Scooby Doo, Where Are You?
So yesterday morning I woke up at 8AM to work on a couple of poster boards that I wanted to hang up in the classroom. I knew a couple of administrators would be at the school, so, providing I popped in there before noon, I would be able to hang them up.
Trying to pull creativity with paint on one cup of coffee was a timely effort. I have a couple of competitions in the works for each semester. And trying to spell ‘competition’ using cut-out bubble letters was virtually impossible. It didn’t look right spelled correctly, nor did it make sense spelled wrong. I had John look “competition” up in the dictionary because I didn’t believe myself or spell checker.
Most of my students attended summer school, so the other teachers knew their little quirks. For instance, the boy who tends to throw temper tantrums (and three chairs in the process) is assigned to the seat next to the door. This way, if he should be removed (which they tell me he will at some point or the other), there will very few objects he can throw on his way.
I turned in my curriculum card on Friday, but have already decided to make a couple of small changes. I need to just learn to let things go. I have a tendency of never completing a task because I can always find ways to perfect it. So, I have promised myself, that come Monday, there is no more changes (this is inevitable anyways, as they go home to the parents on Wednesday).
I have everything prepared for tomorrow morning, but I will only feel “prepared” once I step foot in the door and my first class (the Experiment) is over.
When I become nervous, I silently ask myself, “What are you afraid of?” These are kids, just keep that in mind. You’re the adult here; you’re at least twice their age.
I’m okay with being nervous, I’m not okay with them seeing me nervous. “Don’t let them see fear on your face,” was my only advice. Lovely. My day will be a success if my voice doesn’t crack.
* * *
On another note, yesterday we went over to John’s parents’ house because his (second?) cousins were in town from New York/New Jersey. This brought both of John’s Dad’s sisters over, along with their children, and their children’s children. Amazingly, there were eight children and over twelve adults for a BBQ. This is still such a phenomenon for me, who growing up had one set of grandparents and an aunt. There were never more than six people over for any of the Holidays, much less any spur of the moment family interaction.
I generally stay quiet for quite some time while this is going on. The level of noise, the number of children, boisterous banter, taunting and playful arguments, followed by more serious conversations about growing up and the adults’ world views…well, quite honestly, it just sort of intimidates me. In some ways it reminds me of the family from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I’m partly in awe and partly uncomfortable.
My world was always quiet, minus the loud fights between my mother and father. As I child, it was always my mom and me against the world, not this loud huge army that I see with John’s family. It’s fascinating to observe the systems at work in this intricate little web of blood bonds.
* * *
And finally, with many apologies, I have not been available much these past few weeks. I know that I have neglected reading Live Journal entries and responding to people. (And more specifically, Rich, I have gotten your messages, but the time zones have been causing my trouble. Since I’ve been getting up at 5:45 a.m. during the week, come 9:30 - 10:00 p.m. (you’re 6:30) I can’t seem to muster up the energy to talk to anyone. Also, I have a tendency not to put an away message on with AIM. Ooops).
So, to make up for missing out on everyone’s worlds…
Poll
Trying to pull creativity with paint on one cup of coffee was a timely effort. I have a couple of competitions in the works for each semester. And trying to spell ‘competition’ using cut-out bubble letters was virtually impossible. It didn’t look right spelled correctly, nor did it make sense spelled wrong. I had John look “competition” up in the dictionary because I didn’t believe myself or spell checker.
Most of my students attended summer school, so the other teachers knew their little quirks. For instance, the boy who tends to throw temper tantrums (and three chairs in the process) is assigned to the seat next to the door. This way, if he should be removed (which they tell me he will at some point or the other), there will very few objects he can throw on his way.
I turned in my curriculum card on Friday, but have already decided to make a couple of small changes. I need to just learn to let things go. I have a tendency of never completing a task because I can always find ways to perfect it. So, I have promised myself, that come Monday, there is no more changes (this is inevitable anyways, as they go home to the parents on Wednesday).
I have everything prepared for tomorrow morning, but I will only feel “prepared” once I step foot in the door and my first class (the Experiment) is over.
When I become nervous, I silently ask myself, “What are you afraid of?” These are kids, just keep that in mind. You’re the adult here; you’re at least twice their age.
I’m okay with being nervous, I’m not okay with them seeing me nervous. “Don’t let them see fear on your face,” was my only advice. Lovely. My day will be a success if my voice doesn’t crack.
* * *
On another note, yesterday we went over to John’s parents’ house because his (second?) cousins were in town from New York/New Jersey. This brought both of John’s Dad’s sisters over, along with their children, and their children’s children. Amazingly, there were eight children and over twelve adults for a BBQ. This is still such a phenomenon for me, who growing up had one set of grandparents and an aunt. There were never more than six people over for any of the Holidays, much less any spur of the moment family interaction.
I generally stay quiet for quite some time while this is going on. The level of noise, the number of children, boisterous banter, taunting and playful arguments, followed by more serious conversations about growing up and the adults’ world views…well, quite honestly, it just sort of intimidates me. In some ways it reminds me of the family from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, and I’m partly in awe and partly uncomfortable.
My world was always quiet, minus the loud fights between my mother and father. As I child, it was always my mom and me against the world, not this loud huge army that I see with John’s family. It’s fascinating to observe the systems at work in this intricate little web of blood bonds.
* * *
And finally, with many apologies, I have not been available much these past few weeks. I know that I have neglected reading Live Journal entries and responding to people. (And more specifically, Rich, I have gotten your messages, but the time zones have been causing my trouble. Since I’ve been getting up at 5:45 a.m. during the week, come 9:30 - 10:00 p.m. (you’re 6:30) I can’t seem to muster up the energy to talk to anyone. Also, I have a tendency not to put an away message on with AIM. Ooops).
So, to make up for missing out on everyone’s worlds…
Poll