New Year, New Bunch

WELL.. I'm back, it's been quite a while. Let's just say that last year was rough. Because of just a few students my second year is definitely a year for the record books. Let's just hope we can classify it as "the worst" and move on to bigger and better things. 

That being said I have a new bunch this year, and am very hopeful that it continues to go smoothly.

This post I just want to mention a few things I have learned from my 2nd graders.

• It is possible to lose dice down your pants. Witnessed a dice dance trying to get it out. I'm not sure whether I am glad or grossed out that the dice was found when he came back from the bathroom.
• "The urinal is used to go #1, the toilet is used to go #1 and #2, AND # 3. That's when you do you know... both."

Let's see what I learn tomorrow!

Long Week

So, this week has been quite the long week. I have learned that ADHD meds make the world go round. It is amazing the difference in a student when theirs is not taken or working (one of the two).

 It is amazing how just 2-3 students can set the mood for the whole classroom. When those kids are having an off day, the whole class cannot function. It really is sad. I really do love my students and for the most part are really good kids, I just have to keep reminding myself that it is just those 2-3 students making it difficult, not the whole class. In spite of this I am starting 3 behavior plans on Monday, we'll see how it goes. I can only pray that my one lovely student doesn't laugh every time he gets a bad mark like he is doing with his current one. This has got to be one of the most annoying things. I discipline this child and he thinks its frickin' hilarious. It makes me want to pull my hair out. I'm like its not my ticket you're losing, I have no stinkin' idea why you think it's funny.

I am also starting to enjoy being a 2nd year teacher. It is amazing to already have stuff made, so I don't have to start from scratch. I can actually leave at a halfway decent time! Its amazing! I may stay until the occasional 7 or 7:30, but I was actually able to go home before 4:45 for the first time this year! It was a world I had never experienced before.

Recent revalation! I need to invest in a classroom thermometer to lower my nurse pass quota. Apparently nurse passes are hot commodities.

Had a student tell me this week "You're being unusually nice today." I responded with "Aren't I always nice" he said "Well, not really" Wow was that hard to hear. I'm used to being the really nice teacher, this new hard *** teacher thing is hard for me. And  I have to keep reminding myself that a good teacher is not always super duper nice to everyone, it's what's best for the class. I remember my mentor teacher telling me once during student teaching that "the kids didn't have to like her" and I thought that I never wanted that to be me. I now understand what she meant, but I still want to be that nice, fun, favorite teacher too. Happy medium? I hope that's where I am...??? It would be just so much easier if the students would always listen, follow directions, and never get out of control. Oh, only if the world was perfect.

I really do love my job, but some weeks are rougher than others. I'll let you guess what category this week goes in. Let's pray this week is a little more bearable.

Always Cracking Me Up

In the world of second grade, the idiosyncrasies of students really start to become a comedic relief. I have one student who is really cracking me up! We'll just call him D.M. The first sign that this would be an interesting experience was when I found out that he thought that P.E. (you know the most active special) would be a great time for a nap. I was informed that while sitting on the wall during P.E. he fell asleep.. not once.. but twice. My first response was, "He was sitting on the wall" (students are asked to do this when they have not been able to follow directions, be in control, etc). The answer was not exactly as expected, as it turns out he sat himself out because he was tired. I wish I could take a nap in the middle of the day. 

Today, he came up to me while we were coming to the carpet and said, "I think I need to sit in the safe seat." My shocked response was "Why sweetheart, did you do something" (let me tell you my kids are brutally honest this year, he would have said if he did). He said, "No, I'm just feeling angry." While trying to restrain the smile on my face, I told him he could go and cool down for a while. Priceless! 

When students are cute like this it makes me look forward to going back tomorrow. We'll see if tomorrow when I am there I feel the same way. 

Welcome!

Alright! I'm just kind of trying this out to see how I like it. I am really just wanting to use this as a way for me to record my experiences with my second graders this year. Last year was my first year, and really tried to record some of my unforgettable experiences in a journal, but failed miserably. So, I am hoping that this will work a little bit better, because I have already got some great stories with this group.

This year I have a very unique class, I like to call it my own little United Nations. I have students from every corner of the world it seems, and I love it! I have some very distinct personalities, some more enjoyable than others. Only time will tell how the 2nd grade class of 2011/2012 will play out, and I can't wait to see how it goes!