*waves*

While I had looked online for when the ELA was going to be, they did say it was coming this week. However since my Principals told me that they were giving it next week.

Now for those who don't routinely know what goes on in an Yeshiva, this does happen. The school does sometimes give tests late, gets permission, etc. So when I came in I got a shock. So the entire day was changed and me and the Science teacher split the day between the 7th and 8th Grades.

I am still, in my years of teaching, still in shock about the behavior of some students. Contrary to other ideas, there does come a time that you cannot control a child. Case in point

7th Grade: Decides to take a newpaper for middle school students that the school gets, rolls it up, puts it in his mouth, and goes around the room acting like 'Lucky the Dog'. His partner in crime who is using a tie to attack other students were thrown out and are going to be severely diciplined.

6th Grade: What do you do when you try to make fun of a teacher and not do your work? Condemned in front of the class, held late, and the card game you were playing in the middle of class confiscated.

Thank g-d I am reaching out to those boys who want to learn. Made me smile when the 7th grade began a discussion on the ramifications of France's double dealing with the US prior to the War of 1812 and that the 6th Grade were 'bad mouthing' their 5th grade teacher last year for her inability to teach them the proper English Grammar rules.

Days like this I remember why I want to continue to be a teacher, and why I wish to stay in the Yeshiva system. Though given the administration not sure how that'll last for next year.

Last two days

6th Grade, it would seem, is actually having a difficult time with the English Grammar rules that I am trying to teach them. going slow and patient with them, I just wish the 5th Grade Teacher had taught them a bit better. Really her English Grammar Rules and explainations makes me quite ill. They were taught the bare minimum with writing and grammar. Thank G-d have worked through their writing issues but have to keep hammering at them with the grammar. Hopefully my hand out work sheet tomorrow will do the trick and we'll be able to do some history.

7th Grade has been having some bad behavior problems associated with two kids. Yesterday was a disturbance and wasn't able to complete all the work we had intended to do in the class. Today threw the two kids out and the Principal chewed them out. They were still cocky at the end of the day. Have to work out some more sheets for the War of 1812 that we will be beginning tomorrow.

8th Grade, the ELA prep is going ahead, we did a practice test and actually marking some of them tonight. Been working on evaluating essays, writing detailed essays, and compare and contrast to prep their skills for next weeks test. Kinda worried about some of them but I am very confident that the majority of them will do well. I just wish there was a way to address the 'Torah doesn't say that' issue. It makes me extremely sad that many of these boys have a twisted sense of what is right or wrong when it comes to the Torah. I am all for protecting impressionable young mind and ensuring their safety and for them wanting to stay away from bad influence. However an article concerning how the Puritans came to America just doesn't fall under that category.

New website: I have used it a lot and love making puzzles for my students with it, http://puzzlemaker.school.discovery.com/WordSearchSetupForm.html - its a word search generator. Just put in the words and click.

Baby I got back

So the Menahel spoke up about the lessons, not sure about me, but about what I am teaching.

The boys apparently had twisted his words, even though his words weren't supportive of what I was trying to teach the boys before hand. The boys used it as an excuse and it finally took 3 days for all of this insanity to be quashed. Thank G-d it has been and hopefully will have just another day to get them prepped.

Last Thursday was actually good, except for the fact that the Principal felt the tests were too hard and it wouldn't do if the kids began to fail the tests. Truth be told I don't have any issues at all with the tests, I know if they study they would do well, but you can't tell me last minute about changing my entire outlook on how to make my tests and give them. So I'll work on making the next one 'easier' I'm going to have to grade all those lovely tests from last Thursday and see how well they all do.

I'm hoping that tomorrow's work day just builds upon the more positive Thursday that me and the kids had last week.