The past few days have been challenging, but also transformative. I began the year very concerned with replicating the management that I had last year -- my mindset was focused on re-creating. It has taken me two weeks to really acknowledge and accept that this year, and every new year, is completely different. With some students, like N, I realized that my "toolkit" of teacher tricks is actually only one year old. I have had to admit that I do not always know what I am doing. I've experienced a lot of humility.
Things are beginning to get better. Of course there are good days and bad days, but overall I see improvement. My staff, especially the special ed teacher, has been very supportive. She came in to observe N and said that she had seen an 80% improvement. I don't know if that's fair to say, but I am glad to hear that it is getting better. And, fortunately for both N and me, the other special ed student was placed in a different class. I finally feel energized and excited about really helping N grow this year.
Quote of the day:
"N, I see you using green. What are you drawing? What's your favorite food?"
"Laser Pancakes."
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Sunday, August 26, 2012
grants
In an effort to find someone who will pay for me to go to the NAEYC national conference, I came across Pets in the Classroom.
You can apply for grants to help you purchase and maintain small mammals, fish, or reptiles in a preK-8. I can't find an application deadline so I figure it must be rolling. Definitely worth checking out!
You can apply for grants to help you purchase and maintain small mammals, fish, or reptiles in a preK-8. I can't find an application deadline so I figure it must be rolling. Definitely worth checking out!
Friday, August 24, 2012
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
day 3
I am physically and mentally spent. Today was a hard day -- I was tired, kids were anxious to go home, and overall morale was low.
Then, I found out who my new kids are. One has special needs. I don't know the extent of her needs yet, but I do know that she has a hard time staying quiet and she can't count above 2. The other is an infamous child. The younger half of a dynamic sibling duo. I think that she will be ok, once I get her roped in, but I'm not happy about starting three days late with her.
Because of the shuffling, two great kids were taken from my class in exchange for three very challenging children.
In addition, N continues to exhaust me. He's not defiant, but his body will not allow him to stay still for more than 10-30 seconds. He's constantly touching, rubbing, and laying on everything in the room. I literally have no idea what to do with him.
I hate days like this. I have no energy to write my lesson plans for next week, which are due tonight.
Then, I found out who my new kids are. One has special needs. I don't know the extent of her needs yet, but I do know that she has a hard time staying quiet and she can't count above 2. The other is an infamous child. The younger half of a dynamic sibling duo. I think that she will be ok, once I get her roped in, but I'm not happy about starting three days late with her.
Because of the shuffling, two great kids were taken from my class in exchange for three very challenging children.
In addition, N continues to exhaust me. He's not defiant, but his body will not allow him to stay still for more than 10-30 seconds. He's constantly touching, rubbing, and laying on everything in the room. I literally have no idea what to do with him.
I hate days like this. I have no energy to write my lesson plans for next week, which are due tonight.
merit badge
A friend of mine devised a system to help her feel better about all the things that are completely out of her control as a teacher: The Merit Badge. Every time something ridiculous happens, we call it a merit badge. No class list on the first day? Merit Badge. Child throws a book at your face? Merit Badge.
They are shuffling the children in Kindergarten around. I could tell you exactly why they are doing that on the third day of school, but instead I'll just say Merit Badge.
If they take D, my rainbow loving child, I might actually have a serious problem.
They are shuffling the children in Kindergarten around. I could tell you exactly why they are doing that on the third day of school, but instead I'll just say Merit Badge.
If they take D, my rainbow loving child, I might actually have a serious problem.
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
class size
Our district decided that we needed to house more kids in our kindergarten classrooms. We're all up to 24. I have one aid in my classroom once a week for two hours.
Not that I can't do it, and not that I'm not excited about the opportunity to have another child in my class, but really? These adults are just greedy for the funding that a child brings in. It's a very good idea to put 24 children in a classroom alone with an adult for almost 8 hours straight per day, said no one ever.
Not that I can't do it, and not that I'm not excited about the opportunity to have another child in my class, but really? These adults are just greedy for the funding that a child brings in. It's a very good idea to put 24 children in a classroom alone with an adult for almost 8 hours straight per day, said no one ever.
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