Why I'm not sleeping!
I can't sleep, and realized I hadn't updated in a while. It's probably that reason this is a little disjointed, but I'm writing as I think, a dangerous event--but I really don't want to try to organize it to make sense.
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week. Unfortunately, I don’t really know what’s brought all of this on really. It may have something to do with the fact that I had to quash two plans for lessons this week because of our science lab.
I’m honestly amazed at how little is in the lab. Some of the students have been telling me they never went to the lab, and I really thought they were kind of just saying it. You always want to spend more time in the lab than you do in the classroom. However, I have been amazed at how the lab is. The other science teacher and I have been trying to figure out just what we have and what we don’t have. There are boxes for electronic scales, but so far, neither of us have come across them. There are a lot of chemistry type components in the lab, which I have a hard time justifying because of the lack of a chemistry program.
The thing I think that amazes me most aside from the filth in the lab itself is the lack of histology slides or biology labs! The other science teacher did find a fair amount of kits for some environmental labs, which I think are really good. A lot of them remind me of ecology. I just hope my students bring in lab fees so we can actually buy some histology slides, some anatomy enzymes, blood antigens, and models for bones and muscles. They all want to dissect, but I have yet to find any tools, other than a very old set of forceps, that are plastic. Frankly, they scare me because of the condition they are in. We threw out some goggles and aprons because of the mold they were sporting.
Another thing that’s been bothering me is that one of the teachers has a rather bleak outlook on the students. I know our students aren’t all from wonderful families, or even have both parents around. However, and I guess I’m still naive, but they deserve a good education, even if they dislike you because you expect a lot. You’ve got to balance compassion with tough love-and admittedly, I don’t have the balance right...I think if I did, I wouldn’t be learning anything. I am learning, though, and although I’m not sure I can quantify it here, it’s happening.
My allergies are also in high gear right now. The good news is that Lisa called, and she and I are headed to the beach this weekend. I’m looking forward to getting recharged-getting caught up on some neat biology stuff, hearing about her dissertation, and getting a few “fun facts” for my students. It will just be nice to catch up-and to not really have a plan for the weekend. I’ll be happy, as long as my allergies behave themselves-and I don’t run out of Tylenol Sinus. The good thing about the beach, though, is that there’s a drug store or Wal-Mart nearby!
I think my students are a little surprised that I’m not going to the football game tonight. I was already planning to miss it, so Lisa’s surprise didn’t stop me from going. I didn’t want to have to take off early to follow the band bus or ride with cheerleaders’ parents. I hope that our boys do well! They are playing well this year, and I want to see our coach succeed, especially since I went to school with him.
I know I’m jumping around a lot. We had a faculty meeting today, and I now know when I’ll be observed for Peppe, or the teacher evaluation plans. I’ll be seen on Oct. 4th, during Anatomy. That will be a lot of fun-and I’m ready to get it out of the way, so I can work on improvements and try to make any necessary changes.
I’m closing this entry with this thought. It was good to actually be pseudofighting with Dad Wed. night. He was trying to convince me to stay home because he’d seen some article where a geologist has hypothesized that the Gulf of Mexico is going to experience a huge Tsunami. I think we made Mom upset-but Dad was teasing me again-and that part of it was wonderful! He goes back to the doctor on Monday for follow up!
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking this week. Unfortunately, I don’t really know what’s brought all of this on really. It may have something to do with the fact that I had to quash two plans for lessons this week because of our science lab.
I’m honestly amazed at how little is in the lab. Some of the students have been telling me they never went to the lab, and I really thought they were kind of just saying it. You always want to spend more time in the lab than you do in the classroom. However, I have been amazed at how the lab is. The other science teacher and I have been trying to figure out just what we have and what we don’t have. There are boxes for electronic scales, but so far, neither of us have come across them. There are a lot of chemistry type components in the lab, which I have a hard time justifying because of the lack of a chemistry program.
The thing I think that amazes me most aside from the filth in the lab itself is the lack of histology slides or biology labs! The other science teacher did find a fair amount of kits for some environmental labs, which I think are really good. A lot of them remind me of ecology. I just hope my students bring in lab fees so we can actually buy some histology slides, some anatomy enzymes, blood antigens, and models for bones and muscles. They all want to dissect, but I have yet to find any tools, other than a very old set of forceps, that are plastic. Frankly, they scare me because of the condition they are in. We threw out some goggles and aprons because of the mold they were sporting.
Another thing that’s been bothering me is that one of the teachers has a rather bleak outlook on the students. I know our students aren’t all from wonderful families, or even have both parents around. However, and I guess I’m still naive, but they deserve a good education, even if they dislike you because you expect a lot. You’ve got to balance compassion with tough love-and admittedly, I don’t have the balance right...I think if I did, I wouldn’t be learning anything. I am learning, though, and although I’m not sure I can quantify it here, it’s happening.
My allergies are also in high gear right now. The good news is that Lisa called, and she and I are headed to the beach this weekend. I’m looking forward to getting recharged-getting caught up on some neat biology stuff, hearing about her dissertation, and getting a few “fun facts” for my students. It will just be nice to catch up-and to not really have a plan for the weekend. I’ll be happy, as long as my allergies behave themselves-and I don’t run out of Tylenol Sinus. The good thing about the beach, though, is that there’s a drug store or Wal-Mart nearby!
I think my students are a little surprised that I’m not going to the football game tonight. I was already planning to miss it, so Lisa’s surprise didn’t stop me from going. I didn’t want to have to take off early to follow the band bus or ride with cheerleaders’ parents. I hope that our boys do well! They are playing well this year, and I want to see our coach succeed, especially since I went to school with him.
I know I’m jumping around a lot. We had a faculty meeting today, and I now know when I’ll be observed for Peppe, or the teacher evaluation plans. I’ll be seen on Oct. 4th, during Anatomy. That will be a lot of fun-and I’m ready to get it out of the way, so I can work on improvements and try to make any necessary changes.
I’m closing this entry with this thought. It was good to actually be pseudofighting with Dad Wed. night. He was trying to convince me to stay home because he’d seen some article where a geologist has hypothesized that the Gulf of Mexico is going to experience a huge Tsunami. I think we made Mom upset-but Dad was teasing me again-and that part of it was wonderful! He goes back to the doctor on Monday for follow up!