I should be working, but seeing as that’s not going to happen, I decided to embrace my reflectiveness on the life of teaching. Welcome to my world, captured in a blog post (warning….this is a long post!)
7:00. I unlock my classroom door and flick on the lights. Just like I left it. A neat stack of papers waiting for me to file them. A sticky note on my computer reminding me to email a parent. I power on my computer and take a look at my to do list for the day. Music streams from my phone, slowly adding a little more pep to my step.
7:55. I look at my watch. How did time go so quickly? I finish the last few details–homework written on the board, files pulled up for lessons, lesson plans reviewed. I stop by a colleagues room for a quick conversation before the day begins.
8:15. The bell rings. I take a deep breath–ready or not students are coming. Slowly, my students begin to trickle in and our classroom comes to life. Good morning! I greet each student by name, taking note of each one. N is much more chipper than when he left–hopefully it will be a good day. M. is dragging today–she needs a little attention to help her wake up. A. got new glasses–I make sure to compliment her on how they look. Homework is checked. Reminders to copy assignments, eat breakfast and be ready for class. Last minute flood of students. Of course, 5 minutes before class should start.
8:40. Our morning song plays, and students gather up their trash. Class pledge, character trait, time to check homework. The reading interventionist shows up–5 students leave. Time for whole group. Books open. We are reading and discussing. Reminders roll off my tongue. Criss cross applesauce. Turn your voices off. Raise your hands please. Everyone is sleepy this morning. Getting answers is like pulling teeth today.
9:15. One of my favorite times–guided reading. I work with a group of students at the back table and everyone spreads out to their centers. We celebrate a new reading level reached. They begin reading silently. I high five D. because she is reading more fluently finally. My eyes scan the room, group 2 is hard at work, I stare at a few students who are supposed to be reading independently. They catch my eye and sheepishly get back to work. How far we have come since the beginning of school! The class continues to fly by. I smile at all the learning my students are doing.
10:12 We are going to be late for gym again. Oh well, we were too busy learning. Students are busy cleaning up. You are missing a pencil, find it. Pick up your coat off the floor. Where is your agenda? Finally, we are lined up and silent.
10:20 My room is quiet again as I try to check more things off my to do list. The phone rings just as I settle in. One more thing to remember. I check my email–another meeting scheduled. I look at my watch–somehow my planning time is over.
11:04 My students clamor around me–stories of winning and losing. D is upset again because he lost. We are in the hallway now, we need to be respectful. Voices are off, hands are in pockets. Why aren’t you in line. Restroom break and intervention time.
11:45 Time for recess. Still too cold to go outside, looks like we are inside again. We pull the few games we have out of the cupboard. I sit at my desk and observe students interacting. Some are building various things with legos. Others are playing hangman. I catch two students running across the room. Have a seat! That’s not a safe decision. They protest as I hold up my hand and finally they walk to their seats. Time to clean up already.
12:15 Finally they are ready for lunch. 2 long lines walk out of my room. Our voices are off. What should I see? I walk back in and inhale my food. My room is so quiet compared to the chaos of recess. The day is only half over. I take a deep breath. A couple minutes to make copies, sharpen pencils and set up for the next class. Lunch is already over
12:45 I pick up my second class from the cafeteria. Trash is thrown away from lunch and they are lined up. We walk through the hallway. Thank you for having your voices off. Show me what scholars look like. I sound like a broken record. L is running up the stairs again–some things never seem to change. I remind him again, he stops. We stop to use the bathrooms and check off homework. I note a couple students trying to sneak into line from lunch. We have yet another conversation.
12:55 Back into class. The familiar routine begins again: our song plays, I stamp a few more agendas, class pledge, character trait, homework checked, onto the rug. I repeat the lesson from the morning, It goes more smoothly the second time. A few tweaks and new questions created deeper thinking. Everyone is more awake too. Back into centers. I contemplate how high academically this class is once more. How can I push them farther? A has her nose in a book again while I give instructions. This is the 4th chapter book she has read this week and it’s only Wednesday. I conference with J again and remind him that he needs to show his greatness during centers.
2:12 already. Time to clean up. We are lined up and ready again. I pick up my last class, giving myself a pep talk. 12 questions already and we haven’t even reached the door–can I use the bathroom? Can I get a drink? I forgot my journal? Are we doing centers today? I hold up my hand, not now. Our routine is repeated one more time. Song, pledge, trait, homework, lesson. I remind myself to be patient. This class isn’t quite as calm as the last.
2:55 We need to start centers again. We are running out of time already. I settle in with my group and they begin reading. A few reminders to focus. Several teacher stares. My phone rings again. Sigh, we just started working. D is leaving early. I settle again and keep listening. J is struggling with the same things. I rack my brain for solutions and ways to help her improve.
3:35 The end of class already. It is organized chaos as we clean up, line up and my homeroom comes back. Backpacks are packed up. Students inform me of what happened earlier. I listen while wrapping up. I remind M to bring home ALL his homework this time. D is parent pick up today. Finally bundled up and in a semblance of line as my students pour out of the door. It’s cold again today! I hug each student as we walk by their bus. See you tomorrow! Finally, everyone is on their bus.
3:55 My mind contemplates the day. We didn’t get to writing. I’ll have to fit that in tomorrow. Group 1 is still struggling with fluency. I need some new strategies. My last class finally had a good day, I hope that happens again tomorrow. The test needs to be copied for tomorrow. Did we learn enough? Are we making enough progress?
4:00 I sit in my desk again typing a few last emails before heading to more meetings. I glance at the stray pencils and papers on my desk that are still not filed. I’ll do it in the morning. I shut the door and lock it. My mind still running through my to do list while my feet run to more meetings and commitments.
8:00 p.m. I finally sink into my chair in my apartment. Still 2 more things on my to do list. Maybe I’ll just do them in the morning. I still need to pack my lunch. No time for a run today. Maybe tomorrow.
10:00. Bed time finally. In a few short hours, it will start again. I drift off thinking of how to help A overcome her reading challenges and planning my next morning.
That the world may know... 