5 Week Reports

Teachers always complain about parent teacher conferences, because they are looong weeks and even loooonger days. Don't ask how that works, but it does. I, on the other hand, love this week. And here's why:

You know when you visit a dear friend's home, and you go "Ahh ha! That's why he/she is THAT way." I love knowing and understanding my friends. And 5 weeks into the school year, I really feel like most of my students are friends. And parent teacher conferences give me a glimpse into their home. These fifteen minute visits with parents and often siblings helps me understand and love my newest friends better.

On a side note: I'm pretty pumped about TV this week. SURVIVOR (week 2 of China), Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice (shows great promise for greatness).

Ok, that's all.

You're Not Supposed to Have Favorites.

JL (abreviated to protect my job) is a student on my team at school. He is from the Marshall Islands, and although I can't describe that accent that accompanies these students, I do know that he has THE accent. JL is short - probably only 4 ft tall. That's short for 6th grade. Despite his learning disabilities, JL is one of the happiest kids I know.

The other day, JL had another students marker. Just before he threw it to her, I stopped him. "Walk it," I instructed. He stands up and dances across the room singing, "Walk it out..." I probably shouldn't have laughed, but I definitely did!

Recently he was given a new schedule, and he know longer comes to my math class. At least, he isn't supposed to. Today alone, JL snuck into my room 3 times. It's pretty funny, and I don't really mind. Each time I say, "JL go to class," he responds, "Ahhh, man!" He then smiles, hugs me and leaves. I LOVE IT!

I NEED HELP!

So, somehow, I just was assigned/got volunteered to teach/coach soccer after school two days a week. What's the bad news, you ask? Um, well... I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT SOCCER. I'VE NEVER PLAYED A DAY IN MY LIFE! Ooops.

Thus, I pose the question: Anyone wanna help? Anyone want to teach me the rules? I'll take any and all advice, lessons, help, etc.

It's Love

I'm starting to love them. Really. The rough nature of last week made it difficult to love my students, however, I'm coming around. This probably says something about how I stink at loving people when I'm stressed or in less-than-perfect situations, but... the point is: I really love them, now.

My favorite part of the day is right after lunch. I get my homebase kids back for 30 minutes of "Enrichment" time. I'm still not exactly sure what I'm SUPPOSED to be doing with them during this time, but I've found something I love doing with them at this time. I read. We all lay/lie around the room, while I read aloud a book called "Things Not Seen." Hilarious, the book, that is.

I love that I can lay/lie on the floor in the middle of the day at work and it is seen as "being relevant" to my students. I also love how sixth graders still LOVE read-alouds. And finally, I love listening to their own connections to the stories.


Side note: I realize I don't know the difference between lay and lie, and I don't think I care. I teach math and reading, not grammar. Thus, the slashes.

Just thankful.

I love my friends. After a week of not-so-fun middle school adventures, I was almost surprised at how much I love my friends.

I love:

- that they don't make me feel guilty for skipping out every once and awhile.

- that we just sit around and talk most of the time.

- that the group is regularly evolving.

- that there are finally several other girls "in the group."

- the ghetto music they listen to.

That's all. Just thankful.

Right, left, left, right

Today was the first time in 2 1/2 weeks of work that I have missed summertime. I guess that is normal. But I do. I miss the beach, and I miss feeling rested. I got home from work tonight at 6:30 and my body just hurt. Like I laid on the couch unable to move, because I hurt.

I'm sure I'll get better at all this, but man!

Don't think it has been a bad start, just hard and intense all day long. Be thankful that someone taught you to open a locker combination, by the way! Because whoever that someone was -- they MUST have had more patience than I do. If I have to say, "Right, left, left, right," one more time....

Open House

After two weeks of meetings, I'm more than ready to start. On Thursday evening we had open house at the school. The combination of meeting students, new school shirts and the realization that I am a REAL teacher (FINALLY!) had me giddy with excitement. Here are my two favorite moments of the evening:

1. At the beginning of the evening started with a meeting in the auditorium where administration welcomed new parents and students to the school. Then as the principal finished her initial introductions the translator began. Although this may not sound like an overly exciting event, I got teary-eyed as I almost heard, "Here ya go, Cara. The nations are at your door. Its time to start loving them." PS - Last I heard, my school is about 57% English Language Learners (ELL).

2. As I finished my shpeel for my advanced Pre-Algebra class, I met the father of a student. He was beeming from ear to ear and told me about his son, in broken English. "He in this class, because he good at math!" I said, "Yes, yes!" I'm so stinkin' excited about getting to know my students and their families.