The new year has begun. With one class of gifted students (At least they claim to be gifted) and 3 classes of regular kids, I am really going full force. As usual, there are the few kids that really get under my skin.

One kid has already earned a nickname (Ivan the Terrible) from his core teachers. He is allowed to ask only 3 questions in class, and has cards to hold up for each question. His latest trick is to raise his hand and start "It's not a question; it's a statement" He is dominating the class, and other kids are not happy with it. I try to ignore his hand after he has used his three cards, but of course, he then blurts out . . .

Then there are the kids that really don't have a clue. I have one girl who forgot how to spell her own name during a review game. (These are 8th grade students). Another simply replies "I don't know" every time she is called on; there is no effort at all. Then there is the lack of homework. After only 9 days of school, there have been 5 homework grades. Some kids have 5 zeroes already. These zeroes don't seem to faze the kids. As a result, I have given TWO quizzes already. Each problem came from their homework. Of course, the same kids are doing the same thing in their other classes . . . .

It's looking like it is going to be a long year . . . . . ..