I was thinking about some things I would want to change for next year, some things I feel I could do better. I think one thing is the way I conduct my classes and homework. Its kind of trial and error right now, but I think I will try to use a method that one of my teachers used when I was in HS. My math teacher would give us assignments and we would have lessons during the week. Instead of grading them everyday (which I am doing this year), he would collect the homework on Monday.
In addition to collecting the homework on Monday, he would require a detailed proof of one of the problems. We had to choose one problem and turn in a written proof of that problem. I think I may try this with a few of my classes next year. Definitely my Pre-Calculus students and possibly my 8th grade students. I am not sure the 6th and 7th graders can handle this type of assignment. They are pretty dependent as it is and I don't believe they can handle the freedom.
Which is another thing I've noticed about the students over here, they don't want to think for themselves, they just want the answer and they want to move on. I saw this back home too, but I think it is interesting over here because the culture tells them that they should not think for themselves and be independent from the group. The culture tells them to follow the crowd and stick with the group. I have found this forces them to be very dependant on others. I'm trying to fight this, but I don't know if I am having any success.
I was also thinking about the principal for next year. This year's principal is returning back to Canada after the year is over. I am a little nervous because he is very laid back and very much a supporter of the teachers and can deal with a lot of issues at one time and takes care of the people who are important to the school. Change happens all the time, I hope that the next principal that comes in here is as easy-going as the current principal.
Aaron
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
8th Grade Meeting
We have another meeting with the middle school teachers for the 8th grade this coming week. I think it is good when we get together formally like this. We have informal meetings in the lunch room and stuff like that, but I feel that when we have formal meetings with the administration and special needs teacher, things really get moving.
For example, after the 6th grade meeting, one student was moved down to 5th grade and from what I've been told it has been a huge success. She is enjoying school and having a good time with everything, so it was a good move. Also, the one girl who was a major pain has calmed down quite a bit and is not as difficult. She still has her moments from time to time, but she gets her work done and for the most part is being well behaved. In fact, all the 6th grade has improved over the last week or so. I have been hammering them pretty hard and I think they finally understand what is expected of them.
Hopefully the same result will come from the 8th grade after the meeting.
I have been talking with the department head and it is almost a done deal that I will be teaching Pre-Calculus next year. I am extremely excited about this and think its a great opportunity. First, these students will only be the strongest in that class, so I will be working with kids who want to be there and are willing to work. Second, it will be easier for me to explain upper level math concepts as opposed to concepts that are second nature for me.
My one concern here is that I will be picking this up in addition to my other classes. I will still only have 5 classes because next years 6th grade will only be one class, but I will be planning for 4 classes instead of 3 this year. However, it is also a note that 3 of these classes will be classes I am teaching this year, and I will have all the materials for those classes.
Not only that, but it will also make me more marketable, having now taught 6th grade, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry and soon to be teaching Pre-Calculus. I would also like to try to get some AP Certification in the near future. Unfortunately, I have not found any workshops in Asia or any online workshops that will fit my schedule (being 12 hours away makes for awkward hours).
Aaron
For example, after the 6th grade meeting, one student was moved down to 5th grade and from what I've been told it has been a huge success. She is enjoying school and having a good time with everything, so it was a good move. Also, the one girl who was a major pain has calmed down quite a bit and is not as difficult. She still has her moments from time to time, but she gets her work done and for the most part is being well behaved. In fact, all the 6th grade has improved over the last week or so. I have been hammering them pretty hard and I think they finally understand what is expected of them.
Hopefully the same result will come from the 8th grade after the meeting.
I have been talking with the department head and it is almost a done deal that I will be teaching Pre-Calculus next year. I am extremely excited about this and think its a great opportunity. First, these students will only be the strongest in that class, so I will be working with kids who want to be there and are willing to work. Second, it will be easier for me to explain upper level math concepts as opposed to concepts that are second nature for me.
My one concern here is that I will be picking this up in addition to my other classes. I will still only have 5 classes because next years 6th grade will only be one class, but I will be planning for 4 classes instead of 3 this year. However, it is also a note that 3 of these classes will be classes I am teaching this year, and I will have all the materials for those classes.
Not only that, but it will also make me more marketable, having now taught 6th grade, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry and soon to be teaching Pre-Calculus. I would also like to try to get some AP Certification in the near future. Unfortunately, I have not found any workshops in Asia or any online workshops that will fit my schedule (being 12 hours away makes for awkward hours).
Aaron
Monday, September 22, 2008
Moving Kids and Thai Law
So, I guess I should start off by saying that I discovered this past week that schools cannot legally flunk a kid in Thailand. ASB is having some issues with that because there is a particular girl who no long attends ASB, and failed because of a horrid attendance record along with just not caring. Well, her parents are getting a lawyer and other things pushing the issue. I'm not sure what will turn out from it, but this is what I know.
If a student fails, they must be given the chance to take summer school (no surprise there, happens in the states too). But, if that student fails summer school, they have the opportunity to take a test, similar to a final, and try to pass the class. If they fail the test, they take another version (usually easier). This continues until the student passes the test, thus passing the class. Again, I have not seen this implemented, but this came from the principals mouth, so I believe it.
My kids are getting better. We have moved a few of them from some of the classes. We took one 6th grader who was struggling and placed her in 5th grade, which was much-needed. She had a very difficult time in 6th grade and I honestly think it was more than just understanding the concepts. I feel there is some processing issue there. I actually had the chance to work with her one-on-one and it went well. She got lost at first and did her normal, "help me I don't know what to do" look. I directed her to her notes and she eventually figured it out. The next time she got stuck, she went straight to the notes. Problem is the next day, we were back to where we started.
One other thing that I find interesting about this school is the lack of parental involvement. From my understanding, again this coming from the principal, hardly any parents come to our high school graduation. We don't have a large school, but you would think every parent comes to high school graduation, even the bad ones in the states do that. I guess some of the parents really don't care. It would make sense because a lot of the students don't see the point of being at school and they think it is a joke.
Somewhat of a similar breakdown in family values seen in the states now, in my opinion. I guess it happens everywhere, with varying degrees.
Aaron
If a student fails, they must be given the chance to take summer school (no surprise there, happens in the states too). But, if that student fails summer school, they have the opportunity to take a test, similar to a final, and try to pass the class. If they fail the test, they take another version (usually easier). This continues until the student passes the test, thus passing the class. Again, I have not seen this implemented, but this came from the principals mouth, so I believe it.
My kids are getting better. We have moved a few of them from some of the classes. We took one 6th grader who was struggling and placed her in 5th grade, which was much-needed. She had a very difficult time in 6th grade and I honestly think it was more than just understanding the concepts. I feel there is some processing issue there. I actually had the chance to work with her one-on-one and it went well. She got lost at first and did her normal, "help me I don't know what to do" look. I directed her to her notes and she eventually figured it out. The next time she got stuck, she went straight to the notes. Problem is the next day, we were back to where we started.
One other thing that I find interesting about this school is the lack of parental involvement. From my understanding, again this coming from the principal, hardly any parents come to our high school graduation. We don't have a large school, but you would think every parent comes to high school graduation, even the bad ones in the states do that. I guess some of the parents really don't care. It would make sense because a lot of the students don't see the point of being at school and they think it is a joke.
Somewhat of a similar breakdown in family values seen in the states now, in my opinion. I guess it happens everywhere, with varying degrees.
Aaron
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Grade 6 Group Meeting
We had a group meeting with the grade 6 teachers tonight to discuss three students who have been performing poorly in my class. I wanted to check with the other teachers to see if the students were struggling in just my class or in other classes as well. I was relieved to see that they had issues in other classes, though I was not happy to hear this. It made me feel good that it was not just my class, so I took a little blame from myself. I started to question myself and ask what I was doing wrong or what more I could do to help these students.
In fact, one of the parents actually told me that his daughter only struggles in math. I guess I also wanted to cover my butt on this issue as well. I have been keeping detailed notes on these three students, when they forget assignments or books, when they misbehave, anything that will help me later. I really don't want to get caught with a parent blaming me for their childs failures. Its sounds like the principal is going to be supportive of the grades we are assigning to the students. We also discussed testing, modifications and other options for these students as well as others.
Overall, I was very pleased with the meeting. I came away feeling better about myself and my abilities to educate. I still feel I need more experience. I sometimes find my students appear bored in class and I am having a difficult time creating exciting lessons for them that will also cover the material that needs to be covered. It is also hard for me to explain some of the concepts in various ways so all the students can understand. I feel this is in part due to the lower levels of math I am teaching. Honestly, I believe I would feel that I am succeeding and performing better as a teacher in higher level math classes.
For now, I will simply have to teach what courses are assigned to me and roll with the punches.
Aaron
In fact, one of the parents actually told me that his daughter only struggles in math. I guess I also wanted to cover my butt on this issue as well. I have been keeping detailed notes on these three students, when they forget assignments or books, when they misbehave, anything that will help me later. I really don't want to get caught with a parent blaming me for their childs failures. Its sounds like the principal is going to be supportive of the grades we are assigning to the students. We also discussed testing, modifications and other options for these students as well as others.
Overall, I was very pleased with the meeting. I came away feeling better about myself and my abilities to educate. I still feel I need more experience. I sometimes find my students appear bored in class and I am having a difficult time creating exciting lessons for them that will also cover the material that needs to be covered. It is also hard for me to explain some of the concepts in various ways so all the students can understand. I feel this is in part due to the lower levels of math I am teaching. Honestly, I believe I would feel that I am succeeding and performing better as a teacher in higher level math classes.
For now, I will simply have to teach what courses are assigned to me and roll with the punches.
Aaron
Monday, September 15, 2008
Teacher Meeting and Parents
I almost forgot, tomorrow we have a teachers meeting called by the Special Needs teacher to discuss some of the students who have been struggling in class. All of the middle school teachers are going to be there to discuss strategies and what we can do for these students. Also, we are going to discover if these students are only struggling in our class or in other classes as well.
I did give one student who is really struggling an opportunity to catch up on homework. I also emailed her father about the missing assignments (7 in total) and he said he would make sure they were completed. The following Monday, the assignments were completed, and at a level exceeding anything I have seen this student complete to this point. I found it rather interesting.
Also, right before we left for the field trip, I had two parents come up to me and ask me what I wanted to talk to them about. I was shocked because I never asked any parents to come in a speak with me. But they insisted that I asked to speak with them. Its no big deal, I spoke with them about their son and the things he is doing in my class, and we had a nice discussion. I was just very caught off-guard by the surprise visit.
Aaron
I did give one student who is really struggling an opportunity to catch up on homework. I also emailed her father about the missing assignments (7 in total) and he said he would make sure they were completed. The following Monday, the assignments were completed, and at a level exceeding anything I have seen this student complete to this point. I found it rather interesting.
Also, right before we left for the field trip, I had two parents come up to me and ask me what I wanted to talk to them about. I was shocked because I never asked any parents to come in a speak with me. But they insisted that I asked to speak with them. Its no big deal, I spoke with them about their son and the things he is doing in my class, and we had a nice discussion. I was just very caught off-guard by the surprise visit.
Aaron
Over Night Trip
The field trip went alright. Unfortunately, I did not get any pictures of me with my students. The batteries in my camera went dead and I forgot to bring an extra set. I will try to get some pictures with the students at school this week.
The main problem with the trip was the lack of organization by the staff at the resort. They were not at all prepared for us and the number of students we brought. The activities planned were very disorganized and almost seemed to be created on the spot. It did not help that it was raining all weekend long and some of the outside activities had to be cancelled and adjusted. But it was also obvious there was no back-up plan.
For the most part, the kids were good. We did have some instances where they were a little rowdy and needed to be sepereated from the group for a while, but they were overall very well behaved.
I'm currently having my first headache with grade books and grade reporting. I was using a program that another teacher told me about and I downloaded from a website. It was working well, but it was only temporary. I started using the program the school has set up, but I am having problems with that. First, it would not allow me to log-in. I finally figured out what my username was and got the IT director over the help with some other technical problems. After that, I started putting grades in the grade book, only to notice that it was not calculating them correctly.
For example, one student had a 100.2% in my class at one point. After entering his grade for a quiz, which he scored perfectly, the grade went down to a 99.6%. Now, I expect it to go down from a 100.2%, but not below 100%. So anyway, I need to ask a few more questions about the grading system. I have also been told that the school is going to switch over to another system after a while, once they get everything set up. Just more work is what it sounds like to me.
Aaron
The main problem with the trip was the lack of organization by the staff at the resort. They were not at all prepared for us and the number of students we brought. The activities planned were very disorganized and almost seemed to be created on the spot. It did not help that it was raining all weekend long and some of the outside activities had to be cancelled and adjusted. But it was also obvious there was no back-up plan.
For the most part, the kids were good. We did have some instances where they were a little rowdy and needed to be sepereated from the group for a while, but they were overall very well behaved.
I'm currently having my first headache with grade books and grade reporting. I was using a program that another teacher told me about and I downloaded from a website. It was working well, but it was only temporary. I started using the program the school has set up, but I am having problems with that. First, it would not allow me to log-in. I finally figured out what my username was and got the IT director over the help with some other technical problems. After that, I started putting grades in the grade book, only to notice that it was not calculating them correctly.
For example, one student had a 100.2% in my class at one point. After entering his grade for a quiz, which he scored perfectly, the grade went down to a 99.6%. Now, I expect it to go down from a 100.2%, but not below 100%. So anyway, I need to ask a few more questions about the grading system. I have also been told that the school is going to switch over to another system after a while, once they get everything set up. Just more work is what it sounds like to me.
Aaron
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Field Trip
The middle school is going on a two night field trip starting tomorrow morning. We are going to some resort a few hours away. I will be unavailable for the rest of this week, but I promise to bring pictures and stories back. I already have some more stories from this past week to tell.
The political climate is fine over here. I am learning more about the protests and stuff like that. I will try to write about that as well when I return. Just know that I am safe and none of this is affecting my daily life, with the exception of the two days off from school. I do appreciate the prayers, thank you so much.
Aaron
The political climate is fine over here. I am learning more about the protests and stuff like that. I will try to write about that as well when I return. Just know that I am safe and none of this is affecting my daily life, with the exception of the two days off from school. I do appreciate the prayers, thank you so much.
Aaron
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Mentor?
Dr. Cheryl,
Reading your dissertation, I enjoyed the parts about the struggles of first-year teachers and how high the percentage is for teachers who leave the field within the first five years. I agree that a mentor program is necessary and can help the first year teachers tremendously, though I am not sure the current plan for the state of Indiana is optimal. To me, this program overloads the new teacher and mentor in unnecessary paperwork. This is based on my supervising teacher from last spring being a mentor for a first year teacher.
I do not have a quick-fix solution to this program and the flaws that I feel it has, but I do believe that some kind of mentor program is necessary. For me, teachers are life-long learners and even after 20 years of teaching, the good ones still learn new tricks and methods of teaching.
I have asked a lot of questions to several teachers in the school who I feel are solid teachers and care about the students. One is the math department head. Aside from the fact that we are both math teachers, I do not feel we have much in common. Our personalities are not similar in the least bit, but I still began the year asking him questions and trying to figure out a system that would work for me. I have adapted a lot of his system for my class (quizzes every friday, trying to give students some time at the end of class to work on homework and ask questions, etc.). Some of these practices are working for me, some are not. I can already see some things that I might change for next semester or maybe next year.
I also have been keeping in contact with a few teachers from back home. My supervising teacher from Fall semester and my high school Calculus teacher. I may utilize more of their systems in the future, especially my high school Calculus teacher. He had a program where all homework for the week was due on Monday of the following week, with a formal proof of at least one problem. I feel this gave the students an in-depth understanding of that problem and would also help some of my students. The problem is I am not sure how well this would work with my 6th grade class. I may have to make some adjustments for class levels.
Aaron
Reading your dissertation, I enjoyed the parts about the struggles of first-year teachers and how high the percentage is for teachers who leave the field within the first five years. I agree that a mentor program is necessary and can help the first year teachers tremendously, though I am not sure the current plan for the state of Indiana is optimal. To me, this program overloads the new teacher and mentor in unnecessary paperwork. This is based on my supervising teacher from last spring being a mentor for a first year teacher.
I do not have a quick-fix solution to this program and the flaws that I feel it has, but I do believe that some kind of mentor program is necessary. For me, teachers are life-long learners and even after 20 years of teaching, the good ones still learn new tricks and methods of teaching.
I have asked a lot of questions to several teachers in the school who I feel are solid teachers and care about the students. One is the math department head. Aside from the fact that we are both math teachers, I do not feel we have much in common. Our personalities are not similar in the least bit, but I still began the year asking him questions and trying to figure out a system that would work for me. I have adapted a lot of his system for my class (quizzes every friday, trying to give students some time at the end of class to work on homework and ask questions, etc.). Some of these practices are working for me, some are not. I can already see some things that I might change for next semester or maybe next year.
I also have been keeping in contact with a few teachers from back home. My supervising teacher from Fall semester and my high school Calculus teacher. I may utilize more of their systems in the future, especially my high school Calculus teacher. He had a program where all homework for the week was due on Monday of the following week, with a formal proof of at least one problem. I feel this gave the students an in-depth understanding of that problem and would also help some of my students. The problem is I am not sure how well this would work with my 6th grade class. I may have to make some adjustments for class levels.
Aaron
Friday, September 5, 2008
First Algebra Test
Today, after days of delaying and rescheduling due to the protests and need for review, I gave my first test in Algebra (grade 8). I had grades for the students going into the test (thanks to a fellow teacher for recommending an archaic but useful program, the school is still trying to get their system set up, I think it will take some time). Being gentle, I would say the grades were less than ideal.
In one class of 10 students, I had one "B" and the rest were "D's" or "F's". I was starting to second guess myself and the job I was doing. The other class had better grades, but they were still low (the second class is a stronger class, the divide them into a weak class and a strong class, so much for inclusion). I gave the test and then the grades for the weaker class, the students were very worried because I told them any grade lower than a 75% would result in me emailing their parents.
I was grading the first classes tests while the second class was taking their tests. I was astonished how good they were and when I put them into the system, the grades shot up (for the most part). I now have 3 "A's", 2 "B's", 2 "C's" and 3 "F's". Now, it is also important to note that tests account for 40% of the grade, so a good score can really help out tremendously. I was happy because the students did so well. Previously, the homework was the main component of the grade, and most of the students were either missing homework or had some low scores that brought the grades down.
I even had one student, who at the beginning of the year I felt would be very weak, get an "A" on the test and is currently within a few more good grades of an "A" in the class. I am so happy for this turn of events. Unfortunately the scores in the second class were not as strong. I am particularly upset with one girl whom I discovered was cheating on the exam.
I give three versions of the exam and rotate the rows that receive each version. When I was grading this girls test, I noticed that 4 problems towards the end looked familiar and did not match up with anything that was on her test. I started looking through the other keys and noticed that she had copied from one of her neighbors because her answers matched the answers from the other test exactly. I am going to speak with her on Monday about this.
I did receive email addresses from some of the students, but not all of them. I can actually get these from the office, but I want the students to be responsible. I'm going to send emails out starting Monday to inform the parents where their child sits in my class and the options available for tutoring and extra help. For some of the students, I have already discussed this. Most say they cannot make it because they have to get home and have no other way. By involving the parents, hopefully I can put some pressure on the students.
Aaron
In one class of 10 students, I had one "B" and the rest were "D's" or "F's". I was starting to second guess myself and the job I was doing. The other class had better grades, but they were still low (the second class is a stronger class, the divide them into a weak class and a strong class, so much for inclusion). I gave the test and then the grades for the weaker class, the students were very worried because I told them any grade lower than a 75% would result in me emailing their parents.
I was grading the first classes tests while the second class was taking their tests. I was astonished how good they were and when I put them into the system, the grades shot up (for the most part). I now have 3 "A's", 2 "B's", 2 "C's" and 3 "F's". Now, it is also important to note that tests account for 40% of the grade, so a good score can really help out tremendously. I was happy because the students did so well. Previously, the homework was the main component of the grade, and most of the students were either missing homework or had some low scores that brought the grades down.
I even had one student, who at the beginning of the year I felt would be very weak, get an "A" on the test and is currently within a few more good grades of an "A" in the class. I am so happy for this turn of events. Unfortunately the scores in the second class were not as strong. I am particularly upset with one girl whom I discovered was cheating on the exam.
I give three versions of the exam and rotate the rows that receive each version. When I was grading this girls test, I noticed that 4 problems towards the end looked familiar and did not match up with anything that was on her test. I started looking through the other keys and noticed that she had copied from one of her neighbors because her answers matched the answers from the other test exactly. I am going to speak with her on Monday about this.
I did receive email addresses from some of the students, but not all of them. I can actually get these from the office, but I want the students to be responsible. I'm going to send emails out starting Monday to inform the parents where their child sits in my class and the options available for tutoring and extra help. For some of the students, I have already discussed this. Most say they cannot make it because they have to get home and have no other way. By involving the parents, hopefully I can put some pressure on the students.
Aaron
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Not Snow Days
So, obviously Bangkok will never have snow days where the school is called off because of too much snow. But they do have "Protester Days". On Tuesday, I went into school as normal, well not really, my electric went out at about 4:30am so I showered and got ready in the dark. When we got to school, we met for assembly and all the kids were sent back home before the day even began. School was also called of Wednesday due to the protests.
A few things to note here.
1. I am not sure if the black out was due to the protests or the storm that rolled through during the night. It was a pretty strong storm and the whole area around me was also out of electricity. I am still not sure of this.
2. School was called off not because of fear of our safety, but for fear that the roads my be closed. They had a similar situation in 2006 where the Prime Minister, Thaskin, was removed and they were shutting down roads. I don't think it was violent then, but roads were shut down and the school didn't want to have all those kids stuck at the school.
3. As is the case, we adjust.
I must say, I don't believe many other first-year teachers can say they have missed two days of school because of political rallies. I have been reading a lot about these rallies and I do not feel that I am in any danger. In fact, the last two days off, I spent walking around the city and have noticed nothing different. I still went to my tutoring on Tuesday and everything. So I am in no danger, at least that's the way I feel.
It sounds like the rallies are slowing down a little, but they are still going to happen. I know we are going back to school tomorrow (Thursday). Hopefully we can get back to normalcy. As a teacher, we must be willing to adjust our schedules for anything, even a political coup.
Aaron
A few things to note here.
1. I am not sure if the black out was due to the protests or the storm that rolled through during the night. It was a pretty strong storm and the whole area around me was also out of electricity. I am still not sure of this.
2. School was called off not because of fear of our safety, but for fear that the roads my be closed. They had a similar situation in 2006 where the Prime Minister, Thaskin, was removed and they were shutting down roads. I don't think it was violent then, but roads were shut down and the school didn't want to have all those kids stuck at the school.
3. As is the case, we adjust.
I must say, I don't believe many other first-year teachers can say they have missed two days of school because of political rallies. I have been reading a lot about these rallies and I do not feel that I am in any danger. In fact, the last two days off, I spent walking around the city and have noticed nothing different. I still went to my tutoring on Tuesday and everything. So I am in no danger, at least that's the way I feel.
It sounds like the rallies are slowing down a little, but they are still going to happen. I know we are going back to school tomorrow (Thursday). Hopefully we can get back to normalcy. As a teacher, we must be willing to adjust our schedules for anything, even a political coup.
Aaron
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