I'm on the eve of week three, feeling better about all of this than I was when I started. The first day of school was horrible, I had no preperation and I was thrown into a class out of my subject area. I had no class roll, not really any idea of what to do infront of a class, and no confidence. I think that it went o.k, I got them to sit down most of the time and they were occupied for the double. I'm not teaching that class any more, so I can concentrate on the music classes.
I have a year 7 class and a year 9 class. It's taken me a while to know what I am supposed to be doing with them, the first week with these classes too was terrible. When walking in to the year 7 class I am still very nervous. They talk all the time, they fight with each other, they don't really respect me. But I am learning how to take charge, each class is a new opportunity to think things through. I am happier with the year 9 class, I am having some fun with them. I need to be a little harder on them too, they think that they are getting an easy ride. Last class some of them went to the bathroom and didn't come back in to the room. I didn't like that, so all bathroom privledges are cancelled.
Other than school I am happy with how things are at the moment. I have time to catch up with people, it's been great to see Bec and my parents and Marks parents. It's nice to feel like I have some time at home. My moneyless student days are numbered!
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Last Weekend
This week has flown by! I had a great trip to Melbourne this week. My mum had her hair done in my sisters salon, my sister had a chance to do her first lot of foils. She's moving along so well.
I start school this week, working at high school. I'm looking forward to getting past this particular hurdle, the first day/week. I feel like this last few months has just been a series of waiting days, waiting for uni classes to end, for the exam to arrive, for the essay to be finished, for the assessment day to be over, to move home, to start teaching.
The first week will be interesting. I have been thinking a lot about classes, but I can't really do anything until I have more of a feel for the sessions and the students and how fast they will want to do things. I had a coffee with the other teacher Lindy, she will give me so much help! Two more days to plan, then it starts.
I start school this week, working at high school. I'm looking forward to getting past this particular hurdle, the first day/week. I feel like this last few months has just been a series of waiting days, waiting for uni classes to end, for the exam to arrive, for the essay to be finished, for the assessment day to be over, to move home, to start teaching.
The first week will be interesting. I have been thinking a lot about classes, but I can't really do anything until I have more of a feel for the sessions and the students and how fast they will want to do things. I had a coffee with the other teacher Lindy, she will give me so much help! Two more days to plan, then it starts.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
One Week To D Day...
Sorry it's been a while between posts, I'm in another phase where every time I load the post window, I can't think of anything that I want to post.
I found out last week that I didn't pass one of the German classes. It's the first class I actually failed at Uni, though I have come close a few times, so I think that's a pretty good track record. I have a chance to sit a supplimentary exam in two weeks, so I have lots of time to sit and think German thoughts in the chance that they may pass me this time. I hope so, because I am in the awkward position of not being in Melbourne in a position to attend lectures and stuff. I need to think positive thoughts, there are other ways around this, I could take another research class, or there is the possibility of taking a summer school class, (which just occured to me then, which makes me feel relieved!) and I can make up the credit then. I think that overloading this semester would be foolish, I have a lot on my plate at the moment which weighs heavily on my mind. I need to sit and get organised and make lists and just fill in the boxes for these tasks that I have to finish.
I think that I need to find the fun in these last few assignments. I've been a bit negative about Uni this year, the German class didn't help in the slightest but then I would have always wondered about studying a language at uni. I wanted to from the beginning and I took the chance when I could. I am resourceful and smart, and with the right attitude and talking to the right person, there are ways to do anything. I am glad that I have people that I can talk to about these things. I didn't tell anyone about failing the exam for a few days, I guess I was embaressed or disappointed or worried about how to complete this degree when I am home now and not in the city.
I'm worried about school too, its a big responsibility that I am going in to. It's the unknown more than anything that has me worried. I am asking myself all the time 'am I going to be able to keep them entertained for a whole double period?' 'am I going to be able to teach them anything useful?' It's also that I feel like I don't have enough resources, or the right resources, for the types of classes that I have in mind. Are they going to like what I have to teach them? Are they going to like me?
I should stop typing. I'm tired, and a little sick, which always makes me a bit emotional. I can do this. They already like me. I am well trained to teach classes, and I have the support and help of the teachers at the school to help me where I need it. I am not expected by anyone to be perfect. It doesn't matter if for the first few classes they just learn a few guitar or piano songs while I get used to the feeling of being the one in charge. Go in, put on a show, play some stuff on piano. It will be a lot of fun when I get past the first few classes.
I found out last week that I didn't pass one of the German classes. It's the first class I actually failed at Uni, though I have come close a few times, so I think that's a pretty good track record. I have a chance to sit a supplimentary exam in two weeks, so I have lots of time to sit and think German thoughts in the chance that they may pass me this time. I hope so, because I am in the awkward position of not being in Melbourne in a position to attend lectures and stuff. I need to think positive thoughts, there are other ways around this, I could take another research class, or there is the possibility of taking a summer school class, (which just occured to me then, which makes me feel relieved!) and I can make up the credit then. I think that overloading this semester would be foolish, I have a lot on my plate at the moment which weighs heavily on my mind. I need to sit and get organised and make lists and just fill in the boxes for these tasks that I have to finish.
I think that I need to find the fun in these last few assignments. I've been a bit negative about Uni this year, the German class didn't help in the slightest but then I would have always wondered about studying a language at uni. I wanted to from the beginning and I took the chance when I could. I am resourceful and smart, and with the right attitude and talking to the right person, there are ways to do anything. I am glad that I have people that I can talk to about these things. I didn't tell anyone about failing the exam for a few days, I guess I was embaressed or disappointed or worried about how to complete this degree when I am home now and not in the city.
I'm worried about school too, its a big responsibility that I am going in to. It's the unknown more than anything that has me worried. I am asking myself all the time 'am I going to be able to keep them entertained for a whole double period?' 'am I going to be able to teach them anything useful?' It's also that I feel like I don't have enough resources, or the right resources, for the types of classes that I have in mind. Are they going to like what I have to teach them? Are they going to like me?
I should stop typing. I'm tired, and a little sick, which always makes me a bit emotional. I can do this. They already like me. I am well trained to teach classes, and I have the support and help of the teachers at the school to help me where I need it. I am not expected by anyone to be perfect. It doesn't matter if for the first few classes they just learn a few guitar or piano songs while I get used to the feeling of being the one in charge. Go in, put on a show, play some stuff on piano. It will be a lot of fun when I get past the first few classes.