We made it through Halloween (see pictures) and I'm proud to say I made it through both Halloween AND the day after Halloween without swearing at my students. They were hyper both days but I had loads of patience on reserve. Today I didn't feel so hot (as if I am getting sick or something) and I gave each of my classes fair warning not to missbehave. I had perfect angels in class today.


A few Teaching Pet Peeves:
-A student returns to school after being sick for two days and asks, "Did I miss anything important?" (Duh. Of course you did.)
-The pencil/foot/fingers/head, etc tapping that replaces actual talking noise. I say, "Please stop," and they say, "What, I wasn't doing anything!" (Oh, then I guess I had some brain spasm that made me say "Please stop."
-Twelve students AT A TIME shouting "Mrs. Hubert, I need help!" over and over again, as if they couldn't see I'm talking to another student. (I heard ya, I know your voice, I'll get to you when I can!)
-Note passing...right in front of my face while I'm talking. They think they're being sneaky. (I watched you write it, I saw you fold it into a funky triangle, and yes, I just saw you pass it to the girl next to you who was going to pass it to the boy in front of her before I aprehended the note of offense) (((On a side note--I actually really enjoy reading these letters I "confiscate" or that are left behind on the floor. It give me a glimpse into their crazy lives)
-Students crowding around my desk, hovering like little space crafts.(Really, if I wanted you to be in my protective little bubble of personal space, I would have sent you an invitation!)
-Pencil/pen borrowing. It wouldn't be 4th period unless half the class forgot a pencil and needed to borrow one from me. (Do we need to duct tape a pencil to your forehead next time?)
-"Mrs. Sherbet." That's what some of them call me. True, I made the mistake of telling my Mrs. Sherbet story, so I guess it's my fault. (Do I look like a bowl of fruity, creamy desert?)
-Tardies. I hate the excuses. (How come the other 20 students in class were able to get here on time?)
-Whining/Complaining. I ask them to write a 5 paragraph story and they whine like little girls, even the boys. (Ok, would you rather write a freakin' book!)

I could continue, but I feel the blood rising. Big deep breath.

Tomorrow's the last day of the quarter. I will have no students in class on Friday as the teachers will be preparing grades. I'm quite nervous for my students because a 190 point assignment was due today and if they don't have it tomorrow, their grades will drop drastically. I'm looking forward to Friday, even though I'll have meetings and such. Then, the 2nd quarter (crazy!) will begin on Monday.
Happy Wednesday!