It has been a little while since I have posted anything on this blog. In short, I have been observing, learning, and enduring. In my last post, I jested about communication and grades. Well, my banter returned somewhat of a cricket-in-the-woods echo. If you want to know where I stand with grades, please read the previous post.
OBSERVING
In the past five and one-half weeks I have been seriously observing my students. I have observed some of the best and worst, well . . . let me not say “worst” . . . I’ll say “mediocre” student behaviors. There are some who obviously embrace the challenges the class has offered. Others, not so much.
LEARNING
Not only am I learning that JCHS is an exciting place to be right now because of its focus on internal improvement – mirroring some of the processes I incorporate in class – but I am also learning how to adjust to a different academic culture. It is refreshing. And it is scary. It is like Bella jumping off of the cliff. For her, an opportunity to live on the edge of danger to experience her obsession – Edward’s reprimanding voice. For others, our district’s direction will be misinterpreted and misapplied – hopefully not resulting in an Edwardian suicide attempt.
ENDURING
I would like to stay on this point for a little while, so bear with me. Enduring, in its simplest definition, means “long-suffering.” The implication, then, involves a certain amount of discomfort. So, what is currently making me uncomfortable? First of all, ten minutes! Time. Transitioning to a 45-ish minute class has been frustrating. There are so many times when my students are gathering up their books, closing shop, and I look at them as if I still have 10 minutes worth of material to cover. That is because I have been accustomed to a 55 minute schedule, and believe me, that 10 minutes is valuable. Not having it is like wearing a pair of socks that have been stretched a little too much. Secondly, supplies. Of all of the praise I can give this school, I can offer a balance to all of that with one word: books. I had a student say to me the other day that his mother was surprised we are STILL in the same book. We have practically spent the entire semester on one text. Although I know that is not entirely true, I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiment . . . . “STILL.” I disagreed with his response to his mother, “Mr. Kimble just reads slow.” The reality is twofold: lack of resources so that each student could take a book home a read [as if . . . .], and students’ reading abilities are somewhat low – slowing the pace to maintain understanding. The last thing to endure: students. Now, please don’t take this too negatively. I love students. I love teaching. I find it difficult to tear down students’ internal obstacles to academic performance. The give-and-take is draining me. The Win-Win is not evident right now. I feel it is a Win-Lose scenario right now. I win because the quality of work being turned in doesn’t require much of my time . . . . . . [OUCH! That hurts Mr. Kimble.] There is always a method to my madness . . . . the simple is not always so simple. Yes, there are small rewards being achieved [some grades] at the expense of career related skills [work ethic]. The real question becomes, “Would I rather have someone working for me that gets the job done, or would I rather have someone who gets the job done right?” There is a real epidemic of “fast food” work ethic in a setting that promotes entrepreneurial leadership. Let me be a little crass here – that work ethic works in a Socialistic society but not in a Capitalistic system. And in our current economic reality, I know exactly which answer I’d choose for that question.
So what Mr. Kimble? What are you really saying?
Stick with it! Show me your best!
I have to encourage you demonstrate a certain amount of perseverance. I implore you to adjust to the academic environment. I challenge you NOT to just exist, but to permeate this academic shell.
I have shared with you some of my basic principles of teaching. I have a passion for this profession because of how I can influence others – students and staff. That passion is from a very important relationship I have. HE is my Audience. HE is my focus. HE is the reason I am who I am. James 3:1 forces me to do MY best at all times because I am ultimately responsible for what you learn from me. If you are not a better person, professionally, academically, and relationally, because of your experience with me, then part of my existence is nothing short of failure.
I feel that us students should spend more time on our work and getting our work done right. you spend alot of your time grading our work or coming up with better and more entertaining....... so we should have more respect for you and our work. also i feel as a class we should pay more attention to what your teaching us and spend less time messing around with one another. *KAL* 6th hour
ReplyDeleteMister Kimble,
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with one thing... the class is not paying attention to anything. Look the only reason some of us dont see eye to eye with this is the fact that our "job" futures dont have anything to do with writing or typing. Mine has nothing to do with it. We, as coming up in a different world find it harder to understand things without having them explained to us. You don't do as well as some of my other teachers. If you improve your explaination skills as well as your dominance in the classroom you will become a better teacher and im sure that most of the other kids would agree.
J.A.B. 6th hour
I think that it is good that we are spending all that time on the Iliad. I like that Mr. Kimble is breaking it down and helping us understand what it is talking about. A lot of students dont understand what any of the words meen in the book. I wish that we could have read a diffrent book but that was not your choice. You are forced to have to make us read it. But at least you are spending time with us on it.
ReplyDeleteJN7
Well I disagree with the comment posted from J.A.B. Every job profession involves some amount of writing. It could be just simply your job application, but even this is writing.
ReplyDeleteI would like to apologize because I feel that sometimes I am the one that is disrupting class. I am sorry and I will try to be more serious and appreciate your work and what you are saying more often.
You said to be patient and that you would tell us more about what you have been building and teaching us, but I am still confused about the Illiad (because from the beginning I thought we were reading the whole book and in all of my previous English classes we have always read an entire book). Although now, I am such a better reader and I am remember so much more now than I ever have before. Thank you. I haven't improved much of my writing skills though. Also I would like to admit that I am also one of the people that find it hard to change to the new way of writing that you are teaching us. I am so used to writing with the old way (I believe that you may have called it the 5 paragraph essay) that it is hard to transition to this new and more modern way of writing. I hope this next semester you help us all with this.
Well, I would like to say that this semester of your class has been so much fun and I really enjoy it. Thank you once again.
KW!!! 3rd Hour
Well I am very glad that you are now teaching at JCHS I think this school needed something different in there english department or at least something new. Um, to your whole kid saying that we are STILL on the Iliad book. Its not really your fault its cuz students dont pay attention and dont get their work done. And instead of being like most teachers and giving an F or w/e, you try and give the students more time to get decent grade. I feel the same way, there isn't much homework at all. Which is a good way in some peoples case, but for the kids that miss like a few assingments it really isn't a good thing. Well I try and stick with it but the class is so nosey and doesn't pay attention to really anything. Well I guess thats all I have to say for now.
ReplyDeleteMr. Kimble:
ReplyDeleteI like the way you teach our class. Although it is not what I'm used to, I've learned the most valuable lessons in English I ever have. I actually like how we take time with things, and take short breaks (like our 7 habit Mondays) from what we are doing. If we didn't take breaks I would get bored with the things we learn. This class has made me a better reader and comprehender so far. I've learned not to "Kill the XC kids". I've also learned a lot from the 7 Habits book. I enjoy your class.
-JS
Sometimes we should spend more time on one thing than another. Everyone learns differntly and they may need to use a little more time on somethings. Are class was reading the Iliad and we spent a laot of time on it, but I actually enjoyed the book. The point is, you have to spend more time on things not because you want to, but to help your students.
ReplyDeleteJCB
In what I have seen from students and their work ethic, its sad. I don't have friends in a lot of my classes so I just like observe the way people act. I think that if people think if they don't need that class for their chosen profession then they don't need to pay attention. They are very wrong. I will admit there are classes I just shw up do my work and leave. But then there is a class where the teacher just is a rude person. He expets respect automatically. That is stupid. In my eyes respect is earned. A lot my teachers have earned my respect to where as I have a teacher who treats his students like crap and he expects them to respect him. I don't there are days where he will make me mad enough that I won't do my work. See how it works both ways? Its a very touchy subject in a way. But as for students not liking the way you teach they can go to another English student. Its their problem not yours. OORRR they can change their view of you.
ReplyDeleteKAD6
Mister Kimble, its Alex I don't think that you read slow but I think that people just don't get how responsive of a teacher you actualy are I mean if we arn't showing progress then you wont move on and I understand that. Although most people don't understand it from what I've seen. I just don't think that they appreciate what you have done for us, we didnt get the Odyssey so you didn't give up. We spent half the year on one book. I just think that pepole don't give you enough credit. Thank you.
ReplyDeletei agree with JS. the breaks we get can help a lot sometimes. I just get overwhelmed occasionally when all we do is woprk,work,work. but you try to help with that. and it kind of frustrates me that a parent said we are STILL on the illiad book. no offense to Homer, but it doesnt make sense. not to me anyway, and you are just taking the time to make sure we actually comprhend what we are reading. thats what any GREAT teacher would do. asl1
ReplyDeleteMr. Kimble,
ReplyDeleteI like the way you are trying to make school more skills-based. It makes things easier to learn, I think. I also don't think you read slow. You read at a pace so it is easier for the class to understand. I thought you made it easier to learn the Iliad.
JL-1st Hour
HEY KIMBLE!!!!!! i like this whole blog thing.....ok so i thing people really need to stop dogging you. I really like how you break down everyting for us, all though i am in an honors class, i do think we could move a little faster.But what i really like about your method of teaching is that you can connect with al your students, and i do think you make sure everyone understands what we are doing. I know you hate when i say this but i really hate learning like everything from last year again:) ok so this is miranda lol. but you are a great tacher and i love our class!!!! 1ST HOUR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything because our class doesn't pay attention and i'm not going to lie, i am one of those people that get the class off topic.. but i only do that in a serious way if you know what i mean. but personally i think we need to work on fixing our "killing the track runner" problem (if you know what i mean). And we r progressing alto more than you think! i walk out of your class remembering everything you've taught us... except Illiad. But thats not anyones fault! I personally learn a lot!
ReplyDeleteKEM 1!
I think it is a very good plan that you are having us go in little groups to learn different things, especially in the Illiad group...that one book alone I wish we could have had at least 1 more week to go over because then I think that I would have understood it more and maybe even liked it more as well. As for the other groups I wish we could have spent less time in the ssr group. But all in all you are doing a gret job...keep it up...lol!! see ya!!
ReplyDeleteSS 1st hour honors english
First off, y would you refer to twilight?! seriously, it's about an abusive relationship on both sides.
ReplyDeleteAnyways, i think that perseverance is definetly needed in this class. Seriously, i am so used to the whole intro, 3 bodies, and an ending thing it's crazy. They never even taught us to elaborate so i just did the bare minimum of 4-6 sentences. So u should stick with what u got going because it's working even if there is little improvement showing because eventually it's just going to hit us square in the forehead like the V8 jokes and we'll all feel like we're blondes (seriously, that's how it is sometimes). so just go with is needed to make us amazing.
Oh! Fallyn 3rd hour
Mr Kimble,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all i would like to say that you start my morning off well. I know our class is a bit hard to work with and that we are to loud. I think that we have a lot of potential to do great things and to set high expectations for ourselves. We are honors kids, so we should have a better work ethic than what we do now. I'm very excited to see what our next class setup will be. Although groups worked, there was sometimes a lack of focus. I think that even though we may not like it at times we need to buckle down and show respect. You are a great teacher and you don't get the recognition you deserve! Keep up the good work!
AEB-1st hr.
Once again i must stress the fact that my class is the beginning of the day and it is often difficult, even for me, to get on task in a short time. I would also like to comment on the reading ability of the class. I dont encourage segregation of he class by reading abilities, however, it would be nice to have the option to continue with a reading material for the class as possibly an extra credit assignment. I know you have stressed the fact that we may still continue the book outside of class but that lacks motivation. If it were an assignment, even extra credit it would give students the want, or need, to finish, or at least continue the book. XP1st
ReplyDeleteMr Kimble,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the work ethic in class is not good. I like the fact that you are relating to the students but at the same time i think that some of the students dont think that they have to be respectful in the classroom. I see this happening not just to you but to other students as well. I think that the class is going very well and im really enjoying the groups. I like that we did 3 different things but not too much all at one time. The new way of teaching is really good and i think that more of the students are excited to go to english class. I know i am...im not an english person but it has been fun but educational. I hope next semester is the same.
JT 1st
I have noticed that you've been struggling with adjusting to 10 less minutes to teach. And it doesn't help that the kids are always ready to leave 10 minutes before that. It will get better in time, like most things do.
ReplyDeleteAnd to J.A.B.... Many things in life have to do with the skills that he is teaching us. Sure, the things aren't ABOUT the Iliad or Odyssey, but if you've been paying any attention at all in his class, what he teaches is skill-based. He gives you the skills that you can use all throughout your life to learn on your own, and comprehend on your own. He's trying to teach you how to understand things WITHOUT them having to be explained by somebody else. Mr. Kimble has to be one of my favorite teachers because of his attitude and his teaching style, and hopefully you'll see that too.
lad-3rd hour.
Although I was not really a huge fan of a lot of the stuff we have read, I enjoy the pace at which its been taken. It gives the class as a whole time to actually take the text, read it, and comprehend it. Much different than last year *cough* Also I have a request. No more twilight references. Please?
ReplyDeletetjc1
Mr. Kimble i think that the way you teach is unique. It has helped me out a lot because you explain things so well. Also I think that in order to do well in school you need to have a teacher that that explains things in a way that high school students will understand.
ReplyDeleteMr. Kimble,
ReplyDeleteYour teaching style works just fine with me and amost everyone else that is ready to go to college and/or get a job out in the real world where we want to live and have a good life. We will need everyone of the aspects of teaching that you bring to the class room. Not only the academic stuff, but also the life lessons that we learn in our " seven habits to being a highly efective person." I wish more teachers would go over what and why the world should expect something from each of us to contribute to the world. Thank you fjor a wonderful semester of teaching us that we all have a place in this world. Also, there is one thing I would like to change about the acedemic and grading stuff, I hope the final is easy!
c.t.r. 3rd
wow! i 100% agree with lad. though we are studying things like the iliad that have very little to do with today's society, we are also learning how to take different, insignificant info and turn it into something that does help us in everyday life. thats the whole idea..
ReplyDeletewith the ten minute issue..that one is hard to handle. i think that an extra ten minutes in your class would be great!
lh 3rd.
Mr. Kimble
ReplyDeleteI do agree that we need to focus a little bit more on our skills as a writer, reader, and overall good english student that pays attenition in class. I would also like to follow KW's lead and apologize to the class. I do disrupt the class and I need to stay focused more on english and not be more proffesional in the school setting of class. I will try my hardest to keep my mouth shut. I do like though that you let us talk and discuss matters with oneanther, even if they are not school related.
The reference you made to Twilight was also a good move on you part to connect something that pretty much everone knows about so we can apply it to our own life.
Thank you for teaching us and have a Merry Christmas everyone!
C.T.R. 3rd
Mr Kimble,i understand we can be a pain in class when it comes to teaching, Ms Swan, me, everyone. If it wasn't for you though we wouldn't be learning as much as we are. I personally think your teaching habits are great and really help in tough times. Sometimes it is hard to endure us for long periods of time, but it's just how we are. Keep trying and you'll get better.
ReplyDeleteDevon 3rd hr
Howdy. So....endurance, powerful word. So is that little comparison of Bella jumping off the cliff...but wouldn't it be better to compare this situation to Harry Potter's struggle to trust his friends and the internal turmoild he goes through to do the best for others, anyways...You are a great teacher, I like your methods, we just need a forcefull hand. You are doing your job teaching us and now we need to do ours by paying attention and letting you. Now, one student can ruin the learning process of all the others in the classroom and they need to be silence, and you have been doing that and I'm glad. This year I feel like I'm actually learning the subject of English, not how to answers question from a well-known book. I also like the way you are teaching us to do essays and such, well....I've said my peace.
ReplyDeleteJ.A.B. 3rd Hour ya'll
Love the twilight reference!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job Mr. Kimble. It is unfortunate that I can't seem to find my daughter's comments. Today after school she went to a friends house to comment, it took her 3 hours. Oh the things that make you go Hmmm -AMom
ReplyDeleteGreat job Mr. Kimble. It is unfortunate that I can't seem to find my daughter's comments. Today after school she went to a friends house to comment, it took her 3 hours. Oh the things that make you go Hmmm -AMom
ReplyDeleteTo AMom,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, THANK YOU for posisting on the blog. You are more than welcome to add your comments at any time.
Your daughter's comments, along with everyone's, have to be approved by me before they are posted for the world to see. For obvious reasons.
Mr. Kimble
For those of you who read the blog but do not comment because you are either a parent, teacher, or a student of another teacher, please do not let those things stop you from participating in these conversations. Everyone is welcome to have good academic dialogue . . . . .
I know what your talking about when you said the students are gathering their stuff and your thinking something like "wait we still have more things to cover" I have noticed it sense the beginning of the year that you will be in the middle of talking or something like that and the bell would ring.... I can't say that i wish that we had longer classes because honestly i don't ... but i do know where you are coming from.... I also know that you have seen our classes "Mediocer(don't know how to spell) behavior ... Like how you get frustrated when our class keeps talking and talking and TALKIING.... I find it annoying sometimes too..... I think that you should probably talk to our class (1st hour) about that little problem next semester.. like starting out fresh or something like that. =P
ReplyDeleteI would love to have more books, i think that it would help students immensely if we could take books home and re-read or just read on our own time. In my opinion I would let you have all the time in the world to grade our papers and get them back to us. patience is a virtue and id rather have the papers and lists graded slowy and correctly than incorrectly just so we could have them back on time. you have your own life outside of school, as do we. i think some students tend to forget that the administrators dont lock teachers up in the school at night. :)
ReplyDeleteAJS1
Mr.Kimble
ReplyDeleteI agree with every word you said. I have seen good behavior and as you said mediocre behavior in the classroom. I think alot of this mediocre behavior is due to the fact that our class is huge and we have some of the most sociable students in the school in our class. I also think that lack of resources cause us to lose vaulable time, not only because everyone has to get up and get their books,but it also causes more people to talk. This in turn makes you have to calm us down. We all could make improvements to minimize the time spent doing these things. I also would like to point out that you are one of the only teachers that will critize students and will allow students to critize you. This helps both the student and the teacher to find their flaws.
ARB 7th hour