Coming Back To My Own

This week was an interesting week. I sat down and reflected big time on where I am, what I am doing, how I got there, and if I am happy with my situation. This doesn't mean I don't like teaching or my school...it means that I was having some issues with me. There has been some behaviors starting up and they needed to be stopped. The kids are now getting over the honeymoon stage of the year and some are showing their true colors and trying to bring others into their little coven with that. I used to have very very very little discipline problems and now they are beginning to get rampant.
I sat and questioned what changed? I think that the past two years has taken so much away from who I am as a teacher that I am either scared to be the old me or I lost much of that. Being disciplined myself for writing up a kid who has cursed at me several times or refused to stop behaviors or do work has changed me. I do not want to be forced out of teaching because I am too mean or too demanding so I am constantly questioning if I am doing the right thing. I asked my administrator on Friday if documentation of the behavior would allow me to write them up. She kind of gave me a strange look and I told her I got in trouble with my last school for writing a kid up so I was a little scared to do it. I am just tolerating it. She told me if I follow procedures and they break the rules, then that is what I am to do. WHAT A CHANGE!
This past week, I called parents during planning everyday. I am going to get more control and take on the world now! HELP?? :)

A New Short Week

It is the start of another week, but one without a Monday! (that is always good) Some spoiled little dog woke me up at 5 to go out, so now I am pretty much unable to sleep so I am here working and about to get ready for school.
The past week has been fairly challenging to me. I know they will be conducting walkthroughs, but I never feel prepared enough. I have to learn social studies to teach it and it feels like I am barely getting anything accomplished, especially with Class 3. I am guessing it is because I am out of my comfort zone and I expect them to know so many things they don't (of course they didn't in 7th either). I am sure I will get the hang of things, but it seems to be taking longer than I thought. I am getting into real material and hopefully this will make me feel more at ease! Who knows?

Up and At 'Em!

I am up early and want to go in by 6:30 or so when the building opens. I am most productive in the morning, so I think I can get everything together by that time. I feel rushed and overwhelmed right now, but once I get into real content, maybe that will subside!
I have a block that is really testing me. They are ok the first hour, but go nuts after they are in a little while. I now sympathize more with the 2 hour teachers from last year now!I really do believe that it has to do with them being in one place for 2 whole hours!
Social studies is still not my thing and it is kind of tough to get both taught in such a small window of time to be honest. I wonder if I would make the same decision if I had known that this would be my school year. I don't know what the future brings, but hopefully, I get into the groove.

WHEW! Two weeks down!

I have finished the first two weeks of school! It has been a real learning experience and adventure for me to say the least. I am starting to get into the swing of things, but the time is killing me. One class is really testing me and trying to see how far they can push things, but as all teachers know, there is always one. There are like 35 kids in it and quite a few with behavior plans and exceptionalities that deal with behavior as their disability. The students will be shuffled a little so hopefully that will alleviate some of the behavior issues.

I am trying to get used to working with block schedules. I tend to overextend my science lessons and then run out of time on my social studies. (And we all know SCIENCE IS WAY MORE IMPORTANT ANYWAY!) I am getting both in though. It is weird that the kids take so long to do things. I am thinking I may be expecting just a little too much from them, but they will give what I expect, so I am keeping my expectations pretty high! Hopefully that will be a positive thing that won't come back and bite me on the ass....we shall see!

Second Day of School

It is the second day of school and I came home feeling pretty good about things. I like everything but 1 thing about the new school.....THE TIME! The people are amazing and the students are outstanding. The actually respond to you when you speak to them and overall, they want to do well even if their best is not an A. If corrected, they actually do what is asked. I have not raised my voice nor have I had to issue any harsh consequences. I feel good about things and will do my best to be sure that I keep it that way. There is no negative aura about people so they are not going to be the ones to allow me to be pessimistic or unhappy. They are supportive and care about each other. I think I may be home again!

I am still a little unsure about history. I tried to validate studying history with my kids and talk about what history is and why we study it. I was a little shocked to know that none of my students really knew and understood what the holocaust was. They knew about slavery, but didn't realize that in some countries this still happens. They knew about 9/11 but did not realize why it was important. They were able to tell me about US things. Hopefully, I can open their eyes to the entire world. While trying to validate studying history, I think I also validated it for myself. As many people know, I am NOT NOT NOT a history person so this was a tough task for me. I think that with all this in mind, I will be able to make it great!! More later!

School Starts Monday

School starts Monday and I am no where near having my classroom finished. I went in and did some work a few days, especially today! It was pretty hot and I just couldn't stay too long. All that lifting and moving of things gave me a back ache and I didn't want to pull anything before school starts back! I have a lot of ideas of things I want to do and know the things I need to do...I just need to DO! I want to go back today, but I don't know if I will. I will call tomorrow to get in the building at least tomorrow and get those things I need to get done before the kids come done.

I felt like an idiot when I went to hook up my Promethean Board! I used to know how to do all that but it just didn't happen. The wires weren't like the way I used to bag my wires and the hook ups were slightly different so I just put that on hold....I'm going to...(GASP) ASK FOR HELP! Maybe I can get it going by then!

I still haven't felt like I am at home yet! All of the staff and people who I have met are wonderful and very welcoming. I guess I was set in one place so long that it is hard to come to grips with starting over. I guess I can try to be myself and be at ease...who KNOWS!

Planning Lessons

So I have sat down for a little while and did some science lesson plans....SCIENCE AS INQUIRY! EASY EASY EASY!!
Now I'm on to the biggie - Social Studies! I have no idea what to start with even with the LCC in my face. I have a book now, so i am about to begin some power points and some home made worksheets! I'll let ya know how that works out....any suggestions?? Feel free to leave them!