So this year, I am teaching 5 classes. I thought it was 2 preps, physics and geometry. Then I realized that it is really 3 preps, senior physics, freshmen physics, and geometry. Then I found out that really, it is four preps because one of the geometry classes is specifically for students with diagnosed learning exceptions (I have just one person in that class - the other two had to switch to my main class because of schedule issues). Then, low and behold, one geometry class meets 3 times a week and one 5 times a week. I am having trouble keeping them both at the same pace and they certainly don't have the same homework or class work.
Of course, I am also doing as much crossover as possible, and so perhaps I really do have 2 preps, depending on how you look at it. In any case, I am tired and behind in planning.
It has been a month and there are several quizzes, a geo test, and tons of homework assignments that I have given. The student who has a 17% is killing me though. If it were all tests, he would be doing great, but he cannot seem to do his homework. He is not the only one, of course. There are a number of students who struggle with the tests, and the homework and class work grades are what keep them afloat. They work hard, and ask questions, and I am pleased to give them a solid grade when I feel like they have learned a lot in my class compared to where they started.
On the other hand, failing a student who has a solid grasp of the content is really not what I want to do. I guess I have decided that the hard workers will get more points than the ones who understand easily. I will probably re-think this every year, possibly every trimester.
Coaching volleyball is really turning out to be fun. Even though it is every single day for 2 hours, I am enjoying doing some hitting and serving with the students. I don't enjoy it so much when they have meltdowns and refuse to participate or get upset because of lineup issues.
My goal for volleyball is for us to somehow win a league banner and for me to be able to serve overhand. That is to say, I can already serve overhand, it just doesn't get to the other side of the court.
Other than that, there is evening dorm duty on Wednesday nights, and every fourth weekend. Last night featured a screaming match and a very serious possibility of punches being thrown. At least that is how it seemed to me. This weekend will be much better. I have volleyball games on Friday night, then a mall trip and one to town on Saturday, and another mall trip on Sunday. I would rather be rock climbing with the students or doing the community service activity of clearing trails for a nature preserve.
I sound whiny, don't I? Really, this is what I want to do with my life, and I am happy. Just not yesterday and today. Tomorrow I will be much better. Especially if we win in volleyball.
I did manage to create some nice websites for my classes for geometry, physics 12, freshman physics, and volleyball. Nothing much exciting on the volleyball site until I get some pictures from them though.
Welp, back to the grading (yes, I am at Starbucks. Totally worth every minute of the 35 minute drive to get here).
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3 comments:
Keep up the good work! I'm glad to see you seem to be enjoying yourself a little. Keep up the good work!
p.s. I'd be at Starbucks if I was near you!
I'll be watching ESPN for those volleyball results, Rebekah ;-)
It's good to hear about your doings...take good care, okay?
That's interesting. Calling them "learning exceptions" is sort of like our therapist referring to Brendan's "unexpected behavior" (as opposed to inappropriate or bad behavior).
BTW, we have a friend who is a volleyball playing/coaching nun who might be able to give you some tips on serving overhand, as well as coaching v-ball. Of course, she is 5'11" and has a 36" vert, so she may have a slight advantage.
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