First Week of School

Well, I really don't know what to say about my first week of school. It has been an education--how's that for irony?

I don't know if it was because we started so early or what, but my kids are quite the little chatterboxes. They are great though and are really growing on me even after only four days. I didn't know if I was going to like second grade, but now that I'm here I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it. The kids are not as independent as I'd like, but what they lack in that department, they make up for in personality. I do have to say though that my enthusiasm is waning from my lack of sleep and 18 hour days!!! I just can't seem to catch up. I love the kids, even as hard as they are to manage 24 at a time. Right now I really just feel like I'm in a dozen different places at once. There is just so much to remember and do and know and . . . . My brain can't take much more. Not to mention trying to balance a full time job and taking care of a household.

So, I guess what you are all interested in hearing is the juicy stuff. Where do I start? Let's see (It's really not that exciting),

Monday actually went pretty well (either that or I've already completely blocked it out.) I was really nervous and as some of you may know, one of the traits passed down through the Bates family is loose bowels from nervous tension. (At least I think it comes from the Bates') Tiger teased me all the way to school that I was going to "poop my pants all day" Thank God (I literally did) my nerves calmed pretty quickly. Nothing a little PEPTO couldn't fix.

Tuesday, was a different story. I had two kids chasing each other around the room with yardsticks (don't tell my principal!) and another that fell and skinned his knee and chin on the playground (came in from recess bleeding everywhere). Oh yeah, and I had a grandma come after school asking if I put her grandson on the right bus because he didn't get off at the right stop. Personally, I think that after they get on the bus, they're no longer my responsibility. I asked him before he left me if he knew what he was doing and he said he did. What does he know, he's only seven!

Wednesday, I really didn't have any lesson plans for the afternoon, so I just made up a bunch of busy work to fit between all the pre-assessment stuff. That is going to be funny when I correct it! I don't think any of them were paying attention to the tests. Later in the afternoon, we did this team-building activity/get-to-know-you game called two truths and a lie. Let me tell you, they aren't very good at lying. One kid put "I like toast" down to try to fool me. Oh, well, they had fun and we got to know each other. The highlight of the day was when our new cubbies came. It was like Christmas. They are way bigger than I expected. I don't have any room to put them on the floor and they are too tall for the kids to reach on the counter. Oh yeah, I had 9 out of my 24 kids "pull-a-card" for misbehavior. Here comes Viola Swamp (from Miss Neilson is Missing for those of you who have never read it.)

Today went better than any other day this week. I didn't have to holler as much. My principal came in to chick on me for the first time since Monday. That's always a little nerve racking. All in all, I think I have to say that it was a success. I know I made the right choice for a career. I couldn't be happier. It was so satisfying at the end of the first day to hear "my kids" say—"you're the best teacher ever." I've been waiting a long time to hear that! I'm excited to get doing into the year and figure out how to do this teaching thing right.

My next challenge is going to be Back to School Night and Parent teacher conference. PEPTO anyone???