First period has it rough. First of all, they are so sleepy that everything takes longer. They are at a definite disadvantage just by class starting so early. Second, on homeroom days, the most minutes are taken out of first period. I thought all the classes were treated equally, 5 minutes from every period or something like that. No, first period gets the brunt of it. Next, all sorts of assemblies and things go on during first period, such as todays honor roll breakfast. I couldn’t do much in class, because I only had about 6 students, and then I couldn’t do much in my other classes, because then they would be SO far ahead of first period, who already tends to be a little behind.
It is killing me.
Clearly, I need to have a few more valuable-but-non-essential activities for second and third period. Especially third period. Third period has a class average of A-. The other two periods have a class average of C+. I don’t know if it’s them or me. Some students are really getting it, and are a little bored. The other classes are not quite there. Are they not working hard enough, or am I crazy?
Well, we know I’m crazy. But am I unfair or are my expectations completely off? I don’t know.
I work quite hard to have a smooth transition and use every minute of class time. I have the students hand in their work, I take attendance and hand back work while they do a warm up problem. I have all my papers for the day handy, and in order, for them. I have notes and problems ready so we don’t waste any time. Then the school wastes my time. Grrrrrr.
