Rant

[Veronica]

So frustrated with my class today. They were horrible to the substutue music teacher. They're barely listening to me. My ADD kids are at their worst. Two can't be quiet and the other two can't let them forget that they can't be quiet. Constant bickering. Playing with paper, making necklaces. They have checked out.

I'm fighting the urge for a red licorice binge. It's Teacher Appreciation Week and there's a ton of licorice in the staff room. Running and red licorice do not go well together.

Why can't the school year just end at Spring Break? :rolleyes:

Veronica

[indysteel]

I do not envy teachers this time of year. How much longer until summer vacation?

[Veronica]

41/2 more weeks - 21 working days.

Yeah, it's too early. I'm still grading stuff people!

Veronica

[Tri Girl]

OH. MY. GOSH. I am soooo with you.
I LOVE my job. I would NEVER want to do anything else, but the last month of school is torture. They've checked out and it's like pulling teeth to get them to behave and listen- let alone LEARN anything. Even the good ones are gone. I've been teaching for 13 years and I have LOTS of tricks in my bag, but it's difficult at best to maintain control this time of year.

I feel your pain, V. I got a hot fudge sundae on the way home- and that is not going to make me feel like running later like I need to, but I DON'T CARE TODAY!! grrrrrrrrrrr....

We have Field Day the last week of school, and I'm holding that over their heads. They misbehave during the month of May, the regular punishments don't apply- they lose 10 min. off of Field Day for every time they get in trouble. That's about the only thing that works to keep them in line (they ALL love Field Day). I hate holding things over their heads, but I gotta do what I gotta do.
Oh- and I'm a "specials" teacher (library) so they are normally out of control when they come see me twice a week anyway- it's just extra special this time of year.

We have 13 more days with them. I'm praying I come out of it alive. ;)

[Biciclista]

can't you take them out for a nature walk??

[Veronica]

No, not really - we don't really anything to look at it. Just a big field.

Veronica

[Trek420]

Can you plant a garden so that someday there will be something to run out and look at (plus you get to wear them out putting it in)? ;)

[Veronica]

Interesting suggestion, but no not really.

Seriously, we do a lot of fun things in my room. We just did this tessellation art project, which turned out great and they seemed to enjoy it. But you can't do "super fun" projects all day long every day.

I think a lot of it is that they are just getting fed up with each other. My ADD kids have some serious social issues and the others are getting impatient with it. How many times can you watch someone pick at his scabs and start bleeding, or listen to the kid whistle the same irritating song, or have the brilliant ADD kid blurt out the answer or get poked by the girl who doesn't quite understand personal space?

They are ten and have put up with a lot this year and have showed an amazing amount of compassion. But it is hard on the "normal" kids. It's a lot to expect them to always be patient and not all of them are. It just seemed like everyone had a meltdown today.

Veronica

[uforgot]

I am with you Veronica. I was just mentioning this morning that wouldn't it be nice if the superintendent said "Oh, we counted wrong, you can go home tomorrow!" The kids are just as tired of me as I am of them. Unfortunately, we still have testing schedules and standards to be met. I still have tons of material I am expected to cover and meanwhile the legislature is breathing down my neck telling me that every one of Missouri's students needs to be a rocket scientist.

3 more weeks.

[Crankin]

Totally understand.
Many years, school here in MA was not over until June 25th. It was torture, especially since schools here are not air conditioned. I always had lots of hands on activities and group things, but after May 15th, it was most of the work. My last big writing piece would be due no later than June 1st-5th. I gave lots of choice and lots of work for the last 2-3 weeks.
Riding to school 2 days a week kept me sane.