I think back on the events of this week and realize just what a whirlwind it was. Progress reports and Poverty presentation consumed the first part of the week. NCLB documentation was thrown in there as well. I’m trying a different approach with my students…there grades are horrible. By their own admission they are not doing their work and not studying. Soooo, I’m ability grouping and allowing them to work together to complete assignments, but holding them accountable individually. They didn’t share answers as much as I expected them to and because they were grouped everyone seemed to work. I spent the last two days giving lecture. I called it a notegame…that sounds much better than I talk/you write. Instead of using powerpoint or writing notes on the board, I talked. I explained. and…I answered any question that came in their heads. They were still responsible for taking notes. I told them to get as much down as they could and to listen for clues that would indicate what was most important. Anyway, it worked. I had their attention. I will give them a noteguide Monday and see how much they were able to absorb. This too will be a group activity. The next will be test review where they work together to complete a review that is similar to the test. They will have to justify every answer. Rambling…oh wait…this is my place, I can do that.
Went to the high school football game tonight. Team was way ahead when we left and the band looked pretty good. I felt bad for them. Their former assistant was at the rival school. Turns out her husband, who was the rival school band director, killed himself earlier this week. Unbelievable. I just can not imagine. It is a terrible thing for an entire school to deal with. The hardest part for me is that I know how band kids are. You spend so much time with this one teacher and they are such a part of your life. You want their approval. Then this??? Just can not believe it. I really feel bad for his wife. They haven’t been married long and they had a young child. It was the wife that found him. Totally shocking to me.
Sorry not more upbeat…but I’m tired. Maybe tomorrow I’ll look back on what was good about this week.
September 23rd, 2006 at 8:21 am
I’m glad the grouping worked well for you; very few of my kids do well with those types of activities. If you have any hints on how to make it work better, I’d appreciate if you could pass them my way.
Suicide is one of those things I’ll never understand, and I’m so sorry that your kids are having to deal with it. Rest up, and feel better!
September 23rd, 2006 at 10:04 am
Oh my gosh. I know how hard it is to lose someone to suicide. My former pastor killed himself about 2 years ago and I’ve known him for about 25 years. What was harder is that his daughter’s husband killed himself several years before that. It breaks my heart to hear about someone who has taken their own life. My prayers are with his family and for you guys too.