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Joy in the Journey

"Focus on the journey not the destination. Joy is not found in finishing the activity but in doing it."

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First Post

I got a blog finally!
I have decided that after the first week of school that I am going to need a place to vent where no one sees me complain and I also want some good memories of how I am going to survive this first year of teaching!
Two words describe my first week: Overwhelmed and Stressed!!!

Let's just recap for the record of the basic highlights of the last 5 days:
  • I have a student with a huge social/emotional/behavioral disorder and I don't know how to deal with them. I have been given no support whatsover so far.
  • Over half the students in my class go to Title, as well as Speech, Special Ed. etc..and they aren't even getting half of the help that they need....*sigh*
  • Most of my students flunked their first basic phonics pretest
  • They do not know how to raise their hand, stay in their seat, or really do anything without constant support
  • My student's family lives=awful and so poor.
  • I have so many boys that cannot behave that I don't even know where to start
  • Several of my students flat out refuse to do their assignments..which are easy first grade things! What are they going to do when it's real 2nd grade stuff?!?!
I can only hope that things will get better and I know they will!!!!! Smile I keep reminding myself that I love teaching and the first week is the hardest. This is the hard part of teaching and I need to have joy in the hard parts and in the easy! But golly geez it's so much easier to be happy when you haven't lost your voice from saying "No, you may not go the bathroom for the 5th time in the hour.."

Laterz!!

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Published Monday, August 25, 2008 6:57 PM by Joy08

Comments

# re: First Post @ Monday, August 25, 2008 11:30 PM

Hang in there.  It isn't as bad as it seems.  They just need to have the rules and procedures reinforced everyday.  You can do this and we are here to support you.  Even in 4th grade we have to practice the rules and procedures.  Every teacher is different and they have to learn the new rules and adjust.  It does take time.  In the meantime, rant and rave all you want.  We will listen.

MysteryTeacher

# re: First Post @ Sunday, August 31, 2008 6:40 AM

Get those rules on a poster.  For 1st grade, add pictures to aid understanding.  Bribe them to learn it (first one to be able to state the 4-5 rules gets a prize).  Repeat often, gesturing at the rule, and reading it:  # 1 - stay in your seat (picture of student in seat).  After a few repetitions, gesture at the rule, and ask, "what's the rule?"  Other kids will start cuing the errant student.

Also, don't forget catching a student being good, and rewarding them (with praise or a small token).  That generally brings in the ones who want to please, which is most of them.

About the kids with disabilities:  start laying a paper trail.  Send a note to the head/lead teacher; if that fails, the guidance counselor.  Ask:  here's what the kid is doing, what should I do?  Is there an IEP?  May I have a copy?  What adaptations must I make?

If you don't get help quickly, call the parent.  Don't be judgmental, just describe the behavior, and ask how you can help the student become more successful.  Don't forget, in 1st grade, this kid might not have been diagnosed.  Some parents don't want to admit there's something wrong, so avoid finding out.

It all takes time.

With the boy situation, I don't know what's happening.  My granddaughter is in a Kindergarten class of more than 20 boys, and 3 girls (she is one).  However, as the mother of a boy, I can give some suggestions.

Boys respond to competition.  Set them up in small teams, and give points for correct behavior.  Put a chart on the wall, and track the teams' progress.  What I would do is, give points for all the team behaving.  Don't punish by taking away points, at first.

Let them name the teams (no gross names, no vulgarities).  Refer to the teams by name often.

Some kids can't stay totally still, so when going through the day, have them practice stuff by clapping rythymically, making gestures, and such, to emphasize their answers.  It's a good kinesthetic strategy, that helps some kids memorize (like the rules).

Hope that helps.  I remember what it's like to be overwhelmed.

lfox368806

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