After each day during my first week, I had different emotions... what you could probably describe as your typical "Week 1 Teaching Rollercoaster". After getting through Monday and Tuesday with it going surprisingly smooth, I was wondering when the "Woah, I feel like crying and ripping my hair out a little bit" feeling was going to hit.
Then Wednesday came, and with one of my tougher kiddos coming back to school after some sickness, my test as a new teacher was in full force. It's funny how one child being in or out of the class mix can make such a huge impact on the other children and how the day flows. And this is where one of my huge goals as a new teacher comes into play. A couple of my coworkers gave me some of the wisest teacher words I've ever heard, and the words have stuck with me each day this week:
"You gotta connect before you correct."
I think I need a little plaque with this saying because it could not be more true! The struggle between putting your foot down right away in a classroom in order to let them know you mean business and gaining their trust by showing you care and love them is such a back-and-forth learning process for both teacher and student. They are figuring me out just as much as I'm trying to figure each of them out. The first two days of the week was when they were in awe of having such a new face in the room that they were all so wonderful. By Wednesday, with a total of 19 including 2 tough little cookies, it was defiance- and tattle-central in our room. It wasn't horrible by any means, but definitely a different atmosphere than the first two days. They're testing boundaries: I get it. I just keep telling myself that with a mix of strict boundaries and love, we'll get through this together!
What I learned about Valentine's Day in a preschool room: NEVER NEVER NEVER have your Valentine ice cream party in the morning. With me being the people-pleaser I am and also being new in the room, I wanted to make the parents happy with the kids who don't normally come on Thursdays so they could bring in their children for the party only. Huge mistake. Next year: putting my foot down and saying only Valentine cards in the morning with the ice cream in the afternoon, so as to use the ice cream to its full bribery potential :)
I'm in love with the Friday relaxed atmosphere in our room. After Thursday's Valentine rumble, my wonderful assistant and I were in need of a smoother, less-sugared day. Friday's morning with calendar, groups, and a little fun time went remarkable, and it was a great confidence-booster going into the weekend.
Reading all these cute books above love and Valentine parties this week to the kids raised some very memorable comments. This inspired me to use my blog also as an outlet to remember all these hilarious kids questions/comments for years to come :) I hope you enjoy!
Valentine Week Quotables
- "Miss Anne, I have a question: Is it okay for somebody to marry their dad?" -a little boy during independent quiet reading time, following our circle-time reading of the book The Five Senses of Love
- "Have YOU ever been to Jupiter?" -after answering a little boy's question about which planet that is with the big spot on it
- "When we go in the large muscle room, let's go play with the big pink balls and put them under our shirts, so they can be our pregnancy balls!" - girl-to-girl conversation in the hallway as we walk to play in the muscle room
One last thought of praise and thankfulness I have at the end of Week 1 goes to my wonderful Tony, who listens to all my ups and downs and loves me through it all. I also have to thank my coworkers, who have given me awesome words of wisdom and support throughout the first part of this process. Let's see what Week 2 has in store! :)
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