Kattitude

Wednesday, November 16, 2005

All in a day's work

This day definitely deserves to be preserved for posterity. I can't even begin to do it justice, partly b/c I'm too tired to relate all the details. But, for what it's worth, here's a snapshot:

The Not-so-Good parts:
  • Another fight occurred during lunch
  • Fight was between 2 of our "good kids"
  • Fight resulted in blood-splattered kids; cafeteria floor required mopping
  • Parent of 1 fighter is blaming teachers for not responding sooner (we were on the scene within seconds of said altercation)
  • Tyquan is perpetuating last year's cycle of ISS & OSS
  • Kids have essentially created "gangs" (complete with signs & signals) within the team
  • 5th period progress reports have un-graded work
  • Somehow managed to lose TF's Eggs-periment Lab report
  • Club Day is tomorrow & agenda for our Book Club is only loosely planned
  • Endured a 3-day headache
  • 7 kids in ISS today
The Better / Good parts:
  • 7 kids in ISS today :)
  • 2 normally off-the-wall kids were mildly engaged today
  • Yeast respiration lab worked... all 4 periods!
  • Managed to be cheerful in 5th, even after fight
  • Kids asked intuitive questions today ... felt like real teaching, not crowd control
  • This week's New Student has been befriended by last week's New Student
  • Administration complimented me on my PowerPoint junk
  • Mentor meeting was brief and helpful: have numerous new strategies
  • Club Day is tomorrow & 2 girls have already read the book twice
  • 4 days until Thanksgiving Break!!!
  • Day before Thanksgiving Break is a Field Trip!!!
  • Scary person/ghost was not hiding in closet, despite complaints from 4th period
  • CG wrote "Thank you, Mrs. M!!" on 2 papers (I wasn't aware I'd gotten married, but hey... I'll take the thanks anyway)
  • ES hugged me today for yesterday's intervention
  • Grandpa's surgery went well
  • Adorable niece & angelic nephew (who can now "write all my letters lower case") are visiting Friday
  • 3-day headache is finally going away
Sometimes I can't believe all the things that actually happen in one day. First period seems like ages ago. I also sometimes think I'm partially getting what I deserve ... payback for all those times I sat in class & passed around notes that said, "At 10 o'clock, get up & sharpen your pencil," followed by, "At 10:10, everyone cough," etc. etc. etc. One thing about it, the upcoming 7th graders should be a breeze compared to this year's 8th graders.

And, nevertheless ... while I don't always like their choices, I can't help but love these kids.

posted by Kat at 9:35 PM

2 Comments:

  • Ugh - our kids are trying the Gatorade trick as well. And they're also bringing ziploc bags of Kool-Aid/sugar (& who knows what else!) to class.
    The sad thing is, I've often wished I could line up my kids at the door & give them all a dose of Benadryl/cough syrup before they enter my room. Or shoot them with a mild tranquilizer that would last 68 minutes. :)
    Of course I'd never really do that, but I can't help daydreaming sometimes.

    By Blogger Kat, at 9:50 AM  

  • Wow. Hang in there, Kat. You are a great influence on them and are impacting them even when it doesn't feel like it.

    By Blogger Jeff, at 10:46 AM  

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