22

I learned...handwriting is far more involved than when I was a student. Frog-jump letters, songs about where you start your letters, and

Something great that happened was...I received good feedback from Jane about how my morning meetings are going, actually it was more of "I had such confidence in your ability that I actually haven't paid super close attention to them." But I'll take it!

Something challenging that happened was...having to give Malachi a consequence for his noncooperative attitude in the LC. It was hard to take something away from him, when I know he has a hard time going upstairs each day.

A question I have is...how do you break students of annoying habits, like talking in voices (ala Jarjar Binks) without being rude or squashing their individuality?

I wonder about...what they will all be like tomorrow at 1:15 after we sugar them up with ice cream....

21

I learned...butterflies emerging in the middle of morning meeting is the best reason to toss the routine away for a bit!

Something great that happened was...I survived my first back to school night - and it was a great experience!

Something challenging that happened was...being confronted by an unhappy and slightly forceful parent at 8am, but the good thing was I was able to deal with it appropriately.

A question I have is...how do you gently and appropriately deal with forceful and upset parents?

I wonder about...what it's like to be a butterfly emerging from your chrysalis.

23

I learned...releasing a butterfly into the world is such an amazing experience!

Something great that happened was...I made it through my first lesson with no problems, and received great feedback, phew!

Something challenging that happened was...having to have Malachi come in at the end of our butterfly release party to go upstairs, it broke my heart to have to bring him in from such a great activity, and I knew his tears were real and hurting tears.

A question I have is...how do you differentiate between a child who just needs to get there own way because of how they've been raised at home and a child who has "rock brain" moments because of actual special needs?

I wonder about...where our butterflies are flying off too...

20

I learned...that in your eyes it may be a "small problem" but to your average six year old, someone being in their rug spot is a "big problem" - no matter how you try to tell them otherwise.

Something great that happened was...a great morning meeting, I felt like I held their attention, got my messages across and had them learning without them really realizing that they were.

Something challenging that happened was...dealing with Bhavya having several rigid moments today over seemingly "small problems" which he saw as "big problems."  Even more challenging was trying to work with him while Jane and Jen looked on, no pressure...

A question I have is...how do teachers do it all if they have no intern or aide or para? Two teachers in the room and we have 19 kids calling out names...I guess this is what Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar feel like all day every day...

I wonder about...how I can get it all done, classwork, lesson/teaching work, MTELs, and manage to eat, breathe, and sleep.

19

I learned...there's a difference between hyper/active and silly. A child can be both and as a teacher it's up to you to sense when they've crossed from hyper/active into silly.

Something great that happened was...being able to approach two parents at dismissal and discuss small issues that happened during the day. I felt confident and respected.

Something challenging that happened was...having a student tell me they don't like me because I made them "do boring things" - not easy to hear, but bound to happen eventually.

A question I have is...how do you guide children and maintain the structure of the classroom without making them not like you?

I wonder about...what's going on in the mind of a hyper/active child? Are they truly going 5 miles a minute? Do they realize it?

18

I learned...even on a personal (religious) day I think about the class and what they'd be doing at any given time of the day.

17

I learned...that it's super hard to not just tell a student an answer and let them solve the problem themselves.  It may be clear to you, but it's not to them. Just try to explain the problem to them and help then see what you're seeing.

Something great that happened was...I successfully used the countdown timer and music to regain control of the class during the end of the day transition.  I could have lost my temper, but I was able to maintain my composer and keep the class focused.

Something challenging that happened was...trying to keep the kid's together and in line while at the same time deal with a student having a meltdown. I've never wished more that there were two of me, but there wasn't.

A question I have is...does the time teachers spent working with and assisting students with special needs, like Bhavya and Connor, help or hinder the rest of the class. Does it teach them how to work and exist with others or take away from their instruction time?

I wonder about...what it's like to be learning all this new information, so much math, and words, and rules, and more.