students

Current class standings are as follows:

1st period--Mostly they are great kids. Except for the group of girls who have MAJOR ego and attitude towards any sort of work related activities. The class in general has been a dream this year, working, making deadlines, and trying hard.

2nd period--Love them. Generally the sweetest, most inquisitive students I have. They are patient with my numerous mistake...this is the first time I teach my lesson each day and I usually foul it up a few times. They laugh at my really dumb jokes, are kind, and generally keep their mouths shut when instructed to do so.

3rd period--Used to be my least favorite period. Until two of the behavior problem/influences were transferred out of the class. Now, I love them, too. Granted, there are few more crazies and annoying students in here, but other students totally make up for them by offering to help me in various ways & asking really good, valid questions about topics and assignments.

4th period--Really could do without most of them. They're whiners, smart-alec's, and generally very rude. It's too bad that this class has consistently had the highest class average all year--they're super smart, just super annoying. I have lots of pencil-tapping, sound-effect making, and an overall lack of listening in this class.

5th period--Technically this is my prep period, but at semester change I obtained a very helpful student aide who does those menial parts of my job that I usually put off...wiping the desks with Clorox wipes, chopping paper to use for quizes, creating file folders, organizing supplies, and making coppies. She's a gem.

6th period--Oi vey. Let's just say that currently I dred this class every single day. Most of them come to me right after lunch and are hyped up on sugar. They are LOUD x's 1000. They are RUDE x's 2000. This period seriously seems like it lasts about 2 weeks each day. It was so bad today I finally threw papers in the air, said, "You guys figure it out," and walked out of the room (by the way, this is generally a very bad teacher practice that I DO NOT do often!). When I gained composure enough to come back inside, I asked them to tell me why I would dred this class. They came up with lots of answers (mostly all right) and we had a discussion about their behavior. I think this class is the class that gave me my gray hairs.

7th period--Love them. It's a small class, they are super sweet, and we have a good repor with each other where we can kind of joke and be silly, but they'll shut their mouths long enough to listen and learn. They--OH MY GOSH--follow instructions. They--OH MY GOSH--don't complain. They--OH MY GOSH--treat me like gold.

Sometimes I have to review this stuff to really help myself stay sane. I like to keep record of it to reflect on later, see what I can do to improve. For example, tomorrow 2nd, 3rd, and 7th periods have a semi-fun activity which includes a game and perhaps candy (if I remember to pick some up on the way tomorrow morning). On the other hand, 4th and 6th periods will be writing letters to me explaining (and apologizing for) their poor behavior choices, ideas on what they can do to improve, and doing a silent brainstorm on what it means to be respectful. I will then attach my new poor behavior consequences.

And sometimes--especially today--I literally feel like making a career change and pull my hair out.

And perhaps it's because I'm generally really uncomfortable these days & am kinda cranky or perhaps it is just that time of the year when students get squirly. Or perhaps it's just because some teenagers are just little poop heads..