Tuesday, February 24, 2004
Day 13 (2/24/04):
Well, I had promised Mrs. Wright's class that we would finish our Origami boats today, and so we did. Not without MUCH wailing and gnashing of teeth, however. I know now, that these kids are just too young for it. My sister tried to tell me that, but I wanted to prove her wrong. I thought that if I went slow enough, that I would be able to get everyone on the same page. But how can you get a whole class to be together, when they are all at different ability levels in the first place. I mean, this deals with so much more than origami, here.
Many of the kids really liked it in the end, and about 1/5 of the class did it successfully all by themselves. Go 2nd graders! We reviewed the song, "Four in a Boat" so they would at least have something to relate to why we spent so long folding paper at the beginning of class. Then we reviewed "Way down Yonder..."
I had a short little rest while I observed Mrs. Harris, and then I took over Mrs. Pennington's class. These kids LOVE to sing. LOVE it. And except for a couple, they are really outstanding. Dr. H's little girl, Dana is in this class, and she can really belt it! It makes me smile from ear to ear. Because I know that I was exactly like that when I was little. We reviewed "Back of the Bus" because Mrs. Harris is having them do that on the afternoon show on TV on Thursday. Then we started a new lesson on Call and Response. They plowed through those songs.
I had a 2nd grade class this afternoon that was all caught up after we reviewed, so we started a new song at the end, called "Good Mornin' Blues." This has a super cool track, too, with a clarinet intro kind of like the one at the beginning of "Rhapsody in Blue." They loved it. I can't wait to actually dig into this song.
Then the dreaded class of the afternoon, Mrs. Lloyd. I had told myself that I wasn't going to let them get to me. That I was going to be positive and encouraging and give people a second chance. No. There was no saving this class. Two people had already lost recess time before class had even started. I don't know how they get to me like that but I have got to figure out a way to nip this in the bud. I was TIRED when that class was done.
This week, Mrs. Harris and I have car rider duty. Well 2 of the kids were left without rides, and so we were talking to them for a big, and this one boy named Kalil asked me, "Ms. Reeder, are you going to be new-stylin' it tomorrow?" I looked at him blankly. "You know! You had that new style the other day..." Well, I mean, I wore my hair down a lot last week and curled it some of the time, but I didn't see what was so special about it... He said, "Yeah. I thought maybe you were trying to get all the boys to think you was fine or somthin'" Yikes. Definitely not what I was going for when I got ready that morning.
And here's a semi-creepy story. So Elliot, who got in trouble for saying my first name? I finally remembered to ask him today how he knew that. "I saw it on the computer." I was like, "Where? In the office or something?" "No, Ms. Reeder. On Google." Wow. This kid googled for my name. Except he didn't know my first name, so all I can figure is that he searched for "Ms. Reeder OBU." But anyway around it, he was looking pretty hard. Kinda creepy.
I read some Jack Prelutsky poetry to go along with a couple of songs today, and the kids absolutely adored it. At one point in time, I couldn't even go on, because they were laughing so hard. I remember falling in love with his stuff when I was their age as well. I am glad that it's not yet outdated.
Today was really a pretty good day. Tomorrow is the first observation. We'll just see how I do with the class that can't sing.
Well, I had promised Mrs. Wright's class that we would finish our Origami boats today, and so we did. Not without MUCH wailing and gnashing of teeth, however. I know now, that these kids are just too young for it. My sister tried to tell me that, but I wanted to prove her wrong. I thought that if I went slow enough, that I would be able to get everyone on the same page. But how can you get a whole class to be together, when they are all at different ability levels in the first place. I mean, this deals with so much more than origami, here.
Many of the kids really liked it in the end, and about 1/5 of the class did it successfully all by themselves. Go 2nd graders! We reviewed the song, "Four in a Boat" so they would at least have something to relate to why we spent so long folding paper at the beginning of class. Then we reviewed "Way down Yonder..."
I had a short little rest while I observed Mrs. Harris, and then I took over Mrs. Pennington's class. These kids LOVE to sing. LOVE it. And except for a couple, they are really outstanding. Dr. H's little girl, Dana is in this class, and she can really belt it! It makes me smile from ear to ear. Because I know that I was exactly like that when I was little. We reviewed "Back of the Bus" because Mrs. Harris is having them do that on the afternoon show on TV on Thursday. Then we started a new lesson on Call and Response. They plowed through those songs.
I had a 2nd grade class this afternoon that was all caught up after we reviewed, so we started a new song at the end, called "Good Mornin' Blues." This has a super cool track, too, with a clarinet intro kind of like the one at the beginning of "Rhapsody in Blue." They loved it. I can't wait to actually dig into this song.
Then the dreaded class of the afternoon, Mrs. Lloyd. I had told myself that I wasn't going to let them get to me. That I was going to be positive and encouraging and give people a second chance. No. There was no saving this class. Two people had already lost recess time before class had even started. I don't know how they get to me like that but I have got to figure out a way to nip this in the bud. I was TIRED when that class was done.
This week, Mrs. Harris and I have car rider duty. Well 2 of the kids were left without rides, and so we were talking to them for a big, and this one boy named Kalil asked me, "Ms. Reeder, are you going to be new-stylin' it tomorrow?" I looked at him blankly. "You know! You had that new style the other day..." Well, I mean, I wore my hair down a lot last week and curled it some of the time, but I didn't see what was so special about it... He said, "Yeah. I thought maybe you were trying to get all the boys to think you was fine or somthin'" Yikes. Definitely not what I was going for when I got ready that morning.
And here's a semi-creepy story. So Elliot, who got in trouble for saying my first name? I finally remembered to ask him today how he knew that. "I saw it on the computer." I was like, "Where? In the office or something?" "No, Ms. Reeder. On Google." Wow. This kid googled for my name. Except he didn't know my first name, so all I can figure is that he searched for "Ms. Reeder OBU." But anyway around it, he was looking pretty hard. Kinda creepy.
I read some Jack Prelutsky poetry to go along with a couple of songs today, and the kids absolutely adored it. At one point in time, I couldn't even go on, because they were laughing so hard. I remember falling in love with his stuff when I was their age as well. I am glad that it's not yet outdated.
Today was really a pretty good day. Tomorrow is the first observation. We'll just see how I do with the class that can't sing.
Monday, February 23, 2004
Day 12 (2/23/04):
So I taught once this morning. It was incredibly shakey. And I just found out that this is the class that I will be observed on this Wednesday. Wow can this class not sing. I mean, there are always a few who are super, but this class in particular has a LOT of kids that couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I tried everything I knew. I used promting phrases like , "match this sound," or "sing this after me," or "Sing from your head not from your toes," but nothing seemed to matter. I even at one point just asked them to sing one note and got about 6 different notes in return. Ick. After that, I was a little downhearted, but retreated to have pizza with a few friends from church for a little while.
I returned pumped up to finish the afternoon. I had asked Mrs. Harris if I could take one of the classes that was working on the musical just because I would need to have them during my solo week, so I needed to get started teaching that particular material. Wow. This class was so much fun. I had a little talking, but for the most part, they were incredible! They sang so well! Mrs. Harris said that she could even hear them all the way down another hallway! I loved it.
I had one more class in the afternoon, and it was a 2nd grade class that had not been read the Viorst yet. They LOVED it. But I was called out of the room shortly to be in a picture for the Arkadelphia newspaper with the rest of the interns. When I came back, I was ready to start the song "Way down yonder in the schoolyard." They loved it.
I have been pretty successful with trying to incorporate African American songs into the curriculum for Black History month. I have made it a goal, at least. And for the most part, the kids seem to really enjoy it.
So I taught once this morning. It was incredibly shakey. And I just found out that this is the class that I will be observed on this Wednesday. Wow can this class not sing. I mean, there are always a few who are super, but this class in particular has a LOT of kids that couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I tried everything I knew. I used promting phrases like , "match this sound," or "sing this after me," or "Sing from your head not from your toes," but nothing seemed to matter. I even at one point just asked them to sing one note and got about 6 different notes in return. Ick. After that, I was a little downhearted, but retreated to have pizza with a few friends from church for a little while.
I returned pumped up to finish the afternoon. I had asked Mrs. Harris if I could take one of the classes that was working on the musical just because I would need to have them during my solo week, so I needed to get started teaching that particular material. Wow. This class was so much fun. I had a little talking, but for the most part, they were incredible! They sang so well! Mrs. Harris said that she could even hear them all the way down another hallway! I loved it.
I had one more class in the afternoon, and it was a 2nd grade class that had not been read the Viorst yet. They LOVED it. But I was called out of the room shortly to be in a picture for the Arkadelphia newspaper with the rest of the interns. When I came back, I was ready to start the song "Way down yonder in the schoolyard." They loved it.
I have been pretty successful with trying to incorporate African American songs into the curriculum for Black History month. I have made it a goal, at least. And for the most part, the kids seem to really enjoy it.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Here I go trying to recap a bunch of days that I haven't written down in a while... :
Day 11 (2/20/04):
This day is a mere blur with one solid thing sticking in my mind: I had a boy sent home today. Okay, so it wasn't really my decision. But wow, was he bad. His name is CJ, and he has the worst temper that I have EVER seen in a kid. EVER. He evidently came to school mad. Everything that happened to him just set him off like a rocket. I mean, he THOUGHT someone touched his neck in line at the door, and he almost beat up the kid. Wow. Chill out, dude. So I had the class in pairs again, and the girl he was paired with raised her hand. "Ms. Reeder, can I move, because CJ doesn't want to sit by me." "CJ, why don't you want to sit with Sierra?" "Cause she doesn't like me. Nobody likes me. They always blame stuff on me and I don't always do it." I just shook my head, and moved Sierra, because I didn't feel like punishing her. So he was stuck all by himself which made him mad. So he didn't want to sit with a partner, but he didn't want to sit by himself. KID! Get with the program! So then he slams his book shut and crosses his arms. I am determined to get him to straighten up before I start class. "OH! So you are giving up now? You have decided not to participate?" "YES!" CJ shouted. "Okay, CJ, since you don't feel like participating, you can just go to the back of the room and face the door." Then he starts fumbling around and mumbling, "Well, well..." and trying to open his book back up to the page. "Um, no sir. You made a decision NOT to participate, so that's what it's going to be. Go to the back of the room." "NO! I wanna participate! I wanna participate!" "Get up NOW!" So he runs to the back of the room and starts to kick the door and punch the wall and throw stuff around the room. So I walk back their very calmly and say with incredible restraint, "Sit down, now." So I go back to attend to the class. Meanwhile, Mrs. Harris has been observing this whole thing, and is writing him up and is going to send him to the office. CJ proceeds to throw a fit, screaming, "I WANNA PARTICIPATE, I WANNA PARTICIPATE!!!" Wow. It was hard to concentrate on class, that's for sure. But I addressed the class, "I know it's hard to drown out that sound, class, but for right now, that half of the room does not exist to us." Wow. I felt incredibly harsh, but didn't know what else could have been done. He's old enough to know better. Really. So he was sent to the office, where Mrs. Clay called his mom to come and get him. There wasn't going to be any learning going on in his life that day. He needed to go home and cool off.
Day 11 (2/20/04):
This day is a mere blur with one solid thing sticking in my mind: I had a boy sent home today. Okay, so it wasn't really my decision. But wow, was he bad. His name is CJ, and he has the worst temper that I have EVER seen in a kid. EVER. He evidently came to school mad. Everything that happened to him just set him off like a rocket. I mean, he THOUGHT someone touched his neck in line at the door, and he almost beat up the kid. Wow. Chill out, dude. So I had the class in pairs again, and the girl he was paired with raised her hand. "Ms. Reeder, can I move, because CJ doesn't want to sit by me." "CJ, why don't you want to sit with Sierra?" "Cause she doesn't like me. Nobody likes me. They always blame stuff on me and I don't always do it." I just shook my head, and moved Sierra, because I didn't feel like punishing her. So he was stuck all by himself which made him mad. So he didn't want to sit with a partner, but he didn't want to sit by himself. KID! Get with the program! So then he slams his book shut and crosses his arms. I am determined to get him to straighten up before I start class. "OH! So you are giving up now? You have decided not to participate?" "YES!" CJ shouted. "Okay, CJ, since you don't feel like participating, you can just go to the back of the room and face the door." Then he starts fumbling around and mumbling, "Well, well..." and trying to open his book back up to the page. "Um, no sir. You made a decision NOT to participate, so that's what it's going to be. Go to the back of the room." "NO! I wanna participate! I wanna participate!" "Get up NOW!" So he runs to the back of the room and starts to kick the door and punch the wall and throw stuff around the room. So I walk back their very calmly and say with incredible restraint, "Sit down, now." So I go back to attend to the class. Meanwhile, Mrs. Harris has been observing this whole thing, and is writing him up and is going to send him to the office. CJ proceeds to throw a fit, screaming, "I WANNA PARTICIPATE, I WANNA PARTICIPATE!!!" Wow. It was hard to concentrate on class, that's for sure. But I addressed the class, "I know it's hard to drown out that sound, class, but for right now, that half of the room does not exist to us." Wow. I felt incredibly harsh, but didn't know what else could have been done. He's old enough to know better. Really. So he was sent to the office, where Mrs. Clay called his mom to come and get him. There wasn't going to be any learning going on in his life that day. He needed to go home and cool off.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Day ten (2/19/04):
Well, I didn't teach but two lessons today; I was able to sit back and observe and soak it all in. I started the morning off with a new 2nd grade lesson. Instead of finishing our origami, I pressed on to a new song with the promise of returning to finish them next Tuesday morning. But this morning was the prime time to start the next lesson I had planned, since it began reading Viorst's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Some of these kids just were dragging their feet into the classroom this morning! They looked awful! And I couldn't pass up a chance to read this story and tie it into the lesson, especially when it was suggested in the textbook! They loved it. And then afterward, I made them tell me a time when they had a bad day and then it got better, and what it was that made their day better. Some of them had silly answers, but some were incredibly genuine, like this one little boy who said that he had a bad day when his grandfather died, because he wanted him to live, but that it was better the next day because he knew that his grandfather was "going to have a good time with God." That just made me smile.
I think that I am the teacher a lot of the times, but really these kids teach me something every day. I think it's funny how they want to compliment you on something. They will find at least something good to point out if they want to... "Ms. Reeder, I really like your shoes..." "Ms. Reeder, your smile is pretty today..." I need to remember how much that makes me smile and try to do that to others when I have the chance.
I had one little boy from Mrs. Kirkwald's class that just was NOT going to participate today. I mean, he crossed his arms, and wouldn't do anything that I wanted him to do. Well, I tried to make him behave at the beginning, but after a while, I decided something else was in order. I would let him get by... for now. But we would have a little pow-wow with his teacher, and make sure that he knew that I was business. The next time he comes, I expect him to fully participate or there will be NO recess. I mean, I am taking it ALL away. We made a deal about it too. We even shook on it. I guess I will just have to wait and see exactly how that pans out.
I really like this age group a lot. They are still at an age where they really enjoy learning without a lot of negative peer pressure. (At least most of them are...) But they are also mature enough that they understand responsibility and you are able to enforce rules without a lot of misunderstanding. I am hooked on these kids.
Well, I didn't teach but two lessons today; I was able to sit back and observe and soak it all in. I started the morning off with a new 2nd grade lesson. Instead of finishing our origami, I pressed on to a new song with the promise of returning to finish them next Tuesday morning. But this morning was the prime time to start the next lesson I had planned, since it began reading Viorst's "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Some of these kids just were dragging their feet into the classroom this morning! They looked awful! And I couldn't pass up a chance to read this story and tie it into the lesson, especially when it was suggested in the textbook! They loved it. And then afterward, I made them tell me a time when they had a bad day and then it got better, and what it was that made their day better. Some of them had silly answers, but some were incredibly genuine, like this one little boy who said that he had a bad day when his grandfather died, because he wanted him to live, but that it was better the next day because he knew that his grandfather was "going to have a good time with God." That just made me smile.
I think that I am the teacher a lot of the times, but really these kids teach me something every day. I think it's funny how they want to compliment you on something. They will find at least something good to point out if they want to... "Ms. Reeder, I really like your shoes..." "Ms. Reeder, your smile is pretty today..." I need to remember how much that makes me smile and try to do that to others when I have the chance.
I had one little boy from Mrs. Kirkwald's class that just was NOT going to participate today. I mean, he crossed his arms, and wouldn't do anything that I wanted him to do. Well, I tried to make him behave at the beginning, but after a while, I decided something else was in order. I would let him get by... for now. But we would have a little pow-wow with his teacher, and make sure that he knew that I was business. The next time he comes, I expect him to fully participate or there will be NO recess. I mean, I am taking it ALL away. We made a deal about it too. We even shook on it. I guess I will just have to wait and see exactly how that pans out.
I really like this age group a lot. They are still at an age where they really enjoy learning without a lot of negative peer pressure. (At least most of them are...) But they are also mature enough that they understand responsibility and you are able to enforce rules without a lot of misunderstanding. I am hooked on these kids.
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Day nine (2/18/04):
Yikes. Okay, I almost had a heart attack this morning when I woke up at 7:34. Yeah, I definitely was so tired last night that I went to sleep and forgot to set my alarm. Grrrrrr... It was all good, though. I threw on some clothes and made it to school by ten til 8. I will be very glad if that never happens again, though. Ick.
And I was a little relieved that my first class was a 2nd grade one this morning, just because I had already done that lesson yesterday and had a little time to get my mind set for school before I started my new 3rd grade lesson later in the morning. I taught all but two classes today, and I am tired right now. Really tired. Especially after driving back from Little Rock.
I feel strange trying to teach 3rd graders about syncopation. And they don't water it down or anything in their texts. At all! It's right there in black and white. Literally. For 3rd graders! I feel like I am trying to teach them about quantum physics or somthing. Except I don't know anything about physics. But syncopation is one of those things that some people never quite learn. It's almost something you have to just feel. And if you can't feel it, then you won't know what it is. It's abstract. And I am teaching it to 3rd graders. Gah. I don't know. Maybe it will go better tomorrow.
I think that it's funny that one of my kids thought it was so cool that he found out what my first name was. Like it was some big secret. I mean, it kind of is, because teachers don't want kids to know that for some reason. I don't even know how Elliot even found out. I will have to ask him tomorrow. But on the way in the door today, he told me that he knew my first name was April, and Mrs. Harris really got on to him like it was a huge deal that he said that. I really don't care. At all. I mean, I guess I should, but I really don't. I know that when I go to the High School especially, that I need to try to keep my name on the DL, but that will be hard with Sarah Fuller around... I have known that girl since before she could walk, and she has always only called me April. I mean, really, it's kind of scary that there's only 5 or 6 years between most of those kids and myself. I have GOT to get ready to keep that boundary as far apart as possible. Or I will never get any respect. I mean, I am barely taller that some of my 3rd graders! And I even think that there is one girl that is taller than me! Talk about an over-active thyroid! ;)
Yikes. Okay, I almost had a heart attack this morning when I woke up at 7:34. Yeah, I definitely was so tired last night that I went to sleep and forgot to set my alarm. Grrrrrr... It was all good, though. I threw on some clothes and made it to school by ten til 8. I will be very glad if that never happens again, though. Ick.
And I was a little relieved that my first class was a 2nd grade one this morning, just because I had already done that lesson yesterday and had a little time to get my mind set for school before I started my new 3rd grade lesson later in the morning. I taught all but two classes today, and I am tired right now. Really tired. Especially after driving back from Little Rock.
I feel strange trying to teach 3rd graders about syncopation. And they don't water it down or anything in their texts. At all! It's right there in black and white. Literally. For 3rd graders! I feel like I am trying to teach them about quantum physics or somthing. Except I don't know anything about physics. But syncopation is one of those things that some people never quite learn. It's almost something you have to just feel. And if you can't feel it, then you won't know what it is. It's abstract. And I am teaching it to 3rd graders. Gah. I don't know. Maybe it will go better tomorrow.
I think that it's funny that one of my kids thought it was so cool that he found out what my first name was. Like it was some big secret. I mean, it kind of is, because teachers don't want kids to know that for some reason. I don't even know how Elliot even found out. I will have to ask him tomorrow. But on the way in the door today, he told me that he knew my first name was April, and Mrs. Harris really got on to him like it was a huge deal that he said that. I really don't care. At all. I mean, I guess I should, but I really don't. I know that when I go to the High School especially, that I need to try to keep my name on the DL, but that will be hard with Sarah Fuller around... I have known that girl since before she could walk, and she has always only called me April. I mean, really, it's kind of scary that there's only 5 or 6 years between most of those kids and myself. I have GOT to get ready to keep that boundary as far apart as possible. Or I will never get any respect. I mean, I am barely taller that some of my 3rd graders! And I even think that there is one girl that is taller than me! Talk about an over-active thyroid! ;)
