Is it December yet?
Geez. It's been awhile. I hope some of you are actually still checking in. If not, Hi Mom...you may be the only one reading.
It has been two weeks since I last posted something - and honestly, it feels more like a month!
I suppose everyone is at least curious about how my first official day of teaching went...and I will sum it up for you in one word (but, of course, I will then elaborate)
exhausting.
On August 28th I got to school at 7:15 am. My first class was to be 4th graders and I wasn't expecting them until 8:15 am. I had two 8th grade boys help me set the tables up and then for 15 minutes I scooted them all over my "room" to try to find the best place for them. Your class environment is very important when teaching a class. I opted for the large "U" shape and regretted it all day long. However, I can't really figure out a better solution. I can't help but laugh when I am sitting in my education classes and my professor will spend 30 minutes lecturing how important the classroom is to learning. It should be well ventilated, well lit, conducive to learning, aesthetically pleasing and a place the kids look forward to spending time in. I have a section of the cafeteria roped off and I share it with two other teachers. The most aesthetically pleasing part of my room is the smell of lunch being prepared. In some ways my "room" adds to the pressure of being a good teacher. My lessons and myself have to be the reason they look forward to coming down to the cafeteria once a week, not the room.
The morning classes went great. The 4th graders were a small class and eager to get to know me. The 5th graders were chatty and rolled their eyes a few times, but all in all they were great too. The 6th graders must have been just fine because honestly, I can not remember a single one of them. Then there was 7th grade. *sigh* I actually had one 7th grader look at me half way through class and say, "You're tired of us aren't you?"
The 7th graders were a real challenge for me and I am not really even sure why - other than the fact that they are 7th graders. The 8th grade, however, is a very small class...only 8. They are eager to share their talents and even liked the idea of learning how to conduct formal art critiques with their work (a little something I thought I might try.) I never really thought I would like to teach middle or high school kids - but I find the 8th graders to be endearing and receptive to me. This gives me some hope that someday I might be able to handle the big kids.
Lunch was great. I waited in line with the children to get my tray, but when the cafeteria ladies handed me my tray I noticed that my sandwich was a little bigger. Also, I was allowed to take my dessert with me to the table, instead of wait until I could show that I had successfully eaten all of my lunch. I know it's silly, but it made me feel important. A couple of the third graders really wanted me to sit with them at their table, but I secretly felt the need to sit at the teachers table. It was probably best that I did because the kids have to sit quietly and eat when the lights are turned down, which they were for most of lunch. I was never able to sit quietly during lunch when I was in elementary school, so I didn't really see why it would be any different now. I sat with the other teachers and kind of felt like one of them.....but......at the same time I felt a little like an imposter. As a teacher, developmentally, I am closer to their age anyway.
Oh, and there is nothing better than ice cold, chocolate milk in a carton.
After lunch I have 3rd, 2nd, 1st and Kindergarten classes in that order. I end my day with the kids who have the most energy of all. Their enthusiasm is very high and mine is nearing depletion. I felt that at the end of the day all I had said, all day, was "we are working quietly now."
So...all in all, it was a first day. I am glad it is over and I certainly have a better insight on how to plan for them, but, I still feel a bit unprepared and anxious about the rest of the year. We will see how I am doing in December.
It has been two weeks since I last posted something - and honestly, it feels more like a month!
I suppose everyone is at least curious about how my first official day of teaching went...and I will sum it up for you in one word (but, of course, I will then elaborate)
exhausting.
On August 28th I got to school at 7:15 am. My first class was to be 4th graders and I wasn't expecting them until 8:15 am. I had two 8th grade boys help me set the tables up and then for 15 minutes I scooted them all over my "room" to try to find the best place for them. Your class environment is very important when teaching a class. I opted for the large "U" shape and regretted it all day long. However, I can't really figure out a better solution. I can't help but laugh when I am sitting in my education classes and my professor will spend 30 minutes lecturing how important the classroom is to learning. It should be well ventilated, well lit, conducive to learning, aesthetically pleasing and a place the kids look forward to spending time in. I have a section of the cafeteria roped off and I share it with two other teachers. The most aesthetically pleasing part of my room is the smell of lunch being prepared. In some ways my "room" adds to the pressure of being a good teacher. My lessons and myself have to be the reason they look forward to coming down to the cafeteria once a week, not the room.
The morning classes went great. The 4th graders were a small class and eager to get to know me. The 5th graders were chatty and rolled their eyes a few times, but all in all they were great too. The 6th graders must have been just fine because honestly, I can not remember a single one of them. Then there was 7th grade. *sigh* I actually had one 7th grader look at me half way through class and say, "You're tired of us aren't you?"
The 7th graders were a real challenge for me and I am not really even sure why - other than the fact that they are 7th graders. The 8th grade, however, is a very small class...only 8. They are eager to share their talents and even liked the idea of learning how to conduct formal art critiques with their work (a little something I thought I might try.) I never really thought I would like to teach middle or high school kids - but I find the 8th graders to be endearing and receptive to me. This gives me some hope that someday I might be able to handle the big kids.
Lunch was great. I waited in line with the children to get my tray, but when the cafeteria ladies handed me my tray I noticed that my sandwich was a little bigger. Also, I was allowed to take my dessert with me to the table, instead of wait until I could show that I had successfully eaten all of my lunch. I know it's silly, but it made me feel important. A couple of the third graders really wanted me to sit with them at their table, but I secretly felt the need to sit at the teachers table. It was probably best that I did because the kids have to sit quietly and eat when the lights are turned down, which they were for most of lunch. I was never able to sit quietly during lunch when I was in elementary school, so I didn't really see why it would be any different now. I sat with the other teachers and kind of felt like one of them.....but......at the same time I felt a little like an imposter. As a teacher, developmentally, I am closer to their age anyway.
Oh, and there is nothing better than ice cold, chocolate milk in a carton.
After lunch I have 3rd, 2nd, 1st and Kindergarten classes in that order. I end my day with the kids who have the most energy of all. Their enthusiasm is very high and mine is nearing depletion. I felt that at the end of the day all I had said, all day, was "we are working quietly now."
So...all in all, it was a first day. I am glad it is over and I certainly have a better insight on how to plan for them, but, I still feel a bit unprepared and anxious about the rest of the year. We will see how I am doing in December.
Comments
Susan and I looked for a sweatshirt pattern but didn't find any we were wild about, so we've decided to design our own. We had fun though, lunch at Earl's on N. Western and dessert at Krispy Kreme's.
I have inherited a new pair of tennis shoes that someone thoughtfully left under my coffee table.
It is so nice here. Everything is so green! The grass is so plush (Note to self, don't let Irish Green put anymore fertilizer on). The way it's going I'll be mowing until December!
The babies miss you and Robbie. We enjoyed your visit, I confess however after you left Dad and I napped for hours! It was perfect rainy, napping weather.
Each week you will gain more confidence in what you do. You will keep the things taught to you in school that work and discard what doesn't. I have never liked working with children above 4th grade personally. This is such a good opportunity for you to find out what you enjoy doing before commiting to it everyday for an entire school year. One thing I've noticed that you have already learned is to be proactive instead of reactive. You'll do great! Love, Mom
I'm glad to hear your first day went well for the most part. It all sounds incredibly tiring. I know you have a knack for being creative and organzied. You'll keep those kids in line and they'll probably all love you.
I'm really excited to see you guys. I hope you will have plenty of time for hang out.
Take care.