The first two days: a recap

So I got in from California on Wednesday, did a whole bunch of errands, adjusted back to my house and my other bed and was up at the crack of dawn on Thursday to start my job at Parma Middle School. Except, oh wait, the sun did not rise until like 8:00 so technically I was up before dawn. Peachy. And let me tell you, it was dark and it was foggy and it was cccccooollllddddd. I got to the school and found my way to the classroom. I met a few of the teachers and sat in on the end of a 5th and 6th grad teachers meeting. One of them brought over a very basic outline of the next seven days worth of stuff for Language Arts (Spelling, Grammar, Reading and Writing). As for history, I could basically do whatever I want. Whitney Ward, one of the teachers, worked with me for the 5th grade lessons. We attempted to get the STAR board to work (it wasn't letting us write on it) and we couldn't find the overheads that we needed but luckily we got them off of the computer. Also luckily, the kids had music first thing so we had an extra 45 minutes or so to get organized.

When the kids came back from music, I was about to ask them what they had been doing the last few days when the bell rings and they say "See you later!" Apparently they go to advisement right after first period so I got a bunch of sixth graders. With them, I was about to say "so, it's nice to meet you..." when they all got up and left! OK then.... I followed them to another classroom where they met up with all the other sixth graders to watch this magnificent early 90's video all about citizenship. Classic. Something I would have watched... in the early 90's.

Second period started and I was finally able to start to get to know the kids. I taught all about singular and plural nouns and turning them into possessives. Haven't done that in .... oh.... just about a million years. Then we transitioned over into Reading, read a poem about the sea which compared it to a dog, talked a little bit about how comparing and contrasting except then the overhead I was supposed to use had nothing to do with the poem. I was so confused but hid it well and then luckily, the period ended so we could easily move on.

With the social studies kids, I asked them for suggestions of things that they wanted to learn instead of Latin American history. One class listed pretty much every single war which was interesting (and then a kid came up to me and said "Oh, I forgot to mention I'd like to learn about the history of the JFK assassination." Sure kid, I'll get right on that.) I decided after that to stick with Latin America at least for this next chapter, to finish up Mexican history and then we can decide what we want to do. So I have them get together in groups and do a background knowledge chart of what they learned in the previous chapter of Ancient Latin American history. They did a decent job but had some trouble working together. Also, I HATE the layout of the room so this weekend I need to work on figuring out a new configuration. They sit in two rows facing each other (does that make sense to you readers visually?) so basically, if I stand on either side of the classroom, half of them have their back to me and the board. So I want to arrange it in a kind of diagonal so that they can see at least two of the boards and the STAR board. Weekend homework for me.

Then today, I wake up at 7:30. Holy dynamite, I should be at school at this point. What a perfect way to start out my second day. I call the school while I'm attempting to get dressed (I've got one boot on, my sweatshirt is around my neck and I'm grabbing for a shirt and trying to put my hair into a manageable ponytail.. it would have been comical if I wasn't so late) and ask if Whitney can start my class for the day. I use the excuse that it's really foggy and slippery and the secretary tells me to take my time. Thank you, I shall. I get to school about twenty minutes late and the kids to go advisory about ten minutes later. Whitney had no problem watching my kids which was lovely of her. My advisory kids played silent speed ball (which I remember doing a ton of in fifth grade so I felt it was legitimate) and then I got my Language Ats kids back. The lessons made far more sense today- we reviewed possessive nouns and they did some practice problems and then we read a story about Pecos Bill and did some cause and effect charts. It was a LOT more relevant than yesterday's mess. Next we start reading a looooong tall tale about a giant named Stormalong and will do more with cause and effect charts as well as do more possessive noun practice (I think I'll give one of the worksheets as a quiz) and some writing about tall tales. Fascinating stuff.

With my social studies kids, we read through the first few pages of the chapter about Mexican history, talked about the influence of Mexico on America (we all love Mexican food, we have pinatas at parties, etc.), started filling out a timeline about history and compared and contrasted the Aztecs and the Spanish and determined how the Spanish with their inferior numbers were able to defeat the Aztecs (superior weaponry and small pox). I only have about 40 mins with them, so it'll be slow going but I've got some ideas swimming around in my little brain.

There are some characters in the classes to say the least. There's one kid who doesn't have a filter, plus he has a really deep/loud voice anyway so even when he's talking "quietly", he's still super load. A couple kids with MAJOR ADD/ADHD cases. I made a list of 6 classroom expectations (including asking yourself if you question is relevant before asking it and no tattle telling.... yes, this is what I'm dealing with, folks) and we've been referring to them frequently. Also, the names of some of these kids! Wowzas, I've got a Stryder (um, Lord of the Rings, anyone?), Talon and Sage (twins), TWO Jetts (one spelled Jhett), Ondrea (not Andrea, On-drea), a Quinton, Matison (not Madison, although I have three other Madisons in my classes), the list goes on. I don't think I have a single Tim or Kate or Fred or simple name like that (I do have a Joey, he's super cute and quiet and wore a tux t-shirt yesterday... already have respect for him).

So this shall certainly be a challenge and an adventure. It'll also be pretty exhausting, especially if I keep forgetting to set my alarm (oh wait, it's already done for the next week, got that covered). I except many stories, lots of laughs, lots of frustrations, hopefully some breakthroughs, possibly some mind throttling but I shall make sure to keep you all updated on the situations I come up against.

And now, to bed! I'm knackered!