quick question

Quick Note.

Anyone having issues, concerns, etc. about teacher attitudes, procedures, methods? 
I've encountered a few surprising siuations.  Primarily the difficulty has been with teacher-teacher interactions. 

I'll blog more later...

Sub-Driving Questions

I wanted to brag on my Physics students a bit because they have done such an awesome job with their projects so far. Some of the sub driving questions that I have received for the project are:

"How much momentum is transferred when a bullet hits a baseball?" (They are going to do this and film it in their free time)

"Are the impacts seen in Hollywood films possible or deadly?" (They are examining the Jet-Extraction scene from 'The Dark Knight')

"When a rock climber falls (with a rope attached safely), how high does the person belaying them go in the air and what is the force on each person?" (They are examining a YouTube video of a clip of people climbing at the Red River Gorge and creating their own experiment)

I am lucky that these are such great students and I think their projects are going to be great!!

My First Discipline Issue

I had to write a student up yesterday. It really had me flustered because the student was in trouble before school had technically even started. I've taught four days in there and this was the third day that the student has cussed at me for politely asking him to sit where he is supposed to and not by his friend. I talked with my teacher and the assistant principal and it seems that a lot of students are like this where they like to push their limits with new teachers and see how they react...just a heads up to the rest of you. As a solution I am trying to be a positive influence for the kid now and make friends with him. Hopefully it works out!

Better late than never!

I'm finally blogging!!

I started my unit on momentum last Friday in my Physics class. I am incorporating a pretty much full-on project-based learning teaching style. The instructor gave me 20 days to do the unit and there is not a ton of material so it really lent itself to PBL. The driving question is "How can we analyze forces and velocities associated with collisions?" The class that I am teaching is the best and brightest students at Woodford and I can't believe how fast they understand the material and how creative they can be! I'm looking forward to seeing how they progress and how well they understand the material...

Tates Creek Fellowship

Yesterday, I got to attend the Tates Creek Fellowship meeting. (previously known as fellowship of Christian athletes) I really have to say that I'm constantly impressed with the students at TCHS. This club meets once a month at 7:45am before school starts. It is a place for students to discuss school, life, family, and God. The topics these students discuss are amazing! The leader of the club recited a poem he had written, so far I've only heard two of his poems. I was almost brought to tears it was so good! I feel blessed to be in this school community, and am loving every day of it!

Solo Day

Yesterday, I arrived at school at my normal time to receive a phone call that my CT was staying home with a sick grandchild.  While a sub would be in the classroom, she asked me to run all of the classes.  We have two preps, and I have been making lesson plans for one of them.  The prep that I haven't been planning was reviewing for a test today, so the plan for their class was not anything complex.

Still, though, I was surprised by how frantic I became to get everything together for 1st block (the prep that I don't have).  I had to balance making copies, finding the presentation document, getting all of the papers I needed, and reviewing the lesson plan for this 1st block, all while not leaving the room since I didn't have keys to lock the chemistry room up.  I quickly realized how crucial it is to be completely prepared each day.  I know that in a normal situation, that wasn't a spur of the moment thing, I will know what's coming and I would be prepared anyway.  Having yesterday morning, though, definitely reinforced this!

At the end of the day, I was exhausted, but I did enjoy having the classes!

Venting.

OK folks, I apologize.  I have no reason to complain.  The school I get to go to everyday is awesome, the teachers AND kids are motivated and interesting.  But... I have a lot to learn....about eighth grade curricullum, about Montessori Methods, about previous work done this year, about future plans for the year, about indiviual students and about community expectations.  Last night I gathered material to take to class today.  My binder of biology Core Curricullum to give to the teachers as examples. Various KTIP Lesson Plans (they have never seen them.) Examples of Physical Science lessons from Woodford County (where I observed last year).  My binder of UK expectations and requirements so the CT can see what she's getting into. And a MASSIVE binder of previous lessons etc, from Montessori Middle School that I really need to learn!  (And money for Peanut Butter Pie that was made in Microeconomy.)

Every morning we have a "staff" meeting.  It's a quick 15 minute check in.  But ANY problems with individuals are discussed. (For example, "Yes Roan did his math problems after class and I checked them but he is still really struggling with completion and neatness.")  Every Monday there is a 2 hour meeting after school going over the "bigger picture." 

I am starting slowly, but I am going to be involved in every facet of the school.  I have cleaning rotation responsibilities, I will participate in student-teacher conferences next month and I gathered 7 eggs yesterday.  There is just a lot of entirely new experiences for me.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE it.  But it is a bit overwhelming at times.  My brain hurts.  And it is 6:30 in the morning!