Today I've got a sub job at one of my favorite schools in San Pedro. It's a regular ed. 3rd grade that I went to the La Brea Tar Pits with at the end of last school year when they were 2nd graders. It's going to be a fun day, but not without some drama I'm sure. The best part of the gig is the location, and the drive there. There's a view of Catalina and there are always a few peacocks strolling around the neighborhood.
...update....I made it through the day. I underestimated the drama factor. Wow. There was a hyperactive boy whose father showed up after school to ask the teacher why his behavior card was not good. The kid was seated at a separate table in the back of the room where he read a novel for most of the day when he wasn't throwing bits of paper at those around him or when I sent him to the class next door so I could get through the math lesson. Dad was thinking about putting him back on ritalin.
Then there was Z who was convinced everyone was talking about him. "Yes you are. You said........!!," he cried at those who said they hadn't been talking about him as he sat in his chair 6 or 8ft away from his table for most of the day and did no work. I could go on but I won't. All day there was an undercurrent of tension, silliness, and varying types disrespect for others. I was trying to figure out a way to smooth things out but I just couldn't come up with anything that would last for more than 10 minutes. What was I doing wrong? Was it the kids? The principal gave them a talking to as we exited the auditorium. I can't remember her exact words, but it was something like, "This isn't White Point behavior. Blah blah blah." They shaped up for about 30 seconds until we got a short distance away when they reverted to being loud, out of line and running ahead. I was glad when 2:30 finally got there. And this is the beginning of the year? Now I know why I love special ed.
Although, if I could have "cherry picked" the kids that were well-adjusted, happy and with a sense of compassion and awareness of others and moved the rest somewhere else, I would have loved this group.
...update....I made it through the day. I underestimated the drama factor. Wow. There was a hyperactive boy whose father showed up after school to ask the teacher why his behavior card was not good. The kid was seated at a separate table in the back of the room where he read a novel for most of the day when he wasn't throwing bits of paper at those around him or when I sent him to the class next door so I could get through the math lesson. Dad was thinking about putting him back on ritalin.
Then there was Z who was convinced everyone was talking about him. "Yes you are. You said........!!," he cried at those who said they hadn't been talking about him as he sat in his chair 6 or 8ft away from his table for most of the day and did no work. I could go on but I won't. All day there was an undercurrent of tension, silliness, and varying types disrespect for others. I was trying to figure out a way to smooth things out but I just couldn't come up with anything that would last for more than 10 minutes. What was I doing wrong? Was it the kids? The principal gave them a talking to as we exited the auditorium. I can't remember her exact words, but it was something like, "This isn't White Point behavior. Blah blah blah." They shaped up for about 30 seconds until we got a short distance away when they reverted to being loud, out of line and running ahead. I was glad when 2:30 finally got there. And this is the beginning of the year? Now I know why I love special ed.
Although, if I could have "cherry picked" the kids that were well-adjusted, happy and with a sense of compassion and awareness of others and moved the rest somewhere else, I would have loved this group.
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