“I’ve got a bitter pot of je ne sais quoi”  So starts the song Genius by Warren Zevon.  Since I kind of became a huge Zevon fan over the course of this year, I figured I’d start my final post of the 2008-2009 TFA school year with that quote.  With a little French, we know…

Another song title as my title here… We just completed the MAP on thursday, and I have to say that overall, I am pretty excited with how my students did.  The vast majority seemed excited to see what they could do, worked hard, checked their answers, and overall did their best.  I had maybe two…

So, today was the second day of MAP (Missouri Assessment Program) testing for my students.  Thus far, they’ve behaved quite well (for the most part), and the vast majority seem to be taking it very seriously.  Students are checking their work, and really their best (or so I hope).  I just hope all those hours…

Sorry for the title, just felt like being poetic.  I guess I am just frustrated with a few select students.  I had three fantastic lessons today, I’d say 85% of my class did outstanding, but its that insane 15% that is making life hard. I have a couple of girls that just love to slap…

So I am writing this merry posting on St. Patrick’s Day, and I hope everyone has tipped a pint of something today just because.  Its the middle of out Spring break here in Kansas City, and I must say that having time to get some time and distance here has been refreshing.  I love teaching. …

So, yesterday, a student went into my desk and stole my phone.  Now, granted, this wasn’t the greatest phone, but it was mine, and it was my one and only source for phone numbers.  I literally now have no one’s numbers.  I think I maybe know two or three numbers off the top of my…

Like the classic Beatles song, it seems like I have a revolving door in my classroom.  The minute that I get one student back from suspension or illness, another one or two go.  Yesterday, I had a new low-light.  I already had two students gone for fighting (for the second time), and K decided to…

So today, a little hectic, yet inspiring in a crazy sort of way.  Sometimes, just walking into the school in the morning, you can feel the energy of the students.  When I get here in the morning, sometimes there are only one or two students here for extended day, but usually I just get a…

Ok, not going to be a long post, but today was a very frustrating day.  I had one of my students bring in his Sony PSP, which he knows he isn’t allowed to bring.  This has occured several times, and I have heard him stating that he might sell it to a seventh grader.  In…