Well, I survived my first official week of teaching! Hopefully, there won't be another week quite as hard as this one. The first day of school was ok, but it didn't go as smoothly as I expected it to. I think I was still feeling like a substitute, trying to figure everything out. Plus, those of you who know me well, know that I have high expectations and don't cut myself much slack. I didn't realize just how little the school had prepared us for things like how the lunchroom works, what door to go out for recess, how dismissal works, etc. I felt like a fish out of water, because I was supposed to be leading the kids and yet, I didn't have a clue! Thankfully, the day did go by fast just like my team told me it would. I have 18 students this year...12 boys and only 6 girls! I wouldn't wish this on anyone. I have two boys who wear me out constantly and are going to be a year-long project. Other than that, I have a really sweet class. At the end of the first day, one of the parents brought me dinner from this really nice cafe. How thoughtful is that?! On day two, another girl brought me a large Dr. Pepper from Sonic first thing in the morning. I so needed that! I can tell that I will probably get a bit spoiled from this upper middle class group!
Wednesday was the worst. The kids tested me all day long and I felt that I was constantly having to get on to them. Nothing was working...they just didn't care. It wasn't fun for any of us and once the day was over, I just broke down in tears. I felt like the worst teacher ever and just couldn't imagine making it through this entire school year. My team was really supportive and helped me think through ways to make the situation better. On Thursday, instead of getting on to them so much, I looked for kids who were doing the right thing and rewarded them like crazy with tickets (the system I'm using in my class). It really seemed to make a difference and Thursday and Friday were much better. Unfortunately, I started feeling sick on Thursday and by the end of the day on Friday, I was miserable. I came home and slept for about 17 hours!! I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection, which is just no fun, especially this early on in the school year. We are off for Labor Day on Monday, but that is the only break I have until Thanksgiving. I can assure you that I will be taking a "mental health day" sometime between now and then!
I will leave you with some pictures of my classroom. I decorated with Mary Engelbreit and went with a kingdom/knight theme since our school mascot is a knight.
Just outside my classroom
Their cubbies
Science and Social Studies Bulletin Boards
Lunch count, compliment bag, mailboxes
Reading Nook
Class Library
Word Wall
Calendar, Jobs, Math Wall
Front of Class
My desk and files
10 comments:
Your classroom looks wonderful, I'm so proud of you for making it through the week :-)) Your classroom is blessed to have you !
i'm sure everyone's first week of teaching is hard... you are a great trooper (as all teachers are) and i'm sure it will get better soon! you are an inspiration to all of us. :) oh, and your classroom looks wonderful too! love and miss you!
You did a great job on decorating and organizing your classroom! I love it...it looks so awesome.
And you will be a great teacher! Even Sammie had tough days when he was substituting. It happens to everyone! Hang in there!
Sorry you had such a rough first week. But wow! What a fun room you have -- it makes me want to be in third grade again!! Those kids are so blessed to have you as a teacher! (and I must say I'm a little jealous -- a 3rd grade class of 18!! The classes I supported were always so much bigger!!)
I hope you can get some rest this weekend and feel better next week -- it will go more smoothly as all of you get used to the schedule. :)
Sorry the first week was so hard, but I have to say that I am so jealous!! You have your own classroom and third grade is what I would LOVE to teach! Hopefully I will get a position this year. School starts on Tuesday and it looks like I will be subbing until something else comes up. So at least you will have the same kids everyday! lol. Try different attention getting strategies--I've always heard that kids soon get bored, so its good to mix it up. And I think rewarding them with tickets is a great idea too!! Keep it up!
looking at your classroom makes me want to be a little kid and go to school again!
Your classroom is gorgeous!! Holy cow, I cannot imagine being that creative and organized. Wow. I'm sure you are doing WONDERFUL at being a teacher and everything you are feeling is completely normal. By the end of the year (or even the middle) you will be amazed at how much your kids have learned and how different you feel about them. Keep up the good work. God will be with you wherever you go!
Your classroom is adorable. Hang in there. I promise it'll get better.
Jill,
You're clearly a gifted teacher..you CARE and that makes all the difference. And I'm so proud of you for doing what you're doing. I remember talking to you just as you were getting started in the process of becoming a teacher! And look at you now. You're a pro...with an amazing classroom. Thanks for the update and best wishes for a great year.
Love,
Robin
I am so proud of you. You are doing something that you love...even if some days are tougher than others.
Your room looks amazing! I wish my 3rd grade class had had a reading nook. The main thing I remember about 3rd grade was an art project using my teacher's favorite color and animal: a sheep (made of cotton balls) on purple construction paper.
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