A Good Note

No erasers and paper napkins were consumed today by an unmedicated child. That's a positive thing right?

ARE Children Well-Behaved?

I currently read a post on NC teacher's of the year blog post. She blogged about US children misbehaving and where this behavior might come from. Of course, she mentioned media...DUH. Obviously the media has a HUGE influence on how our children act.

The girls in my classroom idolize Miley Cirus and any other Disney teenage girl. They sing their songs a recess, repeat their statements, snap and sass their fingers just like they do. This comes from the drive to be like these girls on the Disney Channel. As for my boys, I'm not sure I would say they idolize Miley or any other boys on the Disney channel. They may...but they won't admit it. Theirs is more of a "cool" image in front of others, and well, just not being able to control themselves.

The past couple of weeks have been horrid at school. My students have been bouncing off the walls and backsliding. I'm thinking to myself, "Am I backsliding? Is it me? Am I slacking on my discipline?" I follow throw with my consequences. Part of me wants to say, "Ok that's it. Let's call the office to come get you." But another part of me wants to say, "No. Work with this child. What is the office going to do?" I'm not saying I don't trust the office following through with the discipline because they do but sometimes I think there are somethings I should handle in the classroom before I send them away with the pink slip.

A question I have always had was, "Are the parents following through with their discipline at home?" I have a parent that says, "let me know and I'll handle the situation at home. You tell me if anything happens and I'll take care of it." I call the parent, let them be aware of the discipline and action that happened expecting the child to be somewhat regretful from the previous days actions. But sometimes they come in the next morning like nothing happened. This really frustrates me. I build my classroom with parent communication and always put this point across during Registration Day: "I need to know we're a team. We need to work TOGETHER to make this year SUCCESSFUL. If I don't have you BEHIND ME, we cannot be BEHIND your child. I'll do my part from 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Then I need you to take over." I get many nods and "Oh yes, Ms. Castro. I agree." BAH. Whatever. This year I had to be pretty blunt with my parents. I hate calling parents. I rather e-mail because I can think of my words. But I've had to come out in teacher conferences and say, "I'm sorry ma'am, but he is lying to you. That did not happen" or "Do you realize that she yelled and spit in my face? Is this going on at home?"


I'm just seriously getting close to the end of my string because it's the end of the year. I pray everyday for patience...or I do at least when I'm having to close my eyes and count to 10 before I explode.

I question a lot of parents...not only in my classroom but in general. There are some amazing parents out there. I have seen students come from these parents and I would say my parents did a pretty decent job with me. But then there are some parents where I sit and think, "What do you do with your child during the week? Could you tell me at least 5 of his spelling words? What mutliplication fact is your child struggling with? What unit are we studying in Social Studies? Did she tell you your 6 vocabulary words today in a sentence? When was the last time you read with your child for 20 minutes? Do you what upsets your child or what is making him so angry lately?"

Some parents could spit these answers off in less than 30 seconds. Then I know there are some that would have to scratch their head and say, "You know, I'm not quite sure..." I realize that some of my parents are single parents working 1 or 2 jobs, going back to school and working and I know it is crazy. But this is your child's education. This is your child's behavior. Follow through with actions. Follow through with discipline. Ask questions. Spend 15 minutes with your child before they go to bed. Such simple steps can make the BIGGEST difference in the classroom.

If I were a parent I would...
-awake my child an 45 minutes to an hour before we have to go to school.
-feed my child breakfast.
-give medicine if needed.
-make sure my child has their bookbag and they are prepared.
-say one positive thing to my child before they get out of the car.
-let their teacher beware of anything stressful going on at home (it's ok to share! we don't judge! well, we try not to but we'll be understanding)
-pick them up from school at a reasonable hour
-ask about their day and not just accept "It was good" statement.
-not only ASK but CHECK their folder and bookbag for homework and important notes
-help with homework.
-read for 20 minutes with my child
-eat dinner at the table
-make them go outside to play. limit video games
-BATHE.
-tuck into bed by 9 PM. no tv in the room.
-kiss goodnight.