The First Week of School.

A few thoughts about the first week of school, which just ended.

In the last five days, I spent 53 hours between concrete walls and under flourescent lights. I had a constant headache until about Wednesday.

On Tuesday night I had a nightmare about drowning in paper and, more importantly, not being able to get my lessons planned.

My arms are going to be steel cables after a year of carrying so much school stuff in and out of my car.

On Thursday, I got over 40 emails. I had to unceremoniously turn off my computer and walk away because I was afraid that dripping tears may fry my keyboard.

The first week of school is supposed to be about teaching your classroom rules and procedures. That's weird to do when YOU still aren't sure what your procedures should be.

"Two people can take bathroom breaks at a time!"

"Just kidding--go pee before class OR DON'T PEE AT ALL."

I'm pretty good at being Madame Serenity until the 16th student has asked me the same question.

"YES. IT IS ON PAGE SIX. EVERYBODY. GO TO PAGE SIX. PLEASE. FOR THE LOVE OF NUMBER TWO PENCILS. JUST DO IT."

(FYI: I have never yelled at my students. That would be a noise level 4, and I already told them that a noise level 4 should only happen if someone has broken a femur.)

"Class, class!" "Yes, yes!" has saved my life this week.

I apologize to the families of every dead tree that is lying on my desk.

The football chart has been resurrected.

I'm a little sad that these students can pronounce my name correctly.

I never read The First Six Weeks of School. It feels like I'm violating some kind of teacher code. Sorry, Harry Wang. I know you would have been a big help, but I was sorting through all the websites and whatnot that I need to sign up for.

And this sentence that I've heard more than once: 

"Sure, I'd love to send you my fifth grade lesson plans from last year. But the standards have changed since then, so be careful."

This week I had two bad days, one mediocre day, and two days that ended well.

Friday was the first day that I finally went, oh yeah, this is why I'm supposed to be here.

I wish I could tell you all stories about my kids.

They are unique, creative, and diverse.

I try very hard to tell them, as a group, when they are following my expectations and respecting each other well.

Why?

Because, more than anything, AS ALWAYS, my main concern is with their characters.

So if any of you have been lifting me up this week, focus specifically on this--

That my classroom would become a community of respect, empathy, and care.

I'm thankful to be Ms. Love.