Communication

Patricia and I made it to day 2 of school at St. James.  I had a little better grasp of the procedures today but still don't have it quite all together.  I am definitely that new teacher who is constantly asking questions.  My relationship with my second graders is definitely looking good.  They are listening pretty well to me considering we are in the same room as a basically separate class with its own teacher.  My students and I are going to have to work on developing non-verbal gestures and ways of communication so that we can still work hard without having to compete against the noise of the other students and Mrs. Lopez.  While Mrs. Lopez was out of the room for a bit today, I decided to just relax with the class and tell them a few things about me.  I showed them on the map where I moved from and their faces were priceless.  I told them there was a lot of land there and they instantly asked, "Well what did you do out there Ms. Halstead? There's only land and no water!" I couldn't help but laugh.  They were definitely shocked at how far way Kansas was and I told them they are responsible for teaching me all about Miami. We will see how that goes.  They had lots of questions for me and I'm sure they will continue all year! The 2nd graders and I did a small math lesson over adding just to see where they were at.  Most were still counting on their fingers still.  It makes me nervous but I have no doubt they will be pros after we are done with the year! After school was done for the day, I realized that teaching might be slightly different this year.  I just noticed a lot of differences that I will have to adjust to and work with.  I was feeling slightly behind because I have no lessons or pre-tests made to see where my students are at.  I definitely have a lot of work to do this week.  We had a staff meeting after the students got out and then the principal, Mrs. Lopez, and I had a little meeting about what my responsibilities are now since I am officially teaching.  I left feeling a little overwhelmed and nervous because of not having anything prepared for the week and also not knowing what she had prepared for the week.  Luckily my students have been really flexible and have been going along with whatever I have been pulling out.

After school, Patricia decided that tonight I had to paint my nails because I've been biting them so much so I got back and took time to paint my nails.  I thought Glee was starting its new season tonight but I was wrong.  Regardless, my roommate and I still watched an episode of Glee about bullying and loving who you are.  Good episode I thought.  The three of us just sat back, talked, and laughed at some random things.  I was grading a few papers/assessing to see where my students are starting at and possibly give myself a little bit of an idea of who I am working with. Tonight was pretty laid back and I've been trying to look at the Common Core Standards for Math and Reading in order to start making lesson plans.  As I start to make my lessons though, I am realizing that I will have to be constantly talking to my teacher though to make sure she is okay with what I'm teaching.  I have mixed emotions about this but I can't change it.  Part of me wishes I could do my own thing but I knew going in that I would be under another teacher so I also understand this.  I am hoping that I come to peace with the whole situation soon so I am not in a constant inner struggle all year.

Anyway, no hurricane for us here! It took a curve away but I'm sure we will still get storms.  As I am down here longer, I am reminded of how important communication is.  Whether at school, back at the apartment, or with friends or family from home, I am realizing it is better to be honest about what's in my heart than keep things in.  It is definitely helped at school as well as helping me keep in touch with all of you wonderful people at home! I am going to work on printing pictures this weekend so I can show my students about my life in Kansas and just to have on hand so I can see all your faces! :) Well, tomorrow is our last half day and we get all of our furniture tomorrow so I have to get some sleep! Good night and I love you all!