The Hopper Family

lately, school has been anything but peaceful, slash this whole year.  first grade is crazy.  that's what i tell people when the ask me how school is or how i like 1st vs. 2nd last year.  the answer? i loved 2nd, but i think i love 1st more even though it is the hardest grade to teach. it is such a foundational year in all aspects.  also, i have lots of talkers in my class, some social issues, multiple behavior problems, anxiety/major shyness, and some crazies, oh did i mention some talkers?  the other teachers ask me if my class is always this talkative. the answer is yes and they are way worse for me. although, i have it all under control. i come home from school absolutely exhausted everyday.  

exhibit a:
yesterday, my sweet crazy boy was pretty much banished from the classroom because he just couldn't handle it, more than any other time. i went out in the hall to chat with him and found him barking. needless to say, he was not invited back in.  i told the principal and she said, "well, what else do you do when you're in the doghouse?" true. at least he loves reading.


exhibit b:
today we were sitting at the carpet before clean up and one boy says, "so-and-so and so-and-so [my sweet crazy boy] just hit themselves in the weedle." it caught me off guard and it looked like he was pointing to his stomach and i said, "what's the weedle?" and he points to his pants. you know, what makes a boy a boy. then this other little girl says, "i know the real name for it." "okay that's great we don't need to talk about it at school." whew. [rookie mistake--should've known!]


exhibit c:
today we earned out extra recess. it takes us awhile to earn things because we don't know how to stop talking and follow directions. anyway, i blew my whistle and everyone lined up.  the boys' line leader didn't get in the front. who cares that's his choice and we start walking in. boy #2 in line tells on boy #1 in line because he's not the line leader. boy #1 HATES any sort of correction, especially from peers, and throws fits. so he sits himself down on the grass and the rest of the class goes in to get drinks and get ready to go home. this is quite normal. in fact, it happens multiple times a day.


2 weeks + 2 [school] days until spring break.
<10 weeks until the end of the school year. 
a major cue for the hallelujah chorus!
[i really do love my job. honestly. it pays horribly and it is a ton of work, but it's pretty awesome. and let's just face it, no one, but teachers, has stories like these.]