2-28-09

Would someone please tell me where the month of February went? :o) Sitting at home, reflecting on this past week, I sometimes cannot believe how quickly the days fly by. We went on our first field trip this past Monday, but Monday feels so long ago that it's hard to believe it just happened! My class along with our other first grade neighbors attended a story hour at the local library to learn more about Black History Month. The students all did so well listening and participating! Because the library is right next door to the school, we didn't have to take a bus. It's close enough to walk to! I had forgotten from last year how much work it is at my school even to simply get all the permission slips signed and turned in. However, in my room, thankfully there were no problems this time around, and everyone had permission on time to go!

It is still very new and very real knowing that I am officially a teacher. It is such a strong responsibility - in one year it is my job in partnership with their parents to get these beautiful children to the level they should be on to get to second grade. I always had this dream vision in my head of what it's like to be a teacher. Singing songs, laughing, having fun, doing lots of hands-on projects, and all the hugs - and although all of that is happening, it is my goal to find the time to sit back for a few minutes during the day and truly enjoy it. I feel such tremendous pressure to get everything done each day, and to get everything done this year, that at times I wonder where my day went. I made it my goal at the beginning of this year that I would sit with or talk to each one of my students at least once each day. It has made the biggest difference for me as a teacher. Morning Meeting really helps me and the rest of the class to get to know each other, but I want to be sure that each student knows how much I'm rooting for him or for her and how much I expect from them.

I've had some recent discussions about the current children of this world, and how they are coined to be the "entitlement generation." I'm trying to figure out how to help the little ones in my room escape that label. There are so many instances where I see others upping their standards but lowering their expectations. It is a struggle to find that balance between what you expect and what they are capable of. For me, I keep my expectations as high as I possibly can, and hope that I do enough to help them reach those expectations.

Many thanks are given to all the girls on my first grade team, and to all the other teachers at school! I have such a wonderful support group there, especially after finding the several individuals who share my outlook and insights and philosophy and goals. I would not have survived this far without their amazing help and shoulders to cry on. I am amazed at the strength and patience of my family and friends as well. They always seem to have the perfect words for me when I have a great day, and also when I have the not-so-great days. With such a dependable army of guidance and love behind me, I have a great amount of hope for the future. I pray for my past students, my present students, and future students each day. I wish them the world and hope to share a piece of it with them. But most of all, if they know how much I love each one of them and know that I stand behind them, that will be enough.

This is my favorite teaching quote...it's a bit of a cliche now, but I'm in love with it always!

When I am introduced as a teacher, I am usually asked what I teach. When I say, “First grade,” I generally hear a very flat, “Oh.” I have never been certain whether that is an expression of pity, disgust, or perhaps disinterest. Always I wish I had time to explain to them like this:

Yes, I teach first grade. Where else would a handsome and very young man put his arms and me and ask, “Do you know I love you?”
Where else could I see a fashion show daily and keep up on the latest trends for the very young?
Where else could my limited wardrobe be complimented or my earrings thought beautiful?
Where else could I eat a soiled piece of candy from a grimy little hand and not become ill?
Where else could I have the privilege of wiggling loose teeth and receive the promise that I may pull them when they’re loose enough?
Where else could I guide a chubby little hand that some day may write a book or an important document?
Where else could I walk around the room and have little warm hands reach up to touch me?
Where else could I forget my own aches and pains because of so many cut fingers, scratched knees, bumped heads, and broken hearts that need care? Where else could my mind stay so young as with a group whose attention span is so short that I must always keep a bag of tricks up my sleeve?
Where else could I feel so close to my Maker as I do each year because of something that I have done to help one of His little children learn and grow.

Yes, I teach first grade and I love it!
Source: Unknown

-Post made by January - February writer Brenna Logan