Fast Times at...

Time Management

Silks — Mon, 26 Sep 2005 16:38:39 +0000

So, it seems to me that the majority of my students have no concept of time management. None. I have just observed the majority of them just have no idea how to make sure they can get everything done they need to do within the time limit presented to them.

How did I ever come to this conclusion? Mmm.

Let’s start with the number of students I do not see for help on something until the day *of* a quiz/test. Not the day before. Not several days before. (Or, heaven forfend, the day they realize they have no idea what the hell is going on.) But the day I am going to give the quiz/test. It is mind-boggling to me how many of my students do not budget their time to allow them a chance to come in before ‘do or die’ time.

I’ve tried to tell them all how important it is for them to come in as soon – and as often – as possible. I know many of them have extracurricular activities or a job or something else. However. Their academic studies are supposed to come first. Every club/organization/sport tells the members this simple fact. School work comes before anything ‘extra’. And yet, I always hear the same excuses. “But I have to go to work.” or “But I have practice every day right after school.”

Hello? What’s more important here? Practice? Or keeping your grades up in my class? Hrmm. The latter? I would think so, given the fact that if you do poorly enough, you become ineligible to participate in *any* extracurricular activity, be it a sport, a club, the play, what have you.

So, now I need some ideas on how to truly get this thought into the brains of my students. Any thoughts on what works for you? Or what advice you would give?

I’m at the end of my rope, really.

Hyper much?

Silks — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 17:08:27 +0000

What is it about Fridays that makes the students turn into utterly hyper creatures who cannot seem to control even the smallest impulse? I know the weekend is coming, but it seems to just be so utterly intense on Fridays. And the further you progress through the day, the worse it usually becomes.

Why is this? Why do the students feel the need to just spout off whatever they think in the middle of a class? It’s strange. Students who would not do it on a Monday, or even a Wednesday, will do so on a Friday, just like it was the normal thing to do. Utterly mind boggling. Truly.

Mass quantities of sugar? Too much coffee? What is it about Fridays?

And why is it when *I* do something like that, I’m the weird one?

Weird children.

And so it begins

Silks — Fri, 23 Sep 2005 09:37:47 +0000

So, this isn’t Ridgemont High, but still. High School is high school. And trust me. It hasn’t changed. I see the same stuff I saw when *I* was going through high school. Just now – I have a different viewpoint.

That’s right. I’m on the other side of the desk. Now I’m a teacher. And I like it. I love to do what I do. It’s fun – for the most part. I truly enjoy doing it. Again, mostly. There are days where I wonder why I got into this particular profession. Must have been for the money. Yes. The money. Right?

Anyway. I think the point shall be to give a teacher’s viewpoint on what is happening within the world of school.

I was wondering what I would put here if I managed to snag a wordpress.com account. It may change. For now – looking at high school life through the eyes of the teacher.

Phew.