End of First Quarter

Thank goodness for that!
Another up-and-down week: same students, same issues.
Kathy and the HS administration have not been very helpful. Kathy stated that it will look bad, as a non-tenure teacher, if so many HS students fail Spanish I (currently 11/24). The administration has taken the "equity" position- "all students should have access to foreign language." I agree, but it does not mean that the students are ready for it (academically, never mind the behavior). Finally, the HS counselor looked at the class roster and agreed that there is a problem. I am getting some support from a few JHS teachers (I spoke with FEA representative), who agree that select students should have never been placed in Spanish. Nick is somewhat supportive; Scott is more neutral (as he usually is).

Anyway, I thought the Spanish I exam was rather easy. I made it for the department, using the modified assessment book (reteach-assessment book). The majority of my students stated the same. I have not finished all of the grading, but so far things look good. Sadly, it is obvious who studied and who did not- always the same students.
A number of students aced the verbal. A lot of 35+/40 on the scantron portion. I just have the written to grade (email to pen pal) and the cultural portion (extra credit), and then count the bellwork (more extra credit).

First quarter reflections should be interesting.

We did not have enough students sign up for the trip to Chicago. Too bad, really. It could have been a nice trip. Maybe we will reschedule.
FLIC, in itself, is a mixed bag. The same students I had issue with last year with Spanish Club are creating havoc again.
I need to set meeting rules; the girls are SO disruptive.
We now have a t shirt idea, a fundraiser idea, and a couple of possible activities.
We shall see how this turns out.

My ear infection finally broke this week. Two weeks no gym; went this morning for 20 minute walk. I actually lost a bit of weight while I was sick.

Otherwise, another weekend with a long list of things to do. Thank goodness the weather is wet and cold or I would also have the yard to deal with.

El domingo

No gym today, but finished grading.
Quizzes not too bad, but not too good either.

I do not know what it is about the weekends- I just am not going to the gym. Too much to do; panic that I am not going to finish. Perhaps laziness.

Yesterday, I prepared for errands (but did not go), mowed the lawn, and then graded.
Today, I have errands to do, finish laundry, and clean up the house. If I have time, I will prep for the week (may have to do tomorrow after going to the dentist).

The next couple of weeks will not go as I anticipated; I need to review the quiz material, work on the 1.2 material, set time for exam review, and two days for the quarter exam.

Field trip on Friday the 24th, so the quiz will have to be Wednesday and Thursday. What am I going to do on Friday? Maybe project presentations.

Ears clogged due to infection. The cold started on Thursday and went into my ears Saturday. No, I have not gone to the doctor. Hopefully, it will clear up without having to pay for a visit and meds. Still, I am having issues already with hearing and the clog only adds to my concern. Maybe I will go Monday or Wednesday. It depends on how bad it gets and if I have time.

So, lots to do.
Better get moving!

Nice Weather

60s and 70s this week- Mother Nature hoping to sustain the end-of-summer weather for as long as possible.

The leaves are changing, although out the kitchen window there is not much color. My drive to work is beautiful, and will become more so as autumn moves on.

Garden is a still a mess- another thing to do on my Fall TTD list.

Lawn today, as rain possible tomorrow.

I'm beginning to think that my "listing" is more something obsessive, not necessarily something real. Still, I do get more done when I have a list- and then get angry at myself when there are things left to do.

This weekend, I have a lot to do (when do I not), with little done so far (Saturday at 1pm; up since 7:30).

This week, things overall better, although not completely. I would like to get through a week without feeling like I should have done something differently. Yes, reflection is a very important part of teaching, but it would be nice to have a series of "good" days.

A lot of schedule changes- field trips, picture retakes, meetings. I will have to scrap my plans for next week (finished), to spend a day catching everyone up to be on the same page.

Wednesday was a busy day for my students- a lot due. I finished nearly all the grading, with quizzes left. The original stacks were a bit drowning, but I scuttled through. These quizzes are going to take some time- so why am I wasting time?

FLIC trip approved to the Mexican Art Museum (Chicago) for October 25th. We will see how many sign up and turn in permission slips. We have to pay for the transportation (bus and driver), at nearly $600 for the day. If we have 30 students, the cost is not that bad ($21), but then there is the museum entrance and lunch. I need to call them to confirm date and cost.

Otherwise, OK, nothing much really.
Going to gym in AM, still not PM.
I have a bit of a cold; ears clogged. Hopefully it will clear over the weekend.
No school Monday- Columbus Day. Going to dentist and lunch with Mom.

Next week, a short week with the day-off and the Equity Conference on Friday (no students). After last year's bias, I hope this year's conference will offer something more well-rounded. Probably not.

October

I very much enjoy the move into autumn: the cooler days and nights; wearing sweaters, the smell of a fireplace. It is the "in between" of the year- something familiar and sullen.

This week at work full of ups and downs. Nothing major really, just a bit riding on the chaotic. I need to be more prepared, more focused, more in-tune with what I am supposed to be doing. I find myself going-through-the-motions, rather than really engaged. Boredom? No, I do not think so.
I find the text book somewhat unorganized. I believe it is important to teach usable material, but the text seems to skip some of the basics- such a verb conjugations- so that students are able to make statements. i.e. "Abren su libro," without discussing the verb and conjugations of abrir, nor a classroom vocabulary set. Perhaps I am a bit old school with my thematic plans and grouping, but I sense some confusion amongst the students.
Classroom performance definitiely dividing now: those that can and do v. those that are not doing much of anything. Sadly, my recommendations for dropss are starting to realize- how can I grade a student who has not done anything?
Two drops thus far: one was a dyslexic student, but I believe it was more due to fear of public speaking (previous discussion with parent); another being moved to AVID (student not working in my class anyway). I anticipate another next week, if not two. The quarter end will really determine who is putting in the effort and who is not.

FLIC going well. Planning trip to Chicago, now in process of getting administrative approval (HS).
Cheryl is getting on my nerves. We shall see.

FB study hall over soon- Thank God. Really wearing me out. I do not think I will do it again next year.

11 year anniversary this weekend.
David and I went to Garrett's last night: wine and brought dinner home.

Artscene weekend.
I am suppose to go around with Sara, but not really in the mood anymore.

Mom in Monroe.
I guess things are OK with grandma.

Otherwise, another busy weekend.
I need to get more done during the school day, athough I did get some work done.