Teaching

Teaching is a tricky thing. Especially in Ohio. Instead of hiring new teachers, schools are laying off. Since December 2009 (my graduation) I've been stressing about finding a job. I was worried I would have to find a new career before mine even began.  But a few weeks ago, a letter came in the mail to give me a tiny ray of hope. I scored an interview next Wednesday, in my hometown, which is hiring 7-14 teachers (mostly kindergarten). So teacher friends (or other friends who may be expert interviewees) I need advice... Questions to look out for? Things to avoid?

Anything you can give would be helpful. And please cross all your fingers for me!

Thanks!

Great Lakes

Attention local school districts:

Please hire me so I can buy this print for my classroom. Thank you in advance.

Adventures in Teaching

I had a really inappropriate giggle outburst in front of my class on Friday..So we were just reading a book about Pilgrims. One of my students asked where the Pilgrims landed in America. I answered that their goal was to land in Virgina but the storm took them of course which is why they landed in Massachusetts. His response "WOAH". This wasn't just an ordinary woah. This was Joey Lawrence, Blossom style, woah. I absolutely lost it! Which resulted in my whole class cracking up and screaming Miss M!!!! What's so funny!! This lasted approximately 5 minutes. Good thing my cooperating teacher was not in the room. It was so hard to pull myself together with 20 giggling faces looking at you. Just in case you never watched Blossom..

What I love about teaching second grade...

-When you walk into the room after you've been gone, they act as if it is Christmas morning
-When they leave at the end of the day, the wave wildly out of the bus window with huge grins on their faces as if they did not spend all day with you
-They regularly compliment your shoes and accessories
-They think you are funny
-They think you know everything
-They love to get hugs
-You get to see the excitement on their faces when they finally understand something
-They share some VERY interesting stories
-They love to learn
-They make you love notes and drawings


I couldn't imagine doing anything else..

Overheard in the Classroom..

Reggie: "Miss M. I lost the cap to my orange marker!"

Matt: "You can use my orange marker".
Adam: "Well I have TWO that you can use".
Maddy: "No, you can use mine! It's scented".

Silly kids always trying to one up each other.

Overheard in the Classroom..

Scene: two second graders, working together at their desks..

Leigh: I Speak French..

Ashley: Well I speak Spanish.

Leigh (NOT speaking french): Choo Choo Chee. Oh la su.

Ashley: I wish I could speak French.

(Names are changed for confidentiality purposes..)

This was too cute..it reminded me of this Friends episode.

Life with Second Graders

I think I mentioned that I've been doing my field experience the last 2 weeks (last day is tomorrow!) and it certainly has been interesting! There are a few kids in my class that are a tad rambunctious and supplement discussions with inappropriate remarks. Today my cooperating teacher was reading a story and the main character's name was BJ. One little boy was laughing and laughing and shouting "HIS NAME IS BJ!"..later I discovered he watches South Park so I'm assuming that's where he gets his "humor". I'm not sure if he knew what he was laughing at, but just the fact that he knew BJ was related with something to be laughed at was sad to me. Second grade people! Kids are growing up too fast these days!

In another scenario..we were reading some fairy tales..I picked up this book..


One little boy responds: "I don't want to read that, they are nekkid!" Other children laugh so he starts shouting "NEKKID! NEKKID! NEKKID". He usually says things for attention so I was just going to ignore it, but as I looked at the cover again I noticed that they really do look naked/are naked! I tried to convince him that they weren't naked, maybe just wearing skin colored bodysuits, but I couldn't even convince myself and I starting laughing. I know how inappropriate that sounds, but I couldn't help myself..because 1. he was saying nekkid (I mean what second grader knows what that is) and 2. how did I not notice this before?! My laughter only spurred him on more so I had to put my serious face on, and walk away (although I was still cracking up in my head..I just couldn't believe I didn't see the naked elves before!).