Second Quarter

Well, the end of the first quarter did not turn out too bad- not great though. Of course, my 8th graders outpaced my HS class my nearly 30% (class average), but some of my HS students did show a bit of improvement and did raise his/her grade in the end (although, still failing).

Students who earned a C or better were allowed to select his/her seat for the quarter (first part at least). I have certificates for students who earned a B or higher- I will figure out some sort of actual reward. One JHS class with A average- supposed to be a movie, but new district rules state that it movies have to be pre-approved by committee. It is a lot of paperwork, so I will think of something else. Two with a B average- music fiesta. My HS class at a dismal F.

My meeting with HS administrators to discuss my HS class went as it went. Mainly a socio-political speech about offering opportunities to all students. They did not seem to care about current grades or the fact that a few students do absolutely nothing in class. But, I do have more authority now to send students out for non-compliance, insubordination, disrespect, etc. In my opinion, they want to take the data that belongs in academics and move it to the behavior column. In this way, the district can present to the community that this particular group did take Spanish. With the behavior, the African-American male student is so overly represented, so a handful more will not make such a difference (my students have a number of referrals and suspensions already, mine are not going to sway the numbers much).

I interviewed for the Assistant Drama coach position. I am not expecting to get it, I don't know if I want it- long hours, especially through the production season. I guess a few people interviewed. I think my interview outcome was mixed- I could not really read the director.

FLIC is going OK, although still a bit unorganized.
We are planning to go to the Lantern Festival (local thing) and organizing a bowling event.

Another weekend of grading. I need to figure out a better system. I do what I can at school- late days; 12 hour days- but it is not enough. All day yesterday, finishing after 15 hours. At least it is done.

Next week is a short one due to parent conferences. After the test results and the student reflections, I decided that I am going to do review ("recycle") lessons.

The week after that, Monday is our Dia de los muertos fiesta- why do I do fiestas? And then Tuesday off (Veterans Day), and a recycle test on Wednesday. I want to get back to the lesson by Thursday- probably have to start over and reteach (we only got to the vocabulary anyway).

I started to get a generic unit plan together- something I can follow each lesson. The textbook plans give 10 days per lesson, but I need more than that. I do not think I will get though two units (four lessons) by Winter Break, but maybe. I will have to push and push.

Now, I just have to tackle the rest of the things on my TTD list:
Work- plans, handouts, newsletter, my quarter reflection.
Inside- laundry, clean house, aquarium.
Outside- lawn, garden stuff, wood pile.
Other- schedule(s), calls.

It never ends.