Kontan.

I made it!

It really has been a race to the end of term two.  With an understanding administration I struggled through a major multi-tasking adventure.   Teaching, mock trial, and frantic grading became my life. The Monday after we returned was MLK and snow was expected on Tuesday.  I drove to school got what I needed to grade.  I also HAD to rework and resubmit my syllabus.  That was priority one.  Out of school on Tuesday, I finished the syllabus and did little to prepare for Wednesday.  In school on Wednesday it was trying just to get through the day.  MT after school, more grading too, but I had to prepare for teaching on Thursday and Friday.  Thursday was another long day with MT that evening.  I managed to get most of my quizzes in the computer before practice.  Friday was much better and I completed the grades for one class, but didn’t get their major project in the computer so I couldn’t generate.  I was also told Friday that it was no big deal if I completed my grades by the end of next week. Phew!  I can relax a little this weekend.  I went to school Saturday, with my girls, and worked on tests.  Not that productive.  Sunday, I did very little with my grades.  I finished another set of tests and didn’t stress.  Admin said not to remember?  Late Monday it was a different story.  It was not a demand, but a request that my grades be complete by Wednesday morning.  Could I do that?  WTH?!?! You said END of next week!  Do I freakin have a choice? “Of course, they will be complete no problem.”  Yesterday was a 15 hour day and my students were told to sit down, be quiet, and leave me alone.  Video for one class, short and sweet lecture/discussion for another… thankfully a three period day and one of the periods was my planning.  I despise the find something to do while I work, but there was no other option.  I had to finish grading AP exams and current event portfolios, enter into the computer, post and calculate.  I also had mock trial practice for three hours that evening.  I finished all grading by MT practice and did the grade entering after practice.  Success and relief, my T2 grades were finished by midnight.

How did today go?  I’m glad I like teaching the Civil War and do not have to refresh before teaching the catalysts because it would have been a rough day otherwise.  Throughout the day I consumed a pot of coffee.  My second AP class insisted I write bullet points on the board because I was slightly speedy in my explanation.  By the last period of the day I was operating on caffeine crash.  They were amused.  I lisp when I am tired.  Honestly, I am glad it is over.  The frantic race to completion was exhausting, but at least now I do not have to stress over it.  …

Now…I’m ready for Idol to off, my children to be in bed, and the DVR playing 24.  I missed it Monday night and I have forbidden my students from discussing it…I hear it was great.

One more thing…

Monday of this week (what a wonderful day that was) I found out my syllabus was rejected again.  <insert expletive here>  They were not happy with the amount of writing I require.  My AP students are fearful that I will now add more.  I assured them I would not.  I had to email for clarification because I included every essay that I require (13, I counted) with a * stating that I include others when appropriate.  I also included a DBQ, pulled from the AP site, and a link to other DBQs stating that I use them throughout the year. I also require at least 10 short answer/essay questions per unit.

The response? you should provide specific evidence–within units–that AP level DBQ are assigned on a regular basis. Citing questions from old APUS exams would work here. Simply using an example and linking to your source is not sufficient.  My 20 page syllabus is about to be 40. Is it really that awful that it should be rejected twice??? The one accepted last year was crap and I couldn’t follow it so I had to create my own! x2…Really???  My Syllabus
I am almost finished with the redo. I am not changing much.  Simply referencing every DBQ we will do and removing all mention of discuss when we write essays. Maybe that will do it.

*Please forgive all typos and weird wording.  I have typed with interruption, stopped/started and reworded and I’m really just too tired to proof.  I’m off duty anyway.

Thanks for stopping by!