Day 92: Busy Bee

What is it about Tuesdays? Well, obviously I always have four lessons, and always end with year 8, but today felt like a real drag. I've sat at home in varying degrees of consciousness since coming home early so I won't say much except that the day was long, I was tired, and the kids were rowdy.

Year 11 were a little slow but did get a lot of work done, working in pairs (sort of) and completing a chart that I'd devised. The lesson was a little aimless but I'm sure I can work something out for tomorrow.

Year 9 were unusually quiet once I'd gotten their attention, but that was mainly because I was talking about the Academy sitution. A was much better in this lesson, and the kids for the most part did the work. Or at least I hope they did, because they'll need it for the assessment tomorrow.

Year 10 were silenced by my horrible mood; I hadn't wanted to tell them the truth about not marking their coursework, but I came clean eventually. I was pretty negative at the start of the lesson, so played them a couple of happy songs to cheer them up, then set them off on their coursework. They were pretty good really, which was in sharp contrast to year 8.

As always on a Tuesday afternoon, year 8 dribbled into the class in a state of disaray, and there was one excruciating moment when everyone in the room was chatting and laughing when I'd asked for quiet so I stood at the front looking pissed off then resorted to my old favourite: writing on the board "Whole class detention" and the number of minutes I was waiting. The lesson was a bit of a mess, and in the end I didn't keep them behind because I had to go and meet A's mum in reception.

After dragging my mentor out of a meeting (cringe) I met with A's mum for a rather rushed meeting during which I and my mentor repeated what we'd said before. I don't know how long A will be at the school but (after my mentor left) I suggested to them that I meet with A weekly to talk over English and check up on him. I'm not sure what I think I'm going to achieve from this, other than wanting to help get through to him and support him in some way.

I'm hoping tomorrow will be a little less stressful.