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Wipeout!

It wasn’t the excessive talking and getting out of their seats that did me in. At first, it was the lack of available resources (pencils and paper!) and then it was the consistent lack of attention/obedience from not just a few but nearly everyone in the class. It was also the continual tattling, the stealing, the lying, the roadblocks to accomplishing ANYthing worthwhile for the day. I had a good night’s sleep, but I just wasn’t up for this level of combat today – or maybe I’ve had so many great days in other schools that I’ve forgotten about the miserable ones. In any case, I was supposed to do this first grade class in Westwood tomorrow, but I canceled – that’s a first. 😦

a.m. I was at the Japanese Immersion School for the morning. They started with a morning meeting where they sang a Japanese folk song, “O Canada! (!)) and the Star-Spangled Banner. They are going to be singing before an upcoming Whalers (Jr. Hockey League) game, so that’s why they learned the Canadian anthem. I enjoyed the group singing, followed by group exercise which was easy to follow even though the directions were in Japanese.

The kids were rather chatty and not as responsive as the class I worked with there before, but for the most part, it went okay. What I hate the most: lesson plans that are missing or confusing. This morning I was supposed to teach 1st grade math – usually no big deal – but on the last page of the workbook, I had no idea what the kids were supposed to do, and the Teachers’ Edition was not where it was supposed to be. I should have just skipped the page. Ten minutes before the end of class, another teacher came in and showed the kids, but it wasn’t enough time to re-do everything. Then their lunch cards were missing and in some schools, that means no lunch – but the principal said not to worry about it. It was frustrating not being able to do the job right.

p.m. I taught 4th grade in Westwood for the afternoon – always a challenging bunch, and I’ll be at that school most of the week.
Most of the afternoon went okay, though we didn’t have enough time, with all their interruptions, to finish all three tasks set before us. At the end of the day I needed to zip out as quickly as possible to get to my class at Henry Ford College, so I determined to take the kids down to the hallway outside the cafeteria so that when the bell rang I’d save on about 5 minutes of nonsense. Well, you’d have thought I was suggesting a Constitutional amendment – “We’re not allowed to leave the classroom until the bell rings!”  “The principal will make us come right back upstairs!”  I told them that today was different and that we were going down before the bell rang and that I was in charge and that they would not get into trouble with the principal. After a good five minutes of arguing and almost physically having to pull the last 3 kids out of the room, we made it downstairs, spoke to the very helpful principal, and heard the bell ring.  Honestly – if it’s THEM changing a rule it’s no big deal, but let the guest teacher do it…..

DAY 81 I taught 6th grade in the morning. I overheard a boy telling his friends that Coke used to have drugs in it. I confirmed the fact that it originally contained cocaine (when it was legal, about 100 years ago) and refuted his conclusion that we might still be able to find some in there today. We talked a little more about some drug issues and as I turned to speak to some other kids, I heard him say, “She’s cool!” Well, if writing more than 600 web posts about drug and alcohol addiction made me cool, so be it!
Today was 6th grade in the morning, and it went well after they realized I intended to be firm with them. I made sure that they were all rewarded for being good, also. The afternoon was Kindergarten at another Livonia school, in a class I’ve been in before. (Mrs. B! It’s Mrs. B!) 🙂 A good day, overall, though I got a little annoyed with two boys (T and M) who were having some sort of long-lasting disagreement over the ownership of two tiny sequin-sized “treasures”. I suspect that T took M’s from him, because M was NOT letting go of the issue – I even had to put his coat on him and stuff his backpack because he had a one-track mind. I told him I’d leave a note for the teacher since I couldn’t resolve it. It seems silly to us, but to a little person, it truly is a crisis, so, while I wanted it “over with” I had to respect that it was important to them.

DAY 82  I don’t know why, but I was dizzy this morning so I was glad to be in the Resource Room, dealing with only a few students at a time. Also, this particular huge Westland school has a whole row of offices for Resource and Counseling, so I had my own office which could hold 4 kids. It had a locked door and a window to the hallway that had a curtain. After about two hours I had a break and I laid down on the floor for half an hour and the dizziness passed. Later on I discovered that the Teacher’s Lounge has a very nice sofa unit…. 😦  I pushed in and pulled out all morning. Push in is helping in a classroom, and Pull out is taking the kids to the office to work on some needed skills.

The last half hour was the best. The 6th grade class was watching CNN for Kids and my job was to circulate and encourage/push kids to take notes as they were supposed to. There were some lively discussions about some of the topics, one of which was iPhones versus flip phones. I mentioned that my cell phone bill is only $16/month. Later a girl raised her hand and asked me how my cell phone bill could be so low when hers is $103/month? I explained that it is a flip phone that just makes and receives calls and texting can be done but not extensively since it’s a pain. I said, “and no internet.” Gasps arose from the students. “I couldn’t live without my phone!” This is when my fun started (think Heathcliff Huxtable and Theo with Monopoly money.)

Me: “That’s because YOU are not paying for it!” I glanced at the teacher and she gave me the go-ahead to keep going.
“Let’s say that you have a job making $8 an hour. How many hours do you have to work each month to pay for her cell phone?”
Voice: “13”
Me: “Okay, and how many hours do you have to work each month to pay for my phone?”
Voices: “2”
Me: “Okay – do you REALLY want to work THIRTEEN hours just to have internet and games on your phone, or could you work just TWO hours a month and enjoy your games on your computer instead?
Many.Thoughtful.Looks.

🙂 Score 1 for Mrs. B! And the teacher was delighted.

PS (I didn’t even address the fact that taxes would take the first $2 of each hour or the fact that neither me nor my children, as well as millions of other people, never had cell phones at age 11.)

The afternoon was 6th grade in a different Livonia school, which went well. The students read from Time for Kids (Time magazine’s mini-mag) and filled out quiz forms afterwards. I checked them over. In the article about “Selma”, there was a question about what was the importance of the 1965 march. One boy put down “To end slavery.” I told him that was incorrect, and asked if he thought there was slavery in 1965 – to which he said yes. I informed him that it would have been closer to 1865 and there was no slavery in 1965 (not of the kind he was referring to). I told him to re-read the article and see what the march was about. He came back with an answer about Civil Rights and black people being able to vote, which is what the article said!  This is the second kid I’ve run into who thought that Martin Luther King, Jr. was marching to end slavery. Sigh. I suppose 1965 seems as far in the past as 1865 to someone who was born in 2003. Yep, Dr. King was no doubt on his iPhone to Abe Lincoln discussing the issues.

Later, after talking about how great it is to have a job you like, a student from another class whom I had only for one hour asked me if I love my job. I told him yes, and he asked, “Is it because of me?”  I was rather surprised! It reached his goal of bringing laughter from the class – I foresee that this kid (whom I think the girls would find good-looking) is going to be a real charmer.

BTW, are boys really wearing layered cuts that look exactly like girls’ hairdos, now?

Today I subbed in Geometry classes in a high school in Livonia and it all went very well. It’s normal, yet remarkable, how different the sound is in the hallways. Instead of the high-pitched, and sometimes beehive-like buzzing of the early elementary students, it sounds about the same as it would at a conference for adults. Franklin HS is huge, and this time around I knew my way from place to place. The students were supposed to copy down two pages of notes that the teacher provided. One student asked if she could just take a picture of the pages with her iPhone and I agreed. It still had to be copied into the math notebook, but it was easier to read than the overhead screen. Soon I had a line of 15 teens taking turns snapping away. So, I followed the same procedure for the rest of the classes. It’s sure not something I would have thought of!

It’s very encouraging that many aspects of substitute teaching have become more routine. At the beginning, the whole morning routine with breakfast and lunch count and calendar time for the little ones was quite something to keep track of. It’s easier to relax now that I’m not stressing over what I’m supposed to do next. I also understand that while the teachers would like me to accomplish everything they list in their plans, they also understand that sometimes it can’t all be done, and many leave more than enough to make sure that the subs don’t run out.

I was asked to interview for a long-term subbing situation and I was pretty excited about it at first. But upon further reflection, there are far more negative aspects to accepting it. It involves one of the most challenging schools and grade levels. It pays only a small amount more for a lot more responsibility, and with my classes at Henry Ford College right now and some family concerns, I think it suits me better to stick with regular subbing.

1. We had a tough Art History exam last week. So, yesterday when I arrived to find – as usual, 20 heads were all looking down at their phones and no one interacting, I said to my fellow students, “So, is everyone ready for the test?”  Bwahahahahaha everyone stopped and stared at me – it was priceless. “Just kidding.” Quite a few smiles.

2. There are works of art adorning the hallways, including a picture of a naked woman right near the door where I usually enter, where FREEZING air comes in. I left a post-it note on the picture frame that said, “I’m FREEZING here!”  Bridget Brown and Lydia saw it in the morning and found it as humorous as I did. Someone removed it, though.

🙂

Another very good day!

Today I taught 2nd grade in Livonia and it went very well. They were a little chatty, but very responsive when told to stop.
We did math and writing and I read to them about Abraham Lincoln, among other subjects. I told them a couple of stories, which they really seemed to enjoy. It was nice to be in one building all day. If I was going to choose a school based on facilities, this might be it – they had a double-size classroom (some do there, some don’t). And they could win an award for the nicest teacher’s lounge – comfy furniture, low lighting, and snacks. 🙂  I’ve been to some schools where the teachers have a table and a few chairs in a room with the laminator (stinky!) and the copier and don’t even have a microwave!

I watched the P.E. teacher for a few minutes. I liked how he had the kids stand on a line quietly while he explained the rules of the games, and then when he was done he called one or two kids up to help demonstrate, and when they finished, he simply said, “Audience” and the kids all clapped and cheered. He did this several times, which I think helps, since they know they will have a chance to be noisy. 🙂

A very good day!
I spent the morning as first grade teacher in Livonia, and it was  good bunch of kids to work with.
Then I went to a second Livonia elementary and worked in the resource room, tutoring a couple of kids at a time for half hour spans for the afternoon – pretty enjoyable, overall, although some weren’t so cooperative and it’s always discouraging trying to teach division and decimals to kids who do not know multiplication tables. Checking charts is cumbersome and slow. Counting on fingers even more so. Many schools seem to encourage both!   The highlight was helping three 6th graders write a short essay based on their strong opinions  (1. Why kids should be allowed to use their phones in school 2. Why 13-year-olds should be allowed to get a driver’s license 3. Why schools should not have uniforms).

I may have an opportunity for a long-term subbing situation. Yes, it’s in one of the more difficult schools. Yes, it’s in one of the more difficult grades I’ve handled (3rd). What, am I crazy, or have I just watched too many “To Sir, With Love” type movies? Or is it just an opportunity to try a challenge – those kids need someone to teach them. And it’s not an irreversible contract. It pays higher but will also involve more work (not sure how much, exactly.)  Tune in for future details.

Conversation with a very pregnant teacher I met today:
“When is the baby due?”
“11 days.”
” First or second?” (It’s rarely past that with working teachers).
“Second.”
She referred to the birth date as an “eviction” – said that it’s all planned. She said that she hates surprises and can’t stand not knowing when things are going to happen, so the date is all chosen and planned.
I couldn’t help but wonder how she will manage two kids if she doesn’t like surprises and can’t stand not knowing when things are going to happen. But I held my tongue.

I must dedicate this song to two little girls in a school where I taught recently. 2nd grade and 1st grade. Their mother left the family several months ago, and it’s been tough on everyone. The first grader is handling school better now than she was initially. But now the two grandmothers are arguing about custody and care and they are EACH taking care of one of them. The girls fiercely miss being together so the teachers have done what they could to let them spend some recess and lunch time together at least. I wish these women could look past their own desires and convenience and realize that these girls need each other – perhaps more right now than ever!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5xGEMyn4DKY

She worked hard on two pages of addition problems, but repeatedly made one particular error, and therefore had to re-do about 10 problems. As the time for math came to an end, she came back to the table in tears, knowing that she still had three problems to do, and not wanting to miss recess for it. I pulled her to me and hugged her beautiful 6-year-old self and explained that kids who mess around and don’t do their work have to miss part of recess to finish it – but she had just made a mistake, and that’s okay – she will learn how to do it right and can finish it tomorrow. She was still crying. She said, “My mom says that I need to do good in math or else I’ll get an F and then I won’t do good in math in high school and I won’t be able to go to college!”    Wow. Just – wow!  I let her teacher know about it.

I enjoyed a fiesty group of first graders today, although they were altogether too chatty and bouncy – but some classes just are, and some kids that age really cannot just sit and work quietly for hours on end.

Today I read them a book about Ruby Bridges, and looked out into this integrated classroom and explained that “once upon a time” schools were separate but not equal, and “back then” black people were not allowed to eat in some restaurants or drink from the same water fountains and there were restrictions on where they could purchase homes and go to school. The ending was that now we know better and black and white are friends as well as Asians, Mexicans, Indian, and every other kind of person – we are all the same inside and nobody is better than anybody else.

A pipe burst in the adjacent classroom and with the water turned off, we had to dismiss school early. The teacher returned from her Professional Development meeting and I just made myself helpful however I could – stacking chairs, directing and shushing excited kids, and for awhile – entertaining them with “Where Is Thumbkin?” and “Simon Says.” I count it a matter of pride that I look silly when I show them how to do the Twist, the Pony, the Swim, and a simple Line Dance – because it makes them laugh and join in, and certainly keeps their attention. (Last week I even showed the PE class how to do the Freddy). Wow – most of those go back to my Junior High days – which is when I was last in the public school system.

“I’m tellin’ you now….”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8zCEkI7mdU

Day 75

As the Resource Room substitute teacher at a Plymouth school, my tasks were varied and not stressful.
I had to meet a Kindergarten boy at his bus (it was 10 degrees outside!) and escort him to his room and make sure he did all his morning stuff (pull folder out, put coat away, etc.) I went to several classrooms to help particular students do the assignments that the teachers gave them, and I took one boy to the Resource Room to have him work on some basic skills.
I enjoyed sitting and listening to teachers giving their lessons – one was especially good in the way she handled the students – I was very impressed. Lots of praise for contributions and good behavior, but no foolish behavior allowed. There are a lot of really great teachers out there.

BTW, if you EVER see that silly meme going around about how sad it is that the pledge isn’t said or that kids don’t learn cursive anymore – please delete it. Perhaps there are places it’s true, but having been in about 8 school districts, I don’t think either of these practices is in danger.

DAY 76
In the morning I taught two 1st grade Phys. Ed. classes at a Montessori school about 5 miles away – always a lot of fun. Then – no more classes came to the gym because they were all having Valentine’s Day parties and it was a half day for “Winter break”. So I was allowed to leave a bit early, giving me more than an hour for lunch. I ate in my car, listening to the John Grisham novel on CD. I drove to a Livonia school (about 3 miles away) that I had just accepted around 7:30 a.m. today, and learned that they had canceled it by 8:15 a.m. Since I have no iPhone or other access to internet during the day, I didn’t know. This is the first time this has happened, so I’m not running right out to get another phone. The secretary was resourceful and suggested she call the district to see if there were any other needs, and I was sent to a school ten miles further away to cover 6th grade for a teacher whose wife had gone into labor. 🙂
It was a good bunch of kids, and the 3.5 hours consisted of them independently reading Time for Kids and answering questions, working with a partner to answer two questions I made up on another Time for Kids page, walking them to music class and picking them up 45 minutes later, and supervising/helping cleanup as three girls made Rock & Rye floats for all the members of their class as their Valentine’s Day treat.

2 observations: I thought my memory pretty good when I stepped into a classroom that was watching a movie and I immediately knew the film was “Where the Red Fern Grows”, even though I’ve only seen that movie once, about ten years ago.
A little funny: when we got to the music room, the teacher wasn’t there, so I stayed, as kids got out their instruments and got ready to play (each one had an instrument). One boy began banging his trumpet against the case. I’m pretty sure this isn’t proper treatment for an instrument so I told him to stop and asked him if he owned it. He said that he did and I said that I didn’t think his parents would appreciate his mistreatment of it.   Now – as I was talking to him, the class suddenly went completely silent, and for a few seconds, I thought it was because of what I was saying to the boy – I felt a bit happy that they were paying attention to the “lesson.” Then I realized – the music teacher was standing right behind me. Haha! So much for my pride. He told the boy that no one was going to treat an instrument that way in his classroom.