What is something a student has done to make you laugh?

My students make me laugh all the time. It’s something about children that just really get to you. Since the new duty schedule for the month, I’ve had the opportunity to monitor all of the high school students together in one room. I must admit that room gets pretty interesting and humorous.
In the room which we affectionately call the holding room the children are able to act a different way than they would in a regular classroom setting. Here, I also encounter students that I don’t teach at all. Seeing those children interact with each other is so enjoyable.
On one occasion, the students were in the holding room waiting the call to go to breakfast. Amy, one of my high school students, got up and said, “Ms. Siwel Watch this!” I looked and she began dancing by twisting her body and walking like she was hopping across the floor. I smiled and nodded at her as if to say stop making a fool of yourself. They had been trying to get one of my more well-behaved students to do the same dance across the floor, because they said that she did it better than them.
When Jamie got up and began dancing, I could not understand how she was on flat ground. Her feet were always in the air. The dance reminded me of Amy’s, but Jamie’s version was much funnier. She pointed her finger toward the heavens as she finished her dance. I couldn’t help but to laugh.
They are funny. Sometimes you just have to laugh. It makes the situation better.

What is one change you can make to improve as a teacher? AKA: THE PEP TALK

One change I can make as a teacher is to be more organized. It seems like every time I try to be more organized, it backfires in my face. I’m wondering if it is just me as a person or if I am really having trouble with this aspect of my life. After each class I look at my room and realize that it is a disaster zone. Papers are everywhere and I have no clue where I just placed those other papers that were in my hand.
Leaving school is another part of my lack of organization. Before I leave I spent an hour trying to get everything together to complete at home, when I know that I’m not going to get around to doing it. I don’t know why I can’t seem to get it together. Papers are flying everywhere; I can’t seem to find a manila folder for anything in the world!
I keep realizing that I need more supplies, but I don’t seem to find the time to actually sit down and make a new list. Am I just a person who is not together?!
The only things that really seem together right now are my lesson plans and my Thanksgiving plans.
How am I going to change? I am going to try to destress myself during my trip. I am going to try to get myself together through organization if it KILLS me. I am going to get through this!

Success Story

My success story happened a few weeks ago. I have a student who is completely lazy and refuses to do any work. Devan has told me several times that the ONLY reason he comes to school is so his mother will not go to jail. When at school Devan wants to turn around and talk to his friends. Everyday he gets in just enough trouble not to get written up.

Normally, I have to literally MAKE Devan complete his work. I have to threaten that he cannot leave the class before his work is completed. This tactic has worked so far with Devan, because lunch is his next period and Devan does not ever want to miss a meal!

Realistically, I know that Devan is not an all A student; however I do realize that he can be a strong C+/possibly B- student, if he tried. He doesn’t do very well on tests, but if I allow him to do test corrections, he does better and usually gets them correct.

The success occurred last week. My students took their Ch.2 test. I already know how my students are so I have 3-4 different versions. Because Devan is a tier 2 student, one of his accommodations in my classroom is to give him a basic version of a test. Although it is a basic test, for Devan it is challenging.
On the test day Devan was warned for talking during a test. I have a zero talking policy during a test. If a person talks during a test, they will receive a zero. I have a cheating policy to keep down the talking, because as I’ve stated before I have 3-4 different versions. When I graded the tests, Devan to my surprise made an 88%. I was so proud of him! I know that he did it on his own, because he couldn’t have cheated. I told him I proud I was of him and that I knew he could do it if he tried. He told me that he understood things out of this chapter and all I could do was smile.

Yes, Devan is still lazy and yes, it is hard to get him to do any work. But, I am glad that we had a moment of success, and I am happy!