Wk 3 - Day 12

i ended up teaching two out of the three classes. the sub for ms. b was very nervous and was very disorganized even with ms. b's notes. i could be wrong...but when middle school-ers smell fear, they'll eat you alive! when she started grouping students for a lab without finishing a lab from the day before...i stepped in. mind you, i did it very politely and professionally. to tell you the truth, i think she was rather relieved...she asked me to teach the next class. when i left to work with mrs. s, the sub asked if i'd stay for history. i said i couldn't and that i spend the afternoon with mrs. s, she looked disappointed. the only complaint that she had for ms. b was that she had an "incident" with a student. i was in the class when the "incident" occurred and it was with the same student i had removed from his seat a couple of weeks ago. i get along with this student...he's defiant, argumentative, and doesn't like school. when i removed him and relocated him, we worked on a project together. i didn't yell, talk down...i talked to him like i would with anyone...i should him respect. now, he works for me and ms. b...greets me in the morning and asks where i am when i'm not in the classroom. i was told by ms. b that someone (don't know what department) is trying to remove him from class. ms. b wants me to be an advocate for him since we get along so well. to me, this is the type of student that will fall through the cracks unless someone stands up and gives a damn.

i spent the 4th period with mr. s's 8th grade environmental science class. the students were out in the woods finishing up a site analysis. i wish i had time to work with him more...environmental science is more my thing, but it's good for me to work in an area of science i'm not as experienced in. i like how he is with the students; grouchy, cranky, blunt...and the students love him.

lunch period today was the 7th grade's first incentive. once a month, students who haven't received any demerits attend a special event. the event today was hunting for poker chips out on the football field. depending on the chip you could win a package of candy bars down to a 50 cent piece. personally, i thought it was a waste of time. i don't know how to put it into words..the students are of such an age that they shouldn't be rewarded for behavior that they should be exhibiting already and being "paid off" with candy.