Examining student work is a good way to gain insight into their understanding of the world around them and their application of skills and concepts...
Also, taking a closer look at a student's drawing of leaves today, I noticed (although perfectly backwards) the numbers '301' at the bottom. It took me a minute to realize what that was, but apparently, in addition to writing your name on your work, you must also rep your area code in kindergarten.
Y'all want an update? Here's an update: I have no social life. I plan for my class as I'm falling asleep and literally tell myself, "Stop doing that." I wake up half-dreaming, planning for my students but getting upset that my thoughts are so incoherent.
I phlegm-coughed in the middle of teaching today, and my kids asked if I was okay. That was thoughtful of them. I said I thought I just needed some water, but really I'm probably getting sick due to lack of sleep and an immune-system in overdrive. I'm just glad it's the weekend if I'm gonna be sick, cause God only knows how much I do not want to leave my kids with a sub.
Subs are the worst. I once had a sub teach over me last year and tell the students, "The teacher is the most important person in the classroom. You are not important when it's not your turn." She was on the Spirit-Breaking end of the Substitute Spectrum. At the Space Cadet end was the lady who showed up at 10:30 and proceeded to tell me all about how she had had a late night because an old love of hers had called and come over. Yikes. In middle and high school, substitutes were fun because it meant you got to have a free period and talk to your friends. In kindergarten, it means the structure and stability of your daily life is crumbling before your very eyes cause, Oh my gosh, this lady doesn't know that I'm the line leader, and she did not even blow the train whistle before we went in the hall! Substitutes = death.
So anyway, I have my first sub tomorrow. Luckily, I'll be right outside in the hall, doing assessments, in case anything...interesting happens.
I am about to be issued my first paycheck. I've had other jobs and paychecks in my life, but this is the first time from my actual career - the first significant amount in my life. Right now I'm planning what I'll do with it.
1. Pay back my friends. You know who you are.
2. Start paying back my parents. It's been a while coming.
3. Go to a Movie. I don't think I've seen a movie in the theater since Stomp the Yard (quality, by the way). Since I have no TV, however, I have no idea what's playing right now. I think I missed Ratatouille and Hairspray. Maybe Superbad is still out? I have no idea what it's about, but it has George Michael (Bluth) in it, so that's always fun.
4. Buy a TV. I still won't have time to watch more than a half hour a week, but hey, how else will I know what happens when Ryan becomes Michael's boss, now that NBC is no longer selling episodes to (Laura's) itunes?? The suspense is killing me. Also, I want our apartment to be a Mecca for this viewing experience, and nothing attract pilgrims like a TV.
5. Buy some boo-boo tape. I've been needing to invest in some of this stuff for a while. It's fantastic.
