The teacher stare

So I had a thought the other night. I really want to have a thriving blog. I was reading the blogs of my fellow Fellows and I was really impressed by their thoughts and relieved to hear their similar frustrations and first year woes. I wish I could be more witty and interesting. I am going to try and jazz up these entries for my fan base, which might include two people who actually read this thing.

I am perfecting my teacher stare. You know the one that says, "I'll stand here an wait all day but really each second that ticks away means bigger trouble for you." It's Friday, MU football players came to talk about having heroes and goals, my kids are so wound up. They giggle and chase each other in the parking lot as they wait for me to open my trailer door. Oh boy, another crazy day.

I gave then a short story to read and a packet to complete. It was meant to keep them busy and productive while I set goals with each of them individually. They had three days in class to work. We read the story together aloud. There were still many kids who did not know there was a packet to complete or work to turn in today.

Thoughts race through my mind.

Hello, what did you think I was referring to all week every day?

Did you wonder what everyone else was so diligently working on?

Seriously? You're serious? This is what I am working with?

In sixth grade it's highly likely that half your class doesn't even have a pencil when they walk through your door- let alone a five page comprehension packet.

Logic and common sense may or may not have developed. They are overwhelmed any time you change their schedule even a little. Maybe next time they'll catch on to the fact that there's usually work to show for their efforts. Until then I give them the teacher stare when they tell me they had no idea there was a packet to complete.

Becoming Experts

Well Krista and I are creating a unit right now that will begin after Thanksgiving break. We're the Reading and Language Arts teachers on our team and our kids see us consecutively. We both were interested in multimedia presentations and needed to teach some nonfiction objectives so we've devised a plan to have our student work on one big project in both of our classes.

We're asking our kids to pick something and become an expert on it. We'll be teaching research skills as well as using the wireless lab to have them create multimedia presentation for their final oral presentation to the class. We'll keep you posted on their progress.

On a more personal note, I had the worst day of my teaching career last Friday. I am learning so much about myself by being in this profession. I am not a teacher so that kids like me, I am a teacher because I care about what's best for kids. Every day you've gotta let go of the natural desire to make people happy and do what is best for kids- even when kids are angry with you for doing so.

Monday is a new day. It's amazing how kids think teachers must not have any feelings.