Inside Four Walls: Why do you want to be a teacher...

I feel like I have asked this before...

In Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love, an 8th grader attacked and beat his science teacher.

An 8th grade student confronted Williams, his science teacher, about a bad grade, when it turned ugly. 

"I saw him take a swing," one student told Fox 29. "I couldn't believe it."

I am really at a loss for words here...and if you know me, that's a surprise.

Inside Four Walls: Wonder if American students would do this...

...to get to school

just goes to show how in some parts of the world education is more valuable than others. I can see not only the students saying school's not that important and also the parents. Interesting.

Inside Four Walls: This is our future...

A teacher was telling us a story about some senior in her class. Apparently, he ran a Stop sign and missed a day of school to fight the ticket. He took in a picture of the Stop sign and told the judge he couldn't see it because it was blocked by overgrown trees. The judge looked at the picture and agreed with him and dismissed the ticket. Here's the kicker, he told his teacher and friends at school that he just ran the Stop sign, but didn't want to pay the ticket. So he took a picture of the sign and photoshopped in a bunch of trees to make it look like he couldn't see the sign.

So here is a senior going into the real world who obviously sees nothing wrong with lying in court and then bragging about it.

I don't know what is wrong with this generation, but this behavior to me doesn't make sense. Maybe it is our school, because we are hearing rumors that someone broke into the room with the AP exams to steal a test. That's pretty extreme, except we have heard now that this person went through the ceiling to get into that room...true story.

Thoughts Without Words: And yet another reason why...

...people hate education.

When most people went to school, they went to get an education. They showed up on time because they knew every minute counted. They showed up everyday because they didn't want to miss a day and fall behind. So why and when did those expectancies change? And more importantly, when did educators/parents/politicians give up on holding kids accountable to learn?

In Texas, a district is going to raffle a car off every year for students who show up to class and earn good grades. Why does everything come with a bribe? Why can't students just do it because it's important for their future, not because they can get a new car out of it?

And we wonder why this nation is falling apart?

Inside Four Walls: Prom

I don't think people outside of education realize how much has changed from even 10 years ago. It used to be if you wanted to go to prom, you asked the girl. Now? It's a whole big production, seriously it's like these guys are asking the girl to get married. It's a joke and a waste of time. Think about how much time went into this. Now, that is how much time that was spend not studying for a test or doing homework for a class...yeah let's tie test scores to teacher's salary.

By the way, this took place at the other high school in our district, so this is what we deal with. Good times, right? I always tell my male students not to make a big deal out of asking a girl to prom. And if I find out they did, I will take their "Man Card" away from them. Funny thing is, years after I started saying this, I saw this Scrubs episode...with Man Cards...classic!

Inside Four Walls: This ought to be interesting...

I have talked a lot about teacher's rights and blogging and what not. We have seen a lot of teachers recently lose their job or be suspended because of what they say online. And what they say isn't bullying, it's venting or just telling a story.

So it will be interesting to see what happens with this;

Sultan Middle School Principal Robin Briganti found herself the target of online bullying. Someone set up a bogus Facebook page, and posted vile words and humiliating comments under her name.

That's right a principal is being bullied online, by some students at her school. Some people have argued that it isn't bullying, but more slander, I would argue isn't it the same thing? I guess slander is just something we use when your an adult.

It will be interesting to see what happens here. Will the students be suspended or expelled or counselled? I doubt the principal will sue, but how would that play out as well. It's time teachers start fighting back and quit being the punching bag of the nation right now.

Inside Four Walls: Can't believe what I heard...

I am a pretty open minded person. I don't get offended easily. In fact, some people would say I don't really have a filter on me when I talk and I never get offended. I mean one of my favorite shows is South Park.  Well today I was offended. In fact, it was so shocking what I heard, I won't post it on the main page. So for those that want to read the story...

Thoughts Without Words: Teacher suing student...

It's about time. That's all I can say.

Seems as though a senior that didn't get the grade she wanted started talking about the teacher, he had enough and threatened to sue her for slander and to stop. Of course someone told her to keep fighting and go further to the school board, a former principal (just another reason why teachers don't trust administrators).

She is complaining because she said he graded the class on group projects which she says is unfair. To me this is an open and shut case. According to Ed Code 49066;

49066. (a) When grades are given for any course of instruction taught in a school district, the grade given to each pupil shall be the grade determined by the teacher of the course and the determination of the pupil's grade by the teacher, in the absence of clerical or mechanical mistake, fraud, bad faith, or incompetency, shall be final.

Read the bold...yeah sums that up. So much for her complaint. He has to justify the grade, from what I have heard about things like this, but other than that he is good to go.

Back to the more important issue at hand, the potential lawsuit. Every time a student rips a teacher on Facebook, Myspace, or anywhere it's a 1st amendment freedom of speech thing. Yet, when a teacher says something about their students outside of school they are suspended or worse yet, they are fired.

I am sure nothing will happen here. The girl can complain all she want, but the chances of her getting her grade changed are slim to none. The teacher's potential lawsuit won't go anywhere because they will hide behind the 1st amendment. I love education...don't you?

Thoughts Without Words: We've got a jumper here...

I got this from Darren's blog, but I will basically say what I said there about this.

A high school class went on a field trip to the Golden Gate Bridge. Pretty cool right? Well some 17 year old decided to jump off the bridge, why? Someone dared him. Now he is lucky to be alive because;

Someone leaps off the iconic bridge an average of once every two weeks - last year, 32 jumpers died. About 98 percent of those plunges end up being fatal and authorities rule most of those deaths suicides.

The Marin County Coroner's Office and the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District have said that up to 1,500 people have died after jumping off the bridge since it opened in 1937.

When I read stuff like this it makes me think that one day my pay could be tied to someone like this. Or better yet, I am considered a bad teacher if I can't make students like him proficient or advanced...yeah that's fair.

Inside Four Walls: Some fun with Honors

Every year around this time my Geometry students take a test to see if they can get into Algebra 2 Honors. The ones that are looking to get into Math Analysis Honors and Calculus AP know they need to get into the class so they can continue on that "honors" track.

So this past Tuesday they took the test. I told them that I would let them know their results as soon as the department had them graded. Of course, that doesn't stop them from asking on a daily basis when they will find out. Because of this, sometimes I like to have a little fun with them.

For example, this past Friday, after being asked everyday since Wednesday if the results were in, I decided to have some fun. After the lesson, I went to my computer and pretended to get an email with their scores. I read off some fake percentages, mostly 50% or less. It was funny when I read out one student's score I said 45%, then the next student was 42%. The first student excitedly said "I did better than you." I thought to myself "really? you want to brag about a 45%?" Of course after about 10 minutes of them sitting there thinking they weren't getting into Honors, I told them I was joking and that not to ask again and I would tell them when the scores came in.

My favorite prank was last year. There was a lot of uncertainty because of the budget and all of that mess. So after a couple weeks of them asking, I finally said that the reason that the scores hadn't been released was because there might not be an Algebra 2 Honors the next year. I told them that we might just have regular Algebra 2 only because of the budget we would have to cut sections of classes. The best reaction came from a student that said "Wait? So my transcripts are going to say I just took REGULAR Algebra 2? Not Honors?" I said yes, but to look on the bright side that they would probably all get A's because they were going to be in a regular Algebra 2 class. I told them this on a block day and let it sit with them for about 30-40 minutes before I told them I was joking.

I know some might think it is mean that I do this, but the students all laugh from relief and they know not to ask about the results and I will tell them when they are in.

Inside Four Walls: Talking behind my back...

So while some parts of my job are a little hectic, I still find ways to enjoy myself at work.

The other day I was walking through campus after school. I noticed a freshman student and her friends. As I got closer, they all huddled up and I saw one of her friends stick her head up and look right at me then go back to the huddle. I had my sunglasses on, so I pretended not to notice. I knew she was talking about me and honestly it doesn't bother me. Students say bad things about me all the time...remember Rate My Teachers?

The next day in class, I called her on it. She said "I wasn't talking about you...I promise." I told her it was ok, people do it all the time, just don't look so obvious next time. Then she said, "well I didn't say anything bad about you." The class laughs a little and I repeat myself. She then starts telling us what was "said". I stop her and tell her to relax.

So when I finish my lesson, I do the whole Checking for Understanding thing and ask for any questions. The student raises her hand and says she has a question. I couldn't resist. I looked at her and said hang on.

So I turn around and stare at the board. About 15 seconds later, she says "Mr. W can you turn around?" I look over my shoulder and said, "Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were more comfortable talking behind my back." Of course that got a good laugh. By the way, I did answer her question...facing her.

Inside Four Walls: Who needs a discipline plan?

So I have known about this for a few weeks now, but in case some of my students knew of this blog I kept it under wraps. But as they say, the cat is out of the bag now.

Our schools budget was cut, like everyone else's, and our principal decided to maintain the status quo with keeping sports and IB funded. Well, seems that discipline isn't that big of a deal because the extra duty pay that went along with one hour detention and Saturday work detention were cut. So what was the plan? Apparently, they were hoping people would volunteer to do detention. Really.

So fast forward to today, I was putting notes on the board for my Algebra 2 Senior class when one of the students asks me "Is it true there's no more detention?" I say I have no idea. Then it opens the flood gates. It was a flow of "I heard the GLC's are doing it.", "I heard there is no detention til next semester", "I heard there's no more Saturday school." I do a pretty good job of ignoring the statements until one kid says, "I cut class last week and I was warned to not do it again. I did it last year and I was told it's an automatic detention. What's up with that?"

So to stop rumors, I told them detention was up in the air, but that the GLC's would most likely run it. It's funny how bad at math they can be, but then surprise you at other times. It took a few seconds before someone said, "there's 8 GLC's and there are 3 one hour detentions and one Saturday. They can't do that the whole year." It's funny because he is right.

Talking to our ASB director he is concerned because the Saturday kids would clean out and sort the recylcable trash cans. And I don't think he wants to do it.

So what is the discipline plan? No one knows. I have a couple students with two tardies, 3 is an automatic one hour detention, so it will be interesting to see what happens the next couple of days. Nothing like starting off the year with no discipline plan.

Inside Four Walls: How old am I going to be?

So in my Geometry class it's all freshmen, except for about 4 sophomores and 2 juniors. One of the juniors, I have had all 3 years. He got an A in Algebra B, but then he crashed hard in Geometry and failed...bad. So of course he blames me for failing. And yet, he took me again. I talked to his counselor and he told me he tried to get the student to take another teacher, but he said no.

So the first couple of days he makes these comments like "are you going to teach this year?" and things of that nature. I let it slide and explain to the freshmen that we work hard, but after the state test we go from a sprint to a walk. I can tell there are some that look worried.

So a couple days later he tells me his birthday is coming up on the 10th. I say hey mine is on the 14th. We start talking about what we are going to do and then I ask him how old he will be. He tells me and I ask him how old will I be. So he uses some logic and says "ok you graduated in 95 and I am assuming you were 18." I tell him yes. So he starts thinking ... you know that looking up to subtract look. And finally he says, "you're going to be 30". At that point all the freshman start laughing at him. And I start chuckling. Then he gets defensive and says "wait wait wait...ummm oh wait you're going to be 28!" If there were any freshmen not laughing before that, they were all laughing now.

So I ask the class "How old am I going to be?" And in unison they all say "34". They are all still laughing when I say "Now I would just like to say this might have been the reason that he failed my class last year...maybe." The freshmen got a real kick out of that one. The junior laughed at it too.

Talk about timing.

Inside Four Walls: 2009 - 2010 school year reflections part 2: students

If you missed part 1, it is here and it deals with the parents I had this year.

So what can I say about my students this year? I had a lot of freshman...a lot. Sometimes it's good, like in Geometry or Algebra 2 because those students work hard to get where they are. Other times you get them in Algebra B. Now even then it's a toss up. Some are there because they screwed around and didn't try and won't ever try. Others are there because they just struggled, but genuinely want to pass.

My Geometry students were a mixed bag. I had students that wouldn't miss a thing on a test and others that couldn't tell you what the sum of the interior angles of a triangle was. After state testing, the Geometry students were more upset than my other classes. They felt I didn't cover everything... we skipped reflections, translations, and dilations to finish some other chapters. They wanted to know why, so when I told them that if we finished the book completely some people would fail because of the faster pacing and they might not remember as much because we would be skimming and not going down a few levels. I think of all my classes, my geometry students thought I wasn't competent. But then again they did give me fainting girl, cheaters, and male chivalry at its best.

I can't say much about my Algebra B class. As I said, mostly freshmen. They were immature at the beginning of the year and for the most part, they didn't change. I will never forget the book check story...one of my all time favorites.

My Algebra 2 classes were fun. There were a total of 4 freshman between 2 classes, can you beat that? And a freshman in Algebra 2 doesn't act like a freshman. I had some problems with one period because our counselor decided to put 13 friends together in my class. Now, having 4 friends in a class is bad, but 13 ... come on now. I am sure they didn't do well on the state testing because they were mostly juniors and by then they realize that the CSTs have zero effect on them.

I had a ton of favorite moments from these classes, but my favorite came the day of finals. I was grading them on the Scantron machine and before I slid one in I noticed this one student (had a 35-40% going into the final) bubbled like 4 answers for one question. A bunch of times. I wasn't upset, I thought he wanted to be funny. After I scanned it, I looked a little closer. Here is the scantron.
See it? Well, if not, let me outline it for you...Stay classy Walnut. Pretty good in terms of originality, I will give him that much. I just never thought I would have a student bubble in a penis on a scantron, silly me.

Maybe I will submit this one to Zero Out of Five.

As far as summer school is going...it is better. That student hasn't done anything since the first day. I have a ton of stories I can't share because I want to wait til summer school is over. I will just say that this year's summer school highlights the failure of education and something better than this scantron.

Inside Four Walls: Summer School day 1... problems? really??

So I haven't finished with my thoughts on last year, but I have to share this story from the first day of summer school. Now at our school we have these students for 5 hours (2.5 hours with a 30 minute break, then another 2.5.). Due to budget cuts, we have been told if we drop below 35 we can lose our class... I have 39, but I think that might drop by one.

So I am done with introductions and we are going over some of the material and this kid starts talking I will call him Student R. So I tell him to stop talking and work. Before the break, I have warned Student R about 3 times to work and stop talking because it is disrupting to the class.

After break he continues to talk. I tell him "Look it's the first day of summer school, I don't want to call your parents, but I will if I have to." That usually works. In fact, I have about 2-3 students who I have had in the past that have seen me do it. They give this look, he's serious.

So what does Student R do? Continue to talk. So I get his mom's cell phone and get ready to call. Now Student R gets worried. He tells me that his mom's at work and is too busy to talk to me. And I could "call if I want to, but I would be wasting my time". So I call, I was going to anyway. So I get mom on the phone and;

Me: Hi this is Mr. W from WHS and I am calling to talk to you about your son's behavior in class. I am constantly telling him to get to work and to stop talking. I have warned him about 5 times already.

Mom: Already? It's the first day of summer school.

Me: I know...kind of funny huh? Anyway, I have about 40 kids in the class and I can't have him constantly disrupting everyone around him. I have people wanting to get into the class and I would rather have someone that wants to be here and try than someone that is constantly talking and being disruptive.

(this is the part where I was shocked)

Mom: hmmm do you think you could transfer him to another class?

Me: uhh no, I am the only Algebra B class during summer.

Mom: ohhh well...

Me: Do you want to talk to him, he's right here?

Mom: yeah

So as you can tell, not much parental support. Think about it, instead of backing me up and talking about fixing her son's behavior...her response? Move him to another class. It's not over though. I hand the phone to her son;

Student R: yeah mom, he caught me talking like 2 times. I am doing my work I will show you. I don't know why...maybe he's out to get me. But this phone call has straightened me out and I won't talk again. Love you bye

With that he handed me the phone back. That whole conversation was about 20 seconds.

Me: Yeah I don't think your son is going to be too successful in here with that attitude he just showed you and me.

Mom: yeah well...

Me: I suggest you have a strong talk with him tonight and hopefully he can do a 180 tomorrow or he isn't going to last too much longer.

Mom: Ok thanks

Me: Bye.

Yeah that's what I am dealing with. Hopefully, it won't be a repeat of the school year from 2 years ago. It can't right?

Sad But True: CST's & students

ok a new tag just unbelievable stories from news or school. This one comes from my school.

So we have started CST's this week. And we had a "test run" on Friday that took 10 minutes from 2 classes. The students went to their testing class and did whatever (I put the students in grade order). So today I had 5 students comes into my room instead of thier testing room...ok not too bad I guess. But I just had a kid show up 30 minutes late to my room and was like what's going on? Now there are no seniors here our parking lot is half empty. Shouldn't he know something was up?