WAITAMINUTE...

Wrong girl...wrong situation!

The Story of My Bathtub

If you have ever been to my classroom, you know that I have a gorgeous, bright red, first grader-sized bathtub. It was quite the find. I used to have a second job (I still don't know how I lived through THREE years of working an additional four hours each night after teaching for six+ hours! But, that's a different post for another day) at Bath and Bodyworks. Every so often, we had to "purge the props" to make room for new props...and, I LOVED that part of the job.

Anyway, I had my eye on this tub for several months. I'd hint that I wanted to buy it. I set myself a budget that the most I would ever pay for it would be $100. Like I mentioned earlier, it is a brilliant red tub. The plastic (acrylic?) is about two inches thick. And the best part? It sits on four silver claw feet! I loved it. I mean, really loved it. And I wanted it. When the time came to finally get rid of it, my manager knew how badly I wanted it for my classroom. She told me it was mine...are you ready for this?...for $5.00!! Yes, just a fiver. I was ecstatic!

It has been sitting in my classroom ever since. I put a body pillow, another smaller bright pink pillow, my childhood Holly Hobbie doll, and an Arthur doll that speaks when you squeeze his tummy. Also, a couple of years ago, the grandma of one of my students made a little ABC blanket with crocheted edging especially for the tub. So cute.

Every week, I pick an aviator. You know, the STAR student. That student not only gets to sit in a special old fashioned desk, but can read in the tub and even do their math pages if they choose. This bathtub is BIG TIME for the children. And, I suppose for ME as well.

"Wake me up when the bell rings!"

(Yes, she really did say that.)

Woe, Woe, Woah!

I REALLY, REALLY, REALLY need a new 'perfect' satchel.

Plus...

I desperately really, really, really need a new pair of black shoes to wear to school with skirts.

BIG PROBLEM...

I'm a school teacher. I can't afford them. And...that's the truth.

Thanks George and Abe...and Zoe!

I love you all for four reasons:

1. Their photos are on a lot of my money.

2. They did outstanding, beyond extraordinary acts of brilliance for this here United States of America.

3. I got a day off of school.

4. I got another unexpected gift from a student (Zoe) to help me celebrate President's Day...

This note makes me giggle every time I read it.

The fact that I received this today and that Zoe considered it "late"

is so cute. Does it make YOU smile?

I knew it would.

My adorable little Miss Zoe brought me an EIGHT pack

of my favorite...Diet Coke.

This little girl remembers

EVERY.SINGLE.HOLIDAY

and brings me a little something.

So cool.

Oh Boy!

While correcting the Math pages today I had a "special" experience. In my classroom, the children stand in line, holding their math pages, waiting for me to correct them and do a little individual assessment on the go.

Things were going well when, what to my wondering ears should hear...

"OH MY HELL!!"

I looked up and asked the boy to which this phrase was directed, "Did she just say what I think she just said?"

Boy: She said "Oh my h-e-l-l."

Me: Cybil????

Cybil: What?? A person can't say "Oh my HELL at school?" That's dumb.

Me: Oh honey. Come with me.

A call was made to her dad. During the call she happened to say "So, you mean we can't say "Oh my Hell at school OR oh my God? That's so stupid." (We had already had a talk a couple of weeks ago about the second offense.)

LATER:

At the end of the day, I went outside to her mom's car an knocked on her window. When she rolled it down I said "Oh my Hell. I wish you'd stop swearing at home." She laughed. She said she was sorry. Ya...right.

(Yes, I said "Hell" four times in this post...make that five!)

And This Is Why I Could Never Quit My Job...

I love the underlined words.

And, I love that she likes my clothes.

But mostly, I love that she knew I needed a valenin.

Well I HAVE taught them a lot about

computers!

Next writing lesson: Periods (again!)

The wrold, juiptr, mrs, and satrun.

These little gems came out of an activity where we made a valentine

for someone who works at the school.

The children were instructed to tell the worker why

they cared about him or her.

They were so sweet.

I honestly didn't expect to get one for myself.

Why do children always seem to know what we need at just the

right time?

(ps...Cybil wrote hers to her Kindergarten teacher!

Go me!)

Roller Coaster

Before I got out of my car to go into the school this morning, I said a prayer. I asked my Heavenly Father to help me do just ONE thing today. That one thing was to speak with a soft voice the entire day. Not that I ever yell or raise my voice but it does tend to get a little loud. It was hard but I did it. And, you know, it made a difference that everyone felt...especially me. Try it sometime. My students now know that I, like President Teddy Roosevelt, can walk softly and carry a big stick!

Things are looking up. I have come to realize that "Cybil" is in need. She needs me to be a solid foundation for her. She needs someone to be patient. I'll try super hard not to be a drama queen. :) I'll still be firm when she needs it but...my heart has softened. I may even like that little girl. (It's a given that I love her, but liking someone is a whole new level from "love". Does that make sense?) Thank you for your comments. I really do appreciate you all. They were too kind.

So, here's to a change in direction.

How To Be A "Drama Queen"

Oh boy. What a day I had. I hate it when I have days like this. Days that make me question my career choice. I mean, how could I...a 47 year old woman who has taught for 24 years...still ask myself if I made the right choice to become a teacher? But I do question it when some days turn disastrous...sometimes. Today was one of those times.

It started out like any other Monday in First Grade. Kids came in. Hugs. Hellos. Notes from parents. Giddy chatter about fun things that happened on the weekend. Late homework turned in. 8:30. 9:00. 9:30. 9:45...BOOM! It hits. My little student whom I will call "Cybil" (not her real name), came moseying in from her intervention group.

Me: Cybil, I'd like you to do your ABC center. Don't worry about the other ones. Just do that one today.

Cybil: Why?

Me: Because you only have 15 minutes.

Cybil: Okkkkkaaaay

(Walks to her box. Hands in pockets. Looking around room. Looks in everyone else's box. Winds around every table. Yawns. Stops to admire Zoe's hair ribbon)

Me: You better hurry, your time's running out.

Cybil: I don't know what to do.

I explained it all over again. Now there were about five minutes left.

Me: Cybil, I need you to do your work now.

Cybil: Should I just guess.

Me: You can guess but you'll have to redo it.

(Even as I write this I realize that it probably sounds lame to you but it is real life for me. Normally, I wouldn't have been so adamant that she finish it if it wasn't such a reoccurring DAILY scene. Plus, she had problems last week at recess. Me: Cybil, did you hit Marley? Cybil: No, I didn't hit her...I PUNCHED her!)

Now it was 10:00 and she hadn't even started. All the other children had finished and were "at the rug." I had her finish or miss recess until it was done (I NEVER do that. NEVER. I hated myself for even using that threat.) BINGO! "recess" was the magic word. Her assignment was done in 5 minutes flat.

(Are you still with me?)

After recess. I'm feeling a headache coming on. I dismiss it...I don't have TIME for headaches!

I gave an awesome lesson about "Do" and "Go" past tense forms. (Past Tense VERB forms for first graders! I know. Don't get me started about our Reading program. Seriously!) Every child got right to work on the practice portion of the lesson. That is, all but, Cybil. Just repeat the previous encounter, and you'll have the scene. I could feel myself losing patience. I was losing it fast and I realized that there were 19 other sets of eyes watching me slowly sink into Mrs. Trunchbull. I could tell that they wanted their teacher back. You know the one. The one I usually am: fun, loving, sweet, patient. I sort of hated myself for the feelings I was feeling and for my bubbling frustration.

I decided right there that I needed to take a step back. Rather than let my class see me get more and more frustrated over one child, I would remove myself and Cybil from the situation. I had her pick up her paper and pencil and follow me out the door. I remembered to turn off my microphone (thank goodness) before giving my lecture. You know the one..."I expect a lot more out of you!" "I expect you to do the same things as the other children." "I don't appreciate it when you roll your eyes at me and shout "OH MY G__" every time I ask you to do something."

Then she dropped the bomb on me. She said:

"UUrrrghhh! You're such a drama queen?"

I know!! I was absolutely cracking up in my head but that was not a proper response in this situation. I took her by the hand and quietly led her to the office. All the way she was whining, "I'm soooorrrry! I'm sooorrrrry! I'm sooorrrry!" Then, I left her there. I LEFT HER THERE!! I can't believe I gave up! I gave up! What kind of teacher AM I??

The rest of the day, I fell into the depths of despair. I had lost. I have always prided myself in the fact that I never take students to the office. I never use the LRR (Least Restrictive Room)...and I've taught FIFTH GRADE!! Never. And here it was. A six year old had bested me. Rather than feeling triumphant, I felt defeat. I felt like a first year teacher all over again. I can't even type this without tears in my eyes and shame in my heart. I don't want to go back.

Cybil did return to class after lunch. (A lunch she refused to eat because it was "gross") I will say that she returned very repentant. She participated in Math and did every problem. After Music, she told me that she had a crush "on Jason, the new kid." I even got a hug good bye.

I guess my biggest fear is that my students will see me when I am feeling and acting like someone I'm not. When everyday starts to feel that way for me...I need to quit. I can't even imagine feeling dread everyday to return to a job I grew to hate. It's hard to believe that people really DO hate teaching yet return day in and day out for years and years. Rest assured, I am far FAR FAR! from those feelings. However, every so often, a day like today shows up and rears it's ugly head. It gives me pause to review my strengths as an educator. My strength as a person. Of why I chose this profession. Reflection can be a blessing.

Tomorrow will be better. Right??