I adore the blessed life I have, and I love my job. It may have take 5 years, but I’ve hit my stride and I’m having a BLAST teaching this year. I chose to go back to teaching math (Algebra Readiness) after a 3-year hiatus. While I enjoy English Language Arts better as a learner, I think I am a much better teacher of Math. I think this is because ELA came naturally to me as a student, and math has been a historically BIG struggle. It’s harder to see where others may struggle when something seems/comes so easy. I was the kiddo with tears rolling down my cheeks during math tests (yes, in high school even…) because I was so frustrated by numbers and formulas. I didn’t get it, and I thought it would never “click”... but it did eventually and I want to share the hope that there is a beyond the frustration with these guys and encourage them to keep trying when they can't feel that hope. I’ve studied and learned when, where and how to break concepts down to the basic level and scaffold back up again. I feel confident in my abilities. I absolutely love seeing the light bulbs go on; it makes my heart happy when their confidence increases and they feel good about their accomplishments as students of math and in general.
Below are a couple pictorial collages of some of the work my students are doing with a decimal unit:
Rounding Decimals: Notes and reminder rhyme
Adding Decimals: Lesson Plan/Supporting Activities
Another great thing about 2012-2013 is that I
looped with my students, so I get to enjoy teaching the same entertaining bunch
I had as 7th graders for their 8th grade year. They have
matured a teeny, tiny bit over summer, already know my OCD classroom routines
and most importantly that I care
about them before the curriculum; “students will not care how much you know
until they know how much you care”. Nothing to prove there to start the year off, leaving
me with little-interrupted time to get these guys ready to pass Algebra 1 in
high school. That’s no easy task. Every
85-minute period is JAM PACKED. We move from agenda item to agenda item every
5-15 minutes to keep them engaged and on their toes. I need a nap after every
period. It’s exhausting, yet fun and exciting work. The best part is that my
students seem to be on board to learn a lot this year. Case in point…below is
an excerpt from an email I received from a parent of one of my new caseload students,who
struggled through 7th grade, which made me smile:
“Thanks
so much Ms. Latimer, I was going to email you and ask about his progress as he
had to attend the 2nd chance meeting and he was very hard on himself after that
meeting, even though I tried to tell him it was NOT completely his fault [student qualified for Special Education
services at the end of the school year]. Since he has started this year, he
told me that you are able to help him become a better student and as a mother,
it really made me HAPPY.”
:)
:)
