January 14, 2008
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Very Successful week. I worked Thursday and Friday. Today I didn’t get a call in the morning today, and went out to run some errands – I got two calls while I was out! I think I’ll be able to stay quite busy. It was so great being back in the classroom.
Thursday was 5th grade. The class was evidently a high level class… with several students being pulled out for gifted services. The class was highly structured – little room for student input or creativity. Well behaved class and very smart. The lesson plan was there – well laid and all the class routines were in place. The class knew just what to do and what was expected out of them. The said I was the best sub they’d had.
Friday was a total opposite. 3rd grade class I got the call at 9:45 — Arrived by 10:05 and was shown to a messy, cluttered room. You couldn’t see the desk, or the work table. The kids were noisy and energetic. There were no plans – the teacher came in after awhile and gave me the schedule and the work for the day. The class combined in the afternoons with the SPED inclusion class next door. This class had several students that were special needs, matter of fact, several were in the process of being tested in order to move next door. It was noisy, chaotic and unorganized. In this class not only did the students say I was the best sub, the EAs and SPED teacher next door complimented me several times. The SPED teacher asked if I would be willing to sub for her.
Guess which class I enjoyed the most?
Yup. The 3rd graders! Although the organizational aspect tweaked my OCD just a bit – and I thought of all the things I would do in my own classroom, I loved the freedom the students had in the 3rd grade classroom. Granted a little structure and classroom management goes along way, but they were free to talk and ask questions, to be active in their own learning. Not just read from a text and answer questions. My classes have always tended to be a little noisy and chaotic. I used to tell my husband it was organized chaos. I like to encourage creativity and active learning. I like to keep students engaged and active. I don’t want my students bored and learning by rote.
I’m so glad to be back in the classroom! Man I’ve forgotten how much I love to teach. I certainly don’t do it for the money! You know when you finally find what you were meant to do, how right it feels? Like when I met my husband – even though I fought, I always knew he was the one for me, the one who fit. That’s how teaching is. Corny, but oh so true I’m afraid.
What in your life fits you just right?
Comments (13)
What fits me just right? My husband! and being a librarian. I am so blessed! What a wonderful life!
Good luck with the classes. I hope you continue to enjoy them and that you will get a class of your own soon. They will be lucky to have you!
IT=information technology :big-smile: they were working on my laptop . What fits my life just right, I’m going to have to think about that one.
I love it……….I love a chaotic but organized mess with which the children
can shine instead of overstructsured where they are afraid to speak.
It was great to be able to get to find the lost kitty……I hate it when you
care about an animal or child and they get lost they need finding too,.
I’m glad you’re getting back in the groove of teaching! Third grade is where I really start remembering things from school. I had a very mean teacher, but did learn alot.
I so enjoyed reading this post about the different classrooms. I think in the given situation, I would agree that the 3rd grade classroom leaves lots of room to creatively learn and experiment. I have always hated lesson plans and the limitations to come with it, but you can’t deny how structure compliments the classroom. Now, let me turn the tables and ask you a question… you would prefer teaching classroom number 2, but which classroom would you prefer your children to be students in? I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on that comparison.
Glad you’re back to doing what you were meant to do. Given the compliments you received, it sounds like you are very good at it!
So glad you have found your bliss. I think I have found mine in medical transcription from home. It’s not writing The Great American Novel, but not bad duty.
How wonderful that you had enjoyable days! Jerjonji and I are planning a day trip to Taos on Monday. Would you like to join us? We will leave around 9:15 and be home around 5:30. Let me know. It will be nice to spend the MLK day away from the city.
Glad to hear you had a great week and you enjoyed it.
Sounds like a wonderful time!
I’m not sure what fits me right now. Not much. I’m still adjusting to lots of things here.
Nice background.
It seems like nothing fits just right at the moment, ask me tomorrow!
Glad the subbing went so well. It will be cool to get your first paycheck! It also sounds like you’ll have a good deal of work too. Are you looking to get into the school full-time?
:dancingcow:
Great answers! I had another thought after my comment this morning. I was thinking how great it must be to sub and take in all the different ways teachers set up their classrooms and see how the kids respond to their learning environments. By the time you get your very own class, you can pull from all the greatest ideas and incorporate those ideas into your own class.
I think I would want my kids in your class too!
That sounds like an awesome experience! It’s great that you’ve found the job that makes you truly happy!
What fits in my life? I’m still looking for all the pieces. I have some that don’t fit right now.