WOW. Some things I experience at school I cannot put into words and it has nothing to do with the kids. Grownups. I am not made of time to do silly little things like take batteries in and out of walkie talkies every day. Are you serious? I have 24 5 year olds and no time to turn my back on them to do this, especially when new batteries have been tried and they still didn’t work. To me, it sounds like it is time to break the piggy bank and invest in something that is not cRaZy.
Some of my kids were a little bonkers today. Apparently, it is okay to hit people. Didn’t you know?! I had 4 hitting episodes today with 4 different kids. Two of them were quite unexpected. The others? Not so much. All that lead to phone calls home and it is only the 7th day!
Tonight I pray for patience with kids and grownups. I will be praying for my kids to magically mature over night, learn from their mistakes and guide them into making better choices. I also pray that they do not show up in my dreams. I do not care for dreaming about work. (Go ahead and add that to the list…)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Kindergarten- Day 5 and 6
Day 5- My second new one showed up. One would think at the end of your first day of school, you wouldn't be sitting at your seat going, "Wah. Wah. Wah." Then being asked to stop. Then doing it again. Who knows. We can also add "not listening" to the I don't care for list.
Day 6- I made it through a whole week!!!! Unfortunately, I had three criers Friday morning! In my head, I thought, “Why are you crying? It’s FRIDAY! I could understand a Monday, but Friday? Come on!” It was 2 girls and a boy. I had to peel the boy off of his mom and walk away with him. I thought, “Okay, this isn’t too bad. He’ll calm down soon.” Then I get down to my room and find the other two! When we made it to the room I took my boy and sat down with one of the others. Soon he wanted up and just went to his seat, put his head down and continued crying. Next thing I know, I see a little pill of a student go over, pull up a chair and sit down next to him. Then he started patting his back and trying to console him. It was very sweet and quite unexpected from this child. I made sure to praise him for being such a great friend and tell him how proud I was of him. Then other kids saw that attention and started helping out with the other criers. Never mind the students that plugged their ears because they didn’t want to hear the crying. I did tell them that was not polite and to stop. On my To Do list, is “Make a To Do list for each day.” One of those things is “Send the snack bag home with the next student.” Well, I have failed at that twice now. The first time the child still brought it. We will find out if I am ever so lucky again tomorrow.
Rest time is still one of my least favorite times of the day. It does not matter to me if you don’t want to go to sleep; you will lay there quietly until it is time to get up. Sorry. Those are my rules and I am sticking to them this early in the year. You need a time to relax and no you may not go play in the restroom. No one is leaving the room. End of discussion.
In church this morning, we briefly looked at the 10 commandments. I noticed the one about not working on the Sabbath; starting over in a new grade means that this commandment does not pertain to me. I am off to school to get ready for the week. While I am there, I will probably say a little prayer for my friends for the week and pray that they quit showing up in my dreams. I hate when I work all day, go home to sleep to only find myself still in the classroom. It’s like I never get away from school.
Day 6- I made it through a whole week!!!! Unfortunately, I had three criers Friday morning! In my head, I thought, “Why are you crying? It’s FRIDAY! I could understand a Monday, but Friday? Come on!” It was 2 girls and a boy. I had to peel the boy off of his mom and walk away with him. I thought, “Okay, this isn’t too bad. He’ll calm down soon.” Then I get down to my room and find the other two! When we made it to the room I took my boy and sat down with one of the others. Soon he wanted up and just went to his seat, put his head down and continued crying. Next thing I know, I see a little pill of a student go over, pull up a chair and sit down next to him. Then he started patting his back and trying to console him. It was very sweet and quite unexpected from this child. I made sure to praise him for being such a great friend and tell him how proud I was of him. Then other kids saw that attention and started helping out with the other criers. Never mind the students that plugged their ears because they didn’t want to hear the crying. I did tell them that was not polite and to stop. On my To Do list, is “Make a To Do list for each day.” One of those things is “Send the snack bag home with the next student.” Well, I have failed at that twice now. The first time the child still brought it. We will find out if I am ever so lucky again tomorrow.
Rest time is still one of my least favorite times of the day. It does not matter to me if you don’t want to go to sleep; you will lay there quietly until it is time to get up. Sorry. Those are my rules and I am sticking to them this early in the year. You need a time to relax and no you may not go play in the restroom. No one is leaving the room. End of discussion.
In church this morning, we briefly looked at the 10 commandments. I noticed the one about not working on the Sabbath; starting over in a new grade means that this commandment does not pertain to me. I am off to school to get ready for the week. While I am there, I will probably say a little prayer for my friends for the week and pray that they quit showing up in my dreams. I hate when I work all day, go home to sleep to only find myself still in the classroom. It’s like I never get away from school.
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Kindergarten- Day 4
Only one of my new ones showed up today. He seems very sweet so I lucked out on that! Another one moved schools, already. All of that leaves me with 23 on my roll which means I will get any other new kids.
There were 6 'resters' that rested well after our "brain break" was over. Kindergartners are like sleeping babies... you don't wake them.
I feel exhausted after a day with my little babies. I use babies as an endearing, yet true, term. They are just so much more needy than my second graders ever were. Tonight I will again pray for patience and more patience as we continue to learn the ropes of kindergarten together.
There were 6 'resters' that rested well after our "brain break" was over. Kindergartners are like sleeping babies... you don't wake them.
I feel exhausted after a day with my little babies. I use babies as an endearing, yet true, term. They are just so much more needy than my second graders ever were. Tonight I will again pray for patience and more patience as we continue to learn the ropes of kindergarten together.
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Kindergarten- Day 3
OH MY GOODNESS! Tomorrow I will get two new students which will take me up to 25 4 and 5 year olds!!!! I just have to trust that God knows what He is doing because at points throughout the day, I feel like I have absolutely no idea.
I can tell I am slowly wearing down because that is all I have for today. After 25 tomorrow, it might ever be shorter!
I can tell I am slowly wearing down because that is all I have for today. After 25 tomorrow, it might ever be shorter!
Monday, August 23, 2010
Kindergarten- Day 2
I made it through another day!
Add: I do not care for restless "brain break" time to the list. While we're adding, put whining and tattling on there too! Oh, I already mentioned those? Well, I still don't care for them.
The day went pretty well. In the morning, the kids were pretty calm and did well with following procedures. They actually eat lunch without much drama. I would say it is a rather quiet area of the cafegymatorium.
Kindergarten story for the day:
At the end of the day, while I am working on getting their Eagle Folders ready to go home, I had tattlers telling me that kids were licking the bottom of their shoe! GROSS! I look over and sure enough. So, I procede to tell the whole class how disgusting that is. They could have stepped on dog poop and then they just licked it! EW! One child responds with: "I don't wear these shoes outside." I gently remind him that "You wore those sneakers on the playground at recess!" Not until it was brought to my attention later by a co-worker but he also... went into the bathroom, twice! SICK NASTY!
Add: I do not care for restless "brain break" time to the list. While we're adding, put whining and tattling on there too! Oh, I already mentioned those? Well, I still don't care for them.
The day went pretty well. In the morning, the kids were pretty calm and did well with following procedures. They actually eat lunch without much drama. I would say it is a rather quiet area of the cafegymatorium.
Kindergarten story for the day:
At the end of the day, while I am working on getting their Eagle Folders ready to go home, I had tattlers telling me that kids were licking the bottom of their shoe! GROSS! I look over and sure enough. So, I procede to tell the whole class how disgusting that is. They could have stepped on dog poop and then they just licked it! EW! One child responds with: "I don't wear these shoes outside." I gently remind him that "You wore those sneakers on the playground at recess!" Not until it was brought to my attention later by a co-worker but he also... went into the bathroom, twice! SICK NASTY!
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Kindergarten- Day 1
I SURVIVED!
I am not so sure that I am cut out to be a kindergarten teacher. While they are cute, I do not handle whining too well. Yes, you got a blister from the monkey bars. I have told you eight times to get a wet paper towel. There isn't much more I can do for your sore hand so you can stop whining about it.
{I come from teaching four years of second grade. I did not choose to move to kindergarten. While I may seem irritated, I think I will probably grow to love kindergarten.}
On a positive note, I received these from my loving Hubby, who forgot to sign Tobie's name. They were probably all her idea that he wanted the credit for. :)
To give him the credit he deserves, he has been very supportive through this transition. As much as he hates coming to school to help me, he has already put in two late nights. He also hasn't complained about the 15 or so late nights I put in before school even started. I am a very lucky girl to have him! I thank God every day for him and for the parents that raised him to be so loving.
I know I am complaining A LOT about this and would be complaining a whole lot more without the great friends at my school who have kept me going. I would have started the school year with a cluttered, empty classroom without their help and support. I am truly blessed to have great co-workers that I can also call friends!!!
There were two funny parts of my day.
1) While reading a story, a little boy (boy 1) farted. The boy next to him (boy 2) clearly points out that his neighbor farted and everyone started making a big deal about it. I explained that everyone farts and you just say excuse me and go on. Well, boys are.... boys and that did not settle it. So, I say, "Excuse me, that was me." They all looked at me so I said, "Everyone farts. Excuse me." and kept reading. Boy 2 looks at boy 1 and says, "Did you fart?" Boy 2 said, "No." And the farting mystery was solved.
***I learned this little trick from another teacher. If I claim it, they don't make a big deal out of it, so, excuse me. ;) ***
2) Shortly after the fart incident, I was explaining to the children what they would do for their 'assignment.' The paper says, This is _____. I wanted the children to write their name on the line and then draw a picture of themself. So I get my paper and am showing them. "Here's where I write my name and now I will draw my picture." I draw a circle and ask, "What does that look like?" Kids: "It's your head!" Me: "That's right! And what color should I make my hair?" Kids: "White!" "Brown!" "Yellow!" "Gray!" At that point, I say, "Brown is right!" while thinking 'That kid may be onto something. By June 3rd, 2011, my hair just MIGHT BE GRAY!'
I am not so sure that I am cut out to be a kindergarten teacher. While they are cute, I do not handle whining too well. Yes, you got a blister from the monkey bars. I have told you eight times to get a wet paper towel. There isn't much more I can do for your sore hand so you can stop whining about it.
{I come from teaching four years of second grade. I did not choose to move to kindergarten. While I may seem irritated, I think I will probably grow to love kindergarten.}
On a positive note, I received these from my loving Hubby, who forgot to sign Tobie's name. They were probably all her idea that he wanted the credit for. :)
To give him the credit he deserves, he has been very supportive through this transition. As much as he hates coming to school to help me, he has already put in two late nights. He also hasn't complained about the 15 or so late nights I put in before school even started. I am a very lucky girl to have him! I thank God every day for him and for the parents that raised him to be so loving.
I know I am complaining A LOT about this and would be complaining a whole lot more without the great friends at my school who have kept me going. I would have started the school year with a cluttered, empty classroom without their help and support. I am truly blessed to have great co-workers that I can also call friends!!!
There were two funny parts of my day.
1) While reading a story, a little boy (boy 1) farted. The boy next to him (boy 2) clearly points out that his neighbor farted and everyone started making a big deal about it. I explained that everyone farts and you just say excuse me and go on. Well, boys are.... boys and that did not settle it. So, I say, "Excuse me, that was me." They all looked at me so I said, "Everyone farts. Excuse me." and kept reading. Boy 2 looks at boy 1 and says, "Did you fart?" Boy 2 said, "No." And the farting mystery was solved.
***I learned this little trick from another teacher. If I claim it, they don't make a big deal out of it, so, excuse me. ;) ***
2) Shortly after the fart incident, I was explaining to the children what they would do for their 'assignment.' The paper says, This is _____. I wanted the children to write their name on the line and then draw a picture of themself. So I get my paper and am showing them. "Here's where I write my name and now I will draw my picture." I draw a circle and ask, "What does that look like?" Kids: "It's your head!" Me: "That's right! And what color should I make my hair?" Kids: "White!" "Brown!" "Yellow!" "Gray!" At that point, I say, "Brown is right!" while thinking 'That kid may be onto something. By June 3rd, 2011, my hair just MIGHT BE GRAY!'
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