Comments on: Condition: Borderline http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/ (bôr'dər-lănd') n. Located on or near a frontier. An indeterminate area or condition. Wed, 21 Jul 2010 08:21:32 -0700 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/comment-page-1/#comment-78329 Doug Noon Mon, 10 Mar 2008 02:57:40 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/#comment-78329 Doing better now, thanks, after seeing a doc. One of the challenges for the elementary level teacher (and kid) is that we spend all day together. I think the middle school-aged kids enjoy the change of pace that comes with having a variety of teachers. I know, I like a change of scene in my day, too. Doing better now, thanks, after seeing a doc.

One of the challenges for the elementary level teacher (and kid) is that we spend all day together. I think the middle school-aged kids enjoy the change of pace that comes with having a variety of teachers. I know, I like a change of scene in my day, too.

]]> By: Miss Profe http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/comment-page-1/#comment-78256 Miss Profe Sun, 09 Mar 2008 18:19:34 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/#comment-78256 Bless, you, Doug, for all that you do with our youngest students. As much as I like the intellectual challenges presented by students in levels 3, 4 and 5, I would go to the proverbial mat if anyone tried to take my eighth grade Spanish 1 students away from me. This year, I teach them first block of the day. It is the best beginning, even when I am feeling blah. Feel better. Bless, you, Doug, for all that you do with our youngest students.

As much as I like the intellectual challenges presented by students in levels 3, 4 and 5, I would go to the proverbial mat if anyone tried to take my eighth grade Spanish 1 students away from me. This year, I teach them first block of the day. It is the best beginning, even when I am feeling blah.

Feel better.

]]> By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/comment-page-1/#comment-78119 Doug Noon Sun, 09 Mar 2008 00:05:37 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/#comment-78119 Nancy, your comment answers a question I've been asking myself lately, which is whether I'd feel more successful if I worked with the same group of kids, "<a href="http://www.ericdigests.org/1998-2/looping.htm" rel="nofollow">looping</a>" with them for a span of years. Reviewing this year, first quarter we worked on the idea that I wasn't Last Year's Teacher. Second quarter, the students and I both had to learn that "it ain't personal," whatever happened. Third quarter, it felt like some of the hard cases understood that I was there to help them, and began to come around. Fourth quarter is about to begin....I don't expect it to be altogether pretty, but I hope it isn't hell, either. I suppose it wouldn't matter how long I've worked with them, the end of sixth grade is bound to be a struggle, but maybe the rough parts at the beginning would have been different if the kids and I knew each other already. Nancy, your comment answers a question I’ve been asking myself lately, which is whether I’d feel more successful if I worked with the same group of kids, “looping” with them for a span of years. Reviewing this year, first quarter we worked on the idea that I wasn’t Last Year’s Teacher. Second quarter, the students and I both had to learn that “it ain’t personal,” whatever happened. Third quarter, it felt like some of the hard cases understood that I was there to help them, and began to come around. Fourth quarter is about to begin….I don’t expect it to be altogether pretty, but I hope it isn’t hell, either.

I suppose it wouldn’t matter how long I’ve worked with them, the end of sixth grade is bound to be a struggle, but maybe the rough parts at the beginning would have been different if the kids and I knew each other already.

]]> By: Nancy http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/comment-page-1/#comment-78113 Nancy Sat, 08 Mar 2008 23:02:14 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/#comment-78113 I teach in a special ed program for gifted kids and I have the same kids year after year. By the time they get to 6th grade I've had some of them for 5-6 years. In August I am so glad to see them and cherish each day with them....Christmas time is still good...by 4th quarter I'm thinkin' "don't let the door hit you on the way out!!" I think God lets them go to hell in a handbasket so I can let them go!! I am so thankful for middle school teachers. I teach in a special ed program for gifted kids and I have the same kids year after year. By the time they get to 6th grade I’ve had some of them for 5-6 years. In August I am so glad to see them and cherish each day with them….Christmas time is still good…by 4th quarter I’m thinkin’ “don’t let the door hit you on the way out!!”

I think God lets them go to hell in a handbasket so I can let them go!! I am so thankful for middle school teachers.

]]> By: Doug Noon http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/comment-page-1/#comment-78028 Doug Noon Sat, 08 Mar 2008 15:41:17 +0000 http://borderland.northernattitude.org/2008/03/07/condition-borderline/#comment-78028 The couch is reserved for me all day. And dreamin' big is the only way to go. Thanks, Michaele. The couch is reserved for me all day. And dreamin’ big is the only way to go. Thanks, Michaele.

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