I have 19 students - 11 boys 9 girls...3 teacher's kids and 3 new kids
The first two days were full of icebreakers, book distribution, inventory tests for math and language arts, and a brief reading assignment. I feel like I hardly have any time to get things done because we have eight 45-minute periods, but they're in specials 2-3 periods a day and they have two 20-minute recesses and a 30 minute lunch (that's them combining the american and the bolivian systems...most bolivian schools are half-day and still have 2 recesses) and even though the day ends at 3pm we have to have the kids out at the buses by 2:55 (that doesn't seem to make sense to me). PLUS there isn't any "travel time" built in to the periods, so when I have to take the kids to music, art, P.E., or computers I have to leave my own class a few minutes early because they feel like I'm not "respecting their class time" when I show up a few minutes late with the kids. Another time killer is that they switched cafeteria management/company this year and the new people haven't figured out an effective system for distributing lunch yet..and since 6th grade gets served last my kids are still in line when the bell rings for lunch to be over...they claimed to be meeting about that on Friday afternoon, but we'll see if anything changes on Monday.
All in all they seem like great kids - I think I'm really going to like this age - they're still young enough that there isn't too much drama, but old enough that I can joke with them and they can do some critical thinking.
I have a few challenges ahead of me that I've already taken note of, but I'm positive they will all be great learning experiences for me. The kids have already asked me if I "like to be mean" because I was very strict with them the first day about making a line (which they have a hard time doing) and being quiet going up and down the stairs (because the staircases goes by the high school classrooms and they're on a different schedule)...good to know I've instilled a bit of fear in them already - let's see how long I can keep that up!
My favorite consequence to my class rules is the "speak in English only" rule - the consequence, starting Monday, is that they have to stand up and sing a song in English to the class. Oh the wonders of humiliation in the pre-adolescent years!
And with the start of the new school year came the start of another cold for me...I just got over the one I had when I got here, but here's to building up my immune system!
So I've survived the first two days, but we'll see how this week goes once we have to get real work done starting tomorrow. Wish me luck!
I do wish you luck. I also wish a bit of luck to the child who cannot carry a tune. The tone deaf child who is asked to sing in English. Just saying......I have been there and the memory lingers. I was aged 9 and am now 63. Just think about it. Humiliation can be crushing as well as instructive.
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, I have to say I am so proud of you and Timmy. You are making the neighborhood proud.
Mrs. Ferrence.
Bravo muchacha.
ReplyDeleteCouple of things: being tough in the beginning does not mean that you have to stay like that all year long. Once the kids see the "witch" in you, you can relax. Your kids will know that if they cross lines, the "witch" can come out at any moment. Remember.... The broom is in the closet :) Also, about making them speak English... Dancing works too. In addition, a multa has its benefits too. The multa can be anything from a quarter, to taking the favorite pen, or their shoe!! :)
Buena suerte. Estamos muy orgullosas de tí