I have met the enemy, and I am theirs.

After 2 days I've seen all my classes, and probably at least 75% of the students that will be in them. Overall, I'll give them a 9.5. I worked for one year at the feeder Jr. High, and then did summer activities with them a second year, so I've known a lot of my 9th and 10th graders since they were in 7th grade. (The 10th graders were actually students of mine). So, we had some pretty good conversations about their Jr. High teachers, some good laughs and even got some work done in class. And I didn't even have to kick anyone out of class, at all, not just in the first 3 seconds (see Paperback Writer's blog of Aug 22). I did have to redirect one of the New Comer students (non-English speakers who have been in this country less than 1 year, it's a whole separate program housed at our school) to their correct class, which took a considerable amount of time. So, I guess you could say I kicked her out, but I guess it really doesn't count since she was a real sweetheart and was just lost. I have a couple of kids that are going to push things a little bit. But I don't get the feeling any of the classes is going to be pushing me all year. Both 4th periods (A & B day) are going to be very interactive groups, they happen to both be Geometry classes. They are talkative, and did wander off subject, but weren't too hard to corral back into the conversation I wanted. 3A (Algebra) was a little bit more obnoxious, mainly because it is full of 9th graders and 10, 11 & 12th graders that have already flunked Algebra, at least once. One girl is trying to make up some Math credit for graduation, so I have her in Algebra 3rd and then Geometry 4th the same day. I looked at her and said "So, you're not going to be late for Geometry too often, are ya?" She just smiled and shrugged. I've already had the requisite inappropriate comment. I was talking about hall passes and how after they're used the only thing that get's you out of my class is either puking or bleeding. (Ok, how many of you already know where this is going?) Yup, she actually raised her hand and when I called on her asked "Does it matter where you're bleeding?" I have to say I'm proud of myself because I came back with "No, but don't try it more than once a month." The beauty of high school was that it got a good laugh and then we moved on. It also told them "No, you're not going to freak me out or embarass me" which research has shown 43.75% of all things high school students do is for those reasons. (I, uh, made up that statisti, ok?) My UBSCT class was the hardest of the bunch, not because they were obnoxious or anything, but because I couldn't get them to talk. The class is to help Juniors and Seniors that were close to passing the UBSCT, to give them enough so that they can pass the test. I have 10 registered for the class, only 5 showed up. We took a pretest and then I started going over stuff they missed. I fele like that teacher on "Ferris Bueller's Day Off". You know, the teacher that says in total momotone "And then what happened in 1776?, Anyobody, anybody, anybody. They signed the Constitution. And who signed the constitution? Anybody, anybody, anybody....." (Note : For you Beullerophiles, that is not a direct quote, please do not correct me, it was just suppose to elicit the memory of the actual scene) Anyway, with only 10 students I should get a lot done, but I'm not counting on it being a lot of fun.

These are my impressions after 2 days. We'll see if things are the same after 40......