RANTING/VENTING MEGATHREAD 3.0

I teach at a middle school. Some of the grade 3 students are taller and broader than I am. These aren't kiddies, they're young adults. At some point they should be taught that excessive and unnecessary noise is something to be curbed.


 

Something that I got strong-armed into doing is finally coming around, and, even though I'd managed to negotiate a bit so that it wasn't a completely one-sided affair, it's still put me in a foul-ass mood today. I've been trying to hide it, but apparently I'm not doing a very good job of it because people are tip-toeing around or are outright trying to avoid me right now.

Which isn't to say that my day has been peaceful, because naw, a couple of individuals keep coming in to pester me about stuff that can wait until after vacation, even though I've made it pretty ****** clear that I'm legit busy with all of the extra work that got foisted on me by them.

I also keep getting approached by concerned teachers over students' speaking test scores, and I have to keep refusing to artificially raise them. The kids earned what they got, I was already super generous with my grading. One student insisted that she answered everything perfectly and that her grade must be a mistake because there's no way she shouldn't have gotten an 'A' -- **** no, I'm not just going to raise her grade from a 'C' to an 'A' just because she says so. But I concede to a degree and offer to re-test her. It's a 1-minute speaking test, not that hard, especially if she honestly believes that she deserves an 'A'... should be pretty ****** easy for her, if that's the case. She declines the re-test, of course. Teacher is surprised, lmfao. I don't know why some  teachers have such a hard time seeing through their students' bullshit.

Maybe I just need to make my own expectations a LOT more clear at the beginning of the semester, I don't know. You'd think these kids would learn over the time I've been here already and the fact that I've never changed my grading standards and that I don't play ****** favorites. Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm going to let you slide in my class or that I'm going to grant you "lovelovebonuspoints" during the speaking exam. That's not part of my rubric, sorry. I mean, ****, the only way I can make it any easier is if I gave them a ****** script to read back at me during the speaking test. They could LITERALLY ace the exam if they JUST spent an hour or so memorizing a few things on the day of the exam. It's that basic. And it's been drilled into them from day 1.

What_the_fuck_are_t hese_kids_doing?

I know this isn't anything new, but good GAWD is it annoying as **** today.

It blows my mind that I was thrown into French at the age of 5 and never complained once. I'm fluent.

These kids learn 2 sentence points every 2 weeks. And some just can't f'in get it. The speaking tests are a joke here. It's 4 sentences that are all basically the same sentence.

Go straight 1/2 blocks and turn left/right. It's nexto/between x and/or Y.

90% of my kids get perfect. Which sounds great, but shouldn't it me MORE challenging at that point?

Something that I got strong-armed into doing is finally coming around, and, even though I'd managed to negotiate a bit so that it wasn't a completely one-sided affair, it's still put me in a foul-ass mood today. I've been trying to hide it, but apparently I'm not doing a very good job of it because people are tip-toeing around or are outright trying to avoid me right now.

Which isn't to say that my day has been peaceful, because naw, a couple of individuals keep coming in to pester me about stuff that can wait until after vacation, even though I've made it pretty ****** clear that I'm legit busy with all of the extra work that got foisted on me by them.

I also keep getting approached by concerned teachers over students' speaking test scores, and I have to keep refusing to artificially raise them. The kids earned what they got, I was already super generous with my grading. One student insisted that she answered everything perfectly and that her grade must be a mistake because there's no way she shouldn't have gotten an 'A' -- **** no, I'm not just going to raise her grade from a 'C' to an 'A' just because she says so. But I concede to a degree and offer to re-test her. It's a 1-minute speaking test, not that hard, especially if she honestly believes that she deserves an 'A'... should be pretty ****** easy for her, if that's the case. She declines the re-test, of course. Teacher is surprised, lmfao. I don't know why some  teachers have such a hard time seeing through their students' bullshit.

Maybe I just need to make my own expectations a LOT more clear at the beginning of the semester, I don't know. You'd think these kids would learn over the time I've been here already and the fact that I've never changed my grading standards and that I don't play ****** favorites. Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm going to let you slide in my class or that I'm going to grant you "lovelovebonuspoints" during the speaking exam. That's not part of my rubric, sorry. I mean, ****, the only way I can make it any easier is if I gave them a ****** script to read back at me during the speaking test. They could LITERALLY ace the exam if they JUST spent an hour or so memorizing a few things on the day of the exam. It's that basic. And it's been drilled into them from day 1.

What_the_fuck_are_t hese_kids_doing?

I know this isn't anything new, but good GAWD is it annoying as **** today.

I understand where you're coming from.  That's why I record the speaking tests.  When a student or teacher asks why they got a low score on the speaking test, I can just play the file and explain why.

Something that I got strong-armed into doing is finally coming around, and, even though I'd managed to negotiate a bit so that it wasn't a completely one-sided affair, it's still put me in a foul-ass mood today. I've been trying to hide it, but apparently I'm not doing a very good job of it because people are tip-toeing around or are outright trying to avoid me right now.

Which isn't to say that my day has been peaceful, because naw, a couple of individuals keep coming in to pester me about stuff that can wait until after vacation, even though I've made it pretty ****** clear that I'm legit busy with all of the extra work that got foisted on me by them.

I also keep getting approached by concerned teachers over students' speaking test scores, and I have to keep refusing to artificially raise them. The kids earned what they got, I was already super generous with my grading. One student insisted that she answered everything perfectly and that her grade must be a mistake because there's no way she shouldn't have gotten an 'A' -- **** no, I'm not just going to raise her grade from a 'C' to an 'A' just because she says so. But I concede to a degree and offer to re-test her. It's a 1-minute speaking test, not that hard, especially if she honestly believes that she deserves an 'A'... should be pretty ****** easy for her, if that's the case. She declines the re-test, of course. Teacher is surprised, lmfao. I don't know why some  teachers have such a hard time seeing through their students' bullshit.

Maybe I just need to make my own expectations a LOT more clear at the beginning of the semester, I don't know. You'd think these kids would learn over the time I've been here already and the fact that I've never changed my grading standards and that I don't play ****** favorites. Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm going to let you slide in my class or that I'm going to grant you "lovelovebonuspoints" during the speaking exam. That's not part of my rubric, sorry. I mean, ****, the only way I can make it any easier is if I gave them a ****** script to read back at me during the speaking test. They could LITERALLY ace the exam if they JUST spent an hour or so memorizing a few things on the day of the exam. It's that basic. And it's been drilled into them from day 1.

What_the_fuck_are_t hese_kids_doing?

I know this isn't anything new, but good GAWD is it annoying as **** today.

It blows my mind that I was thrown into French at the age of 5 and never complained once. I'm fluent.

These kids learn 2 sentence points every 2 weeks. And some just can't f'in get it. The speaking tests are a joke here. It's 4 sentences that are all basically the same sentence.

Go straight 1/2 blocks and turn left/right. It's nexto/between x and/or Y.

90% of my kids get perfect. Which sounds great, but shouldn't it me MORE challenging at that point?

I agree with you that the speaking parts go painfully slow. But I think what holds them back from writing more is how they have to learn an entirely new writing system. At least with French you don't have to learn a new writing system (other than the accents). And they start the kids pretty late here. I was in Canada when they started us in grade 1 but I think it's grade 3 or 4 they start now? If you're having a mandatory second language the earlier the better. My 1s last year picked up stuff 10000000 times faster than my 3s are now. My 2s last year could sight read fairly well. The kids starting in 3rd grade at my billion schools this year struggle with painfully easy 3 word sentences.

It blows my mind that I was thrown into French at the age of 5 and never complained once. I'm fluent.

Sure, but where in Canada are you from? I bet you're either from Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick or possibly Nova Scotia. Your average Albertan or British Columbian didn't become fluent from their French education because they never use the language outside of school, much like Koreans with English.

Today my main coteacher gave me a survey about my satisfaction with the school and my relationship with my coteachers. I have to give the survey back to her when I'm finished (not confidential). She asked me to complete the survey honestly. 

I remember that.

My personal favorite was when an inspector came and sat down with me, my CT and the VP.

She point blank asked me how my relationship was with the school and my CT.... admittedly I liked both my CT, VP and school so it wasn't an issue but lol come on really?

Something that I got strong-armed into doing is finally coming around, and, even though I'd managed to negotiate a bit so that it wasn't a completely one-sided affair, it's still put me in a foul-ass mood today. I've been trying to hide it, but apparently I'm not doing a very good job of it because people are tip-toeing around or are outright trying to avoid me right now.

Which isn't to say that my day has been peaceful, because naw, a couple of individuals keep coming in to pester me about stuff that can wait until after vacation, even though I've made it pretty ****** clear that I'm legit busy with all of the extra work that got foisted on me by them.

I also keep getting approached by concerned teachers over students' speaking test scores, and I have to keep refusing to artificially raise them. The kids earned what they got, I was already super generous with my grading. One student insisted that she answered everything perfectly and that her grade must be a mistake because there's no way she shouldn't have gotten an 'A' -- **** no, I'm not just going to raise her grade from a 'C' to an 'A' just because she says so. But I concede to a degree and offer to re-test her. It's a 1-minute speaking test, not that hard, especially if she honestly believes that she deserves an 'A'... should be pretty ****** easy for her, if that's the case. She declines the re-test, of course. Teacher is surprised, lmfao. I don't know why some  teachers have such a hard time seeing through their students' bullshit.

Maybe I just need to make my own expectations a LOT more clear at the beginning of the semester, I don't know. You'd think these kids would learn over the time I've been here already and the fact that I've never changed my grading standards and that I don't play ****** favorites. Just because I like you doesn't mean I'm going to let you slide in my class or that I'm going to grant you "lovelovebonuspoints" during the speaking exam. That's not part of my rubric, sorry. I mean, ****, the only way I can make it any easier is if I gave them a ****** script to read back at me during the speaking test. They could LITERALLY ace the exam if they JUST spent an hour or so memorizing a few things on the day of the exam. It's that basic. And it's been drilled into them from day 1.

What_the_fuck_are_t hese_kids_doing?

I know this isn't anything new, but good GAWD is it annoying as **** today.

It blows my mind that I was thrown into French at the age of 5 and never complained once. I'm fluent.

These kids learn 2 sentence points every 2 weeks. And some just can't f'in get it. The speaking tests are a joke here. It's 4 sentences that are all basically the same sentence.

Go straight 1/2 blocks and turn left/right. It's nexto/between x and/or Y.

90% of my kids get perfect. Which sounds great, but shouldn't it me MORE challenging at that point?

Me too man, many decades ago.

My classes are learning pop songs this week.  Last Friday I printed out and laminated the lyrics on strips for an activity.  I took them home and cut them out.  I forgot them this morning.  It's pouring down rain, so I won't walk back to my apt. to get them.

I hate it when I do stupid things like this. 

I guess it's plan B for today.

Same shit, different Monday.

This reminds me how some of my middle schoolers are still miffed anytime they have to make a group of more than four.

Same shit, different Monday.

This reminds me how some of my middle schoolers are still miffed anytime they have to make a group of more than four.

Yes, I agree.  My 2nd graders, especially.  They had to make groups last year, too.  This is not a new concept.  Even my CoT gets on them for moving so slowly.

Same shit, different Monday.

This reminds me how some of my middle schoolers are still miffed anytime they have to make a group of more than four.

Yes, I agree.  My 2nd graders, especially.  They had to make groups last year, too.  This is not a new concept.  Even my CoT gets on them for moving so slowly.

Right it's as if when something veers off the "IMFINETHANKSANDYOU" script, they are utterly lost.

Same shit, different Monday.

This reminds me how some of my middle schoolers are still miffed anytime they have to make a group of more than four.

At my old all-boys middle school, they always acted surprised and put-off whenever I told them to get into groups of any size. Which was every week. xD

I turned it into a game by rewarding candy to the first group to get their asses in gear. Worked a charm, but turned the classroom into mayhem for a few minutes.

Is anyone not having a miserable Monday?

(Spoiler: I'm also having a miserable Monday.)

Man, F Monday. My weekend was so ace and then this bullshit rolls around. hahaha

Yeah f-ing Monday.  Tuesday is just as bad though. Things only get going around Wednesday. n

Grade 6 class.  Subject is: How tall are you? Co teacher devises a worksheet where the kids fill their height, foot size, how big is your hand, bicep, waist, circumference of head, length of leg etc etc.  Gives them some tape measure and lets them have at it.  She joins in, measuring  the girls.  At one point she yells to me 'help me' and wants me to measure the inner length of one of the boys legs.   

no no no, I will not do that.  What is wrong with you!!? Why would you even ask me that? 

Grade 6 class.  Subject is: How tall are you? Co teacher devises a worksheet where the kids fill their height, foot size, how big is your hand, bicep, waist, circumference of head, length of leg etc etc.  Gives them some tape measure and lets them have at it.  She joins in, measuring  the girls.  At one point she yells to me 'help me' and wants me to measure the inner length of one of the boys legs.   

no no no, I will not do that.  What is wrong with you!!? Why would you even ask me that?

"Do you dress to the left or right?"

Grade 6 class.  Subject is: How tall are you? Co teacher devises a worksheet where the kids fill their height, foot size, how big is your hand, bicep, waist, circumference of head, length of leg etc etc.  Gives them some tape measure and lets them have at it.  She joins in, measuring  the girls.  At one point she yells to me 'help me' and wants me to measure the inner length of one of the boys legs.   

no no no, I will not do that.  What is wrong with you!!? Why would you even ask me that?

What did you do in the end?

I don't see the worksheet as being too bad though, might steal the idea. Without helping obvs! 

Grade 6 class.  Subject is: How tall are you? Co teacher devises a worksheet where the kids fill their height, foot size, how big is your hand, bicep, waist, circumference of head, length of leg etc etc.  Gives them some tape measure and lets them have at it.  She joins in, measuring  the girls.  At one point she yells to me 'help me' and wants me to measure the inner length of one of the boys legs.   

no no no, I will not do that.  What is wrong with you!!? Why would you even ask me that?

What did you do in the end?

I don't see the worksheet as being too bad though, might steal the idea. Without helping obvs! 

I just said no, with a bewildered look on my face (one that i've been perfecting recently with this ct).  I think the boy looked relieved. 

Oh, the worksheet is a fine idea, have at it, I can send it to you if you wish.  Even used it last year with no issues, kids seemed to enjoy measuring things. It was the method of measuring the leg this year that was a little off.  Last year kids measured it from the hip joint to the ankle joint on the outside of the leg. Inaccurate perhaps but fine for this purpose.  We weren't measuring for suits.

For the last two weeks of the semester, my school has decided to cram 6 classes in before lunch and reserve the periods after lunch for cleaning and other random stuff. That means that instead of 4 45 minute classes with 10 minute breaks between them, I have 6 35 minute classes with 5 minute breaks between them for the next two weeks. Which reminds me, I should probably ask about when we plan on having the one 7th period class I usually have.

It's bad enough that we have to have classes at all after finals, since the students have all checked out mentally. Now I have shortened classes with shortened breaks to match, rendering the lessons I had planned either useless or impossible without heavily modifying both the content presented and the activities planned.

What's that? Did someone say "Movie days?"

Now there's an idea!

Grade 6 class.  Subject is: How tall are you? Co teacher devises a worksheet where the kids fill their height, foot size, how big is your hand, bicep, waist, circumference of head, length of leg etc etc.  Gives them some tape measure and lets them have at it.  She joins in, measuring  the girls.  At one point she yells to me 'help me' and wants me to measure the inner length of one of the boys legs.   

no no no, I will not do that.  What is wrong with you!!? Why would you even ask me that?

What did you do in the end?

I don't see the worksheet as being too bad though, might steal the idea. Without helping obvs! 

Bahahah.  So in theatre this is a common measurement. 

For the inseam, have the person getting measured hold the tape measure up in his/her own crotch while you hold the other end toward the ground.  If you want a true measurement, make sure the [lads] get the tape measure up in there and stand up straight. 

Though for the purposes of your class, I'm sure accuracy doesn't much matter.