I have been so busy this week! I'm getting everything ready in my classroom and working from sun up to sun down... and I'm loving every minute of it! I feel so accomplished and satisfied with life now that I have a classroom all my own. I have a purpose and something to look forward to. Did I mention I am super excited about this upcoming year? :)
Thursday was orientation day and I spent the day with other new hires getting to know the school. I called my mom that morning and my younger brother had some advice to give me on my first day at school:
1. Play nice with the other kids.
2. Look both ways before crossing the street.
3. Only make good trades during lunch: my carrot sticks for someone's pudding cup.
He also reminded me that sometimes, when it rains after it hasn't rained in a while, the rain lifts the oils on the road and makes the road slippery. :) (That's a big family joke. Thanks Daddy!)
Today is Saturday and I'm spending it with three wonderful boys and we're going to the Bon Odori festival here on base. I haven't researched the festival much but I hear that it's a Japanese festival that celebrates those who have passed on.
August 20, 2011
August 16, 2011
Unlocking the Door
Yet another day filled with work for my classroom. I went in again this morning but only stayed for a couple hours, after I figured out how to unlock the door. I had to pick up a key from the front office since they are not checking out keys yet. I walked to my building and stuck the key in the lock, turned the knob like the illustration by the knob shows and.. nothing. I try the other door... nothing. As I stand there sweating, I think how funny it would be if someone was inside watching me try to unlock the door. So I peeked in the window just to make sure. I walk around the building to try another door and finally got in, although I'm not sure if I actually unlocked the door or just pulled the it hard enough it opened.
In my classroom, there's not much left I can do until the Librarian can laminate my materials. So I headed home to work on cd labels, cubby name tags, and my behavior chart. Before I could work on this, I had to go buy some more printer cartridges and headed to the NEX. I found all the cartridges and got home, preparing to work my little heart out and... I forgot the single most important cartridge, the big black one. Instead, I worked on other things, typing everything up so I can print them tomorrow after I get the last cartridge.
While I've been out and about, I have noticed something common among the Japanese; they carry a washcloth or small towel around with them to wipe their heads when they sweat. I thought,"How neat! They keep their appearances looking nice and neat even in the heat." I've adopted this practice but have only used paper towels and it is very nice getting somewhere and not dripping in sweat!
In my classroom, there's not much left I can do until the Librarian can laminate my materials. So I headed home to work on cd labels, cubby name tags, and my behavior chart. Before I could work on this, I had to go buy some more printer cartridges and headed to the NEX. I found all the cartridges and got home, preparing to work my little heart out and... I forgot the single most important cartridge, the big black one. Instead, I worked on other things, typing everything up so I can print them tomorrow after I get the last cartridge.
While I've been out and about, I have noticed something common among the Japanese; they carry a washcloth or small towel around with them to wipe their heads when they sweat. I thought,"How neat! They keep their appearances looking nice and neat even in the heat." I've adopted this practice but have only used paper towels and it is very nice getting somewhere and not dripping in sweat!
August 15, 2011
And So it Begins
Although new hires are not required to report to school until Thursday, a little extra time in the classroom motivated me to go in today. And boy am I glad I did! I walked into my classroom for the first time expecting to run home, grab my suitcases full of classroom supplies, and then begin the real work. Surprise! All my furniture has been stacked in the corner and the previous teacher had left some decorations on the walls that needed removing. I was so overwhelmed I did not know where to begin. As I walked around the class (several, several times) I decided that a good place to begin would be my desk and the computer center.
After arranging, rearranging, and rearranging again, I finally got a few items placed where I wanted them: the students tables, the center areas, the whole group carpet, and the reading center. I looked around and saw that I still had quite a few tables left to use, in a room that is already full! I counted and my room has 13 tables in it!
While I was sorting the manipulatives and center toys (all jumbled together), a co-teacher walked in and gave me some much needed answers to the mile high list of questions I have. I'm in luck, I can ask that the tables I don't need be removed! Also, she shows me the curriculum that I am required to teach from giving me a bit more relief. she is very nice and suggests that we get together to plan, bounce ideas around, and just alleviate stress. I'm thankful for this lady who walked in today!
For five hours I work at organizing the classroom and gathering ideas of how my days are going to go. I decide that I'm done in the room for the day because I've still got tons to do with the classroom supplies in my apartment. I'm super excited to go work again tomorrow, maybe I'll even get around to putting some things up on the walls and making the room my own.
After arranging, rearranging, and rearranging again, I finally got a few items placed where I wanted them: the students tables, the center areas, the whole group carpet, and the reading center. I looked around and saw that I still had quite a few tables left to use, in a room that is already full! I counted and my room has 13 tables in it!
While I was sorting the manipulatives and center toys (all jumbled together), a co-teacher walked in and gave me some much needed answers to the mile high list of questions I have. I'm in luck, I can ask that the tables I don't need be removed! Also, she shows me the curriculum that I am required to teach from giving me a bit more relief. she is very nice and suggests that we get together to plan, bounce ideas around, and just alleviate stress. I'm thankful for this lady who walked in today!
For five hours I work at organizing the classroom and gathering ideas of how my days are going to go. I decide that I'm done in the room for the day because I've still got tons to do with the classroom supplies in my apartment. I'm super excited to go work again tomorrow, maybe I'll even get around to putting some things up on the walls and making the room my own.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)