school thoughts

I thought I would take some time to talk about being a teacher wannabe/schools in this post.

I can think of one or two times that I have gotten sick to my stomach before a class came in. Once was when I had a large class and didn't know what I was going to do with them that day. I was tired of forcing a study guide down their throats, and didn't have an activity that I wanted to do. I don't remember what I did during that period, but I managed to get through it. The other time was when I had some girls in a class that were fed up with being in a class they weren't doing well in. The group started bringing in books for other classes and doing other work or reading magazines during class. I was always glad when that class was out the door that day. That chem class got so bad that my younger sister got so fed up she switched classes so she wouldn't have to listen to the other group of girls.

I somehow have a class of 8 kids at PHS that is quantifiably worse. The auxillary buidling I am in gives them a reason to leave early and get in late as they are farther from the main building. I also have two bathrooms in that building. Everyone wants to get in there three or four minutes after the bell rings and then wants to dick around going to the bathroom and getting drinks from the water fountain. I made a rule that they can't use the bathroom five minutes after the bell rings, but one jerk gets in there before everyone else and burns up their time. I have lunch duty with all of that class in it, so I am going to put on a matriarchal hat and start bitching at them to use the bathroom on their lunch time. This class is going to get the hammer on them when the regular teacher gets back. Her half sister is a TA and has been giving steady reports about the class since I have been in there. They have been rude and deserve less attention than what I have been giving them. I prefer to think that students are inquisitive and have plenty of questions about their teachers and what kind of decisions they may make in the future. I can't refuse their every concern and want.

I also seem to agree with the presidents decision that schools are in session more than they are now. These kids need more time in school learning skills and academic subjects. The teachers are gonna whine, but get out if you don't like it. Students today seem to think they are privileged for some reason. Too many of them can't spell. Too many of them can't read or write in cursive. Too many of them can't type of use a computer for any thing beyond copy and paste. Too many of them are just putting in their hours until they can leave. If they knew that didn't have as much time off, how would they act in class? The current school schedule is based largely on a "agarian" schedule, which favors families that depend on kids for their farm activities. This is entirely unneeded in todays society. We should have our students in school more and expect more of them. I think a tremendous shift needs to happen in our school systems. This has more to do with the teacher than the student. The teachers I see today are using an uninspiring curricula. They need to push themselves to engage all students everyday. I know the system that I would like to try, but would need more time and control to fine tune what and how I think should be done. Maybe I am too much of an idealist and am way out of line.

Like usual, I watch and see how many left handed students I have. I don't have many at PHS. I was amazed one day at the no slowdown school. I had a class that was over half lefties. I had one whole table that was all left handed. I couldn't hardly believe it.

I also like to let kids talk for my own entertainment. I have been taking some notes on one kid since last week. The interesting bits are as follows
-only thinks about hunting
-can't do anything without listening to music
-wears a pirated theme shirt 2/3 days
-wears fishing shirt the rest of the time

Another boy who has a growing list of AKA names has recently declared that he always rest his head on his hand in a way that hides his headphones from view. I am keeping closer tabs on him now.

In other news, this should be a fun weekend. I am either going to be farming and getting my crops out of the field, or going to a concert at rupp arena by myself. Yeah me. I am excited about going to the concert, I have been listening to my kings of leon music way to much.