I will say that things have gotten better this week. Overall, my biggest issue is just that the kids don't like health class. The 4th and 5th graders seemed so pissed off just to be there, and I couldn't figure out why. Finally, on Tuesday I had enough. I told them that we needed to figure things out, and I needed to know why they hated health so much. Thankfully, they were honest as only kids can be. Their first complaint was that they hated the old teacher. I told them, "Well, that problem is solved - she's not here anymore!" Then they admitted that they loved all their other "specials" like art, music, and PE because they got to be creative, move around, and have fun. They said that in health it just felt like another class, and they hated to sit and learn more "stuff." I completely understand where they are coming from, so I am going to do my best to try to make it enjoyable. Because I am so laid back, I have always been a teacher that most kids liked, so it's very hard for me to have to try to win them over. I will not give up, though! =)
Some more differences that I have learned this week...
*Kids cry WAY too much! Kids have cried because I took a marker away from them, because I wrote marked in their behavior folder, because they couldn't put their shoe back on, because somebody wouldn't be their partner, because they were being good and I didn't give them a sticker, because they missed their mommy, and because they couldn't be the line leader...and that is just in ONE week! Enough with the tears!
*Most kids under the age of 7 physically can't sit still for more than 5 minutes at a time.
*If you let an elementary kids use a pen, they think it's the coolest thing in the world.
*Even if you repeat directions 101 times, 50% of the kids will not do it correctly.
*I know nothing about the mind of an elementary kid. I knew what went on in the head of those crazy junior high kids, but these little ones - I've got no clue!
*It really annoys me that kids can't say their "R's", and so many of them can't! One girl loves telling me about her "hamstw" that "scwatches herw" all the time. Oh, Sawah...(her name is Sarah)
*I can't stand talking to a kid that has a loose and dangling tooth, hanging on by a thread. It's even worse when they wiggle it for you!
On a more positive note:
*One girl drew a picture of a stick figure with a huge circle in the middle. She said it was her mommy's big belly. I thought she meant her mom was chubby, but then she said, "Her has a baby living in her baby. It is coming out very soon."
*When these little munchkins hug me, they grab right at butt level. I don' think I've had my butt grabbed this much since my junior high days.
*A mom told me today that her girls were so excited for health this year, and that they already like it way more than last year.
*It is hilarious to watch kids dance. They have no rhythm, but they don't care one bit. They just get in their own little world and bust a move.
*Kids compliment you all the time. Everyday I have someone tell me that they like my shirt, or my hair, or my shoes. It is very good for the self esteem.
I am still undecided about how I feel about this job, but it seems to be getting better. We shall see how it all plays out. :)
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