Tuesday, May 8, 2012

I'm already thinking about what to do different, the same, and better for next year. I brought all of my binders home so I could reorganize, separate, and sort... all summer long.

I love watching the Big Bang Theory! I'm even gonna get a Sheldon poster I saw at Walmart and put it up next to my desk at school.

You may be wondering what did that previous statement have to do with thinking about next year, it seemed so random. Well, I was watching a rerun episode today on TBS and they showed some very bad use of science lab equipment and use of lab materials and equipment to play pranks. Including having drinks out in an area where other chemicals (quite dangerous I might add) were being used. Which got me to thinking, "Hmm... I bet I could use this episode to teach science safety next year." So I went on Youtube, good old youtube, and found the very 6 minutes and 22 seconds of the episode that I needed. Isn't the internet great! Thought I would attach for your enjoyment.


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Bazinga!

Side note: If you watch the Big Bang Theory, then you'll know I'm not using the title phrase in the correct context, but since this school year has kinda been a joke for me... I find it appropriate at this time.

Sorry I haven't written in a while. I have been way too busy and too tired to even think about blogging. I failed to mention in the beginning that in addition to my science courses, I was made to teach 7th grade language arts this school year after we lost a teacher at the beginning of the year. Mind you,  I am not certified to teach language arts. So anyone who has been in a similar situation knows how difficult it is to teach another subject you have no training for. And then still be expected to get 80% of your students to make at least one years worth of growth and score proficient or better on the state tests. (I'm able to write you now, because they students are finally taking their state tests) Keep in mind, however, that 50% of my class has IEPs with most reading on a 5th or 6th grade level.

I didn't mention this earlier because I didn't want this blog to be about me just venting about how upset I am about this scenario. But the real problem for me arose when trying to plan language arts was getting in the way of planning for and teaching science. So frankly I have been a mess all year.

And by the by, next year my district is eliminating some 200+ positions, thank God mine wasn't one of them, but this might mean that I'll have to teach 6/7/8th grade classes next year. With at least two out the four classes being split between two grades. So to say the least I'm a little stressed, this isn't exactly what I  I signed up.

In addition, my personal life has been an even bigger mess than my professional. By the end of the calendar year I will probably no longer by a mrs.

But on a lighter note, I love working with my team members. Together I've got at least 80+ years of experience to glean from on a regular basis and we get along quite well.

Science club is working on a community service project of planting flower gardens around the school campus. And I just ordered several books from Dinah Zike.  Can't wait use all of the cool foldables next year.