First Day at BHL

On February 17, I arrived at BHL at 8a.m. It felt weird being back at my middle school. I went to my supervising teacher’s room, Mr. Corley’s 8th grade science class. Students began to file in and go to their lockers. Upon arriving at school, students are to go to their “home base” until 8:30. Until then I mostly just told kids to sit down and lower the volume level. At 8:30 students transition to their ELT class - “extended learning time” when classes do supplemental projects, read books, or study and prepare for upcoming standardized tests. Mr. Corley’s class had just began reading Lord of the Flies. Students took turns reading aloud, using the “popcorn” game to determine the next reader. When they finished chapter 2, students could then talk quietly or work on stuff for another class. I circulated around and helped with some math homework.

When ELT is over, students transition to 2nd period; for Mr. Corley’s class this is physical science. These classes are considered “collaborative” classes, meaning that some students may be advanced while others need more help. During this period, I helped tables go through a worksheet about simple machines they started the day before. If the students would stop talking and work on the assignment diligently, they can complete it in no time. However, as I was warned, these students like to talk, a lot. If I went to one table and we went straight through the worksheet, they found it wasn’t as hard as it looked.

Third period went pretty much the same as second. Students were working on the same simple machines worksheet and preparing for a lab later that week. In the upcoming lab, students would make 3rd class lever catapults and then test them to see who’s could launch a marshmallow the farthest in the gym. Third period ended slightly early because of an assembly hosted by the Clarke Central drama, choir and orchestra. They were there to promote their clubs and encourage 8th graders to join next year.

Finally was lunch, and then was Mr. Corley’s planning period. On Wednesdays the science teachers in 8th grade meet to study data from past benchmark tests, discuss current issues, and how to get students ready for the standardized tests coming up soon. The teachers find a lot of frustration with the students, as well with the ridiculousness of what’s expected versus what is realistic under the current circumstances. Classes are way too big, and there isn’t enough time to cover the material in depth enough. Many students barely grasp one concept before another is thrown at them.

After planning is 6th period, the last class of the day. This class has more accelerated students, but they are even harder to handle since “they like to hear the sound of their own voices.” Plus, it’s the end of the day and they’re ready to get out of school. If I worked with one group at a time, and kept them on track talking about the assignment, it was finished quickly. One thing to watch out for, though, was students using other students’ answers. In most cases, the students did know the answers themselves but were just too lazy and/or impatient to read the question and find their own answer.

I left at 3:30 (10 minutes early to avoid getting stuck behind buses). Overall, the first day was fun and entertaining. I look forward to working with the classes for the rest of the year.