I subbed today for a high school history/economics teacher, the same one I subbed for on Monday.
Actually, I have subbed for her many, many times, including a five week long-term job last year. I enjoy subbing in her room. I know a lot of the kids by name at this point, plus she often leaves me with "real" lesson plans. This is both good and bad. The good side is that I get to actually use my degree, instead of just babysit. The bad side is that I get much less reading done.
Today I got to teach an introduction to World War I, mostly involving an explanation of the network of alliances that lead to the war. I also got to tell part of the story of the Vietnam War, then show the first twenty minutes of Dear America. If you haven't seen that film, I really suggest it.
A student wrote on the board today, "Mr C. Rules." Usually I ask kids not to write random stuff on the whiteboards, or at least erase whatever they sneak on there, but I had to agree with him and leave it up there. I am pretty awesome.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 28, 2011
An Economics/Psychology Teacher
Today I subbed for a high school economics/psychology teacher.
She was pretty excited that I'm certified to teach economics, which meant that I knew enough to give some depth to the notes I was supposed to present to the classes. The students were not at all excited about this.
I often get questions from students like, "if you're not certified in math, how can they let you teach us?" However, kids also groan when they find out I AM certified to teach a subject (history, economics, civics, English, etc), because that means that they have to do "real work." I just can't win.
I had a student walk up to me today after he finished his test. The entire time he approached he had a hand on his crotch, scratching madly. When he got to me the following conversation (more or less) took place,
Student: "Can I go do a crab check?"
Mr. C.: "Excuse me?"
Student: "Can I go get a drink?"
Mr. C.: "Oh, uh, yeah."
After school, I was picking up some trash on the floor and I found an interesting note. It is short, but it tells a touching story fully of friendship, hope, and rejection. I've reproduced it below, word for word, just as it is written. The line in bold was written in heavy ink (rather than pencil like the rest of it). It is not my emphasis, neither are the dashes. I have put an extra line in between where I'm pretty sure it is different people writing.
-Srry, but I don't like her like that, Ill just go hang with
Friends or go to the movies, but you have a good time, okay?
-you don't have to Really like someone like that in order
for you to go dancing. go with her as a friend
shed really like that if someone were to ask
her to go with them. she don't like you that way either
but she'd like to go with you as a friend.
-I'll think about it, but either way you just have a good time KK?
okay you too.
KK. Maybe next time... Hopefully. LoL kidding
LL, so what's up?
Nothing much you?
Nothin, just writting a note and passing it back and forth to a hot chick,
maybe I should find out her name, LoL
Ha Ha Hee hee
She was pretty excited that I'm certified to teach economics, which meant that I knew enough to give some depth to the notes I was supposed to present to the classes. The students were not at all excited about this.
I often get questions from students like, "if you're not certified in math, how can they let you teach us?" However, kids also groan when they find out I AM certified to teach a subject (history, economics, civics, English, etc), because that means that they have to do "real work." I just can't win.
I had a student walk up to me today after he finished his test. The entire time he approached he had a hand on his crotch, scratching madly. When he got to me the following conversation (more or less) took place,
Student: "Can I go do a crab check?"
Mr. C.: "Excuse me?"
Student: "Can I go get a drink?"
Mr. C.: "Oh, uh, yeah."
After school, I was picking up some trash on the floor and I found an interesting note. It is short, but it tells a touching story fully of friendship, hope, and rejection. I've reproduced it below, word for word, just as it is written. The line in bold was written in heavy ink (rather than pencil like the rest of it). It is not my emphasis, neither are the dashes. I have put an extra line in between where I'm pretty sure it is different people writing.
-Srry, but I don't like her like that, Ill just go hang with
Friends or go to the movies, but you have a good time, okay?
-you don't have to Really like someone like that in order
for you to go dancing. go with her as a friend
shed really like that if someone were to ask
her to go with them. she don't like you that way either
but she'd like to go with you as a friend.
-I'll think about it, but either way you just have a good time KK?
okay you too.
KK. Maybe next time... Hopefully. LoL kidding
LL, so what's up?
Nothing much you?
Nothin, just writting a note and passing it back and forth to a hot chick,
maybe I should find out her name, LoL
Ha Ha Hee hee
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
A Business and Technology Teacher
I subbed today for a middle/high school business and technology teacher. What this means is, for the most part, kids learn typing skills how to use the more advanced features of Microsoft Office along with creating things like memos and business-y things.
I love it when kids think they're more tech savvy than me. They get really angry when I say things like, "when I said 'close out of that game' I didn't mean 'hide it behind your Word document.'"
I have subbed in 21 different school districts over the past three years. I counted; the number was much bigger than I expected. Only the school I was in today allows students to use Facebook. I understand that some teachers use it for projects, but it is one hell of a distraction and kids get really snotty when you tell them to get off of it.
I love it when kids think they're more tech savvy than me. They get really angry when I say things like, "when I said 'close out of that game' I didn't mean 'hide it behind your Word document.'"
I have subbed in 21 different school districts over the past three years. I counted; the number was much bigger than I expected. Only the school I was in today allows students to use Facebook. I understand that some teachers use it for projects, but it is one hell of a distraction and kids get really snotty when you tell them to get off of it.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
A Band/Digital Media Teacher
I subbed today for a band/digital media teacher. I was split between two buildings, middle and high school.
My first class of the day was simply, "Guitar." The first part of the lesson involved putting on a CD, and the kids had to play along to the music. It took about 10 extra minutes to get started, because the teacher had removed the usual speakers to the sound system and I had to sort through a mess of wires to route the CD player to other speakers.
One of the songs on the CD was Johnny B. Goode. Just before I started the song I said, "alright guys, pretend you're Michael J. Fox and the year is 1955." Not only did no one laugh, no one seemed to even get the reference.
Also, schools, if you decided that your students can not handle having doors (or even full walls) on the bathroom stalls, please don't make it so you need a key to get into the staff restrooms. This makes things pretty awkward for "temporary staff."
My first class of the day was simply, "Guitar." The first part of the lesson involved putting on a CD, and the kids had to play along to the music. It took about 10 extra minutes to get started, because the teacher had removed the usual speakers to the sound system and I had to sort through a mess of wires to route the CD player to other speakers.
One of the songs on the CD was Johnny B. Goode. Just before I started the song I said, "alright guys, pretend you're Michael J. Fox and the year is 1955." Not only did no one laugh, no one seemed to even get the reference.
Also, schools, if you decided that your students can not handle having doors (or even full walls) on the bathroom stalls, please don't make it so you need a key to get into the staff restrooms. This makes things pretty awkward for "temporary staff."
Monday, April 25, 2011
An Economics/History Teacher
Subbed today for an economics/history teacher.
I got to watch Oprah today; the same episode three times. At least it was all about debt.
I got to watch Oprah today; the same episode three times. At least it was all about debt.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
A High School Science Teacher
I subbed today for a high school science teacher.
Easy day. I got to watch two (different!) episodes of CSI and an episode of Mythbusters, plus the first 40 minutes of Outbreak.
I also found a large stash of life size bones. A few were made of plastic, but most were some kind of heavy resin.
Easy day. I got to watch two (different!) episodes of CSI and an episode of Mythbusters, plus the first 40 minutes of Outbreak.
I also found a large stash of life size bones. A few were made of plastic, but most were some kind of heavy resin.
Here's my proof. Arr...
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
An 8th Grade Science Teacher
I subbed today for an eighth grade science teacher.
He had been gone since Friday of last week, making me sub number four. I guess the guy has horrible hives covering nearly all of his body, and his doctor can't figure out why. I know this because he included updates (for the kids) on his condition in the lesson plans. He also included pictures for the kids to see on the website that they use to look at homework.
Science teachers are weird.
Oh, and his room had cameras in it. I guess it is probably because the classroom (and side equipment room) is full of some very expensive stuff. It isn't like I was going to do anything wrong... but it was still uncomfortable.
Lastly, I overheard the following insightful conversation,
Student 1: "I peed for seven minutes straight the other day!"
Student 2: "Wow! That's a really long time."
Student 1: "I know! I'd held it for like eight hours!"
Mr. C.: "..."
He had been gone since Friday of last week, making me sub number four. I guess the guy has horrible hives covering nearly all of his body, and his doctor can't figure out why. I know this because he included updates (for the kids) on his condition in the lesson plans. He also included pictures for the kids to see on the website that they use to look at homework.
Science teachers are weird.
Oh, and his room had cameras in it. I guess it is probably because the classroom (and side equipment room) is full of some very expensive stuff. It isn't like I was going to do anything wrong... but it was still uncomfortable.
Lastly, I overheard the following insightful conversation,
Student 1: "I peed for seven minutes straight the other day!"
Student 2: "Wow! That's a really long time."
Student 1: "I know! I'd held it for like eight hours!"
Mr. C.: "..."
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)