Coramia’s blog

This is late, I lost track of the days.

Assessment in my classroom, right now, consists of 2 paper tests/quizzes per chapter that we cover.  In addition to that, we have any projects or presentations that they are given that receive a test grade.  I am, right now, giving them test grades for teaching verbs throughout the 9 weeks. 

I like the paper tests, in a way.  Students must take tests like the SAT, SATPs, ACT, etc. their whole life.  I may not like the fact that the tests don't measure students in a real life way, but I do understand that testing skills are also necessary. 

I want to, this summer and in the year to come, give many more project-based tests.  I am thinking of a way to help my students find Spanish cultural articles in their community.  This will be a lot easier if I go to Gulfport.  I will have students research one aspect of the Hispanic culture, like music, family, food, etc, and then try to find embodiments of these central cultural themes in their own community, displaying the intertwining of the Hispano-U.S. culture.

This summer, I might look into a project of the students researching language usage in their favorite song lyrics and researching imagery and other elements of writing as used in their songs.

I liked the idea in the video about the economics plan that the students had to come up with as a group.

"Profe's class is a lot of work. She always wants you to speak Spanish.  We never get done before the bell, and her tests are never multiple choice.  I thought Spanish would be easy."

"If there was a state test on Spanish, I would flunk."

"I went to a Mexican restaurant the other day and I said "hola, como estas" and the guy understood me!  I couldn't say anything else because I slept all last semester, but I remembered that."

I picked out 3 of my favorite quotes from their free write.  There were lots of great ones. 

I hear that state test on a lot.  Once one of them said it, all of them picked it up.  But I love little personal victories the kids have in Spanish like Cesár (not his real name) and the Mexican restaurant.

This new character on Scrubs really reminds me of Scotty.

So here's the skinny.  The first semester of teaching, sucks.  It's hard to come in, especially with no curriculum, and just teach.  The kids are looking to take any advantage they can.  As a new teacher, you're likely to flounder, and you're guaranteed to screw up at least once.

However, all that stuff is worth it when you actually get yourself figured out.  When you get your classes, curriculum, discipline, and self personally and professionally, life gets so much easier, and you begin to breathe more easily.  Teaching begins to come second nature, and you're left with a sense of accomplishment like no other.  When you know that you are responsible for these kids and you are actually teaching them, you feel so accomplished.

Also, working on a real job matures you to a point I can't fully explain.  People are always surprised when I tell them how young I am, because they think that I am much older.  So your maturity level rises greatly (to say nothing of wrinkles).

Finally, looking at it from a purely selfish way, any kind of job worth having after college wants you to have a master's and two years experience.  This program will give you 2 in 1, and you won't be too old by the time you graduate.  That way, even if you don't decide to go on teaching, your options are a lot more than just teaching.

My classroom management plan has changed so much since the summer.  I don't call kids out for not having their supplies, I don't punish kids for not raising their hands, I don't give them punishwork basically except when they say shut up or call someone stupid.

I've gotten more creative in my punishments, I just do whatever I feel is the best at the time.  For example, the other day, while playing a game, I had a student call a classmate a puta.  I couldn't believe it, but I didn't want to bother the office (had some problems with support), so I made him stand in the corner while we played the game.  It was very effective for him personally, as long as I made him face the wall.  It was hard for him, but not humiliating.  It was also very affective for the class.  Basically, I do what I need to when the issue comes up.

I notice a marked difference in my attitude between the days I wear heels and the days I don't.

My attitude affects my kids' attitudes.

Their attitudes affect how my day goes.

Conclusion:  I need more cute flats.

Michael Phelps is incredible, and that race was amazing.

Now, it's bedtime.

Okay, I screwed up.

Went too fast, so the kids don't understand.

Now they're bored, so they cause problems, which are out of control in my 6th period.

Had a kid SNAP HIS FINGERS at me.  "Boy, I know you did not just do that!  I am not a waitress and I am not your servant.  You will not come to my detentions like Mr. Jackson tells you to and now you have the utter gall to snap your fingers at me!?"  Then I walked to the call button and buzzed the office.  Also sent a kid to the office.

Now I can't let him back in my class until his mom comes to talk with me.  That's going to be a tough showdown.

Signing off,
Profe

I got my first, "That woman crazy!" yesterday.

Then I got my second and my third. 

I love my kids, seriously.

Seventh period, though, is going to need a hard hand.

I've had a whole lot of people drop my class because they're scared of me and/or they don't want a class as strict as mine. 

I love it.