Friday, January 8, 2010
"This classroom is falling apart!"
"This classroom is falling apart!" shouts one of my students as I enter the room and a poster comes off the wall and floats to the floor. I died laughing inside wanting so desperately to say "You have no idea!" The classroom is falling apart - literally - things fall off the walls all the time. And sometimes I feel like it is falling apart figuratively...at the seams. Anyways, it was pretty funny and gave me a good laugh! :)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
~Christmas Break~A Time to Heal~
:) Christmas Break :)
Two words that breathe life into my body. Two words that bring a smile to my face. Two words that give hope to my heart...and Two words that let me know its all going to be okay.
So, yes, we've (I've) made it to Christmas break of my first year of teaching. I'm convinced that you do not appreciate Christmas break until YOU are the TEACHER. Yep, that's right, I think Christmas Break - and every other break - was created for the teacher. I mean, seriously, the teacher would not survive if it were not for these breaks. I can only imagine what summer break will be like - although I know how hard it will be to go back on Monday (and this has only been 2 weeks off) - it must be near impossible to go back after 2 months off for the summer! But I am looking forward to the summer!!!!!! :) :)
So, this year I have met 22 children that have each wedged their own special place in my heart that they didn't have before. 22 children that will now hold an eternally special place in my heart because they are and will always be---My First Class. Yes, these are the children that had just as many firsts as I did this year - they were, in a sense, my "guinea pigs." I will most def know much better next year as to what to do. But I love these kids, with ALL my heart! No matter how much I may get tired of their never ending talking or their love for chewing, losing, and sharpening pencils. They are MINE.
As we have entered a new year, I have made goals for myself as a teacher. There are 3 goals...they are VERY simple but ATTAINABLE. They may not make sense to some people and they may seem dumb...you may even think..."She doesn't do that already?!" BUT hey! you have NOT been in my shoes or experienced what I've been through this year and if you had - you'd definitely understand.
1-To LAUGH with my students - one thing I had always counted on is that my kids would know the sound of my laugh - but I'm afraid these babies may not know that - it means we're having fun as we learn and that the JOY I have in my heart from Jesus is overflowing to them! :)
2-I have a child whose reading is so VERY low and I really want to see his AR RAISE. This would be a HUGE step (in the right direction) for him!
3-And lastly is a goal to bring the reading average of my class up...they had been doing well but have recently began to drop and I don't know what is up with that - but we've GOT to fix it! :)
So, yes, these are my 3 simple goals for the rest of the school year that lies in this new year.
Of course, any good progress with number 19 is a good thing and something that I will continue to strive for - again, all prayers are welcome and coveted for this child and situation.
**These kids are my heart and I will deeply miss them when they are gone.**
I can't believe that we are on the 2nd half of the school year....the countdown to SUMMER. Where did this first year go? Its simply: UNBELIEVABLE.
I have also set personal goals for myself...we'll see how those go.
But I have taken the liberty to title the year 2010 for myself/life - I have titled it "A TIME TO HEAL." It comes from Leviticus 3. There are several things that I want to heal from this year, spiritually, emotionally, etc.
Now the relation of that title to Christmas Break is that this break was a time for me to heal from the exhaustion and fatigue that I have had since school started - and I think I have. This break has been absolutely WONDERFUL! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
So....HERE'S TO 2010!!!! Come What May
Update on the class number: We are back up to 21...had a new student come on party day! Yeah!! LOL :)
Two words that breathe life into my body. Two words that bring a smile to my face. Two words that give hope to my heart...and Two words that let me know its all going to be okay.
So, yes, we've (I've) made it to Christmas break of my first year of teaching. I'm convinced that you do not appreciate Christmas break until YOU are the TEACHER. Yep, that's right, I think Christmas Break - and every other break - was created for the teacher. I mean, seriously, the teacher would not survive if it were not for these breaks. I can only imagine what summer break will be like - although I know how hard it will be to go back on Monday (and this has only been 2 weeks off) - it must be near impossible to go back after 2 months off for the summer! But I am looking forward to the summer!!!!!! :) :)
So, this year I have met 22 children that have each wedged their own special place in my heart that they didn't have before. 22 children that will now hold an eternally special place in my heart because they are and will always be---My First Class. Yes, these are the children that had just as many firsts as I did this year - they were, in a sense, my "guinea pigs." I will most def know much better next year as to what to do. But I love these kids, with ALL my heart! No matter how much I may get tired of their never ending talking or their love for chewing, losing, and sharpening pencils. They are MINE.
As we have entered a new year, I have made goals for myself as a teacher. There are 3 goals...they are VERY simple but ATTAINABLE. They may not make sense to some people and they may seem dumb...you may even think..."She doesn't do that already?!" BUT hey! you have NOT been in my shoes or experienced what I've been through this year and if you had - you'd definitely understand.
1-To LAUGH with my students - one thing I had always counted on is that my kids would know the sound of my laugh - but I'm afraid these babies may not know that - it means we're having fun as we learn and that the JOY I have in my heart from Jesus is overflowing to them! :)
2-I have a child whose reading is so VERY low and I really want to see his AR RAISE. This would be a HUGE step (in the right direction) for him!
3-And lastly is a goal to bring the reading average of my class up...they had been doing well but have recently began to drop and I don't know what is up with that - but we've GOT to fix it! :)
So, yes, these are my 3 simple goals for the rest of the school year that lies in this new year.
Of course, any good progress with number 19 is a good thing and something that I will continue to strive for - again, all prayers are welcome and coveted for this child and situation.
**These kids are my heart and I will deeply miss them when they are gone.**
I can't believe that we are on the 2nd half of the school year....the countdown to SUMMER. Where did this first year go? Its simply: UNBELIEVABLE.
I have also set personal goals for myself...we'll see how those go.
But I have taken the liberty to title the year 2010 for myself/life - I have titled it "A TIME TO HEAL." It comes from Leviticus 3. There are several things that I want to heal from this year, spiritually, emotionally, etc.
Now the relation of that title to Christmas Break is that this break was a time for me to heal from the exhaustion and fatigue that I have had since school started - and I think I have. This break has been absolutely WONDERFUL! I wouldn't trade it for anything!
So....HERE'S TO 2010!!!! Come What May
Update on the class number: We are back up to 21...had a new student come on party day! Yeah!! LOL :)
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