Wednesday we had a meeting with the president of our organization. He opened by talking about the state of Illinois financially and closed with a survey of the standardized testing trend in the U.S.
Then, he asked us for suggestions. Our staff spoke passionately about wanting to serve our kids but feeling held back. We mentioned that many of us don't feel valued by the organization. At one point, my grade level partner pointed our that we both teach classes of 23 students with no aid. She asked why we promise families quality education when so many factors set us up for failure. She ended by saying that if she had a TA in her room, even half of the time, she would be better equipped to serve her students in small groups. His retort?
"Obviously that's what it looks like in your dreams. We are talking about reality."
As we walked away, angry and misunderstood, Ms. N pointed out that if you don't have the money for a car, then you don't buy a car.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
day 140
Six of my kids are reading at a level D, and therefore have met their end of the year reading goals! Two are only one level away at a C. I realize that's only a 3rd of the class, but I actually feel like we are going to do this.
Also, ONE more day until spring break.
Also, ONE more day until spring break.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
fun fact
From my Special Ed professor who has been talking incessantly for an hour and a half: most teenage pregnancies occur between 3 and 5pm.
that parent
You know the parent everyone jokes about? Who calls every three seconds to tell you that their daughter just finished her homework, or that their daughter isn't feeling well, and may or may not come to school?
New girl's mom is that parent.
I appreciate the effort, but the woman has called me twice this morning and six times since I gave her my number on Sunday. There may need to be an intervention.
New girl's mom is that parent.
I appreciate the effort, but the woman has called me twice this morning and six times since I gave her my number on Sunday. There may need to be an intervention.
Monday, March 26, 2012
coming full circle to 23
A new student, T, started today. She is mostly quiet, a little spacey, and definitely young for her age. She hasn't smiled yet, and I think she is very nervous. I called her mom yesterday to introduce myself and she assured me that her daughter is very advanced.
Today, I did some preliminary tests. She knows her letter names. However, she had no letter sounds, she can't read, and she doesn't know what to do when I ask her to write me a story.
I feel frustrated that Kindergarten is making up for the children who have dropped out of various grades at my school (it's all about the monies). I don't think it makes any sense to take a child in March, especially one that is desperately behind. I can help her, but I can't get her to grade level.
I can only hope that I won't have any more students for the rest of the year. Twenty-three is my max.
Today, I did some preliminary tests. She knows her letter names. However, she had no letter sounds, she can't read, and she doesn't know what to do when I ask her to write me a story.
I feel frustrated that Kindergarten is making up for the children who have dropped out of various grades at my school (it's all about the monies). I don't think it makes any sense to take a child in March, especially one that is desperately behind. I can help her, but I can't get her to grade level.
I can only hope that I won't have any more students for the rest of the year. Twenty-three is my max.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
with a heavy heart
I am appalled that there has still no decisive action being taken in response to the murder of Trayvon Martin. Why is there a question? George Zimmerman shot and killed a man for no reason. That's it.
Let's play the switching game. How would Mr. Zimmerman have reacted if Trayvon Martin was a white youth wearing a hoodie? How would the general public be reacting in the aftermath of a white teeenager's senseless murder? Answer those questions.
Trayvon could easily be one of my students. And whether or not they make good choices as they grow older, they will probably dress like their peers. Because that's what teenagers do. If this man is not arrested, then we are sending a message to the entire country that appearances and, nothing else, are grounds for death. We are telling our children of color that their life is not valued. That they are not safe because of the color of their skin.
My heart is heavy as I look around at my sleeping babies. We need more million hoodie marches -- more energy pushed against the system.
Let's play the switching game. How would Mr. Zimmerman have reacted if Trayvon Martin was a white youth wearing a hoodie? How would the general public be reacting in the aftermath of a white teeenager's senseless murder? Answer those questions.
Trayvon could easily be one of my students. And whether or not they make good choices as they grow older, they will probably dress like their peers. Because that's what teenagers do. If this man is not arrested, then we are sending a message to the entire country that appearances and, nothing else, are grounds for death. We are telling our children of color that their life is not valued. That they are not safe because of the color of their skin.
My heart is heavy as I look around at my sleeping babies. We need more million hoodie marches -- more energy pushed against the system.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
code of the street
Through personal accounts and extensive research, Anderson presents information that I didn't realize I knew in a structured way. Although it is a little bit on the long side, I think that it is absolutely worth the read. I would recommend it.
Friday, March 16, 2012
tricks are for kids
Lucky the Leprechaun paid a visit to our classroom today. And what a mess he made! I can't believe the nerve of those little men. And I'm pretty upset with security, too.
little blue and little yellow
We reenacted the story by finger painting our own Little Blue and Little Yellow. So messy.
This was my favorite one, and then right at the end she smudged all of the paint together. Now it's just a green blob.
This was my favorite one, and then right at the end she smudged all of the paint together. Now it's just a green blob.
smiles
My principal just came into my room before school for the first time EVER. She looked around, asked halfheartedly how I am, and walked away. Today is going to be interesting.
She really does give new meaning to the word princi-pal.
She really does give new meaning to the word princi-pal.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
apparently Rahm is proud of us
What? This is not even true. I'm not being modest, I just know my school.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
today, a small battle was won
It is actually 80 degrees right now. So, of course my kiddies when out for recess. Since they have had some trouble behaving for other adults when I'm not around, I usually watch them out the window. Also, I enjoy seeing their stunned faces when I describe something that happened when I wasn't around.
Lately, one student, Sh, has been having a lot of trouble getting along with her classmates. And by that I mean, she punched a girl in the stomach yesterday and then pinched a little boy from the other kinder class. Well, I was watching out the window and there she went, hitting K on the top of the head. Finally, after about three bops, K said, "STOP!"
And she did.
When they came back inside, we talked about it and I congratulated both of them for using a strategy that we have worked on in class.
Lately, one student, Sh, has been having a lot of trouble getting along with her classmates. And by that I mean, she punched a girl in the stomach yesterday and then pinched a little boy from the other kinder class. Well, I was watching out the window and there she went, hitting K on the top of the head. Finally, after about three bops, K said, "STOP!"
And she did.
When they came back inside, we talked about it and I congratulated both of them for using a strategy that we have worked on in class.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
contract renewal
The email just went out from out principal stating that we have roughly two weeks to turn in a self-evaluation. We are required to turn it in to her and only her. Electronically.
After spring break, I will have a meeting with her. If my evaluation is not in on time, then I will have no say at the meeting. This is the meeting in which she will inform me whether or not she has decided to keep me for next year. Presumably, she will also inform me of my grade-level assignment, if I am asked to renew my contract. In other words, I will have no say either way.
This situation is another example of how teachers are treated, even within the field. This meeting will not focus on my strengths and areas for growth, leaving me with a firm sense of where to head next in terms of professional development. Instead, I will likely be embarrassed, shamed, and belittled by someone who has not been inside of my classroom since the week after Christmas break. And even if the meeting does go well, I will still leave frustrated by my perceived powerlessness over my own situation.
I thought that the point (and strength) of having "at will" employees at a charter was that principals would be allowed to fire bad teachers. However, based on the very little information I have so far, the only benefit is that if you are a principal you are free to hire on fire based on your personal needs and preferences (whims).
After spring break, I will have a meeting with her. If my evaluation is not in on time, then I will have no say at the meeting. This is the meeting in which she will inform me whether or not she has decided to keep me for next year. Presumably, she will also inform me of my grade-level assignment, if I am asked to renew my contract. In other words, I will have no say either way.
This situation is another example of how teachers are treated, even within the field. This meeting will not focus on my strengths and areas for growth, leaving me with a firm sense of where to head next in terms of professional development. Instead, I will likely be embarrassed, shamed, and belittled by someone who has not been inside of my classroom since the week after Christmas break. And even if the meeting does go well, I will still leave frustrated by my perceived powerlessness over my own situation.
I thought that the point (and strength) of having "at will" employees at a charter was that principals would be allowed to fire bad teachers. However, based on the very little information I have so far, the only benefit is that if you are a principal you are free to hire on fire based on your personal needs and preferences (whims).
Monday, March 12, 2012
on nyc's recent data reveal
In case you haven't heard, New York recently published ratings for all teachers in the five boroughs of the city based entirely on test scores. Since each teacher is placed on a bell curve within their school, and then all teachers are presented as equal out of context, there is little value to the data. The message, however, is alarming. Is this where we are going with education?
Why would any sane person want to teach? Also explore the problem with humiliating teachers.
Why would any sane person want to teach? Also explore the problem with humiliating teachers.
donors choose
I am so grateful for all of the support that I have gotten through Donors Choose. I am always amazed and heartened by how many people respond to my calls for help. Thank you.
Donors Choose is running another match event where every dollar donated to my classroom will be matched. I don't currently have a project up (still working!) but if you feel like doubling you money, you can purchase a gift card here that I can apply to my next grant. Any amount you donate will be doubled until March 19th.
The code you need to enter at checkout is BLOOM.
Donors Choose is running another match event where every dollar donated to my classroom will be matched. I don't currently have a project up (still working!) but if you feel like doubling you money, you can purchase a gift card here that I can apply to my next grant. Any amount you donate will be doubled until March 19th.
The code you need to enter at checkout is BLOOM.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
three emails
I only have THREE emails in my inbox. And one is my flight confirmation, so that doesn't count. Victory.
almost there
During my PD (all day) yesterday everyone kept talking about how everything flies by after spring break. Only three school weeks separate me from spring break and a much anticipated trip to DC. Daylight-savings jolted me into springtime thinking. Everything around me is beginning to signal little bits of change.
For the first time I realized, I made it. I'm not about to sing and dance and call it a day. I'm also not going to quit. I can see the light. Finally.
I created a document called 2012-13 to log all of my "next year ideas." I have started thinking about what I want to do differently at the beginning of the year. I have started worrying about replicating the culture I have now. For the first time since September, I no longer have to just put my head down and push, and that is a relief like nothing I have felt this year.
At the same time, I am also beginning to imagine my students' lives after they leave me. I am beginning to think about releasing control, helping to inform parents about what to expect next year and beyond, and hopefully getting some of my kids into a summer program.
For the first time I realized, I made it. I'm not about to sing and dance and call it a day. I'm also not going to quit. I can see the light. Finally.
I created a document called 2012-13 to log all of my "next year ideas." I have started thinking about what I want to do differently at the beginning of the year. I have started worrying about replicating the culture I have now. For the first time since September, I no longer have to just put my head down and push, and that is a relief like nothing I have felt this year.
At the same time, I am also beginning to imagine my students' lives after they leave me. I am beginning to think about releasing control, helping to inform parents about what to expect next year and beyond, and hopefully getting some of my kids into a summer program.
Friday, March 09, 2012
ted talk: injustice
In an engaging and personal talk -- with cameo appearances from his
grandmother and Rosa Parks -- human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson shares
some hard truths about America's justice system, starting with a
massive imbalance along racial lines: a third of the country's black
male population has been incarcerated at some point in their lives.
These issues, which are wrapped up in America's unexamined history, are
rarely talked about with this level of candor, insight and
persuasiveness.
cps
Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet the CEO of Chicago Public Schools in a small informal meeting with some other teachers.
I arrived at the main office at exactly the appointed time, but the security guard did not let me pass until I finally said, "...with TFA?" "Aha, I've heard the magic word. Up the elevator and take a right." When I arrived in the CEO's office I was led through a labyrinth of white cubicles to the conference room, which was vaguely reminiscent of a hospital waiting room. Apparently, those first few minutes were critical because they had already launched into a full-fledged description of the new teacher evaluation tool that will be based on three different kinds of student test scores.
I tensed. Most of my questions were already negated. How could I ask anything about progressive ed reform when they opened with accountability?
Next, they talked about the announcement of the school closings from earlier in the fall. I was heartened by their explanation of the strategy they used to decide on the failing schools to be closed. According to them, they only chose schools in areas where another (decent) school was within walking distance.
They talked about developing principals into leaders. They believe that good leaders will be the answer to the need for better schools.
Then, charter schools came up. I was shocked at how immediately defensive they became. "The point of a charter is that you don't want to see us." With that, all of my remaining questions were thrown out.
Overall, I am glad that I went. I gathered a lot of information about the culture and climate of public ed reform in Chicago. On the other hand, I left feeling that we will continue to get more of the same from education leaders until it gets so bad that we have hit something lower than were we are now. The current feeling is that we just have to work harder, smarter, more and these same things that other people have been doing with magically manipulate into a solution under our guidance.
I arrived at the main office at exactly the appointed time, but the security guard did not let me pass until I finally said, "...with TFA?" "Aha, I've heard the magic word. Up the elevator and take a right." When I arrived in the CEO's office I was led through a labyrinth of white cubicles to the conference room, which was vaguely reminiscent of a hospital waiting room. Apparently, those first few minutes were critical because they had already launched into a full-fledged description of the new teacher evaluation tool that will be based on three different kinds of student test scores.
I tensed. Most of my questions were already negated. How could I ask anything about progressive ed reform when they opened with accountability?
Next, they talked about the announcement of the school closings from earlier in the fall. I was heartened by their explanation of the strategy they used to decide on the failing schools to be closed. According to them, they only chose schools in areas where another (decent) school was within walking distance.
They talked about developing principals into leaders. They believe that good leaders will be the answer to the need for better schools.
Then, charter schools came up. I was shocked at how immediately defensive they became. "The point of a charter is that you don't want to see us." With that, all of my remaining questions were thrown out.
Overall, I am glad that I went. I gathered a lot of information about the culture and climate of public ed reform in Chicago. On the other hand, I left feeling that we will continue to get more of the same from education leaders until it gets so bad that we have hit something lower than were we are now. The current feeling is that we just have to work harder, smarter, more and these same things that other people have been doing with magically manipulate into a solution under our guidance.
black students face more discipline in school
Over all, black students were three and a half times as likely to be suspended or expelled than their white peers.
-- NYT
-- NYT
Thursday, March 08, 2012
standardized testing: day 3
Some photos for your viewing pleasure:
You can see where ALL of the energy in this building is focused.
You can see where ALL of the energy in this building is focused.
Wednesday, March 07, 2012
standarized testing: day 2
"Hey there T [fourth-grade sib of one of my students], how did your science test go today?"
"It was good, but hard. They asked us about the inventor's names of some stuff. I didn't know that."
"It was good, but hard. They asked us about the inventor's names of some stuff. I didn't know that."
Tuesday, March 06, 2012
a call for books
If you have any old books by Dr. Seuss, I would really love to take them off your hands. Most of the low-level books that my kids read are paper books that I print from the internet. Some of my kids are just starting to be able to read Dr. Seuss books and I would love to add to my collection. I am very specifically looking for individual books (rather than compilations). Here is a list of the titles I am on the prowl for:
- one fish two fish
- hop on pop
- the sneetches
- oh the places you'll go (regular version)
Also, I keep a running list of the books I am trying to acquire for my classroom on Amazon. Just in case you're ever looking to add to our collection ;)
- one fish two fish
- hop on pop
- the sneetches
- oh the places you'll go (regular version)
Also, I keep a running list of the books I am trying to acquire for my classroom on Amazon. Just in case you're ever looking to add to our collection ;)
I heart PBS
Monday, March 05, 2012
standarized testing: t-1
After all the students we gone we stood in the office talking. Mama Z, nurse-office-manager-recruiter-saves-us-daily, interrupted us.
"Please Lord, help all of our babies with this test. And let them all pass."
We, laughing-but-dead-serious, chorused, "Amen."
"Please Lord, help all of our babies with this test. And let them all pass."
We, laughing-but-dead-serious, chorused, "Amen."
Sunday, March 04, 2012
we are growing!
I just met with my TFA coach to talk about guided reading and strategize about how I can help my kids move up. I was excited to share with her that only five kids are still reading at an A-level and that everyone else is above. I was confused when she seemed more excited than I was. Then, she calculated their growth (don't judge, sometimes data is good). According to her spreadsheet, my kids have grown .98 years in reading so far. That means that depending on our momentum for the rest of the year, we could be on track to grow 1.5 years and meet our goal!
Don't get me wrong, only two of them are on grade level and we still have a long way to go, but today I'm just excited that, at the very least, we have grown one year's worth.
Don't get me wrong, only two of them are on grade level and we still have a long way to go, but today I'm just excited that, at the very least, we have grown one year's worth.
happy birthday bug!
Today my baby brother turned 15. Since he's always giving me so much grief about my age, I'm pretty excited to say that he is already 3/4 to age 20. He's at about the height that I was when I was 12, which is another victory for me as he closes in on my adult height.
Happy birthday, old man!
Happy birthday, old man!
Friday, March 02, 2012
what are pickles made of?
As I was eating my sandwich during recess I asked, what are pickles made of? Some guesses:
juice
trees
cheese
seeds
meat
juice
trees
cheese
seeds
meat
spanish
The new Spanish teacher is currently teaching my kids her second lesson. I am in the room because I need to get some lesson plans done.
So far, J has not raised his hand one time. And JD has raised her hand twice to share about her cousin's birthday. JZ is laid back in her chair with her head all the way back.
I'm both amused and disappointed.
So far, J has not raised his hand one time. And JD has raised her hand twice to share about her cousin's birthday. JZ is laid back in her chair with her head all the way back.
I'm both amused and disappointed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)