Friday. Eighth grade math. Cotaught.
I walked in expecting to play support to the regular general ed teacher, but it turned out she was out too. So, it was a two sub day.
Well, we could handle that.
Ms. S and I both read the lesson plans. We divvied up the work. (I'd check their homework. She'd take roll.) I have a math background, so I would take lead in going over the warm up and the homework. She'd keep classroom control while I did that.
Second period went well. I was elsewhere for fourth period. (Learning center.) She had math support and enrichment.
When I returned for sixth period, I was not surprised to hear that fourth period had not gone well. (It was only a week prior that I had my own hell in a math support and enrichment.) And several of those students also had math sixth period.
But things go a bit easier with two teachers in the room. I can deal with an issue on one side of the room while the other teacher deals with a problem on the other side.
We had a couple students playing around. I caught a student copying the practice test they were doing. (Which was only going to hurt the student as no one was checking the practice test for completeness. This was their opportunity to figure out what they needed to learn for the test.)
Ms. S had taken over keeping track of restroom passes, and I focused on answering math questions.
"What are you doing over here?" I asked one boy.
"She said I could sit here."
Considering that Ms. S hadn't been allowing students to move, I was dubious. I got Ms. S's attention and asked if she had let the boy sit in that seat.
She had not.
Busted.
I mean, if you're going to tell a lie, do you tell one that can so easily be found out?
Eighth graders... *shakes head* They really don't think sometimes.
It’s a learning experience… how to tell plausible lies.
ReplyDeleteBut that's not really a skill I want them learning any time soon.
DeleteThat's funny, Liz. Good answer, as they say on Family Feud.
DeleteThanks :)
DeleteI think their 8th grade hormones block their neurotransmitters!
ReplyDeleteGood point.
DeleteThinking things through is not in a teenager's skillset.
ReplyDeleteAh, the incomplete teenaged brain. Too bad they will get better at lying as time goes on.
ReplyDeleteAs long as they're not lying to me so that they can disrupt a classroom...
DeleteNice try! He tests the communication between teachers, and assumes that there is none ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Liz, you should totally get a set of chalk markers. :) They work great on all glass and mirrors, even better than the mini chalkboard I bought them for.
ReplyDeleteIn case you're interested, here's a link to my 2022 purchase:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086TYM8W9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
I did not consider glass or mirrors. There are some old classrooms that have chalkboards kind of to the side (they never removed them from the classes, but they installed whiteboards along side). I couldn't figure out for the longest time how they had "painted" something on them. Then I found out about chalk markers. I figured if I ever did a long-term in one of those classes I'd check the markers out.
Delete