I have substituted in the same first grade class frequently this year so I know the kids pretty well. The other week I was unprepared for an argument that two of the boys got into. Somehow the subject of aliens came up. The first boy said that aliens are real and that his dad told him they were. The second boy said that aliens are not real. This went back and forth with tempers rising along with their adamant ascertains of their truths. Finally I'd had enough and, not wanting to get into a discussion about the existence of Aliens (or God or anything else for that matter!), I told them to stop talking about it. After recess these same two boys walked into the classroom once again arguing about it. I told them there would be no more alien talk today and threatened them with doing laps during lunch if it continued!
This past week one of the boys, who is often a behavior problem, showed up to school wearing a black t-shirt with a slogan on the front in white lettering that said, "Every great idea I have always gets me in trouble!" Perfect!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
It's Not Fair!
I was in a first grade class this week. Every morning after recess we would come into the class and I would read a book from the pile of books the teacher had selected from the library.
On Wednesday we read It’s Not Fair! By Robyne Supraner. It was copyrighted in 1976 which meant some content lead to a couple of interesting discussions. The book is about a little sister who is constantly complaining about what her baby brother can do/get away with. Throughout the book she says the refrain, “It’s not fair!”
Two things were of particular interest in the story. First, the sister complains about Andrew the baby because he gets to sit in the front seat. As every 6 year old knows, kids should not sit in the front seat because they “could get killed by the airbag.”
Later in the story the big sister does something really dumb and silly that damages the dining room chair. She gets a spanking. This leads one of my students to ask what a spanking is. “Is it a machine?”
Of course, during the rest of the week, whenever a student complained about something I would whine back at them, “It’s not fair!” This put an end to their complaining. I was tempted to threaten them with spankings but those threats would have been empty.
Each day, after reading a book, the students would take out their “writer’s notebook” and write something. Usually they were to write something inspired by what we read, though it didn’t have to be that. One day I decided to let those who wanted to to share something they wrote. This can be a disaster or interesting, depending on the kids. No one may think this is funny but it struck me funny. One kid wrote: “This is me when I am 89.” And he drew a picture of himself with a long beard. Another kid decided to write How to Feed a Venus Fly Trap. 1. Get a fly swater. 2. Swat fly. 3. Get tweazerse 4. Open cap from trap 5. Put fly on leaf.
On Wednesday we read It’s Not Fair! By Robyne Supraner. It was copyrighted in 1976 which meant some content lead to a couple of interesting discussions. The book is about a little sister who is constantly complaining about what her baby brother can do/get away with. Throughout the book she says the refrain, “It’s not fair!”
Two things were of particular interest in the story. First, the sister complains about Andrew the baby because he gets to sit in the front seat. As every 6 year old knows, kids should not sit in the front seat because they “could get killed by the airbag.”
Later in the story the big sister does something really dumb and silly that damages the dining room chair. She gets a spanking. This leads one of my students to ask what a spanking is. “Is it a machine?”
Of course, during the rest of the week, whenever a student complained about something I would whine back at them, “It’s not fair!” This put an end to their complaining. I was tempted to threaten them with spankings but those threats would have been empty.
Each day, after reading a book, the students would take out their “writer’s notebook” and write something. Usually they were to write something inspired by what we read, though it didn’t have to be that. One day I decided to let those who wanted to to share something they wrote. This can be a disaster or interesting, depending on the kids. No one may think this is funny but it struck me funny. One kid wrote: “This is me when I am 89.” And he drew a picture of himself with a long beard. Another kid decided to write How to Feed a Venus Fly Trap. 1. Get a fly swater. 2. Swat fly. 3. Get tweazerse 4. Open cap from trap 5. Put fly on leaf.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The Multicultural Middle Finger
The 2nd grade class I subbed in for 4 months back in the spring of 2007, had quite a range of abilities and a similar range of behaviors. In my opinion second graders should not know what the middle finger means or even that it is "bad". But since 2nd graders don't live in a vacuum, some of them, especially the one with older brothers or sisters, know that it is bad to raise your middle finger and that you can get in trouble for doing so.
At one point during my tenure there, one of the students began to do this to his classmates, making sure I didn't see him. Of course this invoked a strong reaction from the intended target of this gesture, which led to my being told, which eventually lead to a visit to the principal. Whenever he did something wrong he would always apologize for his transgression and assume that this was all it would take to get him off the hook. But "I'm sorry" just didn't cut it.
A few weeks later a bunch of the boys began holding up their pinkie finger to each other. When questioned about this, I was taught something I'd never known before. I was informed that the little finger in China means the same thing as holding up your middle finger in the United States. Did I ever get an education from this class!
At one point during my tenure there, one of the students began to do this to his classmates, making sure I didn't see him. Of course this invoked a strong reaction from the intended target of this gesture, which led to my being told, which eventually lead to a visit to the principal. Whenever he did something wrong he would always apologize for his transgression and assume that this was all it would take to get him off the hook. But "I'm sorry" just didn't cut it.
A few weeks later a bunch of the boys began holding up their pinkie finger to each other. When questioned about this, I was taught something I'd never known before. I was informed that the little finger in China means the same thing as holding up your middle finger in the United States. Did I ever get an education from this class!
Thursday, December 04, 2008
Dodged a Bullet or Two
A couple of weeks ago I showed up for a half day sub job in the morning to find the teacher still in the classroom writing plans. She said she could have done them last night but by the time she had finished dealing with "the incident" she was too tired to stay any longer. She said that I was fortunate because "the incident" had been suspended for a few days and so I wouldn't have him in the classroom.
She proceeded to tell me about one of her students, Jimmy. It seems that things began to escalate at lunch recess when he did some things during a game that weren't fair. By 3rd graders' sense of right and wrong, what he did simply had to be reported to the teacher. Unfortunately over half the class, with each student acting independently, felt it was his or her duty to be the one to do the reporting.
As more than 10 people surround the teacher attempting to outshout each other, Jimmy felt ganged up on. He began to desolve in anger. This is a bad thing because Jimmy apparently has difficulty with uncontrollable rage. He began to break apart a wooden bench that was near by and once he broke a piece of wood off, wielded it as a weapon. The teacher got the rest of her class inside.
No amount of talking would calm Jimmy's rage and eventually the teacher and another aide had to take him down to the ground; this in front of early arriving parents who were there to pick up their children. The police were called, Jimmy's mom came, and the police officer eventually agreed to send the kid to a hospital for observation. After hearing this story I felt fortunate to have dodged a bullet by 1/2 a day.
This brings me to today. Once again I subbed in this classroom. The teacher filled me in on Jimmy's current behavior (it's been good) and what to do if things started to escalate. It's very unfortunate but apparently his home is in turmoil and he is not coping well. This is the result.
At this point I was told to keep an eye on him, not to be confrontational, and, if things began to escalate, let him do what he wants: take a walk, step out of the room, or whatever. In a way he is in complete control. If he gets upset he will soon learn that he can use this to get his own way. The teachers and staff here are smart enough to know that this is not a permanent solution but since I'm only here for a small snapshot out of all the day-to-day goings on, that solution is good enough for a sub.
Thankfully, nothing major came up. There was a small issue at PE but I did my best to just ignore things. It wasn't worth testing his tolerance and having another meltdown.
She proceeded to tell me about one of her students, Jimmy. It seems that things began to escalate at lunch recess when he did some things during a game that weren't fair. By 3rd graders' sense of right and wrong, what he did simply had to be reported to the teacher. Unfortunately over half the class, with each student acting independently, felt it was his or her duty to be the one to do the reporting.
As more than 10 people surround the teacher attempting to outshout each other, Jimmy felt ganged up on. He began to desolve in anger. This is a bad thing because Jimmy apparently has difficulty with uncontrollable rage. He began to break apart a wooden bench that was near by and once he broke a piece of wood off, wielded it as a weapon. The teacher got the rest of her class inside.
No amount of talking would calm Jimmy's rage and eventually the teacher and another aide had to take him down to the ground; this in front of early arriving parents who were there to pick up their children. The police were called, Jimmy's mom came, and the police officer eventually agreed to send the kid to a hospital for observation. After hearing this story I felt fortunate to have dodged a bullet by 1/2 a day.
This brings me to today. Once again I subbed in this classroom. The teacher filled me in on Jimmy's current behavior (it's been good) and what to do if things started to escalate. It's very unfortunate but apparently his home is in turmoil and he is not coping well. This is the result.
At this point I was told to keep an eye on him, not to be confrontational, and, if things began to escalate, let him do what he wants: take a walk, step out of the room, or whatever. In a way he is in complete control. If he gets upset he will soon learn that he can use this to get his own way. The teachers and staff here are smart enough to know that this is not a permanent solution but since I'm only here for a small snapshot out of all the day-to-day goings on, that solution is good enough for a sub.
Thankfully, nothing major came up. There was a small issue at PE but I did my best to just ignore things. It wasn't worth testing his tolerance and having another meltdown.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
No C.D.'s
I spent a day last week with some 3rd and 4th grade little darlings. There were the usual interruptions, students getting off task, and kids trying to get away with stuff. But it was a nice enough class. You forget how normal things can go when you have a classroom like that. The whole day just goes more smoothly when a "Constant Disruptor" or two. At the end of the day you emerge with your sanity and some energy, and without your eyes in a crossed condition.
Constant Disruptors are like little hurricanes in the classroom. They are constantly off task, frequently doing what they aren't supposed to be doing, and often taking your attention away from teaching. Not only do they tend not to get their work done, their swirling winds distract others who get sucked into the storm. The little hurricane is confined and has an effect on everyone and everything in the room. Unless you can control a CD or remove him/her your day is going to blow!
Constant Disruptors are like little hurricanes in the classroom. They are constantly off task, frequently doing what they aren't supposed to be doing, and often taking your attention away from teaching. Not only do they tend not to get their work done, their swirling winds distract others who get sucked into the storm. The little hurricane is confined and has an effect on everyone and everything in the room. Unless you can control a CD or remove him/her your day is going to blow!
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Back in the Pool
I'm back in the sub pool and got my first assignment last Wednesday. It turned out to be at my "home school", the school I'd spent many, many days working at in the past. I've done everything from half days to full weeks to a long-term 4 month assignment there. Wednesday I subbed for a teacher I've known since my 22 year old son was in her kindergarten class!
It was nice to be back and see so many familiar faces at the school, including seeing kids (those "little darlings") who I hadn't seen in over a year. None of those familiar faces were in my class that I remembered. Some did claim to remember me from kindergarten but I had my doubts until one said, "You're funny", which is my reputation among the connoisseurs of humor, five to eight year olds.
Though I was a little anxious about how the day would go after being away from it for so long, everything went pretty smoothly. A day filled with 20 six and seven year olds requires more energy than I was used to giving. It's certainly a different kind of energy than doing a triathlon. And my voice wasn't in shape either!
Thank goodness Thursday's assignment the next day with a 3rd grade class at another school was easier. There nearly all the darlings were cooperative and even the ones that weren't were not that big of a challenge. The day included nearly an hour spent on disaster drills: first a lock down, then an earthquake, and finally a fire. We returned to the classroom and worked for about a half hour before the recess bell rang. Then, during recess, they reset the fire alarm bell. In doing so the alarm went off and all the kids at recess plus all the upper grades that were in their classrooms got to "practice" another fire drill!
A few years back, when I had an 8 week job in a K/1 combination class, we had a real lock down that lasted almost 2 hours. The police were pursuing some guy who had run into the canyon behind the school. The rumor was he may have been armed but I don't really know. Anyway, this was right after lunch and everyone locked their doors and turned out the lights. The worst thing was that we were not in a traditional kindergarten classroom so there was no bathroom within the room. I had two darlings who just couldn't hold it any more. Fortunately I happened to have brought in a 5 gallon bucket so I gave them a little privacy and they went in the bucket. Thankfully no one had the #2 urge!
Monday, November 03, 2008
I'm Baaaack!
Due to some uncertain times with a job I've been working for a little over a year, my good friend (and employer) had to lay me off. With the hope that I will be able to work for him again soon, I have decided not to look for other work for now and instead go back to substitute teaching as a sort of bridge until work for my friend's company comes in and I am needed once again. Substitute teaching is a viable, temporary, and quick option that I have 7 years of experience in.
I've only been away from it for about 16 months so I think I can just jump right back in. I imagine that I'll be a little rusty at first, not as efficient, not as quick with discipline, a little slow on problem solving, and a bit off on the rhythm of school. It will all come back quickly.
I will be at a slight disadvantage compared to before I left. Many of the Little Darlings knew me and I knew them. I'm curious to see if my responses and attitude have changed since being away. I've had a year of being in the "real world" so to speak, working with and sometimes supervising adults. (In some ways supervising some of them was no different than substituting in 4th grade!) It will also be interesting to me to see if my approach or attitude will be different since I currently do not have the goal of becoming a full-time, pemanent teacher as I had in the past.
I have mixed emotions about going back. I liked working with the kids and being able to help out a teacher who was in need. But the energy required and the nonsense a sub has to put up with for such little pay are the downsides of going back into the classroom.
I've only been away from it for about 16 months so I think I can just jump right back in. I imagine that I'll be a little rusty at first, not as efficient, not as quick with discipline, a little slow on problem solving, and a bit off on the rhythm of school. It will all come back quickly.
I will be at a slight disadvantage compared to before I left. Many of the Little Darlings knew me and I knew them. I'm curious to see if my responses and attitude have changed since being away. I've had a year of being in the "real world" so to speak, working with and sometimes supervising adults. (In some ways supervising some of them was no different than substituting in 4th grade!) It will also be interesting to me to see if my approach or attitude will be different since I currently do not have the goal of becoming a full-time, pemanent teacher as I had in the past.
I have mixed emotions about going back. I liked working with the kids and being able to help out a teacher who was in need. But the energy required and the nonsense a sub has to put up with for such little pay are the downsides of going back into the classroom.
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