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Thursday, August 18, 2011

My first few days...

 3 days down and I am exhausted! Many of my students came from a class that was not a good experience (think teacher breakdown, many subs, student who should be in Special Ed kicking and running wild, etc) and unfortunately they have behaviors that I now have to try to break. Someone told me they were on the phone in that room last year and the other person on the line asked if they were in Chuck E. Cheese!

The first day I had a boy defy me. He seems to have a problem with authority. I've NEVER moved someone's clip down the first day!

A little later I gave them Magic Playdough. I made homemade play dough and them made a hole and squirted 5 drops of food coloring in, then covered it back up. When they knead the dough it is supposed to change color to show they will have a great year. Guess who's didn't turn? Yep, the boy who had defied me. What goes around comes around kid! Of course I gave him an extra one so his would turn too but I was grinning a little on the inside.  I got this idea and the poem from someone on proteacher last year. If you know who will you let me know? Click here to get the labels that I stick on the baggie.
 I am trying to focus on the many cuties I do have instead of the behaviors that are trying me.
I will say I saw improvement yesterday so I think my firmness is paying off....it just makes it a little less fun. I miss my sweet class from last year.   This class is also a lot lower academically too so it will be quite a ride. And did I mention I am EXHAUSTED?!

Hope you are all doing well with your start to the year!
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17 comments:

  1. AndreaAugust 18, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    Wow! It sounds like you have your hands full this year!!! Hopefully they will realize there is a "New Sheriff in Town" and fall in line soon. Hang in there!

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  2. Ms. ThomasAugust 18, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    I feel the same as you! The kids I have also had teachers last year with not much structure, and yes I moved clips the first day and also was fussing! Keep calm and teach on!

    -Ms. Thomas
    The First Grade Jungle

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  3. SarahAugust 18, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Office Buckle to the rescue!! Just means a couple more weeks of firm before you can let the wiggle out! Each group needs different things and I guess this group needs your tough love. The best thing you can teach them this year!! You are soo crafty -- I know in a couple weeks you will squeeze the fun back in for those that are looking for it ---earned it!

    Hugs!! Hang in there....I will be joining you on Wednesday next week!!
    Sarah Hetrick
    www.mrshetrick.com

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  4. ShortieAugust 18, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    Best of luck! Hopefully it will become more fun as the year passes!

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  5. SherrieAugust 18, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    I had my best year ever teaching 7th grade math last year and the kids were awesome. We have not heard great things about the incoming kids (they are supposedly not as high academically and much more behavior issues) so I will probably have a similar start of school to you. Hang in there and stay tough! All the hard work is worth it to train them right. Best of luck!

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  6. Sarah StollAugust 18, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Thanks for the labels :)
    Teachers Cannot Live By Apples Alone

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  7. Miss KindergartenAugust 18, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    That little girl is a cutie!! Looks like a lot of fun :)

    Hadar

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  8. ChristieAugust 18, 2011 at 4:42 PM

    Omigoodness! Sounds like you're gonna be ready for FRIDAY!!!

    Christie :)
    First Grade Fever

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  9. KristinAugust 18, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    Hang in there!!!! :) :) I feel your pain! I am ready for the weekend!
    Kristin
    A Teeny Tiny Teacher

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  10. T.AmbrocioAugust 19, 2011 at 9:55 PM

    Wow... it's like a mirror image of the first grade class I had last year! Heck, they even complained about coloring, if you can believe it. Forget about moving a clip down, my colleague had to suspend a student on the first day! It will be tough but I promise you'll make it because I did. The silver lining is that they will probably be the class that improves and learns the most since they lacked the necessary and required kindergarten skills. Remember that you can't do everything and try to have some fun.

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  11. Mom of 4August 20, 2011 at 10:23 AM

    Your story makes me smile. My class this year is going to be a challenge. They had a FANTASTIC teacher last year and they almost broke her! You give me hope.

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  12. SarahAugust 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    I saw this playdough idea on HBO on the series entitled Kindergarten. I wanted to try it...but does the food coloring get on the children's hands as well?

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  13. MeganAugust 21, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Your class sounds like my new third grade class! They keep asking me if they can color because that's all they did during guided reading next year! It just helps knowing I am not the only one!

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  14. MeganAugust 21, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    Oops, I meant LAST year!

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  15. UnknownAugust 21, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    Wow! Your situation sounds VERY similar to mine! I'm trying to remember if last year's class was as difficult the first few days! :) I definitely have some challenges on my hands, but as a new teacher, I feel a little more prepared than last year...when I was flying by the seat of my pants! Ha!

    Best of luck to everyone!

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  16. The BaronessAugust 26, 2011 at 3:16 AM

    I am in first and had this situation LAST year. This year I got a really sweet class. They can READ READ READ, walk down the hall quietly, and appreciate incentives. I almost cried yesterday when they put their math tools away. There was nothing left on the floor at all!! NOTHING! We haven't started our guided reading and centers, but we are setting up and it's looking good. I feel for you. Hoping you have a great year!

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    ReplyDelete