Swine Flu

So, admittedly, I probably accidentally wished it on myself, however I was stricken with the flu of swine. It was a miserable experience, and in case you were worried...I am perfectly fine now. Well, a tricky little cough still remains, but even it is waining. So as I sit here with my Golden Girls marathon, a simple twitter encouraged me to blog about the recent happenings in my room.

The contents of that twitter is as follows:

"My life as a teacher = up wide awake at 7am on Saturday"

That simple phrase pretty much sums up my life. As I type this, I realize that this was originally a commentary on how my quarantine upset the delicate balance of power inside my classroom. I was out for an entire week. I could not have been more worried about what waited for me when I showed back up on Monday. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. It seemed that we had entered a new honeymoon phase...my children were so well behaved. Then tragedy struck! I remembered I had to be out of the building on Tuesday and Wednesday for a professional conference. ( The conference was phenomenal, ultimately a good experience). Fast Forward....Thursday October 8, 2009: My children lost their minds! I left a class that was well-behaved and came back to chatty demons. Friday was even worse....PICTURE DAY! I don't know why street clothes make small and large children alike pretend it is the weekend?! This is a completely unfortunate relationship, because they could not look more adorable in their regular clothes. Fun Friday, was still fun...but at what cost? Hopefully Monday brings back my angels....and we can look forward to parent teacher conferences, with wonderful things to say.

The Evil Villianess...sort of

So, I haven't blogged because I have been in a bit of a rut. Sadly, no funny stories to share. I am sure funny things happened, but the school year begins to wear on you and you make some concessions.

I will be brief about this looming thing over my head. We had some serious overcrowding, and some new teachers were hired. One for the first grade, we had to choose the students to go. I have never, not once, ever felt as bad about myself as I did choosing children to send away. What if this sticks with them? Forever, they won't see it as something that happened because they wouldn't benefit from that many students in a room. They will look back and think, Miss Wishon didn't want me. If any of you every happen upon this journal, please know that isn't true. I tried to be honest with you. There was no method to picking who went. I do miss each of you already. I cried every night and many days when they told me I had to do that to your little hearts. I know you will be safe, and this will ultimately be better for you.

However as my first day with a smaller class comes to a close, it feels right. I was able to teach and manage without feeling like I was herding cattle. I think some real learning might occur in my room. The Reading First lady said my room was inviting. Yay inviting room!

I hope these changes, while stressful right now, will ultimately bring peace and solace to my classroom.

I promise more funny stories soon. It has just been hard lately with all of the emotions.

My Brain: The Collander

I have brilliant ideas about what to post when I am no where near my computer. So sorry to anyone reading, you only get the immediate thoughts that are in my head. I decided today that this will be the journal I turn in for my portfolio. I always try to make that type of thing actually related to our reading or what I think they want to hear. That never works and it is not real life. This is real life, stream of consciousness journaling. You know, how journals should be. In that same vein, please don't tell me to read a book anymore. I love reading, but don't assign book reports. I am literally reading hundreds of books every year....many out loud, many of those multiple times. I don't have a lot of time to do these "book studies" that everyone loves to assign. No joke, I have at least 3 I know of....and it is the 4th week of school! I am sure more will show up.

Okay, enough belly-aching! I have a few moments that I should share and haven't.

First, the semi-sad moment.

A boy and girl were fighting back and forth, one would run to poke the other then vice versa. So sadly, another boy is punched on accident during this whole shindig. (I know you are thinking, where were you? Trust me, they are quick). Anyway, so the boy who was hurt and the culprit were taken into the hall. I get the story from both boys, and without saying anything The Culprit, looks at me and says, "let me stop you right there, I'm gonna have to flip a card, right?" I did everything I could to not laugh, and said, "yes you are, thank you for being honest." Please remember that my kids are 6. Also, the sad part, is that while he accepted his punishment like a champ he still cried because he didn't want to flip a card.

Now, the funny stuff...brought to you mostly by last year's students.

1. Something hysterical happened during science today, but I cannot remember what it was. Dang.

2. My mohawked/rattailed friend from last year comes up to me in the lunch line; the following ensued.

Student: Miss Wishon, I like your hair today.

Me: Thank you, ___.

S: Did you use a bump it?

Me: No, I didn't use a bump it.

S: Well it looks like you did, and I like it. Bye.

3. My two tiny teachers from last year, are in the lunch line and stop another teacher to tell her about how smart they are.

Teacher: Hi, Girls.

S 1: Hi, 2nd grade is sooo easy. We already know everything.

T: Well, read every night so you can be super smart.

s 2: We already are. (in her oh so knowledgeable voice).

I'll update with any news about that science hilarity.

Planning for Knowledge

I honestly don't know what it is about lesson planning on the weekend that makes me nuts. I think it is the fact that I know I will get sucked in and still be working in 4 hours. I know having a plan makes me better, but seriously, I wish I could wing it. I care too much to wing it.

Adventures in Teaching...Year 2

So I have decided that for the most part, I am repurposing my blog. From this day forth, this will be a place for my crazy, fun, hilarious, and inspiring teaching stories...I'll try not to include much grief. It may happen, but I will try.

My new class is great, I don't know if I have warmed up to them all the way. I am trying, but I am attached to my old kids. I miss them, they already knew some stuff. They knew me and I knew them. However, I am better, so the kids seem better. The year has already produced some quality stories and moments.

Moment 1: My kids were asked to draw a picture that began with a certain letter. One friend did a great job on many letters, but on ones he didn't know he would just write the letter. I said, "I need you to make these all have pictures, not just letters. That L needs to be a picture." He insisted that he was going to do a better job. I come back to check 4 minutes later. Same drawing, but now the "L" is surroounded by a circle. Starting to get annoyed I say, that is still just an L, I need a picture. He looks up with the most hilarious face, and shakes his head, "Nope, I changed it!" Curiousity getting the best of me, I say, "Well, what is it now?" In complete earnest he replies, "I changed it; Its a lump!" I couldn't even stop myself from laughing, and I immediately retrieved a sticker for his desk.

Moment 2: On of my boys was being pestered all day by his seat buddy. By 10am he had had enough, and I overheard him tell her frankly, "Hey, I am trying to learn here!" Again, so pleased at his efforts....I went for my stickers.

Moment 3: My same friend from Moment 2 was clearly distracted earlier and had a few questions. He politely raised his hand and stated, "I need to clarify, what is the secret to those words. I need to know the secrets."....Some background: We have been working on defining our reading strategy words, like clarify (make sure it makes sense). So, victory Miss Wishon! I have taught this boy a brand new word and he is using it successfully and out of context. Also, it took a minute of conversation, but I finally realized that words secrets are the definitions. He had been looking to my "Our Definitions" anchor chart and the "hints/secrets" for the other words and couldn't wait for the new words to be up there. It was a very special moment, and really touched my heart.

Mostly, year 2 looks to be an exciting one. I can't wait to take you with me.

Grammy

No one knows I even write this blog. It is comforting and lonely to know that I have my own little piece of the internet that no one cares about, but me.

In about 15 hours, Grammy will have been gone a year. A year ago today was the last time I ever spoke to her. I have been walking around with that on my mind all day. I don't know who to talk to about something like this. I always talked to her. I yearn to hear her voice everyday. I wish to see her standing there when I come home. For Pete's sake, we have a plant we call Grammy and our house smelled like her today. Just for a minute, but it was just like it had always been there. With us, comforting us, keeping us safe. She would think I was silly for sitting here crying. I know she is better and she isn't hurting, but I still am. I miss her, and I don't want to be selfish... but I want her with me. I can't bear to think about her, for fear this will happen. The tears will start flowing, and I won't be able to stop them. I need a friend right now, I need someone who wasn't there to hold me and let me know it will be okay. I need her.

Grammy, I miss you and can't wait to see you again. You are the most loving and wonderful person that has ever been. The world is not as good without you in it. I am doing my best to keep your spirit alive and make you proud of me. There aren't even words for how much you mean to me. I couldn't say it the right if given all the words and thousand years. I know you are with us everyday, but please stay with me tonight. Watch over my heart and put it back together while I sleep. Let me dream of you and see your bright eyes and silly smile. Let me feel your hand on cheek as I wake up in the morning. Let me hold you in hug before I wake up. Please, stay with me. I love you.

Missing You

Who am I missing? I am not sure that I know. I miss Andy, I miss Grammy, I miss Me, I really miss my Dad.

I don't know who I miss the most.

Missing myself...well, I know I am still in there. I am just so tired and busy that I don't have time to think about much else. However, sometimes I catch glimpses of me that let me know I will be okay.

Missing Grammy....I know I will never stop missing Grammy. I am blank inside without her. I want to be with Papa, but sometimes it is too hard. She is such a huge part of my life that I still have a hard time understanding that I can't call her. I forget. How sick is it to forget that she has passed away? It still doesn't seem real.

Missing my Dad...This one hurts a lot. I don't know what I did. I am convinced I didn't actually do anything, but I can't be sure of that. He is so upset with me. Or is he? Sometimes I want to believe that it is just Susan making these things happen, but how could you do that to your own daughter? I need to hold him accountable for his actions.