MA Seminar Weeks 8-10

Week 8: February 27 - March 3

One of my newcomer boys learned a tough lesson this week - when you are absent from school, you are still responsible for your work. Yes, he is new to the country and learning all of the rules/expectations, etc. The whole class was informed of this at the beginning of the year (January) what to do if you are gone. Even when he was at school, and I learned of his upcoming absences, I reminded him of this, and wrote to him in Spanish reminding him. He said he knew and understood, yet when his due date arrived, he was not prepared. He seemed bummed, but not disappointed - like I would want him to be. He did remember to have his dad call the school to let us know he would be gone, and brought in a doctor’s note when he returned - so that was good! He did finish his work, and tests, three days after they were due, and he stayed after school a couple of days for 30-45 minutes to work. Due to eight of my current ten newcomers, are all seventh graders. I think it is imperative that I am firm with my expectations and consequences, so that next year can be as smooth, and seamless, as possible.

I don’t think I’ve mentioned my technology issues with ELPA21. Right before the testing window opened, I made sure all of my Chromebooks were up-to-date and had my ELLs (non-newcomers) complete the practice test to familiarize themselves with the software. Oh. My. Gosh. We had so many technology issues! The computers wouldn’t stay connected to the internet, and once the students were in the secure browser, there was no way to “exit” or “refresh” the page. The only option was to completely reboot the computer and have the students re-login to everything. What should have taken 30 minutes, took over an hour. I contacted my supervisor, as well as our technology department, located at central office, for the district. I heard nothing back. I even ran into one of the technology guys in our building shortly after and asked, “Did you see my email about the internet in my room?” He replied, “I did, but I have at least 100 emails ahead of yours that I need to take care of first.” I replied that I had a time window of when the test had to be completed, and he just shrugged. UGH. I went back to the technology staff member who is housed in my building, and explained it all to her. She emailed them for me as well - as she is aware of the technology ‘dead zones’ in our building - including my classroom. I emailed my supervisor back and asked him when the testing window closed. He replied, “You can access this information on the NDE website.” -Awesome. I know you know the answer … I went to the website and saw only March 30th. Great - I have the whole month to figure out the technology issue and finish the test!

Week 9: March 6-10

My in-house technology staff member gave me a “band-aid” fix for the technology issue for testing. Once testing is over, it will not stay as a permanent solution. That’s fine - I sincerely appreciate her help, as the central office staff have yet to express any interest in resolving this issue. My supervisor contacted my principal asking for an alternative testing location. My principal gave me a room to go to, but I didn’t think it would work; we went anyway. It didn’t work. I spoke to my in-house tech staff and she laughed at the location. (It is where we house all of our ipad and computer carts - so there are TONS of devices fighting for the wireless signal - which can only handle 50 devices -MAX.) That was when she offered the band-aid fix. Anyway, we started testing this week. I have 22 students to tests, and only 10 computers easily accessible. So, I’m testing ten at a time, and then the last two together. I go everyone (unless they were absent) through two of the tests by the end of the day Thursday. Early Friday morning, my supervisor emailed the ELL staff saying, “As the testing window draws to a close, I hope ....” WHAT?! I thought for sure he misspoke. Nope - the testing window closes on March 15th. Crap. We have a fun day on the 14th, and no students on the 15th. I had only Friday and Monday to get through 2+ tests per kid, times 22 kids. OMG.

*Long story short, we go it done. Monday, by 3:20. I have no doubt that I will not get the results I would have if we had had the time I though we did. ..at least it’s done with.

I received a Facebook message from another ELL teacher from a local district. She also has her first ‘batch’ of Newcomers. She said that they were going into an English class where the teacher was starting a unit on The Outsiders novel. :) It was clear she hasn’t spent much time with them yet. I told her that I taught the novel to my ELLs, but even those resources were not suitable for Newcomers. I suggested she pull those students to work on basic vocabulary and gave her a few ideas based on what I was doing with them. The following morning, she informed me that she indeed pulled them from English class and is working with them on vocabulary. ..Can you imagine how that could have gone?!

Week 10: March 13-17

This week was different. Our last ‘normal’ day of the third quarter was Monday; Tuesday was Pi Day, with no regular classes; Wednesday was half in-service, half work-day for teachers, and then we had quarter break Thursday through Monday.

Tuesday the twins, and some other students, chose to make fun of a little person in our building. He was there visiting his wife - who happens to teach in the room right next door to mine, has interpreted for me before, and is in charge of our BD program. (Which the girls could wind up in next year if things don’t improve.) Needless to say, I was ANGRY. I do not tolerate bullying, especially within my classroom. Once I figured out what they were saying, and who they were referring to, I knew I had to handle it right then and there. I wanted to go to the teacher (the wife) and have her interpret for me, but because it was about her husband, I didn’t know if she would. I called my husband; who also teaches in my building, who works closely with the other teacher, and asked him his thoughts. He suggested I go for it - talk to the other teacher, and ask her to talk to my students, if she was willing. She was. She sort of laughed it off, as she figured the kids had never seen a little person before, and that she was “used to it.” I told her that didn’t matter, and that what they did was still bullying. She spoke with the class. They were quiet afterwards and seemed to understand that what they did was wrong - all but one student anyway. Cley*** still thought it all was hilarious; so I wrote an office referral for her. I also wrote one for her sister.

Due to this incident, I did NOT allow the students to attend the end of the day Pi Day dodge ball games in the gym. I also required them to work during the “fun time” they were supposed to have. I don’t know if this event will stay with them after our quarter break, but it will at least be something I can reference if they think I’m joking about negative choices they’re making.