Day 8

Last year, I distinctly remember there being a nice honeymoon period. It lasted about a month and was basically just everyone being so shell shocked and overwhelmed that they listened and followed directions without too much of a hassle. Year 2 has not had such a graceful period. I don't even think I had one day of overwhelmed quiet, listeners. Well, MAYBE a half day.

My class is also a lot different from last years. There are going to be about 3 that take all my energy to keep on task and working with me instead of against me. Kids who don't respect authority and think life is about doing whatever they want to heck with the consequences. The principal has already given a stern "Who's in charge speech" to 3 of my kids. It worked for one. The other two thought about it and then forgot or decided they didn't care. I've decided that for at least one of them it's going to be all about the relationship that I can build with her. Tuesday was awful. Wednesday was good. Today was in between. We talk. We listen. We work on it. It's about all I can do. It's the baby steps that make my day.

I want to add that starting late has put us in a bit of an interesting spot. Because on one hand, it's only day 8. On day 8, it's usually okay that we're still working on behaviors, relationships, expectations, and management. It's groundwork. It's vitally important to the success for the rest of year. But on the other hand, it's already September 16! We have our first academic deadline less than 2 weeks! We are being pushed to pick up the pace and begin academics because it feels late. It feels like we're behind. It's strange and hard to balance as a teacher. How much do I jump in and pick up the pace and how much do I wait until we have a better handle on things?

In bullet point news:
-They finished my ceiling! It looks great.
-They didn't finish the tile. Or the paint
-I have called almost all my parents to say "Hi" and no one yelled at me. SUCCESS.
-I have a Smartboard projector!
-I don't have a Smartboard.
-Did I say yet that we finished the softball season 4-5?
-I learned how much I was getting paid for coaching. I don't have anything to compare it to but I am thinking it's pretty sweet. Especially since it's just a 6 week season. Totally worth it since it way more than covers the gas.
-Illini won the first home football game!