When I left the seventh grade science class, I told the kiddos that it wasn't goodbye. It was "see you around". Because I would see them again. And again. And again.
Friday. I was asked to cover an extra period, seventh grade history. And of the class of 33, I counted 18 names that I recognized (and once I was in the class, I noted a couple more faces that I recognized without remembering their names). Oh, and the history classroom was basically next door to the science classroom.
The good news was I knew more than half the class. The bad news was I knew more than half the class.
They were wound up, but it was the last period on a Friday of a minimum day, so I kinda knew that was coming.
I caught two students with phones. Myles was there, but he kept his head down this time. Edgar kept calling me over for various reasons, ending with telling me he really wanted to learn to speak Korean.
(And Keith, who was referenced in yesterday's post, was in this class. Without his twin.)
I'm rather surprised at how many names I learned in my thirty days in the science class. But it's helped me a lot. If I keep getting to cover seventh grade classes, I may even remember their names for longer than a school year.
Good news and bad news, but I hope more good news. Hopefully, having that initial long term assignment makes the rest of the year a little easier, if having the same problem kiddos again and again doesn't get old first.
ReplyDeleteIt only helps if I get 7th grade classes at that school. But that's a help.
DeleteOf course you knew most of the kids.
ReplyDeleteFunny how that works.
DeleteThe devil you know is better than the angel you don't 😊
ReplyDeleteVery true.
DeleteIt's always the ones who stand out, for good or bad, you tend to remember!
ReplyDeleteAlso true.
DeleteYou'd think that knowing you as they do, they wouldn't try to get away with stuff when you're there.
ReplyDeleteKnowing so many ahead of time, could probably give you time to prepare....mentally. Are the ones you know, acting the same as they did in the other class? I wonder because being in a class you like vs one you don't like can make students behave differently...or at least it did back in my day...you know, the dark ages.
ReplyDeleteI didn't have too much time to prepare as I was coming from a different class to cover the one period. But yeah, they were behaving a bit differently than they did in the science class. A different mix of personalities is also part of it.
DeleteIt's probably comforting to the kids to see someone they know.
ReplyDeleteI think it is somewhat.
DeleteI was thinking that too, they were probably happy to see you.
ReplyDeleteI don't know if happy is the word. But there's a familiarity that helps (or hurts, I'm not sure).
DeleteMust be kind of nice to know half the class. Perhaps it makes things a little easier?
ReplyDeleteNow I wonder if you speak Korean. Since Edgar has a thing about and wonder if you can teach, him a few words.
ReplyDeleteHow you keep them all straight, and each different class, how to proceed when suddenly called in---you seem to handle it so well. I'm in awe.
ReplyDeleteLesson plans. I follow the teacher's lesson plans. And all classes are structured in kind of a similar manner.
DeleteThe energy of the last period on a Friday can be wild, but it sounds like you handled it well! It’s great that you’re learning their names and personalities so quickly—it's bound to make teaching even more enjoyable. Thanks for sharing your experiences; I look forward to hearing more about your adventures in the classroom! Check out my new blog post and let me know what you think. Wishing you a happy weekend! https://www.melodyjacob.com/
ReplyDeleteThe last period or a Friday are bad enough. Put them together...
DeleteGood news or bad news, it's always good to know them and their names ;)
ReplyDeleteGoing from class to class, must be hard keeping up with things, and kids! lol...I never thought about it when I was in school and a sub would work one day in this class and the next day another class. I think for me, that would get old. But then again, dealing with kids on a daily basis, that are not mine, I would lose my mind. Hair is thin enough, don't really need to pull any out and I would
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't get old as every day is different. Different subject. Different way of setting things up. But I repeat enough classes that not every day is completely different.
DeleteI guess having familiar kids may be better than unfamiliar, at least you know what you are getting with them.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to know that somebody wants to learn a new language.
ReplyDeleteI've always struggled remembering names. lol Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteMe too. If only we could make them wear name tags ;)
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