Up first though... as many of you predicted
I PASSED!
<insert happy dance here>
And not just barely but with a 293/300!
I ROCKED that test!
Only 1 more to go!
Kindergarten... oh where to begin! I am in a temporary classroom. It is normally a storage room that had tables, some chairs, and a desk thrown into it to make it look like a classroom but yea.. its not. The parents all know that both the room and I are temporary.
The kids know it to and that is where the trouble began. Plus EVERYONE was in my room today to make sure I could handle it. By everyone I mean... the guidance counselor, the social worker, the special education teacher, the academic coach, the principal, the deputy superintendent, and a few volunteers.
They hired a teacher over the weekend and even SHE was in and out of the room. She will be all week long. She is on campus just not teaching. I have some thoughts on this but I will behave. I will keep those locked in my head and not type.
With soooo many people trying to tell the kids what to do it was hard to get them to do anything. I am not suppose to teach them any specific rules just generic ones that can be changed. I am not to set a schedule or routine. The kids have no cubbies, no belongings, no place of their own, etc... and it resulted in utter chaos.
Complete CHAOS!
DANGER!
DO NOT ENTER!
RUN FAST!
It was so bad the new teacher is scared to take over. I gave up after lunch and said we are doing things my way. Six hours later my kids can stand and sit quietly. We cannot work at tables. Oh and lunch was 10 minutes! Kinders eat with their teacher the first week. So an aid walks them to the playground afterwards for recess and that is our quick lunch break.
Lesson plans were a flop.
Magic playdoh no good with these kinders. My boys at home love it and Miss Piggy ate some and wanted more. My middle tried it and spit it out so evidently edible playdoh is only good for dogs.
Kissing Hand failed miserably. Too long for these kids. Went to No David (it was in the room thankfully!) and that worked well. Pete the Cat was a success. Self portraits failed. Music failed. Songs and movement failed.
Playing with manipulatives FAILED! One kid is deathly afraid of spiders and what are the manipulatives in the room? SPIDERS! I ended up teaching them the WBT rules anyways. SHHHH! Don't tell!
Oh and one of my kids didn't make it off the bus. I put him on but he didn't get off and the bus driver lost him. The mom was frantic, the police was called, I was sent home. I am the temporary teacher so was not needed for the situation. If I was the teacher, I wouldn't have left. I am hoping he is okay. We shall see tomorrow.
Speaking of lost kids, mine got lost walking home and had to ask a police officer to direct them in the right direction. Sigh... Does this mean I am a horrible mom? I sent 2 teenagers to help walk them home and all 4 boys got lost. Kind of ironic that my own kids were lost and needed the help of the police.
There are police officers assigned to every school on the first day to deal with lost kids here. I guess this happens a lot! SCARY!
My feet hurt, my body hurts, and I am tired. I need to buy new shoes. Comfy ones.
I still have to write lesson plans for tomorrow But I think I will do that in the morning. We are primarily going to learn how to walk in a line. That should only take another 6 hours to accomplish!
Congrats on the test scores!! I'm sorry to hear that you had such a rough start. I hope that things get better as the week progresses! :)
ReplyDeleteLisa
Learning Is Something to Treasure
Wow! What a day! I am sorry that you were "watched" by so many. I will have to read your previous posts to catch up. I've stopped reading the Kissing Hand to kids. Great story but works better as a parent read aloud. My kids loved Rhyming Dust Bunnies, No David! and Pete the Cat. You can use Pete the Cat for many concepts. Check out Make Learning Fun for a great book to go along with teaching colors. We did a page a day.
ReplyDeleteHoping for a better day tomorrow.
Oh my! Head up...even when it's difficult! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your test!! You were definitely put through a different test today! Love that you used the WBT rules! Oh, yeah! Good luck tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteNancy
Mrs. Stoltenberg's Second Grade Class
Oh my, your class sounds like my house....lol. You are awesome, go forth and conquer kindergarten! Xox
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! Let me start by saying "You Rock!" You went into a terrifying situation and the people around you are the ones who failed. How can you even think about telling a teacher NOT to teach any rules?! I can only say that if you are anything like me I am probably thinking the same things you aren't typing. :) Way to go saving the day by teaching the WBT rules! Those are the easiest and best rules to follow no matter what the age, they make sense! Rest up, and I agree with the shoes, I never seem to find the right ones though.
ReplyDeleteThink all night…..Teach all day
Misty,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the test! I knew you could do it....as far as the subbing...This could be a problem and we all know the reason that you are having problems with the kids is because of the whole uncertainty of the situation...kids like structure...what they have is NOT structure but chaos because of the school...not you. If your hands were not tied then I know things would have been different!
Just a few more days.....this is not how a school day is normally. One good thing you can take out of this.....you know you don't want to be a Kindergarten teacher!
Debbie
You did great! Teaching is a one day at a time kind of job. That is why we keep teaching. Don't be discouraged by one day. The first is always rough(can't even imagine without being allowed to set down ground rules and consequences.)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your test! Hang in there!
It sounds like they haven't set you up to succeed at ALL! I hope it gets better. Kids need rules, especially in K, so I think it's good that you followed your instinct!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Oh Misty! "Some days are like that...even in Australia!" It is very unfortunate that you were told to not do any "teaching", and that everyone knows the situation. How are you to gain respect like that? and how unfair for all involved! I think you are doing the right thing--ask for forgiveness, not permission I say! Here's to a better day! :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the test scores!
Congratulations on passing your test! I'm sorry you are in such a tough situation with the kindergarten class. I hope the rest of your week goes a better! I can't imagine being in your spot.
ReplyDeleteHeather
room 4 imagination
Congratulations on passing your test!! And don't forget that you are AN AWESOME TEACHER!! Kindergarten during the first month can be rough.
ReplyDeleteCorrina
Mrs. Allen’s 5th Grade Files
I love your blog, but have not checked in lately. I can't believe you have been thrown into this crazy situation. It sounds like you have things under control. I think with the little ones consistency is the key as well as remembering they really don't know what is expected or what to do. Everything is new and has to be taught. What a great learning experience.
ReplyDeletePeace!