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High and low

February 5th, 2014 at 11:55 pm

This morning started with a possibility that put me on Cloud 9. A possibility of something having happened that I want *very* much to happen.

Then I went to work ... I'd called the maintenance guy yesterday because my hot water was out. He said he'd send someone over ... still hadn't sent anyone by the morning. So I told my principal, and she got on him. Someone came by and got my keys while I was in the middle of class. (Why they don't have their own set of keys for my place is beyond me - I even made an extra set for them when I first moved here. Ugh.)

So lunch time comes and I sign out to go home ... then realize that I don't have my keys. They'd never come back with them. So I call again, and he says he'll call the person who worked on my heater. 25 minutes later a guy walks in with my keys and says "I've been looking all over for you." Umm.... I was sitting in the front office the whole time. That's generally the first place to go when looking for a teacher.

So I run home and get something to eat and get my iPad which I needed for an afternoon lesson.

My afternoon class was absolutely miserable. All classes know that the rule is when you come into the library you stop at the end of the bookcase for instructions. This particular group (mostly boys) totally disregarded that rule today - even when I reminded the first one through the door.

When I called him back, he came back for a second - until he saw the iPad on the table. Then he made a beeline to it. I had to call him back again.

Finally the books were all taken care of, and the kids were seated at the table to start the digital photography lesson. This is the same unit I did with last year's 5th graders, which they all seemed to really enjoy. Not so much this particular section. The majority of them just were not listening, and when I asked them questions about what we had discussed last week, they just looked at me like I was from outerspace. It was just about unendurable. I felt bad for the three girls in the group because they were actually trying and listening.

I had one boy actually tell me that he didn't want to take pictures. So I told him that was fine, he could just sit down at the table and do nothing while the others took pictures (and he would get a 0 for the day.)!!
(**I only have 5 digital cameras. This means with a group of ten or eleven, they have to pair up and take turns using the cameras. This worked with no problems with last years group, and no problems with the Friday section -- Wed. section DOES NOT work well.)

There was more, but I was just so completely and utterly frustrated. I had to go do car line duty, so the teacher assistant (who did NOTHING to help me) took the bus kids out. I didn't even say goodbye to them - which is my normal operandi.

I had *serious* doubts about starting the photography unit with this particular section. The other section of 5th graders is seeming to enjoy and participate in it. I'm at the point where I'm going to have the two sections do completely different things. I need to figure out what that something different will be - I don't want it to be boring, but I also don't want it to be more interesting than the photography unit.

Maybe I'll have the boys who are being numbskulls work on writing reports on the history of photography, while the girls are able to take pictures and do the different activities I had planned. I came the closest I think I have ever come to yelling today. And I hate it, absolutely hate it, when I hear teachers yell at kids.

My patience with this group is just about not there anymore. I am really wondering if I should pursue another teaching job, or just find something where I don't have to deal with managing others.

10 Responses to “High and low”

  1. Looking Forward Says:
    1391645159

    Cloud 9 eh??... hmmm Big Grin
    Sorry your afternoon class was so bad.. Ups and downs..

  2. PatientSaver Says:
    1391645811

    Sorry you had such a tough day.

    For your own safety nad security, you should put the keys on a keychain separate from your house and personal keys.

  3. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1391646025

    Thanks LF.

    Possibly. Big Grin Time will tell for sure.

    PS - My house keys and school/car keys are on separate chains. They had my house keys, so I couldn't get into my house.

  4. wife of the deacon Says:
    1391647012


    (aka Laura/Momcents)

    Prayers for a blessing. Smile

  5. scfr Says:
    1391647139

    Sorry for your frustration.

    Don't teenage boys always pretend to be disinterested?

  6. creditcardfree Says:
    1391647226

    ((Hugs)) That does sound like a frustrating day. Very interested to hear about what has put you on cloud 9!! I know you will tell when you are ready. Smile

  7. FrugalTexan75 Says:
    1391647476

    Thanks all. Smile
    Scfr - Yeah, that could be it. This kid has been a pain the you know what ever since 3rd grade though. Hormones have not made him any easier to deal with.

  8. Petunia 100 Says:
    1391707942

    Count me among those eagerly anticipating your Cloud news. Smile

  9. Looking Forward Says:
    1392243055

    Hey Laura!
    I just watched last week's episode of "The Big Bang Theory". I don't know if you ever watch that show, but most of the story took place on... **Drum Roll**...
    The Napa Wine Train!!
    I think they were really on it - looked like the real deal.
    The name of the episode was: "The Locomotive Manipulation".
    Thought you'd like to know. Big Grin
    Watching the show really made me want to go on the train for dinner again. Big Grin

  10. creditcardfree Says:
    1392257794

    Thanks LF for the heads up on Big Bang Theory...we didn't tune in to watch last week!

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