>>I am starting to get back into the swing of blogging every once in a while, and also to write down the funny things my students say so that I can post them here for everyone to laugh at. Yesterday I took my students to "special person's day" at our county fair. It was WAY TOO HOT. but I am proud to say we survived. Having only half as many kiddos as last year, makes things amazing. We all had a great time, and we came back to class and got to play some card games. It was really nice.

Quotes:
(While drawing pictures of animal habitats for science)
Phillip: I drew a zebra. and a alligator. alligator eats the zebra. I'll call the news about it!

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Eddie: I met someone who knows our president! you know the one who lives in sacramento?
Me: You mean the governor?
Eddie: yea the one that says "I'll be there next time or whatever?"
Me: You mean "I'll be back?"

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Sam: You should get a tattoo! You know it should say "I'm a teacher!" You know and it could have that Uncle sam pointing too!

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Look!

>>Two posts in a row, I AM SO IMPRESSED. Since the room and students are getting into the swing of things, I am feeling calmer and happier. I am still exhausted when I come home (especially because I pretty much work 2 jobs), but having only 9 students is AMAZING. I cannot say that enough. I am trying to relax with things in my classroom like sending my students into general education classes, and always working VERY VERY VERY hard on our work. I still think pushing into general education classes is important. VERY important. Without this, my students would not get exposure to important things like history, science, P.E, electives and such. BUT, (and a very important but) every student is different. Some students get A LOT from being social in other classes. They are able to sit through a lecture, follow along while other students are reading, even read out loud in class. Other students are not at this level. They cannot read, they cannot follow along. THey have difficulties taking notes. So, in these cases it is better to pull these students out, and teach them science they CAN understand. I had to learn that each grade level/student is on a case by case basis and sometimes these things work out better than others.

>>The other aspect is sitting through each period and getting a lot of work done. During language arts, math and reading (these are the periods I have my students) I really focused on them learning how to sit and work. Following teacher directions, and being able to sit and work until the period was over. Reading, math worksheets, flash cards, sight words. There was never a free moment and I SAW PROGRESS. But, as my students become lower leveled, there needs to be more of a focus on social skills, functional skills, and just how to be a productive member of a classroom. These students need to learn how to not interrupt during a conversation. How to keep your hands to yourself. How to raise your hand, sit quietly, and get along with others. How to cook, read a recipe, take the bus, file, push in your chair, say hello, how to answer how are you. What is appropriate to share with friends, adults, strangers. Every year my class changes depending on my students, and this year its VERY different. My focus has to change. and that is difficult. I felt like after getting my first full year finished I would be prepared, but I have to be adaptable. I have to realize that next year I may have students who need to be pushed with their academics, who can handle being pushed into regular education classes, but right now my class is not like that. It's a good realization, but its difficult just the same.

>>The first wednesday of every month our library has a book sale that I take my students to, which we did today. While looking at the movies one of my students looks at a movie and goes:
Student: YOU DONT WANT TO WATCH THAT! it's all about old people kissing!

>>Everyday is better. I am down to only 9 kids which is almost easy. There are periods of the day when I have 3 kids, and it's me and a aide in the class. EASY. We are able to really focus, but the difficult part is that we cant really do rotating groups as easily as we could in the past. This makes for cranky students, but still allows us time to figure out what we want to work on, and how we want to run things. I can't believe that I started last year with 19 students, and now I am at only 9. It's peaceful. I feel like things are faling into place, but I still have more ideas that I want to put into affect and I am not quiet sure how yet. It's difficult with my IA basically being "against me" to try out new things and such. But, this is a learning experience. It's a learning experience to work with someone who is unhappy in their placement, and who I don't really consider my "friend" It's good for me.

>>My home hospital student has been going AMAZING. WE have so much fun, and it's really working out great. (let's hope the money is worth it :))

>>Sam has been having a rough time and he is pulling at my heart strings. He hasn't been eating dinner. I am not really sure what is going on at home because he does not really explain it clearly. Last week he went at least 3 days without dinner and on friday we loaded him up with cup of noodles, pudding, crackers, everything we had around the classroom. Today, he said he STILL wasn't eating. It is very very hard, because I KNOW his family loves him. I know he doesn't want to be taken away from them, but when is this a case to call CPS. It's so hard. I'm stuck.

>>sorry there has been nothing fun/funny going on lately. We are still getting into the swing of things.

>>Things drastically calmed down by the end of the week, but I really did not think I would make it. The drama I had to deal with was just too much. Too many people are unhappy, but I really can't fix other peoples problems. I can only to as much as I can to help myself and my students be happy. That is enough people to worry about right? I have to pick my battles, and I know this sounds awful but I need to take care of myself. Sometimes that is what needs to be done.

>> I am ready to get the rest of this year going, and have a good strong year.

Over it

>>My students are perfect angels. I love it. They are so much fun, and they work hard, they are polite and funny. If I could teach each one of them by myself, I would. I am sick of adding other people into the mix. It complicates things. I guess this is sort of my problem anyway, because I just want to do everything myself. (I am bad at sharing the responsibility) But, everyone else complicates things. I can handle myself. My students. My angels. But, the adults. I cannot. I hate conflict. I want everyone to like me. I would rather just give in to peoples outrageous demands then deal with them complaining everyday. THis is flaws, but sometimes it's easier for me. Me being upset and stressed and hating my job doesnt help these kids. But, giving someone what they want for a little bit of peace does..

I dont know what else.

Wow

>>I find this is the title for a lot of my blogs. I survived the first week, barely. The kids are amazing! My two new students are really well behaved and fun. My students parents have not been calling every 5 seconds, I have barely even heard from them (yay!) The main issue I have experiences is my new I.A.'s and new teachers. Our school got 3 new full time teachers this year, and 2 of them have some of my students (with I.A. support) in their classes. So, they were confused. They didnt know how to handle them. They didnt know how to adapt and on top of having new I.A's who don't know my students I was running all around trying to get everyone on the same page. The two teachers are there, and ready and understanding (now..) This issue is, I have a I.A. who came from a resource class. Resource or RSP students are WAY different from mine. They mostly have just lower reading skills, and lower math skills but are able to go to regular science, SS, P.E. and electives usually without an Aide. My students are not like that. They are capable of sitting in these regular classes, but they need constant modifications. They need someone there adapting each assignment they are given, and then helping them complete what they are given. The aide from RSP, is trying to help the entire class (like she is used to) and then my students are becoming frustrated because they need her. They need her there to help step by step. and she's not.
>>To top it off, this I.A. (who has been is RSP for YEARS) is dating the teacher in that class. (that is why she got moved - yes I know drama). So, she goes back to him - complains. Then he complains to his I.A. (who used to be mine last year) and then she comes to me and tells me all about this. At this point I am ready to just pull her completely and move her around. Or go into this classes with her, and see exactly what she is doing. I am frustrated because she needs to realize my students are WAY different. It's time to stop complaining and get with it. I am available for help. I have given her ideas. I don't know what else to do. But, it's getting frustrating.

>>I am just happy that my students are good. So, that;s the first week!

Tomorrow...

>>Tomorrow starts school. The last two days have been teacher workdays/meetings. I have recieved 2 new students during this time, 1 of which I had no idea what to do with. (I figured it out though, even though it messed up my schedules) I have met both my new I.A.'s and they will do wonderful even if they are scared. I got, 90% of what I wanted done. I threw away 4 boxes of trash (not to mention the 6 trash cans) and sent to our district office 5 boxes of old curriculum, but I still have way too much. I learned that Jamie will not be returning this year for school, so I am guessing that he is doing well with his aunt and uncle. Is it wrong that I miss my kids? I miss the ones I didnt know were leaving and that just never showed up. I want a good-bye. I want to know their excuse is that they are moving to high school not that they moved and were never heard from again.
>>I will survive. More info tomorrow.