Get ready
I got through report cards. Actually, that wasn't too bad. But now we are two weeks into the new grading period and I don't have my gradebook set up. I also have a growing pile of things to grade, but that's not really a high priority, either.
I got through my grant writing. It was the first one I ever wrote and it was a pain in the butt. By the last questions I was dragging and my answers were getting shorter and shorter. I won't be disappointed if I don't get anything, I'm just looking at it as an experience. Hopefully I'll get better and the next one I write will get me some awesome goodies. I asked for an LCD projector and a laptop to hook it up to. I hinted though that I could get along without the laptop because I didnt want to seem greedy. But what I really want is a projector and laptops and palm pilots for each student. Maybe next year...
I got through parent teacher conferences. For the most part they were a breeze, just time consuming. A few tough ones. A few to hunt down and try to see on another day. I told my students and co workers a few weeks ago that my birthday was on conference night. I was hoping to get a little sympathy for having to stay at work all night. The kids remembered and made a big deal out of it at school. My birthday fell on the same day as the 100th day of school celebration so kids were coming in to my room all day, bringing little treats and singing to me. Our school is huge and I only know a handful of students from the other grades. It's weird that they all know me and my name, it's weirder still to have them wish me happy birhtday. Weird, but nice. My stepdad brought up a cake that he had baked and I gave all my students a piece. Gary had gotten a cake for me to share, too, so there was plenty to go around. There is always so much food floating around elementary schools. It's never healthy, either.
I have not finished my referrals for middle school yet. I have to look up scores for each student, compare grades, and decide which ones get recommended for which classes. I might finish this weekend. There is a very good chance I won't though.
This week I have 2 big meetings. One of them is going to have well over a dozen people, all to discuss one student. It's got to be overwhelming for parents to come into a room filled with teachers and administrators, trying to tell you what's best for your child. At the big one I'll probably be mostly silent, which is good. At the other one I'll be doing a lot of talking and most of it will be along these lines "well I tried this and it didnt work, so I tried this and it didnt work either, so I did this..." I'm anticipating a lot of frustration.
I have a seminar to attend on Tuesday. It will be the first time I'll have a sub in my room. I wonder if s/he will look around at everything, taking notes on what is a good idea in my room and what sucks. I wonder if s/he will think about all the ways s/he would make a better teacher than me. Because that's what I did when I subbed.
Thursday is my big observation. The one that decides if I can get my license renewed or not. He will be looking at and analyzing every single thing I do or say during the lesson, along with every thing my students do or say. He will be interviewing me before and after the lesson. I have to get another sub for that. My kids will be so excited, two subs in one week. I'm scared. I'm even more scared because the lesson I was going to do bombed the first time I tried it so I had to redo the whoel thing. I like the new one much better, but I dont know if I'll have a chance to practice it first.
By Friday I will be ready for some down time. Preferrably at a bar.
I got through my grant writing. It was the first one I ever wrote and it was a pain in the butt. By the last questions I was dragging and my answers were getting shorter and shorter. I won't be disappointed if I don't get anything, I'm just looking at it as an experience. Hopefully I'll get better and the next one I write will get me some awesome goodies. I asked for an LCD projector and a laptop to hook it up to. I hinted though that I could get along without the laptop because I didnt want to seem greedy. But what I really want is a projector and laptops and palm pilots for each student. Maybe next year...
I got through parent teacher conferences. For the most part they were a breeze, just time consuming. A few tough ones. A few to hunt down and try to see on another day. I told my students and co workers a few weeks ago that my birthday was on conference night. I was hoping to get a little sympathy for having to stay at work all night. The kids remembered and made a big deal out of it at school. My birthday fell on the same day as the 100th day of school celebration so kids were coming in to my room all day, bringing little treats and singing to me. Our school is huge and I only know a handful of students from the other grades. It's weird that they all know me and my name, it's weirder still to have them wish me happy birhtday. Weird, but nice. My stepdad brought up a cake that he had baked and I gave all my students a piece. Gary had gotten a cake for me to share, too, so there was plenty to go around. There is always so much food floating around elementary schools. It's never healthy, either.
I have not finished my referrals for middle school yet. I have to look up scores for each student, compare grades, and decide which ones get recommended for which classes. I might finish this weekend. There is a very good chance I won't though.
This week I have 2 big meetings. One of them is going to have well over a dozen people, all to discuss one student. It's got to be overwhelming for parents to come into a room filled with teachers and administrators, trying to tell you what's best for your child. At the big one I'll probably be mostly silent, which is good. At the other one I'll be doing a lot of talking and most of it will be along these lines "well I tried this and it didnt work, so I tried this and it didnt work either, so I did this..." I'm anticipating a lot of frustration.
I have a seminar to attend on Tuesday. It will be the first time I'll have a sub in my room. I wonder if s/he will look around at everything, taking notes on what is a good idea in my room and what sucks. I wonder if s/he will think about all the ways s/he would make a better teacher than me. Because that's what I did when I subbed.
Thursday is my big observation. The one that decides if I can get my license renewed or not. He will be looking at and analyzing every single thing I do or say during the lesson, along with every thing my students do or say. He will be interviewing me before and after the lesson. I have to get another sub for that. My kids will be so excited, two subs in one week. I'm scared. I'm even more scared because the lesson I was going to do bombed the first time I tried it so I had to redo the whoel thing. I like the new one much better, but I dont know if I'll have a chance to practice it first.
By Friday I will be ready for some down time. Preferrably at a bar.
posted by Mrs.B at 10:05 AM
1 Comments:
It is extremely intimidating as a parent to go into a confrence about your kid, it would be amde semwhat easier and less confrontatinal f y you didn;t walk itnoa room where all the staff are already and have their speaches planned while you are left floundering in the dark. I don't think schools do enough to make Parents feel part of things . I know I alwy feel steamrollered by the time I get out . Not that Jacks been bad this term
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