Sick for the second day in a row...this is ridiculous...

At home sick as a dog. I am quite concerned about the impending destruction in my classroom. Hopefully the students will all do their assignments so I don't have to review fractions with them for another week.

Funny quote from yesterday's 11th grade class that I was covering:

Moses: "Mr. Lukens, you know my stepfather is Bill Gates."

Me: "Oh really?"

Moses: "Yea, and im gonna sue his white ass for not playing child support."

Since today's Friday and PSSA tests are done with, I decided to have a relaxing, "fun" day for my students. On one hand I immensely enjoy doing fun activities (Math related, of course) because you begin to see the students in an entirely different light. On the other hand, I find it incredibly tiring and difficult because I must give the most detailed, specific directions one could ever imagine. For instance, getting into a circle is usually a 5 minute ordeal, for all of the students don't fully comprehend what the meaning of personal space is. Part of it is a result of their wide array of disabilities; part of it is a result of their determination to test my neurological limits.


Quote of the day: It's actually not a quote, but instead a repeated knocking at my door by a group of 5 students trying to get me to explode while I try to finish writing this.

The time has come!!!! Finally the PSSA tests have ended, and I'm actually looking forward to a full day of teaching tomorrow. I originally had the misconception that proctoring the exam would equal extra grading/lesson planning time, but I probably could not have been more wrong. Proctoring the exam in my classroom essentially consists of preventing my students from calling each other "hoagie head" and "stutters" all period. Needless to say, I rarely get a break, for I seem to have to talk to them about every five minutes. In addition to the behavior control piece, the PSSA testing procedures require that teachers be "actively" proctoring exams all period. This means that all teachers should be walking around the room making sure all students are following rules and procedures. What becomes problematic, however, is that our testing period lasts for approximately 3.25 hours. So the PSSA test for teachers is really like a cross between baby sitting and competitive walking, but the walker never seems to get ahead.

Today is the second straight day (out of 3) that we have our "high-stakes" PSSA testing. Aside from the fact each of my students is utterly confused/frustrated, the test provides a completely inaccurate picture of their abilities for a myriad of reasons. Nonetheless, PSSA testing days are incredibly long and stressful. To improve the tests, perhaps they should require teachers not only to have a test distribution manual, but a flask of Kentucky's finest.

Quote of the day: "Banana head told me to go down here." (reference to me)

My question is whether they enjoy calling me banana head because I have blond hair or if it's just that my head looks like a banana. I do, in fact, like bananas.

So I suppose this is the start of my negative ranting and raving about not having books, pencils, paper, etc. Nevertheless, I intend to put up my favorite quotes from each day and enlighten you all with the realities of urban education. Todays quote: "Mr. Lukens, do we have Saturday school everyday?"