Today I went on a field trip with Christian. The best part for me was the 45 minutes I had before the field trip to run an errand and get coffee while everyone went to school. Now, mind you, I am enjoying teaching but I must say it was a sweet 45 minutes of remembrance of last year when things were not as they are now. I do miss those morning tennis lessons immensely. Oh, that reminds me, I must go register for my tennis class at VC. Ta ta.

is getting harder. I guess I better study a little more than just the night before.

This week is spirit week for the Middle School. Tomorrow is “Late For School Day” Any suggestions on what to wear?

Here are the others:

Retro (I think I’ll go 80’s)
Wacky Wednesday (pretty much anything goes)
Heritage or Culture Day
Crazy Eagle Day (school colors and clothing)

I decided I needed to post something on the good side of school since it was starting to sound like I don’t have anything good happen. We had our first algebra test and about 4 got 100’s and several more got A’s. Only one got a flat out F and even that dooesn’t really bug me knowing that the Abeka curriculum uses a higher scale for grades (ie 100-94=A). So that is good news to me. I am actually getting this stuff across to the kids. Another great thing is the way the 8th grade class and I have mended our past. I taught them in 5th grade and it was a very difficult year for all involved. We were all a bit nervous about being together again. But, I told them God is into redemption and I think he gave us this year for that. So there ya go…something good is happeneing at CHCS!

Well, one thing is for sure, some kids take what you say and actually put it into practice. On Friday, one of my younger students came to me after receiving a low score on a homework assignment and said that he had not been able to finish his assignment due to stomach upset caused by going to Weinerschnitzel for dinner the night before. I secretly rolled my eyes, but graciously said that if we would spend his lunch playtime finishing it, I would adjust his grade. So he did go do most of it. When he brought it to me, I told him if such a thing were to happen again to be sure to bring a note from home stating that he had been sick and was unable to complete the work. Well, voila! Tuesday (we even had a long weekend) rolls around and here he is unfolding a note that says he was too sick to do his work. Wow, I really set myself up there. Duh! Be careful what you ask for!

I feel sorry for the 7th grade. Their math is a bit dull. Today was really LOOONNGG division and a lot of it. I thought about crossing out some of the problems but then I realized I wanted them to be working hard all period, so I made them do it all. Meany. It builds character. Or makes them hate math. Whatever, it’s math class. I wonder if I will post about anything else ever again?

Some boys were mentioning to me today how they planned to obey me but not another teacher. Did they really think I wouldn’t share that info with my co teacher? Course now they will never tell me anything again.

I have survived and with flying colors I might admit. The day flew by and all the kids were well behaved. Of course it is the first day nervousness that keeps them quiet but a precedent was set and ” Did I say it was time to chat?” seems to work so far. Maybe I won’t have to be any tougher than that. (Yeah, right.) Anyway, I feel so at home in the classroom. I am so grateful that God gave me wisdom to take this on. After the difficulty I had making the decision to do it, I was a bit afraid I would not be thrilled with my decision. God is so faithful! But , you already knew that.

I survived teachers week and orientation night. The parents were pleasant, but then again I haven’t given any grades yet. I love the fact that I don’t have the same kids all day. The max at one sitting is 1:20 per grade…I can handle (almost) anything for that amount of time. Look out Middle School, here I come! I know my dad is in heaven chuckling at the fact that I am teaching Math. It gives me a little chuckle, too actually.