Relatively calm today. Looked for a new microwave, since ours broke. Neither of us is mentioning the broken garage door. It's easier to ignore it as long as we can still use it manually.
School went well. Principal sent out an article praising the concept of teaching students how to learn. I shared the concept with my students, and reminded them that school was for learning much more than reading, writing and arithmetic. (Dennis Miller has a rant about the problem with education being that of the "three R's" only one actually starts with an "r".) We need to teach/they need to learn how to learn as well as basic organization, responsibility, how to take notes, etc.
I spoke of this a few weeks ago, when I realized that i'd wasted to much of the year trying to teach math. Sadly, lately if feels as if we are not preparing students for the real world, we are preparing them for a high-stakes test. Some would argue that the real world is a test with the highest stakes possible. I could argue with myself all night.
Anyway, the drama queens were good today. I had a talk with #3 about behavior on Friday and reminded her that we have only a short time left and it would be silly to spend that time suspended for a stupid fight. I also spoke to the girl who walked out on Friday. Found out that (as suspected) home life has swung from relatively calm to constantly chaotic. I emphasized that I'm willing to help/listen and that I notice something was wrong - they too often think that no one does. I also emphasized that if home was troubling getting in trouble at school would only make matters worse and to not let the DQ's get to her. (If only I could take the same advice lol)
I started teaching html coding to my basic math students and they absorbed it like nothing I've taught all year. It's amazing how they can "get" a concept just as quickly as an honors kid when they have the desire. I've always thought that in many cases, willingness to work is the ONLY separator between the tracks. Told them that, too.
One of the assistants asked about a student in my basic math class. He has done nothing all year but sleep. I replied that Ben doesn't see any point in learning what I am trying to teach and nothing I say has been able to sway that opinion. When I spoke with Ben today, I asked him what his answer to the principal was when asked and he said the exact same thing. Say what you will about me, but I know the needs of my students. It's meeting those needs that I struggle with.