The end of the year? Already?

Haven't blogged in a long time! Feel compelled today. Not a good several days. After TAKS testing, students seem to think school is over. This is very difficult for a teacher, who is charged with preparing students for final exams and finishing up coursework, especially in a year with a hurricane disruption. Top this with the fact that I am a first year teacher and started after mid year and you get---stressed. I have to compose a final exam for classes where I am not even sure what was covered between Janaury and March.

My second period class is--lets put this in teacher speak--a CHALLENGE (capitals intended). I co-teach this class with a teacher who will not be returning next year due to--some interesting classroom mangement techniques. Enough said. The behavior in this class has escalated to the point of complete lack of respect for peers and for teachers. The class was giving Powerpoint presentations yesterday; students repeatedly interrupted to heckle and would not remain respectful or even ask appropriate questions. I warned them several times. On the fourth warning (and I shouldn't have even given THAT many) I assigned the entire class an essay on respect as punishment for homework. Complete "screaming meemies" resulted along with several choice comments about my unfairness. I told them if they did not submit it, they would get a nice pass to detention. Today--the day it was due--I got 5 essays turned in out of a class of 23. Of course, the 5 that submitted the essay were NOT the students who were being disrespectful. Eighteen detention passes were handed out, three were immediately in front of me crumpled up and ONE was thrown back at me (she got to go to the dean).

There is a point. This class has been allowed to act disrespectfully all year with no consequences prior to my arrival and therefore, it seems I am in a no win situation. Also, the co-teacher in the room did not back me up. This has possibly been the BEST lesson in classroom mangement for a first year teacher--as to how you have to lay down the law at the beginning of the year, and not now. My supervising teacher Estie TOLD me this. It was--okay--not GREAT to see this in action, but certainly a lesson.

Happy almost end of the year? Glad it is Friday!