Yes I know my title is somewhat contradictory, but I had too much else that had to be done this morning in order to draft one of my periodic reflections upon what it means to be a teacher, so I offer it to those who might be interested as the sky around me has turned almost completely dark.
I have now had my students since Wednesday August 27, a total of 17 class days. But since we are on an A Day / B Day schedule, I have had class with my A Day students 9 times, my B day students 8 times. A day students are almost all 9th graders, either in Gifted & Talented Government or AP US Government & Politics. B Day kids all 12th graders in AP Econ.
When in their sits I can now call more than 90% of them by their correct names, and the ones I can't is because they rarely volunteer in class, so I may have to look at my seating chart, call on them, and thus get them involved and me learning their names.
I can recognize them all in the hallway, even the quiet ones, and can now call about half of them by name outside of class.
It is a start.
It is important.
Students want to feel that I am making an effort to get to know them.
But that is the easy part.
Follow me beyond the fold as I explain.