September 10, 2009
Loosing that new class smell
It’s September 9th. It seems like only a month ago that the excitement of”Back to School” sales lured us out of our summer minds and ignited that little candle of hope that says, “this year will be awesome.” “This year will be the year I have the greatest class ever.” You may have even pictured yourself leading your willing students into a pool of knowledge, or perhaps onto a bus just like Ms. Frizzle.
But now its September 9th and the new car smell on your class has begun to wear off. Infact it may have begun to just plain stink in your room. (FYI Walmart had Febreeze on sale today) What can we do to keep that hope alive, when we have now seen reality?
I always start reading a really inspirational teaching book right when school starts. One of those books that makes you want to own your own laminator so you can make math manipulatives late into the night. Sounds corny, but it works. Some how if I can just keep that little dream going through September, October doesnt look so bleak.
Find a great project that the kids love and that makes you want to wear your super-teacher cape. Check out this very easy, very fun project online: http://onlineproj4tchrs.ning.com/group/oreo2009 . After all, who doesnt like OREOS. (and if the project falls apart, you can drown your sorrows in their chocolately goodness)
Connect with others. And by others I mean those who have sane jobs (like postal workers or accountants). Try a new hobby. I love to scrapbook, and while many croppers out there are also teachers, there are just enough non-teachers to make it interesting.
Don’t let the September blue zap your back-t0-school fun. Keep your chin up and find something to keep the spark alive. October is always a better month.
September 9, 2009
Thursday, it sure aint a Friday
I do no heart Thursdays. Thursdays are busy days. Heavy teaching, Thursday folders, frantic grading to get papers to homeroom teachers…. No matter how hard I try I have a problem keeping up with Thursdays, they are very sneaky.
Papers to be graded get to go on a lot of car rides with me. I load them into my bag, with all the best of intentions. Sometimes I even take them into the house, but often as not they sit in my car at night. Then I haul them right back into the school the next day. Those of you with kids at home know that the last thing on your mind once you get home is grading papers!
Since its the beginning of the year I cant have students help me to file papers. They make too many mistakes and I dont want the parents to think I’m an idiot. SO I have to stand and file, and file, and file, and file. How many papers can 22 kids do in one weeks time?? I mean, I have them file a lot of their work as we go. But – I know the end result is worth it. Parents are updated, kids can correct papers, and I get the papers out of my room.
