I probably shouldn't have the energy to write a post, but I figured that I might as well since I seem to be a roll. Either that or I'm avoiding the massive amount of books that are sitting on my bed next to me that need to be marked; I bloody hate marking. I got a bit of planning done-- I'm starting to find that, despite the fact that most of the schemes of works have been planned out for me, I really need to start altering the lessons so that it fits the needs of my students. I've been worrying about marking so much that I think I'm beginning to let some of my lessons slip. Students are leaving having learned something, but I'm worrying it's too monotonous and my younger students are beginning to get bored. I let them draw and annotate today, which was a spur of the moment thing. I find some of my best lessons of the youngn's are when I just go on a whim rather than have set plans; it's for my older students, whom, if I tried that with, I would sink 5 minutes into my lesson. I can only imagine it now. Year 13, teaching Gothic Literature, spur of the moment planning in my head...haha they would eat me alive.
I had a brilliant lesson today with my Year 11s where I held a Socratic Seminar and they loved it. That took a bit more planning than usual, but for the most part, I found they really responded well to it--until one of my students decided he was going to put both of his legs over his head...yes, you read correct...a 16 year old boy put his legs OVER his head. Well you can only imagine the uproar that he sent my classroom into. Thank G-d it was at the end of the lesson and I was just going over Keepers. I thought I was going to piss myself to be honest--I can't keep a straight face with that class and, as much as they tend to drive me crazy, I feel like I'm slowly, but surely, forming a bond with them.
Today I sent a Year 8 out of my classroom because he was 'Heil Hitler-ing' during my lesson (ruler had sticky tack on it, put it against his upper lip, and did the salute continuously). When asked whether he knew what he was doing he said, 'Yes! Being Hitler...' and continued to do it. When I sent him out, he got bent out of shape and literally 'Goose Stepped' out of my classroom. I almost chucked my copy of 'A Christmas Carol' at him--but managed to restrain myself. My poor class was in utter horror. Needless to say, he's now in deep shit with the administration at the school... :)
My year 7s continue to be completely unbearable. One on one they're fine, but there is a distinct reason why I DID NOT WANT TO BE A MIDDLE SCHOOL TEACHER! I do not have the patience for students who cannot keep their hands to themselves. I did not go to school to be a babysitter thank you--it is not my duty to teach your children how to bloody share and keep their grimy hands to themselves. If I wanted to do that, I would have gone into Early Childhood Education or Elementary Education, and would not have poured hours and hours over people like Byron, Ginsberg, Chaucer, Southwell, and many others. I am here to teach English--NOT to play nanny.
That was my little rant about my year 7s.
I cannot wait until I begin my Masters. I'm still looking over the programs that universities around here offer. I think I'm going to need to get a car if I do end up staying here for Grad School. I'm still playing with the idea of applying to Oxford and Cambridge. Right now my main options would be one of the schools in the University of London system, Northhamton, Nottingham, and a few others.
Okay I need to get a bit of marking done before I head to bed. All lessons planned out for tomorrow (as are Friday's lessons). This weekend will be fun--Out on Friday night for Sam's birthday (a bit of bar hopping) followed by some faffing on Saturday and then marking all day Sunday...seeing Jason somewhere in there :) And I'm home in about 18 days. It'll be really nice to see family and friends
