Another Day...

A Day without Incident Believe it or not I was alone today. The problem is, I still was in my room afraid that the door would open. It is the strangest feeling to be "fearful" someone will enter my room. I have never felt that way in my entire teaching career. I have always said, "Come on in...any time!" Now, I want to scream, "Please, leave me alone. Don't bother us. We are trying to learn!" The big test is a week from Tuesday. I am so ready. I realize some of my students aren't. I don't think I could ever get them ready. I can't make them think. I can't make them think about what they are doing. Some just want steps...one, two, three, the Answer! The problems are no longer that way. When I was young we worked 100 of the same problem over and over. Now, every problem is different. There is no feeling of accomplishment for the student, especially if they "don't get it." It is only confusion and "this one isn't like the last one." I don't know what to tell them other than to THINK about what they are doing. Understand the why they are doing it so that they understand the how when it looks just a little different or comes from the back side of it. I want to tell them, they have to do it. They have to learn how to think. And then I think, you are 11 years old. Why do I think you should act 40? I don't know how to help them, I really don't.

So, here's my vent. I am trying. What more can I do?