Worst Picture Day EVER

Everybody has one. The morning you forget it's picture day until you see it on the marquee when you drive up. For me, it was Tuesday. Normally, it wouldn't be too big of deal because I shower everyday and usually wear my hair anyway but this Tuesday? No, this Tuesday it was my DIBELS testing day so I wearing jeans and t-shirt and had my hair pulled half-back. Welcome to my picture ID from my worst nightmare. You know what I found to wear? A hand-me-down sweater that had been sitting in my van for a month. WORST PICTURE DAY EVER.

The Power of a Compliment

Remember last when a boy incredulously asked me if I was wearing "man shoes!?!" Well, I wore the same pair of shoes today and was very nicely complimented on them by a sweet terror of a child. He then casually asked me if I liked his new shirt. I responded that I thought it was in fact very nice. He then proceeded to listen and have a particularly awesome day which in turn gave me a great day. Maybe I'll compliment his shoes tomorrow. ; )

Wednesdays

Last year Wednesdays weren't very good. In fact, they were my least favorite day of the week. This year, I don't think my kids have picked a day to drive me crazy yet. It seems to fluctuate. Monday was good. Tuesday was bad. Wednesday was so-so. I can say for sure that I am beginning to see progress though. It's been baby steps and 3 part directions are still too much for about 8 of them but slowly but surely we seem to be making headway. You know how I know that? Because today, I was only asked 3 times instead of 25 about when it would be time for lunch. Trust me, this is HUGE progress. The day no one asks me if it's lunch time before 11 o'clock will be the day I know we've finally arrived and are ready for the serious stuff. Serious stuff like 4 step directions. Watch out for that day friends. It's going to be a doozy!

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!

I forgot . . .

how much patience the first 3 weeks actually take.

how tired I am if I don't go to bed at 10.

how much I hate waking up to an alarm.

how much blowing drying my hair annoys me.

how tiring each and every day actually is.

how a change in schedule makes me feel crazy.

how much time it takes to plan, copy, and prep for each week.

how fast lunch time goes.

how fast plan time goes.

how many times I have to repeat myself.

how long it takes to learn how to walk in a line.

how much I love to go to bed at night.

how fast my van guzzles gas.

how funny kids are.

how everything is a BIG DEAL (when you're 5 anyway).

how even the most boring things can be made exciting with a song and lots of energy.

how much I LOVE my job.

Year Two: Day 1

And this is what it looks like today!

You'll notice I'm still missing some ceiling tiles and my Smartboard. Ceiling tiles are supposed to go in this week but the Smartboard doesn't have a timeline. Of course I'm optimistic for this week but not holding my breath.

The first day flew by as usual with more than the usual chaos with parents wanting to meet the teacher and walk their kids down to the rooms, students having to bring all their supplies, and no chance to ask parents how the kids were to go home. I didn't lose anyone . . . yet. They all showed up 21 strong and nobody cried for more than a minute. The ones I had heard about being ornery weren't but that definitely doesn't mean there aren't going to be a few. By a few, I mean five year old boys being five year old boys. Plus one little girl who has mastered selective hearing. A few challenges for sure but nothing yet that looks uncorrectable. I also came home to a great package with some very exciting news from a friend so I would classify it was a super star day.

I can already tell there will be quite a few funny stories from one kid in particular who has a flair for the dramatic. After being pushed out of a turn on the tire swing he loudly declared that it was "the worst day of kindergarten ever!!" We got it all sorted out but I'm sure there will be quite a few more stories to come from this chatty little man. I also asked him if he liked to talk and he said "why yes, I do. I do like to talk a lot." At least he's honest. : )

Softball is currently 4-4 with our first regional game tomorrow (Wednesday). We will be very evenly matched with the team we are playing so it should be at least a good game. I'm glad I did it but now that school has started I'll be glad when it's over. I think that about updates everyone on the latest for me. Stay tuned to see what Mr. Talkative will say next!

Look Familiar??

This is from one week ago tomorrow. It's a lot like last year's first blog photos except that there is a lot more stuff. I like that part.