Substitution
I actually had a nice, easy day as a sixth-grade sub yesterday. First period was P.E., which I wasn't exactly dressed for. Luckily, I didn't have to do any running around. That always seemed so hypocritical to me in middle school and high school. The P.E. teachers tortured us, but they just got to stand around in their nylon pants with their whistles and clipboards. I didn't get a whistle and clipboard, but that was fine by me.
Second period, I had a prep period, so I got to read my new novel--Jonathan Kellerman is always good for a little brain candy. Then it was break. Then I had the "publications" class of eighth-graders who pretty much did their own thing with no guidance from me, as per the absent teacher's instructions. Then I had a social studies class. They had to read silently for 10 minutes (and really, what about "silent reading" is so hard for children to grasp? It means, don't talk!), and then they watched The Prince of Egypt. How nice that animated films are being used to entertain and inform today's youth. Forget about primary sources, like, oh, I don't know...the Bible! I mean, I'm all for separation of church and state, and I realize that you can't make kids read the Bible in class, but if you want students to learn about Moses and his interaction with the people of Egypt, is a Disney flick really the most educational way to go? Whatever. Anything to get them to soak up a little knowledge, I guess. And really, who doesn't love a nice duet between Pharaoh Ramses and Moses?
Then, it was time for lunch from 11:40 to 12:15. Honestly, who eats that early? But it wasn't that big a deal for me, because after lunch, I had another prep period. Yay! More free time. And finally, I ended the day with a language arts class, where the students were supposed to read a story and answer the questions at the end. Many of them attempted to answer the questions without reading the story, but their work was so clearly wrong that I made them redo it. Maybe I should have just let them turn in their wrong answers, but I thought that if they had work to do, maybe they would talk less. Ha! But at least they made more of an effort the second time around.
I got called by the Subfinder again last night, but the assignment was for a P.E. teacher at the high school, so I had to decline. Yes, I needed the money, but here's the thing: I am 28 years old, but I still get carded on a regular basis, whether I'm having dinner with my family or buying a nice bottle of wine at the store. My 25-year-old brother, however, never gets carded. So, I look young. And while I can project an air of authority when I'm up in front of a class in my conservative slacks and sweater, I am far less confident of my ability to do so while in workout clothes and sneakers on the field with a bunch of high-school kids. Plus, high school guys sometimes think it's funny to try and fluster the sub by making inappropriate comments about her appearance (i.e., telling her she's hot). I was not in the mood to deal, so I declined the job. Besides, I hated P.E. when I was in school. Why would I want to re-live it as a sub?
Second period, I had a prep period, so I got to read my new novel--Jonathan Kellerman is always good for a little brain candy. Then it was break. Then I had the "publications" class of eighth-graders who pretty much did their own thing with no guidance from me, as per the absent teacher's instructions. Then I had a social studies class. They had to read silently for 10 minutes (and really, what about "silent reading" is so hard for children to grasp? It means, don't talk!), and then they watched The Prince of Egypt. How nice that animated films are being used to entertain and inform today's youth. Forget about primary sources, like, oh, I don't know...the Bible! I mean, I'm all for separation of church and state, and I realize that you can't make kids read the Bible in class, but if you want students to learn about Moses and his interaction with the people of Egypt, is a Disney flick really the most educational way to go? Whatever. Anything to get them to soak up a little knowledge, I guess. And really, who doesn't love a nice duet between Pharaoh Ramses and Moses?
Then, it was time for lunch from 11:40 to 12:15. Honestly, who eats that early? But it wasn't that big a deal for me, because after lunch, I had another prep period. Yay! More free time. And finally, I ended the day with a language arts class, where the students were supposed to read a story and answer the questions at the end. Many of them attempted to answer the questions without reading the story, but their work was so clearly wrong that I made them redo it. Maybe I should have just let them turn in their wrong answers, but I thought that if they had work to do, maybe they would talk less. Ha! But at least they made more of an effort the second time around.
I got called by the Subfinder again last night, but the assignment was for a P.E. teacher at the high school, so I had to decline. Yes, I needed the money, but here's the thing: I am 28 years old, but I still get carded on a regular basis, whether I'm having dinner with my family or buying a nice bottle of wine at the store. My 25-year-old brother, however, never gets carded. So, I look young. And while I can project an air of authority when I'm up in front of a class in my conservative slacks and sweater, I am far less confident of my ability to do so while in workout clothes and sneakers on the field with a bunch of high-school kids. Plus, high school guys sometimes think it's funny to try and fluster the sub by making inappropriate comments about her appearance (i.e., telling her she's hot). I was not in the mood to deal, so I declined the job. Besides, I hated P.E. when I was in school. Why would I want to re-live it as a sub?
posted by Astera @ 3:18 PM
1 Comments:
At 7:10 AM,
Bruingirl said…
All this talk about P.E. is giving me the heebie jeebies....
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