>>15 more days of school. I'm not sure if I am beyond excited (mostly to sleep in) or a little bit sad. One of my students brought a knife to school today. Just a small pocket knife, but another student told me about it, and it was scary! we had to search him until we found it. He got to stay at school for the rest of the day. And Its kinda scary to know that prob. nothing will come from it. I'm not really sure how i feel. Almost just numb.
Quotes:
Aide: Who is the president that helped freed the slaves?
Sam: Abe Leepercum!
--
Carl: What do you tell a woman with two black eyes?
Nothing she's already been told twice.
--
Sam: You are too old to smack a girls butt!
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
16 days.
>>Things have been okay. A little wild and crazy but, we are surviving. I just have quotes to post today, since I'm exhausted and I want to be lazy.
:)
Carl: Yea, I use girls shampoo. That's how come my hair smells like the ocean!
--
Sam: hey. we are men! we can do what we want. You are women you do the work!
--
Sam: The clouds were like made of rainbows! The sky was a rainbow! Is that even possible? Marcus thought we were high!
--
(As I am sitting at my desk with my hands going through my hair)
Carl: Uh Oh. Thats the stressed look. you always do that when youre stressed! are you okay?
:)
Carl: Yea, I use girls shampoo. That's how come my hair smells like the ocean!
--
Sam: hey. we are men! we can do what we want. You are women you do the work!
--
Sam: The clouds were like made of rainbows! The sky was a rainbow! Is that even possible? Marcus thought we were high!
--
(As I am sitting at my desk with my hands going through my hair)
Carl: Uh Oh. Thats the stressed look. you always do that when youre stressed! are you okay?
Friday, May 6, 2011
Good news/bad news
>>What do you want first? The good news or the bad news? Always start with the bad and end with the good right?
The day began with our standarized testing. The FINAL day. After 3 days of 120-90 min. blocks of testing every morning, We had our final testing day (well, not the 8th graders but the other two!) About mid way through the testing time my principal comes in with one of my 8th graders, matthew. (Matthew was suspended not to long ago for pot) Anyways, While my kids are testing the principal goes On and On about what am I doing sending Matthew down to take the test with all the other 8th graders. He shouldnt be taking that test and What did he score last year, and why didnt we change him to the modified version of the test and he was just goofing around and not taking this seriously and blah blah. I went on to explain to him that I got Matthew in my class in Jan. The middle of Jan actually. His IEP was already held, so i could not change his test scores, and I did not even know him, and I did know even know what his test scores were from last year, so how could I really justify changing them. He ends the conversation with "Matthew will be testing in here for the rest of the time. " and then and he's leaving he says, "I know he just doesnt even understand it anyways" Matthew does not need that. He needs someone to have a little faith in him. He doesn't need someone to sit there and talk down to him when he already has the cards stacked against him. Matthew proceeded to just bubble in random answers and I tried to say, "he shouldnt have talked like that and blah blah" He was just really mad, and hurt. and i explained that I was mad too.
>>Things with Matthew calmed down. But, during P.E. Zed and Steve got into a fight with another student. A fist fight. Statements were written, things were dealt with. And it came down to the fact that Steve pretty much started the fighting, and continued it when another student got involved. Our Vp asked me what if I thought 1 day suspension was okay for fighting, and I agreed. But, I said she should prob talk with his mom because I am not sure if she would think that was okay. So we decided that either suspension or 3 days of after school dentention with me was mom's choice. urgh.
>>Finally, Principal comes in during lunch and found out that Matthew was found with visine in his pocket, which I guess is like "drug" related. So, he was going to get suspended. He ran from the principal, so they gave him 5 days plus a meeting to determine expulsion. It really makes me sad, but we will see what happens. I have never had to go through one of these before, so It will def be a learning experience. I cant save every kid.
>>I had some good news about something that happened today, but I forget.. Oh wait! yes. Phillip is doing wonderfully during lunch again. We have been our with him for two weeks, and his has not had any hitting/fighting/throwing things issues all week. Excellent!!!
FINALLY: I leave you with the funny quotes of the day!
((Note: I have decided to start putting the quotes in my phone so I can actually remember them. Hopefully I will have new ones everyday now))
Marcus: Yeah. I shave my armpits. It's annoying when you're trying to touch yourself and there is hair there.
--
Me: What kind of tacos did you have last night for cinco de mayo?
Jamie: Bushy.
--
Phillip: I Love you Sam.
Other kids: See! He said it! He loves you!
Sam: I like him. I like him like a friend. Not like a lover!
The day began with our standarized testing. The FINAL day. After 3 days of 120-90 min. blocks of testing every morning, We had our final testing day (well, not the 8th graders but the other two!) About mid way through the testing time my principal comes in with one of my 8th graders, matthew. (Matthew was suspended not to long ago for pot) Anyways, While my kids are testing the principal goes On and On about what am I doing sending Matthew down to take the test with all the other 8th graders. He shouldnt be taking that test and What did he score last year, and why didnt we change him to the modified version of the test and he was just goofing around and not taking this seriously and blah blah. I went on to explain to him that I got Matthew in my class in Jan. The middle of Jan actually. His IEP was already held, so i could not change his test scores, and I did not even know him, and I did know even know what his test scores were from last year, so how could I really justify changing them. He ends the conversation with "Matthew will be testing in here for the rest of the time. " and then and he's leaving he says, "I know he just doesnt even understand it anyways" Matthew does not need that. He needs someone to have a little faith in him. He doesn't need someone to sit there and talk down to him when he already has the cards stacked against him. Matthew proceeded to just bubble in random answers and I tried to say, "he shouldnt have talked like that and blah blah" He was just really mad, and hurt. and i explained that I was mad too.
>>Things with Matthew calmed down. But, during P.E. Zed and Steve got into a fight with another student. A fist fight. Statements were written, things were dealt with. And it came down to the fact that Steve pretty much started the fighting, and continued it when another student got involved. Our Vp asked me what if I thought 1 day suspension was okay for fighting, and I agreed. But, I said she should prob talk with his mom because I am not sure if she would think that was okay. So we decided that either suspension or 3 days of after school dentention with me was mom's choice. urgh.
>>Finally, Principal comes in during lunch and found out that Matthew was found with visine in his pocket, which I guess is like "drug" related. So, he was going to get suspended. He ran from the principal, so they gave him 5 days plus a meeting to determine expulsion. It really makes me sad, but we will see what happens. I have never had to go through one of these before, so It will def be a learning experience. I cant save every kid.
>>I had some good news about something that happened today, but I forget.. Oh wait! yes. Phillip is doing wonderfully during lunch again. We have been our with him for two weeks, and his has not had any hitting/fighting/throwing things issues all week. Excellent!!!
FINALLY: I leave you with the funny quotes of the day!
((Note: I have decided to start putting the quotes in my phone so I can actually remember them. Hopefully I will have new ones everyday now))
Marcus: Yeah. I shave my armpits. It's annoying when you're trying to touch yourself and there is hair there.
--
Me: What kind of tacos did you have last night for cinco de mayo?
Jamie: Bushy.
--
Phillip: I Love you Sam.
Other kids: See! He said it! He loves you!
Sam: I like him. I like him like a friend. Not like a lover!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Funny Quotes
>>
Marcus: Did you know, that when you call someone gay, then you are actually really gay yourself?
Steve: uhm.. what?!
--
Carl: Is your "friend" coming today?!
You know.. your "Friend" that guy "friend" (while he was doing quotes in the air)
You know the "friend" that Jaime thinks isn't good enough for you?!
--
(this was from yesterday but it is what the above quote is regarding)
Jamie: I dont think your boyfriend is good enough for you! I dont think he treats you right!
Me: What? What are you talking about?
Jamie: he doesn't treat you like a lady, and you deserve to be treated like a lady!
Me: Who says he doesn't?!
Jamie: I just know. I know he doesn't.
---
(to one of my aides, she told me about it later)
Jamie: That girl who was all up in your face. you know Carl, that girl is just a rubber ducky.. you should go get her.
Aide: What? what is that?
Jamie: you know, a rubber ducky. When a girl leans over, and her boobs are just spilling out of her shirt, and you have like wade through them because they are all up in your face.
Aide: okay! enough of that!
--
Yes.. welcome to middle school.
Marcus: Did you know, that when you call someone gay, then you are actually really gay yourself?
Steve: uhm.. what?!
--
Carl: Is your "friend" coming today?!
You know.. your "Friend" that guy "friend" (while he was doing quotes in the air)
You know the "friend" that Jaime thinks isn't good enough for you?!
--
(this was from yesterday but it is what the above quote is regarding)
Jamie: I dont think your boyfriend is good enough for you! I dont think he treats you right!
Me: What? What are you talking about?
Jamie: he doesn't treat you like a lady, and you deserve to be treated like a lady!
Me: Who says he doesn't?!
Jamie: I just know. I know he doesn't.
---
(to one of my aides, she told me about it later)
Jamie: That girl who was all up in your face. you know Carl, that girl is just a rubber ducky.. you should go get her.
Aide: What? what is that?
Jamie: you know, a rubber ducky. When a girl leans over, and her boobs are just spilling out of her shirt, and you have like wade through them because they are all up in your face.
Aide: okay! enough of that!
--
Yes.. welcome to middle school.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Love
>>I love my students. I try not to admit that to them. I already have the issues with being a young teacher in a room full of 12-15 year olds. I try not to express that attitude toward them because I already get enough uncomfortable comments from teachers and parents and kids etc. But, I love them. I love each and everyone of them. Some of them I feel more for, because I have had to be there for them through so much crap. I have taught them important lessons, and I just.. I love them. These kids are my life. and I try to express that to them. Sometimes they understand, other times they dont. Today, I was given a gift that I dont think I could ever ever give away. It was given to me by Jamie: My student who was in the children's shelter during christmas. Who's mom is in rehab/jail right now. We made mothers day cards in class today and he refused to make his mom one, so he made me a card. Inside he wrote (in his horrible spelling ways) . "I love you mom". then inside a heart he wrote "I love you like a mom" and below he wrote "When I am sad. When I cry. You make me happy" This student makes more nutty comments about being in love with than I can count. but, this touched me in a way I could not explain. I love jaime. and I want to be there to help him. Almost everday he tells me "God doesnt love me" "I want to just die and kill myself" I try to express how I refuse to let this happen. That, I will be there for him and take care of him forever. I dont know if he just doesnt believe me, or just hasnt had someone in his life for that long to actually believe that it is possible. but I swear. I will be there. I just.. I cannot express what I thought when i received that.
>> Sam, also explained to me today that "I never want to have kids"
Me: WHy? Why never?
Sam: Well, because I dont want them to have my DNA.
Me: What?! Why? you are so thoughtful and caring, kids would be lucky to have you.
sam: no! I dont want them to have my DNA. Plus, no girls like me. so I'll never get married.
It almost makes me sad. I wish I could give these kiddos the hope they need. Somehow, it's never enough.
>> Sam, also explained to me today that "I never want to have kids"
Me: WHy? Why never?
Sam: Well, because I dont want them to have my DNA.
Me: What?! Why? you are so thoughtful and caring, kids would be lucky to have you.
sam: no! I dont want them to have my DNA. Plus, no girls like me. so I'll never get married.
It almost makes me sad. I wish I could give these kiddos the hope they need. Somehow, it's never enough.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
headache
>>Headache headache headache. All day today. I tried to remember that most headaches are caused from dehydration and drank my nalgene bottle empty about 4 times today, it still didnt help. We began "standardized" testing today. Normally this is a cause for stress. It is difficult to deal with kids who have to spend 100 minutes every morning taking a hard test. But, I teach special education. So, almost every single one of my students takes a different type of test, or a different level, or in a different grade. Just getting prepared for this week was nuts. not to mention the resource teachers at my school needed help so I ended up taking on some of their students. To top it all off, these tests are difficult for my students. It is hard enough for them to sit still while in their 15 minute groups before we rotate, but to sit down at a desk, for 100 mins, taking a very difficult, dry test, and then have to continue to sit quietly while other students finish working. Almost impossible. THEN! to top it all off they have each of their 7 periods after the 100 min block which they have to do work in. I went VERY easy on my students and let them off with some fun games for most of their classwork today. I couldnt bare to make them sit quietly, and work on difficult math for another 35 mins. I couldnt bare it myself.
>>in any case, my students did well. Only 5 more days of this to go.
BAH!
>>in any case, my students did well. Only 5 more days of this to go.
BAH!
Monday, May 2, 2011
training/teachers who make a difference
>>On friday i had to go to a training about resiliency in children. It was actually really really interesting information, but the speaker was soo soo soooo dry. I almost didn't make it through. One good thing I saw which really made me laugh was this website:
Shutupabout.com
Its a group of moms who talk about "shut up about your perfect kid". They all have children with special needs and they are PROUD OF THEM! what a concept! :)
Here is a link to a pretty funny video they did :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_I3PMB30b0&feature=player_embedded
>>Today, I was honor at my school with the award of "teachers who make a difference" it is for the entire county, and depending on your amount of students, you get to choose one or two teachers from your school who deserve this award. I felt honored to be the only teacher chosen from my school and got to go to a dinner with my principals and superintendent. During school today, my superintendent brought me a corsage. Then, tonight, we had aps, drinks, took pictures with my principals and I, then was given a nice picture frame and a a certificate. I feel so incredibly honored to be receiving this award. IT's amazing to be supported and loved, and all that within my district. My superintendent explained that I was probably the only teacher ever to recieve this award in their first year of teaching. Yay for me!
>> we start standardized testing this week.. That equals hellish week :)
Shutupabout.com
Its a group of moms who talk about "shut up about your perfect kid". They all have children with special needs and they are PROUD OF THEM! what a concept! :)
Here is a link to a pretty funny video they did :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_I3PMB30b0&feature=player_embedded
>>Today, I was honor at my school with the award of "teachers who make a difference" it is for the entire county, and depending on your amount of students, you get to choose one or two teachers from your school who deserve this award. I felt honored to be the only teacher chosen from my school and got to go to a dinner with my principals and superintendent. During school today, my superintendent brought me a corsage. Then, tonight, we had aps, drinks, took pictures with my principals and I, then was given a nice picture frame and a a certificate. I feel so incredibly honored to be receiving this award. IT's amazing to be supported and loved, and all that within my district. My superintendent explained that I was probably the only teacher ever to recieve this award in their first year of teaching. Yay for me!
>> we start standardized testing this week.. That equals hellish week :)
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