At the end of each day, like any teacher in their first few weeks back, I am mentally and physically drained. I am so lucky to have a husband who helps me take care of the house and grocery shopping because if it weren't for him I'd be starving and sleeping in a disgusting house every night. Luckily, that isn't the case. :)
It's way more exhausting teaching elementary school than middle school, but the rewards are there, and there are more of them since I share memories with my same group of 23 leaders (that's what I refer to them as) each day. I was feeling creative this morning (maybe it's all of our writings in our Seed Notebooks) so I felt the need to express my life as an elementary school teacher in a poem. Oh yes, it is cheesy and ridiculous.
"Today's a great day to learn and have fun!"
My little leaders are finishing up their morning routine when I hear
"Can I use the restroom?" "Yes, remember not to run."
After the pledge we gather on our class carpet.
Time for our morning classroom meeting.
"Leaders, remember, please do not pick the carpet."
Today's topic is hallway behavior and friendly greetings.
Next we have math, we feverishly measure
Circumference and diameter and pi
My little leaders are pros at using a protractor
And the ones who need practice? They still always try.
Time for a potty break-they're getting restless.
Sitting still for an hour is hard to do.
We walk safe straight and silent around the corner to the restroom
Playing quiet mouse, hallway expectations are nothing new.
Next up is word work, we work on our spelling.
Then time for a quick mini lesson on writing.
Afterwards, hooray! It's time for lunch.
But uh-oh, it looks like indoor recess-there's lightning.
After lunch we take a potty break-twice today so far.
Then it's time to write ideas in our seed notebooks.
We practice our stamina and write for an hour
And discuss how writers need to write good "hooks."
We line up for specials, today we have P.E.
My little active leaders, so excited, they're jumping.
We wait until everyone's ready for the hall.
I remind them KAHFOOTY (keep all hands, feet, other objects to yourself) and no bumping.
Now I have a little break.
I take a nice long sip of water from my cup.
I frantically organize, copy, plan, and grade.
Then, in a flash, time's up.
Time for a potty break, our read aloud and snack
Then's it's time for my favorite-reading workshop
We practice our reading routines and then move on to science
We fill in our planners and before we know it, it's time to stop.
"The day's already over?" one voice exclaims, shocked.
Our days are over in a flash
We have another class meeting to discuss our day
My leaders perform their class jobs and pick up our trash.
We high five each other on the way out the door.
I tell them what a great leader they were that day.
Some give me hugs and nearly all give me smiles
As they head out and are on their way.
I head home, exhausted, and plop down on my couch.
I look over tomorrow's plans and start to grin.
As tired, drained, and spent I am.
I can't wait for tomorrow to begin.