Having deliberated over how to start this blog, for about 14 seonds, I just typed this. Do I need to say hello or dear blog or hi or just start. Hmmm, not sure but perhaps that will come to me next time. Oh My god, I have not stopped thinking about blogging all day. After period 1 and 2 I had so much stuff to reflect on. First things first, I had the best day I have had all year today. I am remotivated, back to my normal, positive self and I even stayed back today AFTER a staff meeting to do some correction. I haven't done that in months. In fact, I rarely saw the latter side of 3:05pm on many occcassions towards the end of last year.
OK some things I want to note here.
1. I had no idea I pleased and thankyou-ed my classes so much. No wonder some days they don't listen to me. I have been giving them a choice to listen/work/put pens down etc. Seamus in the humanised classroom workshop said that you make a command but don't detract from it by saying please and thankyou because you are then giving them a choice or making it sound like a question. You must command the students. And at the time, I thought this may be difficult without sounding rude, but I find that you sound like some pussy-assed, wimpy, cardigan wearing teacher if you dont. These kids want direction but more than that they want clear direction, not something muddled and whiny like I have been giving them. Whenever I approach classes when lining them up to go in I am always in control and calm and direct, but then I think I am doing that so the other teachers are like "God, she only has to wave a finger in the right direction and those kids obey!" But for some reason, I don't readily translate that attitude and command into the classroom. Now I will. I found that it worked much better and the kids didn't think I was rude.
2. Seamus discussed the idea of using teaching space to teach in and discipline space to command and discipline from. I tried this and at one point I was like Oh My God it's working...now what do I do. All the kids were looking at me and listening and I felt at one point that I was even taller than them! Yes! That doesn't happen much. But in some classrooms there is a desk right at the front of the teacher's desk and in that situation the command position was at the side and that didn't work as well. I moved a desk in Period 3 to open up the space but with my year 9's there was less commanding to do and so it was really used. Will work on this one for tomorrow (which I am actually looking forward to!)
3. Was very motivated today with planning and preparation. Went and got the equipment from Media room but still having trouble with the recognition of the AV connection when using Stop Motion Pro. Must speak to George about this so that I kids don't think I have no idea. Hopefully, next Term I am in A1 more often so that I can easily access all equipment. Might even lend George a hand in sorting out the camera cupboard and creating some kind of system in there. Eg: batteries, cables etc checklists.
4. Spoke to Hayden today and reminded him about his interview with the Literacy and Numeracy team for tomorrow. Still not sure how the school, particularly the Principal will react to me stilltrying to help him even though he was expelled last year. I don't see why I can't. I still think he is a decent person, a little messed up, even if they don't. This TAFE thing will be really good for him. I might just chat with him though about the 'go' when it comes to fighting at TAFE and how it just doens't happen. It will probably be really foreign to him calling teachers by their first names etc, but he will cope. He's very mature in those respects. I hope he gets in because I think then I can start letting go of my need/desire/drive to help him achieve. Anyway, see how that all goes. I still don't really feel I have anyone I can properly talk to about this. ThankyouBlog land!
Ok, going out for dinner. Could type all night. Head feeling clearer. Will think on how to start my blogs for tomorrow.
Bye
M x
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