Memorable Kids

I love my job, as I've mentioned, and I am really enjoying the kids this year. I have the ones I really love, but I also have the ones I just don't really care for. This is always the case, because you just aren't going to like everyone you meet. It's impossible.

But there are some kids you will remember forever, just because of the same reasons you love them or they drive you crazy.

Last year I had a student who was from a southern state, and had an adorable accent. He was very polite (always "yes, ma'am") and very helpful. He was also extremely intelligent, and just a wonder to work with.

I miss him.

This year I have several kids like him, in the intelligence arena. One of my boys this year has the highest score on our state's standardized tests that I have ever seen... plus the things he comes up with are amazing. I can't wait to see what he'll do when he's grown up.

Another student, this time a girl, is also extremely insightful, and really good at analyzing text. I love asking those deep questions in her class, because she'll sit there awhile and think, then raise her hand, and I know she'll always have something helpful to add. Several times she's added stuff that I hadn't even thought of.

It's a blessing to work with these kids.

Then there are the other ones, the ones who keep me on my toes.

Like the gentleman who thought it was okay to burp as loudly as he could, in the middle of my class, while I was teaching. Um, no. I calmly asked who was responsible, then kicked him out until I could talk with him. I told him about how girls will not be interested in a man who cannot control himself, etc. Hopefully it helps. I think that kicking him out scared him, so I'm sure he won't do that again, at least in my classroom.

Then like our own dear Stubborn, who became the very 1st student on our team*(see below to read about teams) to get detention. Thankfully not in my class, but still. It did make me happy to have another reminder it wasn't just me having some struggles with him.

Or how about another one of my kids, who simply refuses to stop talking. It almost is beyond belief, and seems like he physically cannot stop. We have been discussing him at our team meetings, and we the teachers are going to attempt an "intervention" to let him know that his behavior must improve, or there will have to be consequences.

Anyway, they do keep things interesting. And the long and the short of it is I am really enjoying this year, and will continue to do so, even with the knuckle-headed ones causing stress. After all, if everything was perfect, it'd be boring. (Of course, in just two weeks, it will be time for progress reports, so it will get a lot more interesting, with parent conferences, emails, phone calls, and more.... oh the joy!)


*Teams. I forget that not everyone knows about middle school teams, so I wanted to give you a brief overview. Essentially, teams are groupings of kids who all have the same teachers, and each team has a name (like the school where I did my Internship had teams like Appaloosas, Paso Finos, Palominos, and other horse breeds because their school mascot was Mustangs). It allows for the teachers to get to know the kids really well, and to discuss their progress with other teachers so we can figure out what works best for each of the kids. It also allows the parents the chance to easily meet with all of their child's teachers, because they just ask for the team by name. It's really nice for everyone, because it's just a nice way to ease the kids from elementary school on their way to high school.

Excuse Me, Are You My Teacher? and Fire Drills

Okay, now I know 6th grade is a huge difference, especially coming from the lower grades. It's different. I get that.

But still, how hard is it to find a classroom, labelled on a map, with the teacher standing outside, saying, "Looking for Room 620? It's here!"

And then, after I introduce myself, and take attendance, then ask if there is anyone whose name I didn't call. Then, 20 minutes later, one kid suddenly raises his hand and says, "Are you Ms. A? This is science, right?" Um, no. I introduced myself 20 minutes ago. Remember? Language Arts ring a bell? I called everyone's name and asked if there was anyone I missed. Apparently, I didn't call your name, because not only are you not in my class, you are not on my team!

Not on my team!

I wonder about these kids.

Then a kid goes to Geography 1st period, when he should have been with me, then comes to me 2nd period. When I tell him, after consulting his schedule, that he should be in Geography, he said, "But I've just done that!" Um, okay... but you were supposed to be here!

I really do wonder about these kids. When they don't hear their name, why do they not mention it??

All of that happened yesterday. The 2nd day.

Today we had a fire drill. Fire drills are always tons of fun, since we get to march all the way outside, into the amazingly hot outdoors, and stand, silently, while it sounds like there is an air raid going on.

They changed the route from last year, since where we went before was so close to the building, apparently, the 8th graders could touch the building while leaning against the fence.

So if there was a fire, they would burn... and I do think that is a problem.

So this year, we have to go across the street, through a tiny gap in the fence, which allows approximately 2 kids through at a time.

Since we have around 1400 kids, this takes a freakishly long time. And the traffic has to stop, and the drivers look very, very confused. (I guess if I saw 1400 kids migrating across the road I was trying to drive on, ushered by adults who look hot and grouchy, I'd be confused, too. Many of the drivers alternated staring at the school (looking for smoke?) and staring at the kids.)

Then we just stand there, trying to keep the kids together, even though I don't really remember which kids are mine yet, and wait to be allowed back in.

Ah... the joys of public school.

The Class Schedule

According to another teacher on my team, we have the best schedule ever this year. Last year we had a stinky schedule, with a sad planning period, split lunch (where the kids come to you, go to lunch, then the same kids come back and finish up that same period), and other small issues.

This year, we have the best planning (6th period), NO split lunch, and many less kids (so far) than last year! (Last year, I had 136 total, but I didn't have the ESOL kids, since they were with the ESOL teacher. The rest of my team had around 153 kids. We're looking at around 114 kids on each team. Hooray!)

I have co-taught for 2 periods, too! And, apparently, 2 advanced classes. So just one regular class (5th period) without the support of another teacher. This will make my life much easier. Plus, the best part about co-teaching? The ability to, if you need to, go to the restroom. Without having to call your administrator and admit you have to go potty.

This year really is going to be awesome.