Here we Go!

Tomorrow is the day.  I'm still drowning a little, but tomorrow is the day the kids come, and I make the complete conversion to an Elementary Teacher.  Today, Madison and I went to my classroom and made a pocket chart.  A POCKET CHART!  ME!  I hope I did it right-good grief.  I plan to spend the next few days practicing things like lining up, walking to lunch, changing classes, and using that pocket chart. 

The kids are surprisingly ok.  I think I'm more rattled and nervous than they are. 

I do have a lot of comfort in knowing that they are with me.  I don't even begin to know what that will be like, really.  But, going into it, it's one thing that gives me calm.

Here goes.

Stress, good stress, but still stress...

So, since we've been back from vacation, I've been wanting to see my classroom and get the "lay of the land" so to speak.  I've been worried about the change to elementary school, teaching 5th grade, having RECESS DUTY, setting up my classroom with no materials...and on and on and on...I'm good at worrying, fretting, and stressing in general.  I was finally able to see my classroom yesterday morning, and the first thing my eyes caught were CUBBIES.  I freaked a little, realizing there are no lockers in elementary schools, but still settled in the idea that I was going to have my very own classroom.  I am super excited about that-really really excited about that.  I did get overwhelmed though-not having desks, or a teacher desk or a way to organize any science equipment.  So, I left.  I made a list of questions for my new principal, and set my sights on the teacher store.  Crystal held my hand today as I walked in and looked at the store in a whole new light-through the eyes of an elementary teacher.  I looked at bathroom passes, calendars, border, posters, birthday signs, all kinds of things.  I did keep the spending to a minimum-but truth be told, I bet I go back again before school starts.  I felt so much better with some cutesy stuff under my belt, and now settled in my classroom.  Well, not settled, but set in.  After the teacher store, we feasted at Pei Wei, and spontaneously treated ourselves to a summer pedicure...complete with a complimentary glass of wine.  Needless to say, I was waaaaay more relaxed after she talked me off the ledge I was inching toward jumping off, and of course, the wine helped, too-always does.

I'll keep you posted on the transition for me...baby steps.  Or little kid steps.  Elementary Steps I guess is what I should say....

the children have gone mad.

TAKS is over.  It's Friday.  It's May, (well, almost).  There is literally screaming in the halls.  Help.

Crazy Town

Today was the 8th Grade TAKS test, which meant the 7th grade schedules were a little on the wacky side as well.  While we were waiting to be released, we slipped into just normal conversation.  The kids were asking my my favorite color, actor, etc...and somehow the subject of my home came up.

"Do you have a pool?"

"No."

"You DON'T HAVE A POOL???  What do you DO in the summer?"

That was a general exclamation from the entire class-not just one student by the way.  Wow.

Bad Mom USA

So, tonight was Math and Science night at Madison and Tanner's school and I TOTALLY blew it off.  I mean, I knew it was happening, drove right by the school, and kept on driving.  AND I'M A SCIENCE TEACHER!!  Instead, I came home, put on some cozy sweats and bribed the kids with some Chef Boyardee and extra Wii time.

So, this is my confession.  I need absolution.

finding my place

So, the new job. The learning curve is high for me on this one-on a jillion different levels. Most of all the technology. Now, I like to think of myself as a techno-savy girl, but in my teaching world, I'm a fan of the overhead projector. I've dabbled in projectors, powerpoints, microscope cameras, probes, and graphing calculators, but as far as the day-to-day nuts and bolts of running my classroom, I love the overhead.

Well, there are none in my new school. Zero. They have smartboards and document cameras. Like I said, high learning curve.

Other than technology on the brain, I also have my classroom on the brain. More the fact that I don't have one; I'm one of those traveling teachers with a cart. I think I've come up with a great system for said cart, but still, I'm worried how that's all going to work out. I'm constantly in someone else's space, and just kind of wishing I had my own. But, I knew what I signed up for, so here goes...

And then, there's just getting to know new people. I've found my safe place in the back of staff meetings, but wandering around all day like I am, I'll be forced to come out of my shell. I love my shell. I'm happy in my shell, but I suppose I'll come out someday. After the first day. After I learn that smartboard, and after I figure out where I'm going. :)

I gotta give him credit...

This week of teacher training has been a drain on the ol' fam, and a beat down for Todd. Even though I'm half-time for the school year, I've been working overtime to get ready for that school year-meaning gone before sunrise, and home at sunset. There are some stories in that alone that I will save until I'm a little less brain dead, and a little more positive. :) I'm sure you know how that goes...

But back to Todd, the best husband on the planet. Yes, you read that correctly; go ahead and print it out. I know I don't brag on him that often, but he really has picked up the slack this week. He's done the Morning Routine of breakfast, clothes, beds, and bags for the day. He's dropped off the kids and Marley at their designated locations; he's picked them up, and fed them dinner. He even stopped by his Mom's this afternoon to help with Grady's naptime, an ongoing debate and battle. In addition to all that, the kids told me he read a few bedtime stories and tucked them all in super tight and cozy. AND, the house is not totally wrecked. I'd even say it was clean.

And then today we all pulled the rug out from under him.

This morning, Madison locked his keys in the truck. He was already late for a meeting at work, but luckily could borrow his Mom's car and get there relatively on time. She was saved by the hair on her chinny chin chin. Having friends in high places, he was able to problem-solve that situation through the James Wood Dealer by lunch. Bumps to Roger for that one. :) Then, this afternoon, I had a flat tire. In Southlake. Besides that, I used my girl card, and played helpless. Todd drove from Decatur to Southlake to fix the tire, and did so without too much complaint. And after all that, he patiently listened to me as I showed him my little teaching-without-a-classroom setup. He didn't offer his 2 cents a single time! He just listened! I know. Pick your jaw up off the floor. It's true!

So, in my moment of supercrazy, Todd was my hero. Who knew? :)

I guess, deep down, I did.

young chivalry

6th graders are funny-especially watching them navigate the "I want to play on the playground, but she's kinda cute" emotions.

One boy in particular is so twitterpated with his little girlfriend, that he acts like a super freak in class-even bringing lego toys to class one day. Toys. Good grief! I think he's just so excited that she's in his atmosphere that he can't reign in his actions completely. Despite the superfreakness, he's a super neat kid. He makes me laugh everyday. And, he walks his girl to every class, either carrying her books or her bookbag. Today, he pulled out her chair for her as she sat in her desk.

It's just neat to a boy turning into a nice young man-to already know that those little things make his girl feel like a princess. I hope it sticks. I have a feeling it just might.

actual scientific science fair project results

"This one was not a dud."

-a sixth grader