Week .5 as Teacher

So I've survived the first 3 days of teaching all 5 periods. Granted, the first day (Wednesday) was a long one, with Open House that night, but still, I made it and am still alive and not running away screaming. : )

Over all I feel it's been going well. We did a lab today, and I much prefer labs to actual lecturing. Both myself and the students are more interrested and there's more stuff going on and to do. They do take alot of prep, though.

The first day I taugh my 7th period class totally pushed me and tried to take advantage of me. Because of how it was planned, there wasn't enough room in the period to tell them about my discipline plan that day. On Thursday, however, I started class w/ my plan, and used it numerous times 7th period. Two students were sent to the hall and have contingent infractions (if they don't re-offend the infraction won't be turned in, but if they do, the old plus the new infraction will be turned it together). Needless to say, that got my 7th period class settled right down to only the normal murmuring and comments. Much more manageable. I fully believe the advice I've heard for over a year now "Be hard, mean, and harsh up front, you can relax later." Today wasn't perfect, but it was better than Thursday. We'll see how long that lasts, though.

Not much else to report. I'm not as ahead as I've been planning-wise because I haven't really done much lesson planning since Wednesday (just getting into the swing of things). I need to finish up my Energy unit, which should be to hard (just LPs for a lab and correction day). Then I need to get moving on my Energy Transfer unit. I'm still trying to find a way to use my fire example in a safe way, but so far I'm coming up short. We'll see.

On a more somber note, tomorrow I'll be going to the memorial service for my good friend from high school, Wes', mom. She went to be with the Lord 2 weeks ago (brain cancer). It'll be sad and tough, but good to support Wes and his family.

Other than that, I'm planing, churching, and, um, yeah. : )