I got to school a little bit early so I could make sure that I was prepared for the day, since I found out very last minute that I would be teaching. The first hump was with the computers. I turned them on as always, only today they decide, the one day my teacher isn't there to help me, that they would rather not let me sign in for the day. So I texted my teacher to see if she had changed anything and forgotten to tell me..nope! She was just as shocked as I was! GREAATT!!! So no computers complicated just about everything: no smart board, several centers for guided reading groups, lesson plans, etc.
Then my children arrived, and there was no sub to be found. In case you didn't know, as a student teacher I am not legally allowed to be in the room by myself with the children for extended periods of time. Luckily, the other teachers in 2nd grade were very helpful and called the office to find out what was going on and kept a look out to make sure no one was going to get in trouble for this happening. Oh...my children.... they are a hoot! Since they are so young, any change to their routine is shocking. Even the smallest thing like not having their teacher or not going to a related arts class on a given day, completely messes with them and they become absolutely crazy. They mysteriously forget the rules and manners, etc. I had to lecture them on respect several times. I also, for the first time all year, I had to warn them of big mean loud voice. This is so weird because it takes so long for me to reach this point. But they kept pushing so hard I was left with no choice.
My lessons went well throughout the day. I figured out how to do things without technology and my children eventually settled down. But not for long! After music, they came back and it was the down hill slide!! During math, the overhead projector light bulb blew out so I went to use the elmo camera on the smart board, which I finally gotten to work during planning. This was not as effective, but I got the point across. Then while we were transitioning to Social Studies I had 2 young men gang up on 1 boy for a chair on the carpet- the resulting tears took me out of the room with them to get one of the other 2nd grade teachers to help me resolve it. This left the sub in charge of S.S. Since they had been so ridiculous in transition and during math, I decided that they would read out of the book instead of viewing this cool website I had found about the subject of the day- Pilgrims, Indians, and the first Thanksgiving. The sub did a great job with them while I was finding out the true story behind the chair incident. Then, not 15 minutes later, does one boy come up to me and tell me that one of the girls threatened him. This was 10 minutes before dismissal and while everyone was packing up to go home. Talk about chaos. This also involved me having to get one of the other teachers to help me decide what to do.
let me just say this, in all this chaos today there were two wonderful rays of sunshine. The first was at recess and two of my girls picked some of the "flowers" (weeds) from the play ground and gave them to me. Then later today, one of my boys just gave a big hug while we were in transition from one subject to another. Both of these small actions, made me realize that through the crazy times when I get so beaten down- that it is so very much worth it because the kids still love you no matter how much ridiculousness goes on in the day.
Needless to say, after today I feel that I can handle just about any situation that comes my way. I learned so much in such a small window of time. I always leave feeling more and more prepared for the career that I have chosen.
I am exhausted, but ready for what tomorrow has in store. After all, I love this job because every day is a new beginning with many new surprises!!
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