Today went better. After the kids found out that I had been calling
parents, I think they got a little nervous. It amazes me when the kids
just offer the information to the class, "yeah, she called my house
too!" I told the class that I was just getting started and planned on
calling everyone's home until the class started to shape up. I told
them that I like to get information because sometimes there are things
going on in their personal lives that might help me out and because I
like the guardians to be aware of the situation. I told them that
their behavior is not working for either of us, not for me because I
can't teach and not for them because they aren't learning. I told them
that we are going to figure it out and improve the behavior so that we
can have a good class.
Then I went over a quick Op Art lesson, explained what they would do
and passed out the paper. I even allowed them to listen to a CD if
they would agree to work quietly. I still had trouble with about 4 or
5 students who kept getting out of their seats or wouldn't work. I had
already called the parents of two or three of them and they were still
acting up! I called another parent today...of course another student
who is supposed to be on meds! Anyway, I was so excited to see most of
the class actually working and quietly singing along with their music.
I said, "guys, if you can work like this every day, I will be a very
happy teacher and we will have a good class!"
Of course it's only one day, and I've learned all too well that they
could easily switch on me tomorrow, but I'll take today as a "good day."
Thanks to all of you for support...I'm going to keep plugging at it and
try to learn as much as I can.
