First day of school blues

**Xyphir** · 02-05-2009, 05:57 PM

Omg! I am so Happeeeeeee!
First full day of school was yesterday. I have a full teaching load - five classes. They were all fine! I couldn't believe it.
I've been really worried about media studies, but it was FINE! The students listened, participated, were quiet, stayed in thier seat, didin't challenge me! It was insane! It was like being back on placement with "normal" people!
My 11C class was my "naughtiest" class. They were as naughty as my best class at Pukekohe! I couldn't believe it! AND when I was relating it back to my colleagues - yes, Iacutally got asked how my day went and involved in a conversation! - they said the "bad" behaviours were unacceptable and I would have to jump on them (mainly just one girl who will be spoken to an moved for next class!)
My classes AREN"T all hooligans!
Lets hope it stays this way.

And to top it all off...
I have a fan in my roof which has been damaged. Apparently kds come after school and skateboard on the roof of the school and have damaged my fan which speeds up and slows down going "clunka-clunka-clunka-clunk-clunk-clunk", so far only during fifth period. Well, fifth period yesterday was my year 9 class. They asked me what the noise was (BECAUSE IT WAS SO QUIET THEY COULD HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!!!) And I said - off the top of my head - "Oh, there's a possum in my roof, running on a treadmill and that's what the noise is". They just nodded as if I had given them the answer to life, the universe and everything! A couple got up to try to see the possum. Then we had a discussion on how the possum got up there in the first place, and how to lure it out. We ended up deciding that becuase it spent nearly a whole period running on its treadmill, it must be an obese possum, and then talked about healthier food options for it! What a hoot!

So first day nerves are well gone. Have HEAPS to perpare. Didn't manage to book the book I wanted, so willl have to write a new book unit over the weekend. I chose one I was familiar with, so it shouldn't be too bad. And apart from that - all is going well. Only complaint so far is that I'm not too sure on how to start off the year paper-work wise with the kids. At Pukekohe, everyone got a pack with eveything they needed for each class. Here we have to get the stufff ourselves... and I'm not entirely sure what I need to get.

Oh - and get this - if there is a timetable problem... "Well then child, you will have to think about dropping one of those subjects" THye wont put more than 30 kids in one class! My year 9's currently are 18 (it will go up I think) and my other classes average about 25. Media studies is 31 - get this - one of the largest in the school! Compare that to my 36 last year!

Oh what a difference a school makes!

**Mathematical Mary** · 02-05-2009, 08:36 PM

Dawn, I am so glad you are finally in a place that can rightfully be called a school.

Your colleagues (finally, you have colleagues!) are right about the misbehaviors you have already experienced. Deal with it immediately (and without emotion). Speak matter-of-factly to the kid and be specific in describing the behavior(s) you expect. Kids are amazingly compliant when they know how you want them to act!

Talk to your colleagues often. I think they will be a good source of information for learning and growing professionally.

**wag** · 02-06-2009, 10:26 AM

When I read the subject line, I thought you were going to go through a whole list of problems.

Every class has their students that need addressing (immediately - as stated) and malfunctioning equipment. So all in all, it appears that you had the perfect first day. I'm so glad!

**Xyphir** · 02-06-2009, 03:43 PM

Thanks guys!
I am so happy to finally be out of that "educational black hole".
I was thinking about how I was going to move those "naughty" students and thought - Hey! I don't have to even think too hard because it is just two students - not 8 or 10! At least with two students you can put them on opposite sides of the class. Who'd have ever guessed that I wouldn't have trouble trying to figure out where to put the naughty kids! At Puke it was "where do I put the good kids".
Truly, I feel as if I am back on practicum because these kids are acting like the "normal" kids I had on practicum! Bliss!

I can't wait to get into actual teaching. I've been told that Howick kids like to do crafty fun stuff! WHich is me to a T! I got told to quit it at Puke becuase the kids weren't learning (ie they wouldn't participate so they wouldn't learn).

And for the first time in a long time - I can't wait for Monday!