Take Two

Well, I was in the middle of a big long blog catching you all up on my first week and it somehow got deleted! :((( I HATE when stuff like that happens! I write to get all my feelings out and then once its out I'm over it. So, this WAS going to be a great post catching you all up! Now I am just going to sum it up!

Lesson of the day, write blogs in word and paste onto blogger!

The first week has been incredibly rough. I went from 22 young students to 27 in a matter of five minutes, all on the first day mind you. I have about 3/4 boys; loud, rowdy boys and 1/4 girls; talkative, bossy girls. Of course they are all incredibly cute. I can honestly say that I have the CUTEST class! If only I could get them to be the best behaved.

I have been told that with 27 students they don't expect much out of me. They are telling me to just try and survive and teach what I can along the way. I did not become a teacher to survive, or to just do what I could. I became a teacher to TEACH and to make a difference. So, despite the lack of pressure from those above me, there is a ton of pressure from within.

I have been told that we will hopefully be getting help soon. They are looking into hiring a teacher's aid for me and the other classroom teacher. I am crossing my fingers that his happens SOON and that we both get one rather than having to share. Right now, by the time I make it to the other side of the room to stop a disruption three more have occurred on the other side.

I have one student who continually disrupts class. After talking to the principal, she said he was in her office daily last year and to send him down after the first warning no exceptions. Normally, I like to handle things myself. However, I feel like he is taking away my time from the other students and that they will benefit more if I just send him out. So, he makes at least three trips to the office every day. Besides his normal distractions, this student has also been to the office for bringing fireworks to school and playing IN the toilet! His accomplice was also sent down. I have also had to send a child to the office for telling another child, "Tell on me again and you die." Keep in mind, we have only been in school 6 days. For most of the children the "it's still new I want to be good" phases hasn't worn off yet. Some of these kids never went through that phase! I, of course, also have the kids who to want to hug me and tell me how much they love me all day, but even they are constantly out of their seat at inappropriate times. And let us not forget about the boss who is constantly telling everyone what to do, even though she is not following the rules herself.

Today, I started a new discipline plan, and the class seemed to do a lot better! We have five rules at our school: 1- follow directions quickly; 2-raise your hand for permission to speak; 3- raise your hand for permission to leave your seat; 4- make smart choices; 5- keep your dear teacher happy. At my school we believe in whole brain teaching. So, each rule has a picture and a hand motion as well. The rules are practice school wide and we say them several times through out the day. Of course, we have to talk about what smart choices are and how to keep your teacher happy, but that's how we cover all negative behavior without too may rules. To help enforce this policy, I incorporated this into a "card pulling" type discipline. Except it is the opposite, I suppose. I have designated a card for each rule; yellow for rule 1, blue for 2, etc. As the students break the rules, they pull the card for that specific rule and put it in their pocket on the chart. Not working when given the chance or leaning back in their chair is not considered a smart choice and results in a rule 4 card. Using foul language, or being disrespectful to others or their property is considered not keeping you teacher happy. I have also added a bathroom card that the students have to put on the chart if they MUST go to the bathroom during class.

At the end of the day students with less than 5 cards get to spend the last 10-15 minutes of class in centers (which they love). Those that don't read or study spelling words, and if they cant do that quietly they put their head on their table. Today, only 10 students got to go to centers. I found it difficult to help the kids at the centers and keep the others quiet so they were all told to put their heads on their desks. This was even a challenge because they continued to cut up every time I turned my back. As time goes on, the students in centers wont need as much help, but today was the first day they were allowed to. Also, I do not want this to be a fun time for the students at their desks. So, I asked around to see if anyone would be available to push in the last few minutes and help me keep an eye on the students. The principal told me to send them to her and she would just line them up in the office. I am going to try that tomorrow. I hope that after the students spend a few days watching their peers enjoy themselves they will strive for the same thing. Every time I went to hand out cards to those acting up the students quickly corrected their behavior. I am hoping in time the behavior will be prevented rather than eliminated.

I also send home a daily evaluation of the students' behavior to their parents. I write a brief note in their planners using smiley or frowny faces. Getting a good note home has been quite the incentive for some of the children. I also try to give stickers as I catch students behaving as much as possible.

In summary, school is tough right now. I have too many kids to achieve what I want and I take it personally that I cant succeed. I do have great support from the staff. Teachers with free time come in to help keep and eye on the students and the principal is great about disciplining the students. However, not being able to do it all myself disheartens me. I am hoping things will get better with the new discipline plan, and REALLY hoping to get some help soon!

*Looks like I needed to get it all out again! Lucky you didn't have to miss out despite the previous deletion. :)*

Oh and my 2nd lesson of the day, reward yourself!

I was told that you should blow your first paycheck. I didn't really have any intention of doing that, despite a small shopping spree, but I innocently went into a Coach store (just to look) and fell in LOVE with this purse!

It is a Maggie Floral. I LOVE roses (really just flowers in general, but roses have a special meaning to me) Still, I didn't even think about paying that much for it. So, I looked on ebay and found it for $350. That was still steep. Then, the family I babysat for this summer (who I told about the gorgeous purse I had seen) gave me $100 specifically for my "purse fund!" It was meant to be I HAD to have it. After all, never again will I have so few financial responsibilities and be able to spend so much on a purse.

So, I ordered it and stalked it on usps.com as it headed my way. I left a note on the front door instructing the post-person to leave it, and throw it on the balcony if possible, but definitely LEAVE it! I sent two friends over to my house to check on it. One of my friends, Flem, said the post-person wrote on my note explaining that because of insurance she couldn't leave it. I immediately called the post office asked if they could contact that person and get them to come back after 4. They were no help, but did tell me if I got their right before close POSSIBLY the delivery would be back at the office. I was afraid I wouldn't get there in time and asked my wonderful bf to get it in case I didn't. I did happen to arrive before close but traffic was heavy and as I drove up to the post office I seen my boyfriends car. At that, I just drove past and decided not to go in due to traffic. As I was driving past, I seen my bf walk out with a box in his hand! I was SO excited!! As soon as we got home I ripped into the box like the kid on A Christmas Story when he finally gets his secret society decoder pin in the mail. My purse is gorgeous! I LOVE it! It is worth all the craziness to this beautiful masterpiece hanging from my arm!!