You Can Call Me Ms. U.

Lesson plans? Check.
Night of little sleep? Check.
First day of school complete? Check.
The sorest calves on the planet? CHECK.

So, after going over how to pronounce my name (I busted out the phonemes) for at least three minutes, one of my students whined: "Can't we just come up with a nickname?????" which was followed by whiny agreement from the rest of the class. I am now, "Ms. U". Also, "Ms. Umezoo.....Ms. U"

The day is done...and I must say it wasn't so painful. In fact, I would venture to say that it was pretty good. My kids are great -- the total opposite of the kids that I had over the summer...not that they weren't great, but rather that these kids actually like to participate and learn.

Today went relatively smoothly. The only thing is: the impending doom. Even though today went well...I could see the potential for disaster in the upcoming week. These kids are talkers and keeping them in check grew progressively more difficult. Add on to that, the fact that we have class straight through from 7:45am to 12:15 before their first break (!) This is a recipe for disaster.

But I have to say I love my kids so far. I got a bunch of "I Love You" cards (don't you love how little kids are able to decide they love you so quickly?) and hugs...and I was trying to be as mean as possible. I was worried that I was being too nice and friendly, but then I overheard one of my students telling a sibling that I was really strict. That made me smile until I started to think that I might be too hard...I definitely had two different kids on the verge of tears today. 3rd graders are babies.

The best part of my day came at the end when I sent a kid to the time out corner to fill out a reflection sheet. He refused, so I gave him another consequence at which point he got real mad. He spent the rest of the day (all of five minutes) scowling in the corner. I pulled him aside after class and explained why I did what I did (it just doesn't make sense for me to have to repeatedly tell him to be quiet and face forward) and he actually got it! He promised me to make tomorrow a "good choice day" and agreed that I was being fair (his words!!!) and gave me a hug.

Seriously though...I can forsee me wanting to pull my hair out in the near future. With the way the class was going towards the end of the day...I give myself until tomorrow afternoon.