Respect

Millikan Middle School
Ms. Poncin’s Class, Per. 3
02-15-07

Although today was not a disaster, I was still very plagued by the fact that these kids do not know how to behave in the classroom. But not just by talking too much; they lack common sense. For instance, I started class and Miguel, the TA, sat in the middle of the room and asked Ms. Poncin questions about the papers he was helping her grade. As I was speaking, he would speak right over me, as if I wasn’t there. During class! No one really seemed to think that was odd – not even Ms. Poncin – so I decided to take the matter into my own hands. I think I got a little nerved and so I asked him in a very “are you really serious right now?”—tone to please sit next to Ms. Poncin and talk to her over there. It was very disrespectful. That just really put me in a bad mood for the entire period. Especially because they know I’m a visitor, which – at least in my mind – should make them think “hm, maybe we should show a little more respect because Ms. Wennstrom from UCLA is here today.” Nope. These kids can’t handle that idea.

It’s weird to know that Ms. Poncin didn’t do or say anything about that. She does help me out with discipline, but I don’t know if the bar is set low for these kids or what. There is no order sometimes, and I have to repeat myself so much. We waste a lot of class time because students have to quiet other students who are talking and they couldn’t hear what I was saying. This is very tiresome.

Two classes ago I gave them a little speech about respect, and they were dead silent. It was great because I had their attention for the whole class. But they seem to forget those lessons. I don’t want to have to give these little speeches over and over again. But I think that next time, I really have to put my foot down.

I really want to have a bright and cheery disposition for the kids. But sometimes they just really piss me off.

I don’t know how to have this perfect balance in the classroom. I think that a couple of the kids have a hard time with me there and would rather me not be teaching. I think it’s because I’m treating it like a class where they’re learning new skills each time and not just a “free art time” period; and art may not be their “thing.” But most of the kids seem to like it, which is great. And the ones that I think are really blossoming from the class are really working hard to get there.

I get both happy and frustrated whenever Ms. Poncin tells me after class about a particular student whom I know did well that day in class, because it usually ends with something to the effect of “and her test score every year for reading is 1 out of 100.”

Sally’s behavior yesterday was phenomenal. She is one of the most (if not the most) chatty girls I have ever encountered in my life. She can’t sit still and is always talking in class. She is also the girl who’s reading scores each year are 1 out of 100. Yesterday, she was completely silent. She finished her complimentary color chart before anyone else, and also finished the next exercise on values before anyone else. She basically finished what I was leaving for the next lesson. It was because she was motivated, worked hard and the task, and asked questions.

Some of these kids don’t know how to listen. And that’s why I end up having to tell them twice.

Christian was a bit more boisterous yesterday than usual. He kept yelling, “I can’t do it I quit.” No Christian, you’re not done. It’s like I have to tell these kids that they can do it all the time. With Christian’s case, I think it was just his normal self again. I don’t think I gave him as much attention like last time, because I was focusing so much on other students who needed help this time around. So he yells, “I quit.” When last time, I gave him personal attention and he finished first.

I feel like some of these kids are just so used to failing, that anytime a challenge comes around they cry out in disparity, “I QUIT!” because they’re used to the outcome. But
I really try my best to point out students who are really getting it right, and showing the entire class. The students whose papers I show to the class period usually are the first ones done. I think this is because they have validation from me, and therefore they’re doing it right.

It happens every time.

It happened with Paul, Christian, Sally, and Jasmine. And I hope to reach the other students in the same way.