Aghhhh!!!

[Bex21]

Okay, so I usually love my job...but I'm in a b!tch and moan mood and the kids are at PE and Music, so I'm going to vent. I love fourth and fifth graders (I thought!), no matter where they are, so I took a job at this school I've never been to. So this morning, the kids came in right? It seemed like a normal class, a few top students, a few low students, and 2 that were like the class clowns. They started on their morning work, and after that they switched for math. Most of my kids stayed in my room, some left, and others joined. I felt like I was pulling teeth just to get them to sit down. The lesson didnt get any better. Apparently this class has had a different sub each day of the week because the teacher ahd a death in the family and each teacher taught how to compare fractions differently. So needless to say, none of them had any idea what they were doing. I was supposed to go over the classwork then administer the test...the classwork had about 12 problems on it and we only got to number FOUR in THIRTY MINUTES. I was so frustrated...and then I had to give them the test, and of course the kids had no idea what any of it meant. I mean its not their fault, but I felt like slamming their heads into a wall and saying, "THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT! WHY DON'T YOU GET IT?!" I'm a pretty patient person, but that was the longest hour that I have ever been through. So everyone handed their tests in at the end of the class, and some left and my other kids came back...I had to whip into "mean sub" mode because the kids were simply not listening to anything I said. I made them stay quiet for a full 30 seconds before I would let them go to PE and Music, and I had to stop them in the hall to do the same thing 3 more times. I know that this is part of the job, and I should just suck it up and deal with it, and that it's probably my fault for not having control over them, and that I probably didn't teach the math right... but I'm so incredibly annoyed! And I have to deal with them agian in another 25 mins. Well I'm going to sit here with my feet up and eat the candy I brought in for them if they were good. I hope the rest of the day gets better. MUCH better. If it doesn't, there is no way I'm coming back to this school, and especially not this class. Ugh. Okay, I'm done my ranting. Hope everyone's having a better day than I am!

 

[viktoriag]

hopefully the candy helped!

Don't I know that feeling?! As someone said in another post - if you had that much trouble with them, you can be sure others did as well. Why are they not getting the same sub every day? That can't be good for the subs OR the kids!

Anyway, hope the PM gets better. At least, it sounds like, you're done with math!

And just think about all the nice things you can buy yourself because you worked today.

 

[bell5]

A Big Plate of Brownies Helps too....

I can certainly relate. I had a sub job today for only four hours. It was the longest 4 hours i have ever had!!!!!!!! I was subbing for the reading initiative teacher. The first session was fine, another teacher came in to do the lesson plan for them. Well the second session was totally different. It was a class of 16 2nd graders. I was told that for reading initiative I would probably only have a small group of kids, wrong! They came in and immediately the class clown went to work. I talked to him and was able to get him under control. I thought this is going to go just as smooth as the first session. The kids must have just lost their minds in the last 45 minutes. None of the kids wanted to listen except for a few of them. Then the three kids that were special needs came back into the room, OMG! The teacher left lesson plans but not nearly enough keep their interest nor any special instructions for the special ed kids. They had no clue as to what to do for their seat work. I know that over time as I sub more my teaching skills will improve. I just could not get them to understand what to do with their assignment. The steps were even up on the board. Then I had one student who tried to steal some pink neon tape out of the teachers desk. We were all cleaning up and I noticed she had her jacket rolled up. I aked her what she had and she replied her papers. I said let me see to make sure you have all your papers. Well she sat down and tried to slide the tape between her legs and cover it with her jacket. Of course when I asked her what she had and where she got it from she replied "i dunno". She really didn't seem to care that she got caught. I live in an area where the parents don't think their kids would even consider doing something like that, surprise surprise! I left the teacher a brief not about that. I will probably go back if I asked just to redeem myself. I'm not quite sure what didn't work, but the next time will be better. For now I am enjoying a big plate of brownies or should I say a plate of 5 extra pounds

Have a great weekend!

 

[seafire]

bad day

Don't feel bad, I also have had a day like yours. It also was in a sixth grade classroom. But now, the students have seen me more and they have started to respect me as a teacher, not just a sub. I thought that I would never go back to that class again. But if I was asked to sub in their room again, I would. Just give them a chance to get used to you. it will all work out in the end.

 

[hindypo]

Mama said!

There will be days like that! And there are plenty!

I just try to roll with the punches, if I don't have PMS or something.

Today, I subbed at our continuation high school (at risk students, students on drugs, students on the verge of dropping out). I actually like this school, especially as I get off work at 12:45! But they try to pull everything. Like every other teenager actually.

Somehow, today, I was just calm. I had a stack of referral slips and I told them that if they didn't do x-y-z, we wouldn't argue, I wouldn't be mad, they would just go to the office (and get Saturday school). Well, it worked like a charm. And a lot of these kids are CHARMING. One guy went to the office, never saw him again. Too BAD for him!

Well! I wear prescription glasses for nearsightedness, and have one of those little sunglass clip-on things...At the end of the day (12:45!) they were anxious to leave. It was Friday after all. I stood at the door and I threatened to step on their tennis shoes and get them dirty if they dared go out. All in a joking way, of course. Pretty funny, too, teenagers really value their white shoes! But we were all kind of having fun in the process, really, horsing around, laughing (because at this level of high school, they can practically graduate just by showing UP, the big thing is just containing them) ..I noticed a couple of kids with a sunglass clip-on thing doing goofy things with it...I was too busy trying to keep them contained at that point. ONLY after I left the classroom, I realize that they had lifted it from my desk. I thought, S&$t! Then, I thought, oh WELL....and let it go...

I don't know if I am saying this correctly. I have had days I want to SHOOT the kids! But...sometimes, and more and more, I just try not to let it kill my day. Bex21, you had NO WAY to salvage the situation. I'm glad you enjoyed the candy. About all you can do! It's NOT your fault! And DON'T go back. That's the sub's ultimate out - we DO NOT have to go back to something we can't endure. Remember that! Subs are actually the employers - we can fire any situation that doesn't suit our fancy!

 

[Bex21]

Thanks

Thanks you guys, you made me feel a lot better about it. The candy helped soo much. lol. They didn't get any better after they came back, but I just reminded myself that I was only there for a day and never had to come back! It was funny, because apparently they had this mean sub at the middle of the week that no one liked, but they did everything she wanted them to do because she scared them so much. That got me frustrated...but now that it's all over, I don't care! I left a nice little note for the teacher explaining everything that happened. Thanks again you guys, reading this board makes me feel so much better!!!

 

[hindypo]

We all help each other!

Well that and candy.

I am glad that we could send some comfort, it sounds like you were in a no-win situation. Don't for ONE minute feel bad. You're done! Whew!

I always leave a note at the end of the day, giving a summary of whatever happened, especially if there were problems with any students or the learning (or lack thereof). I think it may bug some teachers, but the good teachers - who I like and enjoy working for - thank me for doing so. That way, they feel more in touch with their classrooms, and it provides them (hopefully) with some continuity in the absence.

 

[DRich611]

Being mean works...bla!

I really do hate to be mean....but unfortunately being mean works! I have only subbed for a month and am just now learning the classroom management thing, but I have noticed that when I smile all day....they run me over! And if I don't smile....they are more manageable! Why can't kids just behave? Then, we could all have a fun fun day every day!