Haven't totally sifted through this blog, but the title says enough to ignite my curiosity: "Rate Your Students." It doesn't have "real names" or anything like that. We're teachers; not idiots. Looks like it has amusing anecdotes about common excuses students give and common annoying things they do. Case in point: emailing a paper/essay topic to you 2 weeks after it's due. I can relate. My students had a Powerpoint due 2 weeks ago (I think it was 2 weeks ago---I've lost count)-- this weekend one of my students emailed me, "Yeah, I'll email the Powerpoint this weekend." As IF it was due this coming Monday or something. I don't get it...how they could be so lackadaisical and irresponsible... I don't remember kids being like that when I was a kid...but then again, I was a "good student."
Check it out:
http://rateyourstudents.blogspot.com/
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Kids!!!
It's the night before progress reports are due. I think it's a waste of time to have 130 progress reports ready when things always turn out the same each marking period. The same kids get As and do stellar work; the same kids get low grades and comments like "Needs to improve homework completion in order to boost grade; I know your son/daughter is capable...blah blah blah." I have yet to remember a case when a student made a miraculous changeover from bad student to amazing student.
Was reading my 8th graders' journals and HAD to laugh. I post writing prompts and they do 5 minutes of sustained writing. One of the prompts one day was something along the lines of "Putting my foot in my mouth..." Reading through the journals now, TWO students wrote about how they can't put their foot in their mouth because they're not flexible enough. One student said, "That's totally gross anyway" and the other one commented, "I think it's weird and not attractive."
It's times like this that I have to laugh. They're such little smartasses in class but SOOOO basic otherwise.
Another student wrote about our school's "cruel" administration and how when he goes to prep school next year the administration will actually care. Guess that's what money will buy you....
I am not counting down to the end of the schoolyear yet (or at least I am trying not to). After Memorial Day, I feel like we'll be "home free." Until then, I'll continue to say the AA creed..."one day at a time."
Was reading my 8th graders' journals and HAD to laugh. I post writing prompts and they do 5 minutes of sustained writing. One of the prompts one day was something along the lines of "Putting my foot in my mouth..." Reading through the journals now, TWO students wrote about how they can't put their foot in their mouth because they're not flexible enough. One student said, "That's totally gross anyway" and the other one commented, "I think it's weird and not attractive."
It's times like this that I have to laugh. They're such little smartasses in class but SOOOO basic otherwise.
Another student wrote about our school's "cruel" administration and how when he goes to prep school next year the administration will actually care. Guess that's what money will buy you....
I am not counting down to the end of the schoolyear yet (or at least I am trying not to). After Memorial Day, I feel like we'll be "home free." Until then, I'll continue to say the AA creed..."one day at a time."
Monday, May 07, 2007
"Going the Distance"
I feel like a giddy kid--- keeping track of how many days of the schoolyear are left. There's 42 total days... that includes weekends and all... only 32 "school days" left. I keep looking @ the end-of-year calender, taking note of all of the upcoming activities. Every minute counts!!
I want to make an oath to myself to make this summer one of the best ones (um, again, another thing a giddy kid would say: "This summer's going to rule, man!!"). Seriously though, each summer I work PART-PART-time at the library. In my mind, I always plan excursions, beach days, etc. Then none of those things happen. I have to stop being afraid...and stop being lazy too. Make time for mini-excursions, even if I am going alone. My big fear is going into the city alone. I'd love to go to the Guggenheim or MOMA or something...but have no idea how to go about it. All I know how to do is take the train to Penn Station...that's it. Have to learn more. And have to think positive... "Most" people on this earth are good. Why do I allow my mind to conjure up images of me getting robbed, mugged, etc? The media, argh...
Ok, pre-summer goal... same goal as past few months... I want to try to lose a few pounds...I know EVERYONE says that. My goal is NOT a bathing suit goal-- even if I was a "skinny mini" (the term my Grandma used to use in regard to my "skinny mini" sister), I'd be pretty covered up on the beach. Bathing suits freak me out...bikinis even moreso. It's like wearing a bra and underwear on the beach. Guess I wouldn't fare too well on one of those hip, nude European beaches. Oh well, Sleazside here I come instead:)
No-- my weight loss goal is simple. I want to get into those tacky, "shredded" denim shorts from 4 or 5 summers ago. I think they will be perfect for PNC tailgating excursions. To fit into them, hmm, it can't be that hard. In college, I went from 180 to 155... I'm 10 pounds past 155...but damn, those last 10 pounds are always the hardest....
Self-control, self-control, self-control....
I want to make an oath to myself to make this summer one of the best ones (um, again, another thing a giddy kid would say: "This summer's going to rule, man!!"). Seriously though, each summer I work PART-PART-time at the library. In my mind, I always plan excursions, beach days, etc. Then none of those things happen. I have to stop being afraid...and stop being lazy too. Make time for mini-excursions, even if I am going alone. My big fear is going into the city alone. I'd love to go to the Guggenheim or MOMA or something...but have no idea how to go about it. All I know how to do is take the train to Penn Station...that's it. Have to learn more. And have to think positive... "Most" people on this earth are good. Why do I allow my mind to conjure up images of me getting robbed, mugged, etc? The media, argh...
Ok, pre-summer goal... same goal as past few months... I want to try to lose a few pounds...I know EVERYONE says that. My goal is NOT a bathing suit goal-- even if I was a "skinny mini" (the term my Grandma used to use in regard to my "skinny mini" sister), I'd be pretty covered up on the beach. Bathing suits freak me out...bikinis even moreso. It's like wearing a bra and underwear on the beach. Guess I wouldn't fare too well on one of those hip, nude European beaches. Oh well, Sleazside here I come instead:)
No-- my weight loss goal is simple. I want to get into those tacky, "shredded" denim shorts from 4 or 5 summers ago. I think they will be perfect for PNC tailgating excursions. To fit into them, hmm, it can't be that hard. In college, I went from 180 to 155... I'm 10 pounds past 155...but damn, those last 10 pounds are always the hardest....
Self-control, self-control, self-control....
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