I attended my first Gay-Straight Alliance meeting on Thursday. There were so many kids out in 9th grade, it was sort of shocking. I just can't get over how nice and cooperative the students are at LD. Another example of this was brought up when the students pointed out the need to reach outside of their cliques and get to know each other. The GSA is not composed entirely of gay kids. There are alot of their straight friends there supporting them. And not once did I hear the them griping about being picked on. They all just seemed happy to come together, have a chance to socialize, and speak their minds.
Mr. Kalos's style of teaching is different from what I imagine mine to be. He is a showman and our students really respond to this. Since I am using his lesson plans at the moment, I have trouble suddenly thrusting myself into this role. Trying to reign everyone's attention towards just me also is creating problems with classroom management. Kids are testing their boundaries with me. Often, I am so concentrated on the focus of the lesson that I don't catch them talking or sleeping right away. Before I can deal with it, Mr. Kalos often jumps in. Since this is not my classroom nor my student teaching, I think this is fine for now. But, need to think about way to deal with behavior more effectively. We don't do enough group work for my tastes. I figure if the kids want to talk to each other, let them, as long as it is on topic of course. So, I will try to work this into my future lesson plans. Also, they are constantly looking to Mr. K for the RIGHT answer. I would really like them to understand that there never really is a RIGHT answer. In fact, I am constantly impressed by how much they grasp or seem to grasp about our short stories.
Mr. K has been dealing with a situation regarding one of our highly talented gifted students. He has stood his ground regarding an ad assignment his students were supposed to have turned in by now. The students have expressed to me how much effort they put into obtaining ads, but with our economy they are have had trouble find buyers. I have been able to experience both points of view.
I gave a lesson for PSU in my night time class that was unfocused yet again. My groups didn't really understand the assignment. NOT SURE WHY. I thought I was pretty clear, but I'll remember this heading towards my next lesson. Also, I drank a strong cup of coffee beforehand to combat the wicked exhaustion of THURSDAY, so I was probably speaking about a mile a minute. I was feeling pretty crazy at that moment.
Things that are totally unrelated ---- I'm changing so much!
1. I hardly drink (ahem relatively speaking).
2. I have given up coffee (except for that incident on Thursday)
3. I have a want for really nice clothes. This results from the interview I had the other day at Bricco where I looked spectacular, felt like a million trillion dollars walking in, and totally just said here I am you'd be crazy not to hire me. I'm really excited to work again! My weekends are really starting to bore me.
4. I wake up before 9 am every day.
5. Relating to #1, I feel incredibly awake, even bubbly (okay not bubbly but something) ...
6. I have a near constant ache in the back of my neck from sitting at the computer too long ... so til another day ... :)
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I love hearing about the positive changes you've been experiencing. I have to admit I am going through many of the same ones. I've been drinking less, however I'm back on coffee (but not in excess), I've started yoga one day/week, and I too have a desire for nicer clothes (not necessarily expensive, but more fashionable. I still can't get my ass out of bed in the morning but I blame this on restaurant work coupled with a dark basement apartment. Maybe we're just growing up?? Wish we lived closer so we could go shopping together....Asheville next spring??
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