Here Come the Holidays...

People around me are flocking--completely anxious for Christmas break. But I have reached a state of calmness. I'm not losing my mind counting down the days before break--I am ok with it. I had a fantastic last week at work. This kids were surprisingly compliant, and I had the opportunity to chaperone my first field trip to the local skating rink. I haven't skated since the days of Skate World in 7th grade myself, but it was pretty fun! My students are currently studying the Industrial Revolution Unit, where they are learning about industrialization, imperialism, and basic principals of economics. Their unit test is to be this Thursday, after a few days of review to make them as fully prepared as possible. We are also working on respect. I have become increasingly stricter and more consistent regarding classroom management, and I can tell the difference in just two weeks time. I make sure my students know they they always have the opportunity to make their own choices, but that their choice may sometimes come with a consequence. My method of discipline is as simple as writing a reflection essay, which my kids receive after their 3rd misbehavior for the class period. It is possible to earn more than one essay also. If they do not return the essay to me by class time the next day, they immediately go to a timeout room and are not able to enter the classroom again until they have accepted responsibility for their actions and become accountable. It's a bummer that I am not allowed to show any holiday cheer in this school, because it might make parents "angry" because of religious reasons. So, when you teach, don't try and wear a halloween costume (even when they never told you you couldn't), and don't try and be a jovial person around the holidays. It will bite you in the ass. I had a class long observation by my principal Friday with my most difficult class, both behaviorally and academically speaking. It went....ok. Even though I sometimes find myself pulling out my hair, they were so eerily quiet. The level that which I have to teach them is heartbreaking. I have students, whom in the 7th grade, are working at a 2nd grade level- max. They know hardly any English, yet I am expected to teach them the standards at the same level of rigor and with the same academic vocabulary....even when I say.. "write the title at top," and they look at me and have ZERO idea what a title is. Many of them are at the pre-emergent or emergent stage for English skills. I would definitely say that one of my weaknesses is trying to adapt to these students, because I have no idea when something makes sense to them, and which things work best for them yet. AND I have students mixed into this class who are performing at or above grade level that I am expected to teach and challenge as well. I never said teaching was easy, and anyone who thinks it is is OUTRAGEOUS. Especially for teachers in their first years. But the hilarity of things that come out of my students mouths make it all worth it. The coworkers that I have that are amazing people totally help me through it...those that do not try and talk shit and create drama. So, on Friday, December 23rd, I finish out my second quarter of teaching -- the first semester. I will be ONE QUARTER of the way done!!! I will have been teaching for 7 months! HOLY CRAP. hahaha...and at 6am, December 24th, I will be OFF!!! And back to Oregon for two weeks in the cold in the rain. I ask that you PLEASE try and get ahold of me now and try and make plans if you want to see me, because I hate the wishywashy shit about trying to hang out once I'm already there, since I don't have my own car there. Ooook. Here we go! Time to work ok. xxxx