Parent - Teacher Conferences

Don't worry folks. Parent - teacher conferences are happening RIGHT THIS SECOND and I am in the middle of a lull. Parent - teacher conferences are from 1:30-7:30 and I have an hour and a half left!
I've actually really enjoyed meeting the parents. It's been really helpful and now I can put a face with the names. For all of you reading this, be a parent that attends parent-teacher conferences and whatnot. It is huge for your children! And I think it means a lot to the students.

Here's a picture I snuck using PhotoBooth. Someone probably saw me making faces and thought twice about coming to talk to me.


Funny story of the day. We had a shortened schedule because we only had a half day of school to make time for parent-teacher conferences. I usually have a prep period after lunch, so after lunch today I went to make some copies. When I arrived back to my classroom, I looked at the schedule and realized that 6th period had already started and had been going on for TWENTY MINUTES. No. Stinking. Way.
I couldn't possibly have missed that much of a class period. And where were my six students? I panicked for a couple of seconds contemplating where they were. What do you do in that sort of situation? Was in trouble? WHERE WERE MY STUDENTS?! I walked out the door headed to the office when I decided to check next door. Sure enough, my dear 6th period students were in Mr. Davidson's room just hanging out. By some miracle, it was his prep period and when he realized that I was not showing up, he took them under his wing.
Oh the questions they had for me.

"Where were you Ms. Damron?!"

They were really quite upset and distraught. Possibly even worried! We had about 15 minutes left of class, so we did what we could.

As soon as 6th period ended, I went out into the hall and the two teachers across the hall gave me grief. Also, several students have brought up what happened here at parent-teacher conferences. Needless to say, I think I learned my lesson. I've been recovering from the experience all day long!

Wish me luck the next hour or so!

-Ms. Damron-

Classroom pictures!

Well, I left the school at 8:40pm. I didn't go home once. Talk about a long day! Parent-teacher conferences are tomorrow and I had a lot of prep to do. Let me tell you, being in Special Ed adds about an entire other job amount's worth of work to your load. Not only do you have to prepare lessons every day, but then you have all of this paperwork and so many meetings! AND you HAVE to do it all correct or else it can get you in legal trouble. Awesome. All I can say is thank heavens for Erin Radant who guides me every step of the way. :)

I finally took pictures of my classroom! It only took a month, right?
I didn't want to take the pictures until my classroom was complete, and that finally happened about a week ago when I got my bookshelf. Yay! So here you go:

As you walk in the door



This is from the opposite side of the room. Yay for cupboard space!

My desk area:


The Reading Corner:


My fancy door. I took a picture of all of the kids in my "Wolfpack" (it's basically homeroom) and put them on the door. Let me tell you, kids in middle school are strangely shy of the camera! I had to pretty much force about half of them to let me take their picture. They were terrified of the fact that their picture would be on my door for everyone to see. Who has the most popular door now? That's right. Me.


And in case anyone was wondering if I am a legitimate teacher or not, here is the hard evidence:

Are you coming back?

I figured I'd write a quick entry about my wonderful weekend in Montana!
Friday afternoon as I was getting ready to leave, one of my students came in to drop his backpack off. I reminded him that I was leaving and I wouldn't be there that afternoon and he got the most worried look on his face and said,

"Are you ever coming back?"

My heart just about melted. So cute! I assured him that I was just leaving for the weekend and would be back. He said, quite relieved, "Oh good."

:)

So, I took half of Friday off and flew to Great Falls, Montana where my dad picked me up. We went horseback riding Saturday morning and then went to the Harvest Moon Ball in East Glacier that night.
We rode to Ptarmigan Tunnel which is a beautiful ride. It's 5.3 miles one way and let me tell you, I sure was grateful to be on a horse! Especially when we began the climb up the mountain. When we first started up the mountain, there was a man behind us that was pretty close behind us. In fact, it appeared that we were slowing him down. We let him pass us and he zoomed up that hill! I don't think I could walk that fast on flat ground let alone up a mountain. Sure enough, he beat us up there. Once the man had a head start, my dad jokingly whispered to the horses,

"You should be ashamed of yourselves! Look at that man go!"

I love my dad.

Once we got to the top, this was our view:



I asked a man from Missoula to take a picture of me and my dad. I love my doctor dad dressed up like a cowboy. :)


The tunnel was built in 1930 because the tip of the mountain was too jagged and dangerous to cross. I think it's pretty neat!




Sunday we went to church in our old branch in Cut Bank. The number of people we know there is slowly fading, but I'm still always humbled when I attend church there. The people are truly "the salt of the earth" as my dad says.
Sunday night I flew back to Salt Lake. Man it was a fast weekend. It sure was a good one though.

Hungry fish?

You know when you drop some food into a pond and all of the fish hone in to that one spot where you dropped that chunk of bread? Sometimes I feel like that piece of bread. I have taught the procedure "Independent Time" several times. You follow these simple steps:

Stay in proper area
Approved materials only
Low noise level

Besides teaching that, I have put four copies of APPROVED FREE TIME ACTIVITIES on the walls of my classroom. Some of the suggested activities include read a book, draw, make/study flash cards, study for a test, etc. What happens every single day regardless? I become that piece of bread.

"TEACHER! TEACHER! What should I do?"
"Ms. Damron?! I need help!!!"
"Ms. Damron? Can I do (insert something not necessarily academic here)?"
Aimless wandering around the classroom.
"Can I go to the bathroom?"
"Ms. Damron? Can I get a drink of water?"

Sometimes I just stand there for a second while I have three or four bodies surrounding me and I think of those hungry fish. I can only ponder this image for a few moments, but it is quite appropriate if you ask me.

On a similar note, but a different situation, something interesting happened to me last week.
At the end of a class, I was busy dealing with several students when I saw a boy walk back into my class holding my huge bag of Peppermint LifeSavers. He had walked out of the classroom with my entire bag and I hadn't even noticed. I had the bag up on a shelf, and some how I missed him taking it down and carrying it out of the classroom. He informed me that he had never intended on actually stealing it, but (here's my favorite part) "Can I have one?"
Seriously?! You just walked out of my classroom with MY STUFF and then you have the nerve to ask me if you can have one? Well, remember the fish? Like magic, 5 or 6 more kids surrounded me and started asking me if they could have one. Holy smokes what just happened?! I was stunned and I had no idea what to do in that situation. I informed the young man that if he had just asked for one, I probably would have given him one, but considering he walked out of my classroom with the entire bag and didn't even ask, NO, he could not have one.

During my prep period later on that day, I wrote him a note and thanked him for returning my bag of LifeSavers. I told him that it meant a lot to me and I was very impressed. I included a LifeSaver in the note. I don't know if that was the right thing to do considering he took the bag out of my classroom without me even knowing, but I wanted to let him know that I was grateful that he was honest and he returned it. Interestingly enough, the kid is actually much more respectful around me now. Who would have thought?

-Ms. Damron-

"Can't you feel the love?"

My fourth period is chaos, but all of the kids are hilarious. They are not bashful in the least and they say the craziest things.

Yesterday was a block day, so I had my fourth period for 85 minutes. During that time, I had them hand draw 6 or 7 graphs on graph paper - one for each period - so that they could graph their grades weekly. The previous teacher gave me this idea and I liked it. Even though the students look at their grades several times a day, this will help them track their grades and see their progress or need for progress.

Anyway, it took me about 10 minutes to draw 6 graphs. How long did it take my very special students? A good 70 minutes. Some students finished pretty quickly, but for the most part, it took them forever! I had so much more planned for the block period, but we barely finished making those graphs! Sheesh. You would think I was asking them to do the most horrible thing because they complained and complained and looked at me in complete and utter shock when I said they needed to make 7. 8th graders these days.

I was sitting in the middle of the kidney tables with two boys on my left and two girls on the right. (I'm about to make up some names here FYI.) Josh and Robby were laughing about this and that and just non-stop chatter. I don't know how it got started, but Josh started talking about how Abby had a crush on him last year. Abby denied the claim, but looked very guilty. Josh was enjoying the whole thing too much and he would not give it up. At one point he was waving his hand in front of my face saying, "LOOK! JUST LOOK AT HER FACE!" He could tell by the way she was reacting that he had definitely said the truth. Robby was just loving this and he said, "Can't you feel the love in the air?" This only made things worse! He said it several times though. I just love middle school romance.

-Ms. Damron-

A bit forgetful...

Oy vey! (yes, I looked up the expression and that is actually how it is spelled!)

Today I have been a bit forgetful. I was barely on time to school at 7:30am this morning because as soon as I pulled into the school and turned my car off, I realized I had left my school keys at home. Awesome. Thank heavens I only live 5 minutes away! I rushed into school hoping that I would beat my kids there so that I could lock the door and run and make some copies before they got there. At about 7:45am, I realized that I was late to PLC (Personal Learning Community). PLCs are when all of the teachers get together in their specific subject and collaborate (ie-8th grade english teachers, 7th grade english teachers, history, science, etc.). We also have faculty meeting. It's a late start day, so students don't have to be to school until 9:15am.
Now, remember how my principal keeps attendance? Don't worry. As soon as I walked in FIFTEEN MINUTES LATE, he started writing on his clipboard! EEK! The funny part is that I actually waved to him while he was on his way to the library for PLC, but it didn't even register where he was going.

After school today, we had a Special Ed team meeting. I was next door getting some computer help when the teacher (who is also in Special Ed) asked if we had team meeting? Neither one of us had heard anything, but my neighbor headed on down and I dropped my stuff off. I called the team room just to make sure that we had the meeting, and the facilitator replied, "Yep. Every Monday at 3:00." Ouch. My forgetfulness is catching up to me! I'm going to have to try extra hard to be on time to things next Monday because this Monday did not work out so well.

This week is a regular schedule week, so we have block days today and tomorrow. I actually really enjoy block days. I probably enjoy it more because I have two prep periods and they happen to fall in such a way that I get a prep Monday and Tuesday. Not all teachers are as lucky. (In fact, I would dare to say no other teacher is that lucky because I don't think any other teacher has two prep periods. Hmm...)
I am finally getting around to having my students make a graph for each of their class periods so that they can graph their grades every week. The previous teacher told me that she did this and I really liked it. I think it will help students have accountability and be much more aware of how they are doing overall.
My 1st period is full of 7th graders and they BARELY finished making the graphs and plotting their grades before the bell ring. When I originally made my plans, I figured that drawing the graphs and then plotting their grades would take 30 minutes max. NO WAY. It took about 70 minutes. I had to try really hard to keep myself in check because they were going at a snail's pace! Thank heaven that is done though. Now that their graphs are made, it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to check their grades and plot it on each of their graph.
2nd period is full of 8th graders and they finished with about 25 minutes left of class! It still took longer than I thought it would, but they were pretty good sports about it.

We'll have to see how 4th period does tomorrow. Although they are 8th graders, there are 15 of them and they can get a bit rowdy/side tracked. Wish me luck with that one!

-Ms. Damron-

Three weeks down!

Can you believe that it has been three weeks since school started?! I can't even believe how fast time is going.
It's about time I gave a little shout out to my CMS co-workers. I absolutely love the people I work with. The middle school environment is definitely different from the elementary school environment that I student taught in, but I am loving it. The thing that makes me a little sad is that it's a bit more tricky to get to know everyone because it's such a big school. For example, when I ate lunch at Westside Elementary, there were at least 15 people who ate in the faculty room. At the middle school I'm at now though, there are only a few teachers who eat in the faculty. I know this is because we get a very short lunch (25 minutes) and everyone is crazy busy, but I don't think I could stand eating in my classroom. First of all, I'm a bit OCD when it comes to strange smells in compact spaces without good ventilation (hence why I could never eat a hot lunch in my room because it would smell funny the rest of the day), but second of all, it is so nice to get out of your classroom and talk to the other teachers! I'm getting to know the other teachers that I eat with pretty well. My day was totally made when I when I went to sit at another table, and the teachers waived me over and pulled a chair out for me to sit at! Ka-ching! I'm totally in! haha

As a side note, there is a math teacher that I absolutely adore and I've only talked to her maybe 5 times. She is the technology/computer wizard and helps out when something funky is going on with your computer. She took time out of her schedule at the beginning of the school year to help me figure things out with my computer. She's great. Anyway, she is a huge blogger and during lunch today she brought in a book she had made out of her blog. I guess she makes a book out of her blog every year and she uses the website blurb.com (you can google it - I tried to embed the website and it didn't work - lame). She let me look through it and it is really cool! I was planning on making this blog into a book when I was done with this school year, but now there's no question! It must be done!

I am also in love with the Special Ed staff at CMS - particularly the two women who teach in my hall. The woman next door to me teaches students with significant disabilities, and the woman across the hall teaches resource reading and writing. They are an inspiration and joy to be around. Sometimes I wish none of us had anything to do so we could just sit around and share stories all day! They have been a great support to me and the treat me as an equal and someone who they enjoy being around. I am truly grateful for them.

-Ms. Damron-

Paraeducators are God's gift to teachers.

First of all, for those of you who don't know what a paraeducator is, let me educate you!

According to a website found through google,

Paraeducator is defined as a school employee who works under the supervison of teachers or other professional practitioners. Their jobs are instructional in nature and they provide other direct services to children and youth and their families.

Paraeducators provide instructional support which includes, (1) one-on-one tutoring, (2) assist with classroom management, (3) provide instructional assistance in a computer laboratory, (4) conduct parental involvement activities, (5) provide instructional support in a library or media center, (6) act as a translator, or (7) provide instructional support services under the direct supervision of a highly qualified teacher or professional practitioner.
Website: http://www.rrsc.k12.hi.us/ea/paraeducator.html

They are also called paraprofessionals, teacher assistants, instructional assistants, paras, etc.

There are three paraprofessionals in the Special Education department at the middle school I work at and I have never been so grateful for any three people before! Sometimes paras are actually fairly useless and can be a little demeaning and assume to know more than you if they have been there longer than you. My paras are angels.

Because my class is all about getting help on assignments and homework in other classes, it's helpful to go to the class and observe so that you know the material and expectations for that class. This is where the paras come into play! I do not have time to follow each of my students and get to know what is needed/expected in other classes, but they get to go to the other classes and learn all of that stuff. It is wonderful!

Wednesday was the first day we split into groups and started working on other classwork and my paraprofessionals were fantastic! They knew exactly what to do and they helped take charge and get organized. I honestly don't know what I would do without them. They are especially helpful in my class of fifteen 8th graders. That class is complete chaos and hopefully (after lots and lots of training) I can get them to stay focused and finish what they need to. It might take all year, but we will get there!

-Ms. Damron-

Three day weekends are a blessing.

Hello there family and friends.

As the title says, three day weekends are a blessing!
My sister and I got to go to Mesa, AZ for the weekend and the weather was OUT OF CONTROL. It was the in 100's every single day. I don't know who would live in Arizona of their own free will, but to each their own.
My whole family was together for a couple of days and it was glorious. I have to say that families are another blessing. Your family is where you can be yourself and where you feel the most support and love. Cherish your family.
Our flight got back into Salt Lake around 7:15pm. After taking the shuttle to the economy parking lot and stopping by my boyfriend's for a quick hello, we got into Provo around 9:20pm. Awesome. I pretty much got right into bed.

I walked to work this morning because my sister needed the car. I don't mind walking because the weather is so nice in the morning, but, what do you know. I left my ipod in the car and my phone was on its last bar, so I couldn't listen to music or even call anyone. I know. It's a little pathetic that I cringe at the thought of walking 10-15 minutes without something to do, but what can I say? I did survive - in case you were wondering.

I was a little nervous about how today would pan out considering we had just had a three day weekend. Would my kids be a complete behavior mess? Would I lose all control? Would I even be able to accomplish everything I needed to?
Well, my 1st period students arrived on time! Early in fact. Every student was in their seat with their planners out before the bell even rang. If only if only every class could be like that. It could have something to do with the fact that there are only seven students, it's 1st period, they are all 7th graders...I don't know. I do know that I love it though.

Todays schedule looked something like this:

Check planners
Review classroom rules/procedures
Hand out/organize class binders
Work on letters to teachers

Not every class period was the same, but that's the gist of it.
I actually love teaching Resource Learning because a big part of what I teach is organization. Do my kids like it when I teach them organization? Hardly. But I love being organized and it's something I'm actually quite good at. SO my students are about to get a year-ful of organization techniques. I am SO EXCITED! haha

The day flew by and some students didn't even get to work on their letters. Arg. These letters are so important and I have been meaning to get them done for...oh I don't know...at least a week!
Let me explain the "letters to teachers" assignment. Mary, the teacher who taught Resource Learning last year, told me that she had her students write letters to each of their teachers introducing themselves, listing a few strengths, and stating what they need help with in class. I thought this was a great activity for students with disabilities. I know that IEPs (the official, legal document that lists the goals, accommodations, etc. for students with special needs) can be kind of intimidating and overwhelming, so these letters are a great idea!
One teacher mentioned that she loved receiving the letters because she got to know which students needed special help and how she could help them just by reading a short letter from the student. Basically, this letter idea was pure divine genius!

-Ms. Audryn Damron-