Sort of boring emails that are here for you. But I don't think they're boring

Dear Readers,

Here are some emails my mentor teacher and I wrote to each other on Thursday, December 10th, 2009. They are interesting to me because they are a real life snapshot of some of my struggles with classroom management. They give you an insider's look at some of the stresses of being a new teacher these days.

Geez... there were so many times when I wished that corporal punishment was still an option for teachers. I hear there are some schools in Texas going back to the paddle. There are some good arguments for it. Go to this website for some of those arguments.

And Ms. C., if you are reading this, and it bothers you, let me know and I'll remove it.

Enjoy!


From: Ms. C
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 1:06 PM
To: Telemoonfa
Subject: RE: meeting Telemoonfa

Telemoonfa,

Well, this semester is almost over. You can say no to the bathroom passes on people who abuse it. For next semester, if you see a student abuses that privilege, you can say as soon as they come back to class, “Don’t ask me to go to the restroom again. It took you ___ minutes to get back.” You can note it, and if they have a health concern, you can always check with the nurse and she can tell you. You don’t have to let them go, even if they say they have to go right then and there. They have 5 minutes to go between classes. You can also tell them to hold on for a few minutes. Usually, they’ll forget. I’d like to visit your 2nd hour, but I have to make some requests. I’ll see what I can do.

Keep writing me.

Ms. C.

From: Telemoonfa
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 11:32 AM
To: Ms. C.
Subject: RE: meeting Telemoonfa

Ms. C.,

About your classroom, I appreciated the way the students came in and got right to work before the bell even rang. That is not happening in my class right now. In my class, a few students get to work right away, but most of them don’t, and I have to say, “Start the bellwork, get working. Why don’t I see any paper out? You! Start your bellwork!” and then still there are quite a few students who just don’t do it.

I liked the way you used the timer on the smartboard, too, to transition from activities, and the way you walked around the room and checked off homework. And you looked like you were organized. I think next semester I’ll have a corner where they have to sit and copy the core philosophies…

I’m really looking forward to next semester and getting a fresh start.

I tried doing this rhythmic clapping thing to get their attention, a procedure, you know, while we’re doing activities where they talk and such. But they don’t clap, and they keep talking, and I get frustrated.

I’m also having issues with students going to the bathroom. A lot of them all say that they need to go right away, and I let them go, because they have available slots on their character cards… but they hang out for too long in the bathroom.

I told them no more note-passing was allowed, though, so that stopped, for now, and that’s good.

Telemoonfa

From: Ms. C.
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:29 AM
To: Telemoonfa
Subject: RE: meeting Telemoonfa

How about we email back and forth. We can also meet Mondays or Wednesdays.

So what did you think of the observation last week? It would be nice if you observed others too. If you want to do this, I can set it up, just let me know.

Ms. C.

From: Telemoonfa
Sent: Thursday, December 10, 2009 7:54 AM
To: Ms. C.
Subject: meeting Telemoonfa

I can’t remember what we said about meeting… I have duty this morning at 8:25

Telemoonfa