Teaching

I love teaching.  It has been my favorite paying job that I've ever had.  Although it is wonderful to teach, there are three days each school year that I do not like teaching.  Those days are...drum roll please...1.  Halloween, 2.  the day before Christmas break, and 3.  Valentine's Day.  Yes, that's right.  Why don't I like these days you ask.  It basically boils down to the fact that these are days that we have parties.  I know that sounds very "Scrooge-ish."  I like parties under normal circumstances, but a first grade class does not count as a normal circumstance.  Anything outside of the normal routine, ie. parties, visitors, or treats, makes for an interesting day to say the least.  Well, I did survive the day of anticipation and the hour of sugar overload, and the kids had an enjoyable time.  That's what's really matters.

 

I have had some little school/kid funnies the past few weeks.  First grade is really fun because of the kids' enthusiasm.  They love learning to read.  They love learning how to add and subtract, and they love the fact that they have loose teeth!  This week one of my students had a very loose tooth.  He came and showed me, and I told him how exciting that was and that he would lose it anytime now.  Then he told me that he really wanted to lose it today, "Mrs. Dickens, I'm going to get an apple for lunch and just chomp right into it.  That'll get that tooth out."  Well, he did get an apple for lunch, he did just chomp right into it, but his tooth did not come out.  It just bled.  Poor kid.  But he did lose it that night.  So adorable!

 

I have another student who just doesn't like doing his work, but this week he has been on fire!  He's been soooo good and stayed on task.  When this happens, we just compliment him a ton about it.  Well, we were doing a math pre-test, and he was just working away.  I told the class that they had about 2 more minutes before I needed to collect the tests.  He proceeded to get up and bring me his test.  "Buddy, you have a couple more minutes.  Try to get a few more problems done."  "But Mrs. Dickens, I can't.  I just ran out of energy."  Just the way he said it was too cute!  I just love first graders!