I know I'm posting a lot, but I gotta vent somewhere at the end of the day.
Today I would like to introduce you to my classes. Each class is made up of unique individuals, but the sum total of those individuals gives each class a unique personality as well. So, let's meet the classes I interact with.
Period 1:
I think if I had this class tenth period, it would be bad, but I love it first period. I have some amazing kids with great energy and dedication who really lead the class. I have a normal amount of serious slackers (for where I am now, probably about 10 in a class of 32) but first period it's easier to tell myself it's because it's early rather than they're just unmotivated. But some kids work really hard, and most days we all get along fine. People either do what they're supposed to and learn, or lay low and don't cause a ruckus.
Period 2:
I really love this class. I have several students in here who are actually trying to learn and understand Spanish. Probably over half the class really wants to be there and enjoys what we do. Many kids in this class are in some other disciplined extracurricular, like music or dance or sports, and know how to work hard. There's such a friendly spirit in this class, a willingness to do what I ask (with one or two notable exceptions) and it is such an easy class to work with. I try not to dwell on the fact that all of my classes used to have an environment more like this one, and just enjoy this one to the max while it lasts. I'm at my best this time of day as well, which plays into it, I'm sure.
Period 3:
Free period
Period 4/6 (lunch is in the middle of class)
This class is my race riot class. It's not necessarily more diverse than any of my other classes, but people are more emphatic about their cultural and racial roots here, and I try to deal with these differences in a way that keeps a race riot from breaking out. I also have a larger percentage of hispanics in this class who really speak Spanish, which some of the other kids really hate. I speak in (fast authentic) Spanish with those kids, which causes the other kids to break out in disgust (odd, considering they're in a Spanish class). But I've learned a lot about different cultures and racial differences from this class. It's hard to keep the peace some days however (or at least it feels like we're on the brink). In this class I do have some girls who are just fantastic, really eager to learn, disciplined, caring, and I just love teaching them. I also have a band of immature boys who make life challenging. They're not bad at all, just immature in their interactions, which on top of the racial tension doesn't make class easy. However this is the only class where no one is failing (except one girl who's recently been having some attendance issues).
Period 7/8
This is my emotionally disturbed class. I don't say that lightly. About a third of the class comes in super hostile. Several of them you never know when they are going to explode, and the explosions aren't pretty. Others are dealing with such serious life issues that they drag in a heavyness around them. I have a lot of trouble getting people not to use serious swearwords in this class. Getting this class to stay on track, participate, engage, be productive, do anything, most days feels like a losing battle. No one smiles at me at all in this class, except for one sweet girl in the front row who I don't know what I would do if she weren't there. Everyone else gives me the evil eye all day and no one speaks respectfully to me, despite my best efforts. They roll their eyes, are sarcastic, look at my like I'm stupid every second, or just plain speak to me insolently. This class is a huge challenge to treat like Jesus treats us: in love even in response to hatred.
Period 9
This class is my relief after period 7/8. I couldn't go straight to period 10 without them. There's still 38 of them in there, but they have (mostly--with a few exceptions) pulled their act together, listen when I talk, participate, have fun, and generally work at learning Spanish. I'm proud at what they accomplish, especially since there are 38 of them and it's so hot in my classroom by this time of the day. They don't even complain about the heat that much. I have several who have made up their minds to fail and sit heads down on the desk, but most of them are eager and willing to participate in class. Most of all, no one rolls their eyes at me when I talk (a welcome relief). It's a lot to manage just by the sheer numbers, but on the whole they do a great job.
Period 10
Oh my. We've whittled this class down to 32 (better) and gotten rid of about 4 students who just couldn't pull it together, but there's still about 6 students who overparticipate and in the wrong way. That 6 doesn't include my one "sunshine" girl who has the worst respect problem of anyone I've ever met. I've never heard her speak to me even remotely respectfully. I can't even describe her adequately. I have no clue how to deal with her. Then there's all the immaturity. Writing stupid little notes. Asking dumb, off-topic questions. Refusing to do classwork. Coming unprepared to class. Insulting others. Tattling. All of which I deal with as best I can, but the problem is three of these things are usually going on simultaneously. Doesn't leave a lot of time for teaching!! I've tweaked and tweaked the seating chart, but nothing will work if the students don't learn some measure of self-control. I can only do so much, and I've tried almost every trick I know so far.
So that's how my days go.
