Various Tales From Room 231

Workday - 8:15am-3:30pm

My math classroom window faces the school yard (basically a track around a field). It's the same yard my old math classroom looked out at, but last year I didn't realize how much happens out there in the early morning. Being in math first period allows me to watch some locals use the track for their purposes. Also, with the setup of this classroom, my teacher's desk is nearer to the window (where last year it was on the opposite side).

Nothing too exciting has occurred yet, but I'm setting you up now for the possibility. I fully expect in the future I'll have some tales of interest. I've seen old people doing Tai Chi, and people of all ages walking and jogging. Today I saw a middle-aged man speed walking in jogging pants and a dress/work shirt. That's definitely some strange exercise wear.

I also get to watch various gym classes do various things. The catholic high school around the corner even uses our yard for their gym classes (they'll have their own track, etc. built soon I hear).

An interesting thing about my classroom's window is its special illusion feature. This trick is fun now, but I'll tell you it scared the crap out of me when I first noticed. The pane opens at an angle, and if some people outside are walking on the grass to my right (out of view), they're reflected in the glass (where I can then see them) and look as if they're walking to my left. And, if they walk at just the right angle, it looks as if they're traversing the track. Of course, the scary part is that they also appear just slightly transparent. Imagine my surprise when I discovered the ghosts of the schoolyard track!

In other news, that same math class has gained two females (yay). Now it feels a little less weird. I acquired other males as well, though. It's going great in there, again. The guy who looked like trouble is a smart mouth, but he's getting work done and respects me so far. The students had their first test yesterday and, as I'm marking it, it looks like everyone's finding the first chapter easy.

I don't know why I have nothing to report on my two music classes, but they just seem to be status quo. I'll be sure to write if they get interesting.

And now it's the weekend. I'm quite enjoying the car for transportation. It cuts my commute in half (making it a half hour each way, if traffic is smooth enough).

I'm hungry and tired. Happy Friday!

p.s. One more tale of weirdness: the main office had a basket of mini deodorants to give away today. That struck me as unusual, to say the least. It would make more sense if they were giving them away to all the grade 9 students or something, but they were for the teachers. I took one, of course. I'm keeping it in my desk, because I'm threatening to go into some of my classes and shout "LIFT YOUR ARMS!" as I accost specific students.

Great Math Class Takes a Turn

Workday - 8:15am-3:15pm

I got to work late because of rain, and left early to get work done on my car. Otherwise, I would have probably had as long a day as yesterday.

Today, two new students showed up in that math class full of boys. They're still all males, but now not all as quiet and compliant. The first guy looked like he'd give some attitude, however he jumped on the bandwagon when he saw that everyone else was content enough and participating. The second guy, on the other hand, is going to be trouble. I can tell.

Anyone who starts beat-boxing the second they walk into your classroom is looking for attention. This kid spent the remainder of the class grooming himself in front of a locker mirror he brought. Although, in his defense, he did do the assigned work today. We'll see if that keeps up.

Frankly, we'll see if any of these students' compliance will continue. I think they all vow to start fresh and work hard in the beginning. It goes down the tubes by Monday of the second week.

The First Week

Workday - 8:00am-6:00pm

These first two days I've worked crazy long hours. Most of what I'm there doing is making up for what I should have done if I went in to school the week before. By the way, I didn't manage to make it in to the school last week. Yikes. Of course, now it's all a moot point. School has started now, and it's going well.

My schedule is basically what I thought it was, except I was confused about the first period. I knew I was teaching math, but I got the grade mixed up with second semester. I'm teaching a very basic grade 11 math class in first period, which I love. Most people would think that would be a dreadful course but, at my academic school, the low level classes are very small. Right now I have 9 students (out of 13) showing up. They're all boys and all very quiet. I figured my biggest worry was getting any of them to participate at all, but so far they're doing ok. The first section was so easy, I think they're warming up to the idea that this could be a math course they'll do well in.

The other two courses are "been there, done that". I can wing it in both (and have been). I love this semester. I'm looking forward to it.