Another Week

-This past week was interesting. I am trying to teach differently, in a way where I am less involved and not spoiling the students. I've spoiled the freshmen a great deal and now that I am making them do groupwork and am holding them accountable to the work that they do in their groups, they're acting up and are saying that I am not doing my job. Well, actually not all of them, but one particular class and most of the class is composed of students who do not want to work and are passive learners. As a new teacher in a school, one wants to avoid any confrontations with parents and the administration. I've had some close calls where these spoiled children go to the guidance department to complain that I am not doing my job. Of course, these students are the ones who never hand in their homework, do not pay attention in class and do not care about school in general.

-I think I made a student cry this past Friday. It all started when I asked that student to move to a different seat to act as a "buffer" near someone who is extremely talkative. I've noticed that when studious children sit next to the talkative ones, the talkative ones are more focused and act out less. With that in mind, I did just that. And it wasn't the first time I asked this student to move. Then again, I've asked other students to move too. On this occasion, she was very adamant that she did not want to move and that I always ask her to move. I was quite taken aback by her tone and attitude and reprimanded her quietly while other students were doing work. She came after school and wanted to apologize for how she behaved and then she asked why I always asked her to move. When I explained to her my reasons and that I thought she was a wonderful student, she started to cry and then explained to me why she did not want to move. I realize that I cannot let her sit in the back since she can't see the board since she refuses to wear glasses. I am assuming she was taunted at some point in her life about her glasses. There is something else amiss since she was very emotional about the seat issue and was sobbing. I am still wondering what it could be. I certainly do want to change the seating arrangement still. . .

-High school students can be such overt charmers, particularly when it comes to the end of the marking period and grades are due. Most of these charmers of course are the male students! I wonder where they learn such behavior.