Northern Hemisphere school year starting

[redsnake05]

It always seems odd to me, but how is the first little bit of the school year going for all you northern hemisphere types? If anyone has actual enthusiasm, please share. Also, what is your favourite way to start building relationships with your students?

Comments

[crystalpyramid]

My school started unusually early — it's private and they have the freedom to set whatever crazy calendar they want — so we've just finished our first week. It's a new job for me, and while I've taught physics before, I've never taught precisely these syllabi before, and I have three preps in five sections, and it's exhausting. I'm loving my students and colleagues, getting the hang of my hardware and software resources, and overwhelmed by how much planning I have to somehow find time to do over the course of this year.

My favorite part so far has been conceptual discussions, presenting the kids with a scenario and finding out what they think will happen and why. I love finding out how their minds work and how they interact with each other, and it's helping me get a real sense for how different classes and different students think differently. They're such creative thinkers, even when they've never studied things formally! I hope this is also more relationship-building than going over vector addition problems.

[crystalpyramid]

Wait, when does your school year start, since it's obviously not now?

[elven_ranger]

being smily, establishing ground rules, but also being prpared to laugh and show that you are "human" rather than someone who lives in the school all day.

[redsnake05]

Oh, I live in the southern hemisphere. We start our school year in early February and finish up in early December.

[redsnake05]

We call them 'expectations', but, yeah, having a clear sense of what is and isn't acceptable. Also, it's amazing how often students will believe that I have a hammock in my office and sleep there (sometimes, it might as well be true). Being human but not a pushover, is so important.

[redsnake05]

I'm a physics teacher too! It sounds like you are having a good time, amongst all the crazy planning and getting organised and familiar with what's available. I try to start each year with some kind of nature of science week where we do some thinking and exploring, so I agree that conceptual discussions win over diving into vector addition.

[used_songs]

Ugh. They are the chattiest bunch I've ever met. It takes them forever to come to order so that I can make sure they understand their directions.

I guess just talking to them. It's easy as a English teacher to start talking about books or their writing, but even regular day to day stories. For instance, the other day this boy told me how he sprained his wrist diving to catch his baby sister when she fell down.

[redsnake05]

Chatty students can either be a happy storm of enthusiasm... or, more often, they destroy your will to live with their inability to listen to instructions. I am thinking of you.

Just talking with students can be hugely productive. I like listening to them sometimes.

[yaramaz]

I'm starting back the monday after next, which is full of mixed feelings. Remember how I was told I'd be getting a colleague...then enrolment was too low and it was going to be just me...then it was too, too low and I was told I'd be half time....then I was told I'd be moved to the other campus full time with colleagues? Yeah. It turns out my old uni now has enough kids for full time so I'm officially back where I started. With really small classes (about 20 kids per group). And no colleagues. Since it'll be just me up in room 904, way up in that concrete tower, I'm trying to come up with ways to make my upcoming year of solitude better than last year's year of solitude. D. bought me a really awesome coffee maker as an early birthday present, so I can have that crutch to lean on. Thinking of putting up non-school-related posters in my office, for my own pleasure rather than for the kids who never bother to come for office hours. At the moment I just have a bunch of Melbourne tourism board and Aust. Uni X promo posters up (they came with the job). My kids are likely to be even less capable than last year's batch, where about 60% failed the placement test but were allowed to continue due to low enrolment. Enrolment is even lower this year so... yeah... working on my enthusiasm! At least I know I can do it this time! Am strong! Roar!

[redsnake05]

Gah, that sucks! I could try sending another care package and hoping that this one makes it to you *clings* Can you buy a small heater to make your office warmer on a more regular basis, at least? And stock up on medicinal teas early and all that. Talking books? Podcasts? A goddamn chia pet?

[yaramaz]

Ah, yes, the care package-- our old landlord is still on the look out for that one if it ever shows up. The guards in our old building say it never came so obviously there's someone at China Post with an awesome shrug and bat pin. *sigh*

I'm stocking up on medicinal teas (our local supermarket has a dried-mysteries-in-baggies tea section so I've been buying random sachets and hoping for the best. I'm also downloading a ton of podcasts. Am considering trying out NaNoWriMo this year if my energy is there come November (unlikely but...still, am hoping). I'm not really sure how to make my tower more...cozy. It's a big office, meant to house at least 9 people, and is just a bit too roomy and grey for one person. At least I got the window desk! And D's coffee maker! And I'm thinking of bringing in some potted plants for the windowsill- currently it just holds stacks of old essays and exams because I don't really have anywhere else to put them. I may just start using the other desks as filing cabinets and make mine a pretty sanctuary...

[redsnake05]

I think you need comprehensive feng shui. I will send another care package if you send me your new address. Can your new landlord give you the postcode for your new place? Shall I send some jewellery making materials?

I definitely vote for the other desks becoming filing cabinets and your windowsill housing some crysanthemums (and then a daphne in spring). Maybe some statues. I hope you find a way to cheer up your cavern.