Catching Up

Hola!  Ok, so I know it's been a while...my computer doesn't seem to get along with the Bolivian internet here...

Things have been busy lately with the first quarter coming to an end.  Grades have to be done and entered and parents appeased.  The kids have been tough lately, between their attitudes and laziness.  I have been somewhat more strict on them in regards to their work.  For instance, I have had a problem with them doing other work in my class, so I made a policy that if I catch them doing work from another class during my class, I would take their work and keep it until Friday after school.  I told them I don't care if they have a test, quiz, or paper they have to work on; when they are in English, they focus on English. Is that too much to ask?  I have had to confiscate some books already.  One guy cried because I wouldn't give it back.  Did feel slightly bad, but....   Also, this week, one of my 8th grade classes was just too lazy to do their homework, which was one vocab word and a short paragraph explaining how something they loved has changed (like a favorite hang out spot, or a place in their grandparent's house, etc).  Homework that would have taken them about 10 minutes to complete.  Did they do it?  Of course not!  Well, 3 did.  So, in addition to that homework, I told the lazy students to do a one page typed essay on responsibility to hand in the next day.  Of the 10 that were to do it, only 1 actually followed directions.  It's a shame how lazy these kids can get.

I know that I only subbed in the US, but even then, the kids were more respectful and more considerate.  I know being rich and entitled has a bunch to do with it, but still.  It's ridiculous how many times I have to remind my students that not only am I trying to teach them academics, but also life lessons.  Lessons such as responsibility and a good work ethic.  I get so aggravated at times and feel like I'm not connecting through.  Then, other times, I really enjoy my kids.  Like today, my one terrible 9th grade class, I actually really liked today.  We did a vocab review and then the last 15 minutes I let them ask me questions about myself.  Scary, I know.  But they had fun getting to know me and it was fun seeing their reactions to my life.  It's times like these that I do enjoy teaching and the kids.  However, these times are few and far between.  I tell my kids that I don't like being mean or yelling/raising my voice, but if that's the only time they listen to me, then I'll keep on doing it.  Not sure how else to get through to them.

Besides the hassle of non-obedient kids, I've been trying to get into a routine: I go to the gym and yoga in the evenings, tutor about two hours everyday, and started taking Spanish lessons.  The days are long and I usually fall into bed exhausted, but I take it day by day.  I am anxious to go home and see everyone, but overall, the year has been going by fast.  I've been learning a lot and experiencing a lot. I'm excited to see what kind of opportunities await me after this adventure!