Weekly Downs & Ups

This is the time of year that I dread the most: it's smackdown time. Those of you with older kids will know what I mean. The kids come back from Xmas break and suddenly realize that they are almost in high school (note to parents- this will happen again in 4 years). They suddenly begin to believe that they know everything, and therefore do not need guidance from anyone else. Normally, this occurs around the middle of Jan, but I've been lucky, and it hasn't gotten out of hand until now. This week, I was forced to return to the rules Nazi that you have to be at the beginning of the year. I actually held detention hall three times this week; a practice I have only been forced to implement once or twice in the last few months.

This strong and unyielding persona is not a comfortable fit for me, and I dread knowing that I'm going to have to put it on. Fortunately, these kids (most of them) are very mature in their "real-life" skills, and all but one of the real problems came to me yesterday and apologized for their behavior. We discussed it, and they all recognized that they had begun to take advantage of my forgiving nature. However, I have one student who is totally freaking out (this is the parochial-school girl). She talked with me after school, and was very upset because I'm not "nice" any more. I asked if she had noticed the extreme rudeness I had been receiving lately, and all she could see was that it hadn't come from her, so why should she be forced to live by the same rules? She honestly couldn't see that the same rules have to be implemented for everyone. {I have 3 rules: Respect yourself, Respect others, Respect your school}. Apparently, she should not have to fear getting a warning if she occasionally makes a mistake, because she is a straight-A student. She should not have to lose privelledges (we have a free day once a month if noone in the class receives a behavior warning), because others in her class misbehaved. I have explained over and over that if I see someone in the class trying to control the behavior, I do not hold the warning against the whole class, but thus far, I have not seen that happening in her class. My point is that I realize that you cannot control someone else's behavior, but if you say nothing, you are essentially saying that the behavior is acceptable. This is not a habit I want my kids to get into. She told me that "other people" are saying I am the social studies teacher's twin (she doesn't realize that I already knew that SHE had called me that, along with other bitchy, snyde remarks she has made...kids don't realize that a.) your friends will rat you out in a heartbeat b.) your voice carries to the ears of teachers standing six inches away from you, whether your comments were intended for those ears or not. and c.) your body language speaks louder than anything else.

Let me reassure you, I am not one of those teachers who NEEDS to be liked; honestly, I feel that I'm not doing my job if I'm liked all of the time. However, it does make the day easier if kids are excited about your class. I know that the only kids who will be permanently scarred by this are kids like her, whose parents never raise their voices or implement consequences (I only have about 4 out of about 110), but I don't know how much more clear I can make it: I will not be treated disrespectfully in my own class...end of story.

James was sick all week. He tried to come back on Thurs, but went back home before my class. I saw him in the hallway, and he looked miserable. We have 2 flus going around- it seems like as soon as someone gets over the really nasty 'cold, sore throat, fever' flu, they turn around and catch the stomach flu. I have a friend in the medical profession who will state that there is no such thing as "stomach flu"- most people who have those symptoms just have minor food poisoning. I don't care what you call it- it's being spread from person to person, and it's nasty. I personally went through almost 3 bottles of the pink stuff last weekend...blah.

I am very excited about a couple of things: first of all, I've been able to share my religious views with Bill, and he's been very interested. Those of you who are non-Christian will understand what I mean. I never discuss my religious beliefs with anyone I work with, because I know I will not be hired back if word gets out that I am Buddhist. Somehow, Bill (who is truly a tribute to the Christian faith) and I were talking this week, and I told him. I was afraid he would treat me differently (you know, the odd questions and then the distancing from you that happens). Last night, though, he and I talked for a couple of hours after school- we discussed the similarities in our beliefs, and he has asked if he can borrow a couple of books to read. Now, don't get me wrong, I do not want to "convert" him to my faith, nor do I think that his views COULD ever be swayed. I simply feel that he wants to understand more about the faith in an effort to feel closer to others around the world. My respect for him grows daily.

Also, we are about to begin my absolute favorite unit in class...ATMOSPHERE AND WEATHER!!! I know, it means little to you, but I am obsessed with these things, and LOVE teaching them!!!!! I adore everything that we do that has to do with earth science, but this is the best, closely followed by the Environmental Issues unit that I will do toward the end of the year.
I will put Physics in between, because I HATE it (Derek will understand). There is no sense in teaching physics to 8th graders- they are not intellectually ready for most of the concepts, and all it (along with algebra, which is also taught at this age) does is stress the kids out unnecessarily. When they get to high school and college, many of them will be phobic about these things because of their early experiences. I understand that certain kids are ready for these classes, and I think it's great to challenge students who are ready, but I dislike the pressure it puts on most of them. When we test, I will allow them to use their (handwritten) notes, and if they choose not to, they will receive extra credit. This allows students who are higher-level thinkers to be rewarded, and those who need some extra help to have it.

Ok, I'm not going to think physics right now, I'm looking for edible models of atmosphere (they love when we do edible models!!!)

Have a great week- and pray that I don't have to be such a hardass.