Reflection

My thoughts after my first day at school was "How things had changed". I was teaching in a classroom nine years prior at all levels. Students have definitely changed. I had taught students from Kyneton before.
What had changed? First observations of the year 9 class were:

• short concentration spans,
• irritation when information wasn't getting through to the student quick enough,
• impatience regarding getting on with the making/creating - they already new how to do something before you presented them to how to do it
• lack of understanding of anything to do with art and making
• the girls were more attentive and able to follow the topic and have a quicker outcome
• the boys questioned the idea and the content of the topic and criticized its worth
• the art room was a pit stop only not a place to respect and care for, including the work around the room
• the disrespect for the teacher and anyone else who was in the room.
• the student didn't car if they were going to fail as it wasn't important
• many students in particular boys could sit still in the room for more that 5 minutes
• deliberate sabotage of the lesson

I couldn't comment on whether this behaviour was in all classes on the day. The year 8 class was different however David had a firm hand over the boys before they entered the room and a very strong consequences procedure that they all understood. I felt they respected him for it.

Many of the students use the ipods and at year 9 level they are constantly being asked to remove them. I felt the students in year 9 were distracted by so many things that a teacher talking to them made them irritated and cranky