I've learned a lot about a lot of things the last 2-1/2 weeks that I've been teaching first grade. I've learned that no many how many times I give directions, someone isn't going to follow them. I've learned that regardless of how many visuals I've given, someone will still be on the wrong page. I've learned that giving the rules one day does not seem to mean they are still in effect the next day and must therefore be repeated. And I've learned that no matter how recently you just used the restroom as a class, someone will desperately need to go as soon as you get out onto the playground.
But most of the things that I've learned are about myself. I've learned that I don't love first grade. The kids are very cute and I'm enjoying my days in their classroom, but I've learned that I prefer "meatier" content. I know that there is nothing more important than teaching kids to read and do basic math , and I'm the one that is setting this foundation for them right now. But I've found that I much, much prefer to teach something where the kids and I can get into a good solid discussion about the topic. Short a and short i sounds, along with "What shape is this?" just isn't cutting it for me in that department.
I've also learned that I love being a mother to my three beautiful children more than absolutely anything else in the world. I'm missing JR terribly with him being gone so much with my husband at his new school, and I'm missing getting to see JC at school since I'm pretty much stuck in the Primary building. I don't like the fact that by the time we get home every afternoon at nearly 4:30, it's time to throw dinner on the table before our evening activities, and I don't love the fact that between their activities and my work that has to be done at home in the evening there are times I don't even check their backpacks for things I might need to know. I don't love the fact that sometimes I'm just too tired to pack their lunches, and I tell them to just buy something in the school lunch line. I don't like that when JR asked me to play a wii bowling tournament with him today I couldn't help but think of the hours of planning and coordinating I needed to do today for the upcoming week in the classroom (although we did play one game), and I especially don't like the fact that in order to go to the grocery this week I'll have to miss either dinner or bedtime tomorrow evening. This long term sub job has made me realize that while I need to work at least part time, I certainly don't want to work full time. I'll have the rest of my life to work and save up money, but I only get to look after these amazing children for a few short years, and those years are just flying by.
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Fall ball
Today, JR will have his 5th game of the fall ball season. They are currently 2-2, but the two teams to which they've lost are select teams that have been together for quite a while. It seems as though JR's team is the strongest of the "new" teams that have joined the fall league this year. I'm sure that is due to the coaching as much as the talent. My wonderful husband and our good friend Bob are very good coaches and really enjoy working with the boys.
JR's season has not been as successful as the rest of the team. For one thing, he just isn't really into practicing. Of course he goes to the weekly practice, but he isn't really into getting out in the yard and practicing catching. Hitting is more challenging because it would require driving to the park, but none the less he isn't even asking to do that either. And without practice, his success as a hitter has been limited and he's starting to feel very discouraged. The boys are going to play together as a select team this year, and I think it's going to be very interesting to see how long JR continues to want to play baseball. In the meantime, he's been asking what Olympic sport he can play because that's his new plan for when he grows up!
JR's season has not been as successful as the rest of the team. For one thing, he just isn't really into practicing. Of course he goes to the weekly practice, but he isn't really into getting out in the yard and practicing catching. Hitting is more challenging because it would require driving to the park, but none the less he isn't even asking to do that either. And without practice, his success as a hitter has been limited and he's starting to feel very discouraged. The boys are going to play together as a select team this year, and I think it's going to be very interesting to see how long JR continues to want to play baseball. In the meantime, he's been asking what Olympic sport he can play because that's his new plan for when he grows up!
Sunday, September 23, 2012
A great day in sports
Yesterday was an absolutely great day in the sports world, at least in our household! FINALLY have the last few years have brought last second heartache, Notre Dame defeated Michigan. GO IRISH!!! I still have some concerns about the success of the rest of the season as I've not been totally confident in their play yet, but at this point it doesn't matter. WE BEAT MICHIGAN!!!!
Also, and really, more importantly, the REDS CLINCHED THE CENTRAL DIVISION!!! We were all trying to get things done yesterday while the game was on, and as JC pointed out, every TV in the house was tuned in to the game. When the top of the ninth arrived and the Reds were up 6-0, I called everyone to the living room so we could watch it together. When they clinched two years ago I was the only one still awake, and I wanted to make sure the kids didn't miss it this time. As I watched the Reds turn the game ending, division clinching double play, I honestly had tears in my eyes. There were two reasons for this...1) we really have a shot at something big in the postseason this year and 2) my entire family was sitting together when it happened. These days, that is such a rarity.
Also, and really, more importantly, the REDS CLINCHED THE CENTRAL DIVISION!!! We were all trying to get things done yesterday while the game was on, and as JC pointed out, every TV in the house was tuned in to the game. When the top of the ninth arrived and the Reds were up 6-0, I called everyone to the living room so we could watch it together. When they clinched two years ago I was the only one still awake, and I wanted to make sure the kids didn't miss it this time. As I watched the Reds turn the game ending, division clinching double play, I honestly had tears in my eyes. There were two reasons for this...1) we really have a shot at something big in the postseason this year and 2) my entire family was sitting together when it happened. These days, that is such a rarity.
Haven't gone anywhere
I can't tell you how many times I wanted to get on and write about our life, but there just hasn't been time. I apologize if this is a long post, but I want to catch up!
I'm really enjoying teaching first grade, but it's absolutely exhausting. Friday, I'm not sure if it was a bug or just total exhaustion, but I felt lousy and went to bed before 9:00 last night. We had plans to participate in a walk Saturday morning with "Uncle Nick" for the Alzheimers Assn. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning, and I was really looking forward to sharing such an experience with my family. We decided though, that although I'm felt better, it would be best if I stayed home. It gave me an opportunity to get some things picked up around the house that I hadn't managed to accomplish before, but I could only do a little before it was time to sit down again. Good news is that I feel much better this morning.
I'm happy to report that the project I was working on for Dad's office is finally finished. It's a good thing, because this week I'm going to have to start doing the planning for school all on my own. It's a little bit of an overwhelming feeling and I don't even know where to start. That doesn't really matter though, because I haven't even come close to having a chance to start!
Activities are back in full swing for the kids. HT and JC are back into their bi-monthly scout meetings. When they aren't there they are usually able to attend their karate class. JR and my wonderful husband have fall baseball (I'll write a post on that another time) and of course Sunday School is going on each week again. My husband is taking a class again this semester, and JR has joined a few clubs after school. JC has decided to participate in the tone chime choir that practices once a week after school, and as a gift to HT from some friends, he'll be participating in an after school enrichment activity. All in all, everyone has plenty to do and seems to be enjoying themselves!
I'm really enjoying teaching first grade, but it's absolutely exhausting. Friday, I'm not sure if it was a bug or just total exhaustion, but I felt lousy and went to bed before 9:00 last night. We had plans to participate in a walk Saturday morning with "Uncle Nick" for the Alzheimers Assn. It was an absolutely gorgeous morning, and I was really looking forward to sharing such an experience with my family. We decided though, that although I'm felt better, it would be best if I stayed home. It gave me an opportunity to get some things picked up around the house that I hadn't managed to accomplish before, but I could only do a little before it was time to sit down again. Good news is that I feel much better this morning.
I'm happy to report that the project I was working on for Dad's office is finally finished. It's a good thing, because this week I'm going to have to start doing the planning for school all on my own. It's a little bit of an overwhelming feeling and I don't even know where to start. That doesn't really matter though, because I haven't even come close to having a chance to start!
Activities are back in full swing for the kids. HT and JC are back into their bi-monthly scout meetings. When they aren't there they are usually able to attend their karate class. JR and my wonderful husband have fall baseball (I'll write a post on that another time) and of course Sunday School is going on each week again. My husband is taking a class again this semester, and JR has joined a few clubs after school. JC has decided to participate in the tone chime choir that practices once a week after school, and as a gift to HT from some friends, he'll be participating in an after school enrichment activity. All in all, everyone has plenty to do and seems to be enjoying themselves!
Sunday, September 16, 2012
Back at it
Sure enough, Mrs. D had her baby Wednesday morning and I've been teaching first grade ever since! It was pretty crazy the first day because it was our school district's first "early release" for teacher inservice that they are doing this year. It's getting better each day though, and I'm starting to feel like I'm really getting the hang of it.
At the same time, life has been incredibly overwhelming. Because I'm long term, I've been bringing home papers to grade, and there is prep work that has to be done at home. On top of it, I'd been working on a project for Dad's office and it's not done yet, so technically I have two jobs right now. I'm exhausted, but so far all of the necessities in life are getting accomplished, although perhaps not much beyond that at this point.
I'll be back with more stories and updates eventually...just wanted to take a quick break to keep updated!
At the same time, life has been incredibly overwhelming. Because I'm long term, I've been bringing home papers to grade, and there is prep work that has to be done at home. On top of it, I'd been working on a project for Dad's office and it's not done yet, so technically I have two jobs right now. I'm exhausted, but so far all of the necessities in life are getting accomplished, although perhaps not much beyond that at this point.
I'll be back with more stories and updates eventually...just wanted to take a quick break to keep updated!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Back to work tomorrow
Tomorrow is my first day of subbing this year. The teacher still hasn't had her baby, but I'm scheduled tomorrow and Thursday in different classrooms. I'm excited to be back at it and I'm looking forward to seeing all of those eager little faces, but just thinking about it makes me tired. I want so much to have patience at home...home is where my heart is!
An added element of concern is the fact that I seem to have seriously injured my ankle. The scary thing is that I have absolutely no idea what I've done. Once I walk on it a while, it tends to feel better, but the first few initial steps are painful. Even sitting can be painful, so I really don't know what's going on. Praying that the pain just goes away as mysteriously as it arrived!
An added element of concern is the fact that I seem to have seriously injured my ankle. The scary thing is that I have absolutely no idea what I've done. Once I walk on it a while, it tends to feel better, but the first few initial steps are painful. Even sitting can be painful, so I really don't know what's going on. Praying that the pain just goes away as mysteriously as it arrived!
He's done
Yesterday was the first day that JC and HT had any real homework. I have yet to see JR do any homework, but I'm being assured that is because he's getting it done after school while waiting for my husband to bring him home. That must be true, because nothing is missing in the grade book.
Anyway, before my husband had gone back to work we had purchased some new furniture. It was a new side table for our love seat, and a new desk and stool to go in our living room. We bought them at the unfinished furniture store, and that was largely how they remained....unfinished. It was the next day that my dad went into the hospital and the day after that my husband started back to work and well, life just happened. He worked almost all of Saturday though, and was able to get them done. Sunday afternoon JC had insisted that the desk be brought up and put in its new place. She knew yesterday would be her first day of homework and she wanted a place to work. Previously they had worked at the dining room table, but this desk is all their own, and it will have a laptop which they are allowed to use after we figure out how to block pretty much everything. :) Anyway, JC walked in yesterday and sat right down. She was so pleased to be working on her homework. She didn't even have a snack. She just wanted to work.
And HT? He definitely needed a snack first. Afterward, I reminded him he had homework and he explained that Sissy was using the desk so he would have to wait. I initially thought that he was just excited to use the desk and didn't want to deprive him, so I didn't push it. However, when JC was finished and I told HT it was time to get started, he announced, "I can't wait for homework to be over for the year." Oh boy, I think we are in for a long year!
Anyway, before my husband had gone back to work we had purchased some new furniture. It was a new side table for our love seat, and a new desk and stool to go in our living room. We bought them at the unfinished furniture store, and that was largely how they remained....unfinished. It was the next day that my dad went into the hospital and the day after that my husband started back to work and well, life just happened. He worked almost all of Saturday though, and was able to get them done. Sunday afternoon JC had insisted that the desk be brought up and put in its new place. She knew yesterday would be her first day of homework and she wanted a place to work. Previously they had worked at the dining room table, but this desk is all their own, and it will have a laptop which they are allowed to use after we figure out how to block pretty much everything. :) Anyway, JC walked in yesterday and sat right down. She was so pleased to be working on her homework. She didn't even have a snack. She just wanted to work.
And HT? He definitely needed a snack first. Afterward, I reminded him he had homework and he explained that Sissy was using the desk so he would have to wait. I initially thought that he was just excited to use the desk and didn't want to deprive him, so I didn't push it. However, when JC was finished and I told HT it was time to get started, he announced, "I can't wait for homework to be over for the year." Oh boy, I think we are in for a long year!
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