Confessions from the Couch

Many people have commented on my post discussing classroom jobs. I decided that students want to help. So, I will give them the opportunity help my classroom community. What I did was build the jobs around some of the classroom management issues that I have in my classroom. Each job will be worth extra credit points on your final term grade-up to 6 points. The number of points will be based on how much work one has to and how often. If a student fails to do their job regularly, at first they will lose points. Eventually, they may have to be fired. (On a side note: I fired my 1st period paper passer outer last year.-so I’m bold and will do it). At the beginning of the year, I will offer the job up to volunteers, if there is more than one person who wants a job, I will draw from a hat. In the future, I think we will take volunteers and have elections for those more in demand positions. So if a student does not want to have a job, they don’t ever have to. A large part of what I did was based on Mrs. Newingham’s Classroom Economy. When you see her site you will fall in LOVE with her work. So here are my classroom jobs and their job descriptions.

I’m getting ready for school, so this is my musing post–thinking about my planning. . and trying to get some help.

• I’m going nuts right now .. . b/c a few months ago, April or May someone wrote a post about student responsibility for their own learning and they were SPOT on. I commented that I was going to use the statement in my classroom coming up this fall. However, I can’t remember who wrote it and where it was. If it was on your blog, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, message me and let me know. I’m trying to make a sign and I can’t figure out how to word it
• I’m assigning student jobs in my classroom. I have a 10 jobs, but I haven’t figured out how I want to create a display for this. I went to the teacher store and all of the displays are designed for elementary school. Not for a high school teacher with 5 different classes. Urrggg, what I need is a chart. . . but I some how want the words typed. . . .maybe typing it in word and going to Kinkos to get it blown up on some sort of color paper. And finding a cute border. . . wow. . . I told you this was musing post.
• I am thinking about creating student kits of some sort. . . like a pouch with scissors, ruler, crayons, a red pen, personal stapler, highlighter etc so that i don’t have to rely on kids to bring the supplies. However, I create it, I’ve got to do it so that I can take it up at the end of the hour, but spot check to make sure all of the supplies I put in it are still there–maybe that can be student job. So that my things aren’t stolen.
• My classroom is a battleground as far as seating is concerned. . . I have to have 35 seats in my class. Why? b/c my classes are always packed to the brim–35 kids in each class until March or April. It is REALLY difficult to plan a seating arrangement around these flaws.
• I am setting upa classroom blog and I was going to set up a student account, so that the classroom secretary could update the page with assignments on a What did I miss page. But is this asking to much, I think the students would appreciate the responsibility, but I am NERVOUS wreck about this. . . it could go wrong in so many ways. . . . urghhhh. . .I tried to do it once a week last year and it took about an hour and it was frustrating, but kids love to do this sort of thing and they could do it after school right and I could monitor?

I feel like I’m going out my mind and my mind is racing with about 10 thousand t houghts a minute. . . urggghhh

~~~~~~~New Thought After Post~~~~~~~

People have been asking me about the password from my protected posts.  It is the same as always if you’ve gotten it before.  The videos are the only thing that have a different password.  AND, if you are interested in having the password, leave a comment and I will determine if you are local to me and can do any damage to me or my career.  After that I will send you a response. . .

Disclaimer: WOMEN STUFF DISCUSSION.

Men, if it makes you feel queezy to talk about women stuff. Come back at a later date.

Miss CF and I were having a discussion tonight. Somehow as apart of that discussion, she thought that I was bipolar because I have drastic mood swings. I denied it. My explanation to her was, “I AM melodramatic. So when things bother me, I am dramatic about it. I don’t think I am moody all of the time.”

After our conversation, what she said was still bothering me. So I looked up bipolar online. And, I by no means WHATSOEVER fit the category of being bi-polar. And lets be real, I am a FEMALE. What female does not have mood swings? Around that time of the month, I need a good cry, resulting in a cheesy Lifetime movie. I’m iritable. I’d prefer to stay in bed and sleep. Etc. So, yeah, I’m emotional. . . and there are highs and lows . . .

On a day-to-day basis, when I’m upset, I’M UPSET! When something sad happens, I cry! I am a full force woman and I don’t know how to MAN UP on some things. I’m expressive, but this does NOT make me bipolar. If this were the case, every woman in America would need to be sedated and are bi-polar.

After considering this conversation, it makes me realize more and more why I am trying to pull away from this friendship . . .this relationship. It’s driving me nuts. It’s like she’s getting in my head and I can’t stand it. For example, she keeps saying we are old b/c we are 30 and over. . . I remind her everyday that I’m not old, she may be, but I AM NOT old. I realized the other day that this was manifesting itself in the way I dress and sometimes the way I act. I am in the prime of my life. I should be having fun, not sitting at home b/c something is for those “twenty-year olds.”

Tonight, again, I am reconsidering this friendship. **sigh**

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Mrs. Dee over at But Wait! There’s More took a personality test. She felt like it was a pretty accurate statement of who she was. . . so, I decided to give it a whirl.

I am a realist!

Summary of Realists

* Loyal and steady workers who meet deadlines
* Believe in established rules and respect facts
* Think of themselves as mature, stable and conscientious
* May appear too logical or tough-minded and forget their impact on other people

Oh, this is so true of me. I like deadlines, rules and structure. Sometimes, this is what frustrates me about the education world–it feels a bit inconsistent at times. I’m a planner (true, true, true . . . I’m always making a list or doodling about about how I want things to look) I love facts (thats why I teach history. I love investigating the facts. Unlike, English and some other subjects, where you are trying to read the mind of the writers, etc).

I do tend to “forget my impact on other people.” I worry about this constantly because I can come off as abrasive. When in reality, I’m just trying to get a goal accomplished. I like to be productive. . . This often causes me to interrupt personal discussions to get us “back on task.” It comes off as rude, but as an educator, I am learning to listen more to what people are saying and allow them to “reflect” and be slow to interject. It’s a challenge but I’m getting better.

I think that this part of my personality has reflected in my teaching b/c I sometimes barrel on ahead in the lesson without paying attention to students faces, that they are lost or clueless.  Again, slowing down is something that I’m more cognizant of. . . an taking quick verbal assessments while teaching has helped me to do this.

Other things the article said that I believe are true of me. . .

• Realists are loyal to the people around them and work hard to keep their promises.
• Realists believe in standard procedures and will only support change when there is a demonstrable benefit.
• Realists may become obsessed with schedules, critical of others or have trouble trusting other people to get the job done properly.
• Under extreme stress, Realists may complain loudly that events have taken a turn for the worse and predict negative outcomes. (YEP! Maybe, this where Miss CF gets the fact that I’m moody)

BOOO HOOO!!! I go back to school on the first Monday in August. I’ve really enjoyed my vacation this summer. It was quiet and restful! And I accomplished almost everything on my list.

Speaking of accomplishing things on my list . . .tonight, I spring cleaned my classroom/teaching materials. The following pictures are proof. Here are my sorted piles all over my living room floor. Looking good, hunh?

Tomorrow, I will begin lesson planning for African American History. Mmmhhmmm, I guess it’s time to get ready for school, again!

Again, I wanted to say . . . .Thanks EVERYONE for all of the Blogiversary Wishes!  I’m getting so excited about the year ahead!

So, all summer long I’ve wanted a new computer. It has been two years since I’ve gotten a new computer. In computer time thats like decades, right? Early into the summer, after visiting the MAC store, I decided that maybe it was time to make the the transition to a Mac. I had done my internet research and everyone I know that has one ABSOLUTELY loves theirs. What really fascinated me was that I could separate the drive and run windows if I need to.

I decided that it would be best to buy my Mac closer to school starting because we have a tax free holiday and I would not have to pay tax on it. This afternoon, I was driving around, bored. I decided that maybe it was time to by my Mac. I rationalized that if I bought it the weekend before school that I wouldn’t have time to REALLY play with my machine! I made the call to transfer the funds from my savings and got excited.

I drive into the lot–my mouth was watering with excitement. I thought, “mmmhh, is that line coming out of the Mac store? The store has never been that busy before.” I drive around looking for a parking space. I get out and tentatively get in line. I start talking to the guy in front of me. ALL OF THE PEOPLE WERE STANDING IN LINE FOR AN IPHONE. An IPHONE . . . that thing is more than $200. Everyone is standing in line for a phone. I really don’t understand the hype. So, now I have a dilemma. Do I stand in line (in 90 degree weather) and get the computer of my dreams? Or do come back tomorrow?

Well, needless to say, I chose the later. But, maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Maybe, I’m supposed to wait for the tax free weekend to save money. I am a teacher and we are in a recession? Or maybe, I should just get another Sony. I dooooo LOVE my Sony. It’s been good to me.

Decisions, decisions? Ah, what to do?

It’s my blogiversary!

So, I thought it was time to roll out a new look. I wanted a mature look. One that voiced my maturity as a teacher and as person. Therefore, I picked a design that was more formal. More organized. And simplicity.  I created a page of teaching strategies, the goal is to make a reference list of several teaching strategies—one that anyone can refer to. . . one to get ideas for activities and instructional variety. I am still in the process of customizing it . . .the whole site . . .that process may not be complete until the end of summer vacation b/c I am not too savvy with wordpress and code. Urggghhhh.

I feel like this blog should be about more than my teaching experience. . . I feel like it should be about my experiences as a total person. . . this includes my job, my insecurities, my future desires, my weight, my friendships and relationships. A friend of mine told me my blog should only be about my teaching experiences, especially since it may open the gate to jobs or future growth. I am rejecting those ideas. My blog is anonymous and I’m keeping it that way, so this is not the place to get job hookups or anything of the sort. This blog is a cheap form of therapy. . .a place to vent, get free advice and converse with others. So, over the course of the next school year, things may get a little more personal!

I see so much growth over the past 3 years as a teacher. I still will be making changes this year, but I am so much more confident in my teaching. I am convinced that my students are educated and learn, it is “low pressure” learning. My honors students helped me to see this; one said that “I learned a lot and I liked coming to your class; it took the pressure off.” I think this is the atmosphere that I want to create in my classroom. One where students are learning. . .but not one where I am beating them over the heads with the content. I want the students to enjoy learning history.

So here is the vision of my classroom and learning for the upcoming year:

• I greet my students at the door as they enter the classroom
• Students engaging in work immediately after entering the room.
• PowerPoint lectures limited to 10 minutes. . . 15 on more intense days. (I’ve been known to lecture for 30 minutes of the class time—I feel this will challenge me to be more concise with my lessons and encourage student research/reading for additional content)
• Students discussing the content
• Students engaging in the content through “hands-on” activities
• Students feeling free to ask questions about the content
• Student leave remembering the content . . possibly engaging in outside discussions
• Students feel confident enough to attempt every assignment . ..
• Students will keep journals that will help apply content learned
• I want to encourage my students more, be more of a positive force
• I want to present all lessons addressing the multiple intelligences, using a variety of formats
• I will teach my test.  Enough said.
• I want to return corrected work quickly
• Students will have classroom jobs—passing out papers, time keeper, class secretary, etc

I think its interesting that now I really have a clearer picture of what I would like to see happening in my classroom. I’ve even changed my procedures to reflect a more active classroom. I know this will benefit me AND my students. . .

I am SOOOO looking forward to another year blogging. What a great year that is ahead of me!

So, it’s 2:30 in the morning and earlier I was not  ready to go to bed.  I turned on HBO and watched a documentary about Frederick Douglass High School in Baltimore, MD.  Basically, the film describe the school plight in complying with NCLB.  I watch the film and cried.  My heart is breaking for this generation.  Specifically, for this generation of African American children . . .as the gap between the have and have nots continues to grow, so does the gap in the education of these children.  In my own district, there are schools that have similar problems and issues.  I see my own school fighting these battles eventually.  This whole thing is beyond words. . . and I feel like there are no solutions

• Where are there parents?  I listened to these kids describe their home lives and situations.  Typically, it’s one parent and or a grandparent raising a child.  Where are the parents?  Why are kids worrying about adult things?  Why are they fending for themselves?
• Where is the desire to learn?  Why don’t the kids want it?  Why don’t they care?
• How is that a child makes it 9th grade reading at a 4th grade level?
• How dare you quit in the middle of the year!  Do you know the impact that will have on these kids graduation rate?  Can you truly be this selfish?!
• Why aren’t you keeping up with your kids?  Only 200 out of more than 500 graduate?
• Our ancestors NEVER wanted things to be like this.  How is it that they struggled, fought and suffered for freedom . . .for an education . . . and then we blow it like this?

One of the teachers said it so plainly, that the state had been threatening to take over the school for years, but they were not going to do it.  She said they didn’t have the money or the resources to fix the problem, but they just keep sending people to observe and “help” in order to justify NCLB.

I am really hurting for these kids.  And I don’t know what to do.  I’m hurting for some of my kids.  The kids I saw in the film are carbon copies of my babies.  How do I intervene?  How do I keep mine from failing or lost in the system & shuffle?  Am I taking things too personally?

And at the end of the film, the narrator said that a few years later, the state did take over the school.  But I’m still left wondering, where their resources enough to combat the SES of the students?  How do we do THAT?

Well, it’s time to take a look a my summer goals again and see what I’ve completed. Um, I may need a kick in the tail on some of these.

• Rest. Take lots of naps. . . read some books for pleasure, etc! I’ve let up on this somewhat. Because of professional development, I’ve been going and going and going. After PD on tomorrow, I’m really going to do more resting. I’ve read 3 books since I’ve been out on break. However, I’m not going force this number. You know the funny thing is my feeder has over 600 posts in it. I want to read what my “friends” have to say, but it’s so daunting to try and catch up. I promise, I’ll be getting around to reading them in the next few weeks.
• Learn to swim. Well, you know, I am exceptionally proud of this. I was so excited that I made a video. Check it out if you haven’t seen it!
• Develop an exercise routine. Since my last check in, I have done this! I’ve actually been attending water aerobic for the past 2 weeks for 5 days a week.I LOVE IT. I never thought that I would like exercise or the “burn” that accompanies it, but I do. Today, I actually had my first Charlie Horse. It was GREAT!!! Most of all, I like being able to interact with other people while exercising and the fact that my joints aren’t being taxed by the exercise.
• Attend a Facing History and Ourselves seminar and other professional development. FHAO was so VERY intense. But I learned so many great things, that I’ll share at later date. They have so many strategies to encourage and stimulate student discussion and thinking. Tomorrow is my last professional development seminar that I plan on attending this summer. It is Brain Compatible Teaching. I hope it is better than that Classroom Management seminar I went to a few weeks ago.
• Redevelop my blog with a new focus. Um, this no long a priority. With all of the other things I need to concern myself with, this blog can look like this for another school year.
• Organize & spring clean my home. Still working on this. Cleaning out my closet is at the top of every to do list, but I just don’t want to do it. I desperately need a kick in the butt on this.
• Organize and spring clean my lesson materials for next year. I’m glad this is partially done. However, FHAO gave me a completely new perspective on teaching. So, organizing my lessons before taking this class would have been a waste of time. I have a clearer picture of how to organize my year, lessons and teaching so that it will be a great year. . . a balanced year! I’m so excited.

YIPEEEEE, my list is half completed and I still have a month of summer left.

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All of this talk about lesson planning has gotten me thinking about the upcoming school year and the district. Our district is in a funding crisis. It is so severe that I received an email from my union rep to write a letter to our local and state government representatives. Apparently, these cuts may result in teacher layoffs. They are promising to use seniority and tenure in this process, but there are no guarantees. When we went through shifting and surpluses before, I was safe because I was the cheer coach. I’ve since given that up, but it makes me 2^nd to the lowest person in my department. The lowest person is the only person qualified to teach his subject.

So, in all of this here is what I’m thinking:

• I need to take the Praxis for the subject area. So that I can add that subject
• I need to get my portfolio, website & vitae in tip top working order “just in case
• My teaching will need to be tip top this fall, so as to impress my principal and keep my spot at my school
• I need to pray more!!!

On Monday, I went to Professional Development on Blogging. Because I have a blog, read others blogs and regularly update it, I wanted to attend so that I could get ideas for use in the classroom. Turns out the class was for people who had never created a blog before. They spend most of the day learning the purpose a blog and setting one up. I walked away with very little of what I came for; however, I did not leave empty handed:

• Our district’s policy on blogging: There is NONE. However, one of the facilitators reminded me that I should be careful despite my pseudonym. He said that he was reading cases all over the country about teachers were being fired for things they published online. It got me thinking. So, I decided to read up on it. I didn’t exactly run into things specifically about blogging. But some interesting cases of teachers being fired blew my mind. When a teacher was asked about the Iraq War, she stated “I honk for peace.” She was fired b/c her place was to teach the curriculum and not give her opinion. The courts did not overturn this case. In thinking about all of this, I have decided to maintain my anonymity and I will not do anything that has to do with my blog on a school computer or network. Instead it will have to wait until I get home in the fall. Also, I will NEVER tell my students about my personal blog. I will password protect entries that may be damaging to school district and students as well as strong personal opinions
• SKYPE–I knew about Skype but I’d never really used it before. OMG, I’m in love! It’s so much better than Yahoo or AIM. The only problem is I have no one to SKYPE, boo hoo! (Except for the class facilitators) I would suggest some of my readers become my buddy, but I’m practicing anonymity. LOL.
• While everyone else was working on setting up their brand new blogs (at edublogger), I spent the time dividing my classroom website, so that I could have a wordpress blog there. Later this week, I’ll work on customizing it and setting it up. It took me two hours to do this! TWO HOURS! I kept putting in the wrong address and it kept sending it to this blog. Can you imagine if a student ended up at my blog? Shoot me, now!

I am truly testing summertime and experiencing the joys of a teacher’s summer vacation. Here are some examples

• I am a black girl with a tan and a sun burn. First of all, I didn’t think black people could get sun burned. I am wrong. Sooo very wrong. I noticed a week ago, that my skin was darkening. A few days later I noticed I was getting bumps in those darkened area. No, I did not use suntan lotion. (I know, I’m stupid) But I was always told that the melanin in our black people’s skins protected us–beside I was in the water, how could I burn there. I really misunderstood that days lecture class lecture; they should have said everyone should still wear tan lotion. So, I went an bought SPF 50 lotion, I’ve been applying it to the areas that darkened. Or at least the areas that I can see that had darkened. I sit down at my computer and begin to work. I notice that i keep scratching my back. I rub over my skin. . . it’s all itchy and bumpy and peeling. I realize: I’ve got a burn! Lesson learned: Apply lotion ALL over your body. Have someone put it on your back for you. And it doesn’t matter what color you are. Now, my question is: How do you heal a sunburn, especially when you will be going back into the sun?
• I ordered premium tv because I’ve been bored. ALL 5 channels. Yeah, I realize by mid July I’ll be disconnecting it because I’ll be getting ready for school. But, teaching makes us such dweebs sometime that it’s completely worth it. I’ve been watching all of the movies that I haven’t seen b/c I was always working. Do you realize how many movies that is?
• I haven’t combed my hair today. Yet! I’m going to wash in a few, but it’s a luxury today. I’ve been chilling like a villin’ . . .ROFL

Here is the video that didn’t post. If it doesn’t publish, you can click here.

The piece is called Eye on Education. Of course you have to get through 20 sec. part about the 2008 election. But it’s definitely interesting.

I agree, better teaching is the key to improving failing schools. But can this override the other factors? Home life and parental support & encouragement are all apart of the education process. I keep thinking will students succeed when teachers and administrators are their only source of motivation.

P.S. I personally like the idea of firing the elected school board. Where I am, I think they are apart of the problem.

P.P.S. I keep thinking, how could parental support be made mandatory. How can we force parents to get involved in our schools. The other day, Jessie and I were having a discussion. She said if we forced all of the parents who were on welfare to dedicate certain amount of hours to their child’s school, what a difference it would make? Could we make a someone’s check contingent on the service they give? Hmm. . . something to think about!

This week has been extremely busy. I’ve been in PD all week from 8:30-4:30 and then on to the gym. I’ve also been trying to squeeze in the gym, school work and socializing with my friends. So making time to blog has not been a priority.

Last week, Frumteacher gave me the blogging with a purpose award. I am so appreciative. I am so glad that she feels that my blog is worth reading and is of substance.

Also a few weeks ago, Mrs. D. gave me Blog Love. I wanted to thank her for giving me some love. In like manner, I’m going to show some love as well.

1. Frumteacher
2. History is Elementary
3. Closing the Gap
4. No Longer Just “Some” Girl
5. Athena
6. It’s A Hardknock Teachers Life
7. teachergirl
8. Molding Young Minds
9. Happy Chyck Wonders
10. Bluebird’s Classroom

Because I am so overwhelmed with the events of my week, I am going to post a video from CBS show what the DC schools chancellor is “doing” differently and how it the subject of much controversy.

I promised that I would share footage of me actually swimming. It is narrated with a clip from “Finding Nemo.” Thanks everyone for your support. Although I still refuse to jump in from the deep end, I’m actually swimming. . . woo heee!!!! In order to view the clip you must type in the password: ymca

My Swimming Adventure from Miss A on Vimeo.

After Miss CF saw my video, she sent me the following link.

http://pbskids.org/rogers/songlist/song12_ra.html

It made me feel really good!  You can tell she is an elementary school teacher.

Many bloggers have debated whether or not they should should publish publically or annonmously. I have considering removing the anonymity factor from my blog. Here is why. . .

• Many of my readers already know where I am from
• It could make my blog seem more real and personable
• There are political issues happening in My City that I would love to discuss. My momma is sick of hearing about them and I need to vent.

My fears

• My students and their parents or principal could discover my blog. They could hold this against me. They wouldn’t see it as a positive reflective tool.
• I would have to censure my discussions of my students. Much of the format of my blog would change.
• Criticisms and thoughts about my current school district could have a negative impact. . . possibly be in violation of my contract.

Privacy Plans:

1. Losing my anonymity, but password protecting certain posts. Frequent commenters or people I know would be permitted to see those private posts.
2. Keep my blog the same, continuing to protect myself and my students.
3. Come out of the closet completely and don’t worry about the privacy repercussions.