. I had four students in the choir.

I left work at 5:30 tonight to go to the concert.

Day 75

The craziness of the season is really getting to me. It so difficult to get my students to focus on anything, let alone work and learning.

Our teaching team fed the faculty today waffles and fixings. We were scheduled to provide the faculty meeting treats, but the meeting was cancelled. it went well and the faculty enjoyed it. It was our present to the staff. I gave the left overs to my students. They had a hay-day. I suspect part of the problem today was they polished off a gallon of drink before class started.

I held my second weekly make-up-work after class today and only had four students take advantage of it. I was surprised that more parents did not have their students attend. The four that stayed got some work done.

Our assistant principal came by today. I was working with several students at my desk and did not see her come in. My class was not too out of control; most students were on task (I think).

I left tonight at 5:30. It took longer to wrap things up because of the time I spent with students. I am ready for another day.

Day 74

It was hard to believe that today was a Monday. I can't think of the last time that I had a more boring day. I showed my students the photo presentation I created with the pictures they took last week. We watched it twice. They really enjoyed watching themselves.

No real drama today, no out bursts, just holiday craziness. Only three and a half more days until the break. I told my students about the "Keep Em On Task" program and started watching them today. I am not sure it will make much of a difference. My same three students were off task almost every time the program sounded.

One of the moms came in today to check on her son. I gave a more glowing report than he deserved, but I wanted to try to motivate him a little. I knew if the real report got out, grandpa would be mad. I just need to work with him longer to get him used to me. He is getting his homework done on time. That is a real plus.

I met with our committee today and they are finally getting my student evaluated for special ed. It has been a long time coming. He brought in a calculator today and tore it apart. I threw it away and talked to his mother. She was not too happy.

I left tonight at 4:30, ready for another day plus.

Day 73

I have been told that it is just the season to be jolly is the reason the students are so I do not know what to call them. They are getting to be a real pain in the caboose.

Another day, another melt down. I had one of my students call a female student in m class a name. She got mad and started chasing her. They were caught by another teacher and brought to me. I sent the girl packing and talked to the boy. I instructed him to return to me on Monday and identify an appropriate consequence for his actions. If he does not, I will call his mom. My fellow teacher thought I was too easy on him when I decided to talk and not take an action. Time will tell to see which solution would have been better.

I gave my students Santa Hats and had their pictures taken. The pictures are for a present we are creating for their parents. I hope it works out. Today we also had Art for the first time in a couple of weeks. It was a little noisy.

Next week is our last week before the holidays. I hope we are able to get a little of anything done this week. I need to complete a math chapter, give a grammar quiz, and complete my Revolutionary War section in Social Studies. Additionally we have three assemblies scheduled, a party, and a partridge in a pear tree.

I left work today at 4:30 with a firm plan on what to do next week.

Day 72

I thought the drama in my last school was bad--I had no idea what 5th grade would be like. I had two students who do not like each other and came to me about the same time to complain that the other student had said something rude to them. I tried to talk to them and hoped they got the message. I hope it is just the season and things will get better soon. They are driving me crazy.

Other than that things went pretty well today. By accident yesterday I brought five water pistols to school with some leftover Bday items. When I discovered the issue, I took them home. I told the Assistant Principal about it because I did not want the administration blind sided in case a parent complained. She seamed to think that it was an innocent mistake and not to worry.

One of my other student through a little fit because he did not get to set a the computer he wanted to set at when he came to take my roller chair. This is a case of too bad--so sad.

I left tonight at 3:30 p.m. to complete a training at my old job. This should be the last time for a while that I need to leave early, I guess until January when I will be taking a college course and will have to leave each Wednesday at 3:30. I have my schedule done for the next two weeks.

Day 71

We had an assembly today given by a local JHS. It went well and it was worth the time to see it. During Math today my newest student had an attitude. I called him on it and he said the girls were telling him he is invisible. We talked about it and I told him when ever he felt he was having a tough time, he just needed to come set my me. I do not know if he understood. I talked to the girls involved and hopefully they will be a little more sensitive in the future.

I left tonight at 3:30 to attend a training. Today was pretty much a normal day.

Day 70

Today we had our first practice for our Christmas assembly. The fifth grades are singing together. It should be okay. I think the song is a little complex, but what do I know about music and kids.

I have had my camera in class the past two days letting my students take pictures for my Digital Camera in the Classroom class. They have had fun and I have a few good pictures. Many that are not so good.

My first night of letting students stay late to work on homework was pretty much a bust. I had two students stay and one took two tests. It was good for him, but not for the other student. She just played with the camera. None of the other students took advantage of my offer. I will try again next week and after the winter break.

I gave my students left over cake from my grandson's Bday. They liked it.

I left tonight at 5 p.m. An okay day for a Tuesday.

Day 69

I cannot think of anything out of the ordinary that happened today. I brought black wrapper Hersey Kisses representing coal and gave one to all of my students. I also gave one to each of the staff. They had a good time with the candy. I gave a handful to the principal and assistant principal, telling them that they must have been very bad this past year.

I applied for grant to go on a Revolutionary War tour next summer and asked my principal if I could use him as a professional reference. He said he would help any way that he could. I gave my students their history pre-quiz. I will send if off tomorrow.

We had our first in-door recess today; things went well. I found out after that things were good enough out side that they could have gone out side. I sent them out for the afternoon recess. I need a few more games to keep the engaged and a puzzle.

We had our monthly M&J assembly today. It was about service. It started earlier than I planned and my students missed part of their computer time. I am a little inflexible and do not like things to happen outside of the scheduled time. I like to plan and work my plan. (It is the Army in me.)

I left tonight around 5:30 p.m. I have most of my week planned and copies made. I also have the masters turned in for hand outs I will need in January. How is that for looking ahead.

Day 68

My student that went to see the Asst. principal was suspended today for his conduct towards a teacher. His brother told me that he was happy to be able to stay home; so much for feeling sorry.

I read my students the riot act today for their conduct when one of my student's mother was in class yesterday. I am not sure they were very contrite either. I told them if it happened again I would cancel their Christmas party where parents might come in.

Students left today at 1:25 and I spent the afternoon planning. We had our monthly team meeting and had good representation from our reading specialist, the assistant principal, and the reading tutors.

I left today a t 4:00 p.m. so I could run an errand. I am ready for Monday, but have a long way to get ready for next week.

Day 67

The saga continues with my student who was disrespectful towards one of our teachers. I asked his mother to come in and take him to the teacher to apologize. He did and I thought it was over. He was called down to see the assistant principal today. I have no idea why, I will ask tomorrow.

My new student's mother was coming in to see me after school and showed up two hours before school ended. I invited her to stay and she did. My students were terrible. We will have a real serious discussion tomorrow. I was embarrassed. I hope she understood that my class is normally better.

I went out during recess and played tether ball again today. My students enjoyed it and I was tired. It was good PR.

I left tonight at 4:30 to attend a Scout meeting. I have everything ready for Friday and most for Monday.

Day 66

If I get many other Wednesdays like today it will be time to quit. It really was not as bad as that, however I had a student call another teacher fat. This caused me to send the student out to apologize only to find out he did not go. Tomorrow I will ask his mom to take him. I have emailed our school team that looks into these type of problems to do something this time.

No other real issues. I guess this day was not too bad after all.

I left today at 6:15 p.m., the latest I have left in weeks. I did get a few things done that I will need in the coming weeks.

Day 65

Today I was bad. I made one of my students cry when I told her I was going to move her if she did not stop talking; and I meant it. She and my unnamed new student of three weeks were gabbing and I had had enough. I apologized for making her cry; however I told her she needed to ignore the new student even if he was being obnoxious.

I also made another one of my student mad at me because I made him take an alternative recess when he was not paying attention during reading. I also had him redo his cursive writing because he slopped through it. I believe by the end of the day he was over being mad. His sister brought me a pencil today. I talked with my student and told him I would keep the pencil in case she needed it. I give several students treats after school most nights and she is one of those who stop by to see me.

Several of our playground equipment is missing so I told my students they could not use any more equipment until they found our missing balls. One showed up. I will have to see about more.

I left tonight at 3:40 so I could go to the School Board reception for our cluster teachers. I was invited by my principal to attend. It was okay and they had lots of refreshments for those who attended. After the meeting I attended my Lesson Plan Jam meeting. I got there in time to pick up the hand outs and leave; however I had emailed them to let them know I would be late.

Day 64

For a Monday after a long week end things went pretty good, that is until Math. You would have been thinking I was teaching Greek for the past two weeks. Almost everyone had no idea what I was reviewing. I gave them the pre-test again and I am afraid not many did much better. They all but refused to even try the questions. It is very discouraging. My students will not learn their multiplication tables so in turn they do not know how to divide. I even let them use their multiplication tables. They still will not try.

The assistant principal came to my class today. It is not unusual, she tries to get to all of the classes on a weekly basis. She only stays a few minutes; it is always nice to have the students see the administration in the classroom. However, she was there to give my students a survey--on how they like their teacher. Of course she chased me out while it was going on. When I was able to come back into my class, one of my students gave me a note saying I was a great teacher. It mad my day, especially when latter on I went through math.

I had to take several of my students out of the classroom to my office to get to the bottom of some drama. One student kicked a first grader after the first grader kicked him ten times. What kind of fifth grader would let another student kick him ten times with out leaving and then kick the first grader. I gave him the appropriate behavior lecture and got him to promise not to do it again. It talked to the first grader because she is the sister of one of my students and the first grader comes by to see me every day. I asked her to leave my fifth grader alone. I talked to the sister and asked her to let dad know I had talked to everyone. I probably should have talked to the first grader's teacher, tomorrow. Finally, I heard that the kicker had called a sixth grader a whore. I talked to the other students who heard him say it. I will save this discussion for tomorrow. This young man is my new student and he is really driving me crazy.

I left work today at 4 p.m. so I could attend a class for new teachers. It was very good and well worth my time