Teaching Junior Highers

Sunday, January 10, 2010

I really enjoy teaching high schoolers math and helping them understand their work. Much of my time is now spent teaching and reviewing algebra and geometry. I help with homework or teaching new skills. Math brings a lot of frustration to students, and I find few parents who are able to help their son or daughter in math. They were also frustrated in school with math.

I'm used to this, especially after teaching math since 1975.

I do get to do higher math at times, helping my son or his friends in their pre-cal class.

But teaching students with learning disiblities gives me, as a teacher, a lot of variety. I may be helping in any subject, even ones I am not strong in. Ones that are full of facts I never use.

So, first we try to take apart the question: what is it asking and how many parts to the answer. Then we identify key words so we can locate the information (either from class notes, the text book, or Google).

I enjoy this part of special ed teaching tremendously. It is like an adventure. And we both learn, or at least I am reminded of the facts I have forgotten.

Probably the part I do not enjoy is editing essays and projects, as you can tell from my blog. I'm a pretty good speller, but didn't quite get the hang of commas. And comma rules change from time to time. Another rule change: only one space after a period. I usually use two.

But I seem to edit way too many papers. That's ok. I can look into a student's thinking as I edit.

Teaching the jr highers has opened up a new way of looking at teaching. They are much more playful and dependent upon the teacher for a good time. I don't need my chair or computer during class. I have no opportunity to sit and take a slow breath.

My mind needs to work in overdrive. I need to change the activity every ten minutes or so.

I need caffeine. Chocolate doesn't even work--the sugar saps your energy after 30 minutes.

Caffeine is the best.

I have grown to love the jr high age. I thought this would never happen.

Dum dum suckers work well as a reward at the end of class or for correct answers when they are getting sluggish. I just tell them not to take offense.


The Bible says a student will be like his teacher after being fully trained: Luke 6:40

A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

I hope I am training students not only in math, but in critical thinking. I want them to become independent thinkers. I want them to have conviction that they are right in their conclusions. And I want them to learn how to know if their conclusions are right.

I want to have character that students may mimic. I want them to know what good character is. I want them to know how to love one another. And I want them to know there is a God who loves them as precious children. I want them to find God and follow Him eventually.

It is incredible that if I fully train students, they will be like me. I want to pursue the Holy One and become more like Him so it is not only math they see in me.

Merry Christmas!!!

12/22/2009
Merry Christmas to all of you!!
We have enjoyed 2009, and we’ll share some of it with you.
Velma finished the special education endorsement program at PSU in March. It was a wonderful experience with the cohort (group) of teachers and professors. She has been teaching in special ed for 3 years, helping kids in any subject, and teaching several math lab classes—both high school and junior high.
Vung Chan continues his night job at Ogden Middle School, but his real love is farming. He has strawberries, raspberries, marion berries, black caps, blueberries, and all kinds of vegetables. His mom, Lyda, is well and just moved to Carver.
Joe is 17 years old, a driver, a flip-thrower in soccer, and a great student in almost all advanced classes. He loves to play his electric and acoustic guitars, and is taking piano and music theory from a great teacher. He misses gymnastics, though.
Have a great new year, 2010, and we look forward to our Lord’s Return!!

The Week before Christmas Break

12/13/2009

This week will be louder than any other time when teaching school. In the past years, I have scheduled carpal tunnel surgery, trips to Cambodia, and anything else that can legally get me out of teaching this week. If I can call it teaching.

First, I DO love the kids I teach. It is so natural for the excitement of two weeks off, probably with gifts and extra sweets, to affect any of us. Plenty of sleep is so important for staying patient with the students, but who can sleep? Last year, we missed this week in the district I'm in because of snow and ice. Remember?

Last Friday, I brought home the poinsettia from my desk, just in case. It was a gift from a retired teacher-friend. So far it looks like we having school tomorrow. The ice and snow storms just didn't happen.

Students are highly stressed anticipating this week. We all are. One student told me his mom is divorcing his step-dad--he is quick to add he didn't like him anyway. Another large group will not have their free breakfasts and lunches for two weeks. And probably no heat. And no doubt, some will get no gift(s). After the Christmas break, I must remember to not ask about 'what they got for Christmas'. Nor write an essay about their break. Maybe they will write in their private journals that most English classes require. Anything, to help get that pain out.

I have always prayed for students as they tell me about difficult things they face at home. The ones that don't tell me, but I still know, I also pray for them.

What can I recommend to people in this stressfull time? If there is something on your heart that is unbearable, find a friend who listens and says little, unless it is to give words of hope. Words of hope take our focus off the unbearable to what is bearable. And it may take awhle--keep at it.

Next, go out for lunch with friends who laugh constantly. I like the verse/proverb: Proverbs 17:22 "A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones." I've had enough dry bones, how about you? I love to laugh! In this life, there is plenty to laugh about. I surround myself with friends who like to laugh--a lot!!

Maybe I can be the friend who loves to laugh with people and give medicine to someone's soul.

It is easy for stress to be internalized, and then to become depressed. I have found the Psalms to be a source of strength. King David and others wrote some of these in their times of depression and fear, and can point us out of these pits.

As Hanukkah is being celebrated this week to remember the Miracle of Oil and as a time of dedication, let's look forward to our Saviour's birthday (also my husband's) in less than two weeks. God gave His Son to anyone who receives the Gift. Our gift-giving is a great time to see how joyously kids young and old receive their gifts. Let's receive God's Gift to us in the same way.

Joy to the World!!