Ahh kids
So I've been teaching for approximately two and a half weeks, now. I'm getting better but I'm still a horrible teacher. I think the fact that I'm a bad public speaker has a lot to do wtih the problem. I also find that its hard to communicate the ideas in my head to high school kids. Especially when they nod their heads in agreement, DESPITE the fact that they are not getting a word I'm saying.
Also, apparently I have a stuttering problem. Well.. not stuttering. Just.. a talking problem.
But anyway, I'm sure it will all improve in time.. and in having my own class. Its kind of hard taking over in the midst of things... especially in the midst of things that are not my own.
Today I was talking about modes of expression in my Modern Lit class.. because the students were having a difficult time in finding relevance in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber. I'm not going to lie, I did, too, the first time I read it. I tried to make it as interesting as I could, but.. I made up some BS stuff about how it was Thurber's mode of expression, as all authors' work is, and that especially because he was blind, Mitty's daydreaming was significantly attached to Thurber's life, blah blah blah (it actually makes a lot of sense I think).. I mentioned LiveJournals as a form of expression, thinking these kids might relate to that (none seemed to have a clue what it was,... I felt like a total nerd) and they then proceeded to ask for my journal name.. yeah right. I'm sure thats illegal in like 5 different ways. I immediately regretted bringing it up.
I'm having a little difficulty with a few of the guys in this class. The problem is I can't stop laughing when they goof off. But its starting to get a little annoying, and its definitely distracting/annoying the class, so it has to stop. I just dont know how to make it stop without making class a prison. I want them to have fun, but they just can't seem to control themselves. And its hard to discipline when you're trying to remember what, exactly, it is you want to teach!!!
Ahhh the endless cycle teaching is.. work, work, work..
but its definitey worth it when you see a student learning from something you taught them or even when you read a quiz that has ridiculous answers like "Taco Bell" in response to a question about Walter Mitty (Taco Bell=not invented when Mitty was written), thus indicating the student had no clue what he/she was doing.
Ah, yes... laughing at other people's expense... something I don't think I'll ever grow out of.
I think I'm going to join the coffee drinker's union this week. I just cannot stay awake lately. At least not long enough to be productive. I just kind of drone on after school (and lately during school too) and get nothing accomplished until way later than I wanted..
So its time to up the productivity with a little coffee...
Anyhow, I need to go do that whole productivity thing. I'll update some less boring stuff later I guess.
Also, apparently I have a stuttering problem. Well.. not stuttering. Just.. a talking problem.
But anyway, I'm sure it will all improve in time.. and in having my own class. Its kind of hard taking over in the midst of things... especially in the midst of things that are not my own.
Today I was talking about modes of expression in my Modern Lit class.. because the students were having a difficult time in finding relevance in "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" by James Thurber. I'm not going to lie, I did, too, the first time I read it. I tried to make it as interesting as I could, but.. I made up some BS stuff about how it was Thurber's mode of expression, as all authors' work is, and that especially because he was blind, Mitty's daydreaming was significantly attached to Thurber's life, blah blah blah (it actually makes a lot of sense I think).. I mentioned LiveJournals as a form of expression, thinking these kids might relate to that (none seemed to have a clue what it was,... I felt like a total nerd) and they then proceeded to ask for my journal name.. yeah right. I'm sure thats illegal in like 5 different ways. I immediately regretted bringing it up.
I'm having a little difficulty with a few of the guys in this class. The problem is I can't stop laughing when they goof off. But its starting to get a little annoying, and its definitely distracting/annoying the class, so it has to stop. I just dont know how to make it stop without making class a prison. I want them to have fun, but they just can't seem to control themselves. And its hard to discipline when you're trying to remember what, exactly, it is you want to teach!!!
Ahhh the endless cycle teaching is.. work, work, work..
but its definitey worth it when you see a student learning from something you taught them or even when you read a quiz that has ridiculous answers like "Taco Bell" in response to a question about Walter Mitty (Taco Bell=not invented when Mitty was written), thus indicating the student had no clue what he/she was doing.
Ah, yes... laughing at other people's expense... something I don't think I'll ever grow out of.
I think I'm going to join the coffee drinker's union this week. I just cannot stay awake lately. At least not long enough to be productive. I just kind of drone on after school (and lately during school too) and get nothing accomplished until way later than I wanted..
So its time to up the productivity with a little coffee...
Anyhow, I need to go do that whole productivity thing. I'll update some less boring stuff later I guess.