Physical Change

I had to teach about physical change, chemical change, and their properties. Well that's just boring! I bet each class I could make a 4 x 6 index card pass over them by using physical change. "In fact," I said, "I bet I can pass it over two kids in this class." I explained that I would make the card encircle both students. Each class took the bet. I bet a dollar in one class, a jacket in another class, a cool pencil in another class, etc. I caught their interest and went on with the lesson explaining the differences of each item. I folded the index card and used a zigzag cut. By making a physical change to the paper, I created a "necklace" that was large enough to fit over two students. I never ever "collected" the goods from the shocked students. I took advantage of the teachable moment about how gambling was definitely against the school district rules, so I certainly wasn't going to take their treasures.

The biggest reward for me was when my little "try-harder" class gave me a standing ovation at the end of class. I have noticed what a physical change this class has undergone. It was once a class of lots of "interrupters" and "off-taskers", but the more times they have come to my class, the more they are trying harder. We are having less major problems in class and are actually getting more accomplished with each class.

I have noticed I have gone through a physical change with this class as well. A class that used to drain my energy at the end of a day has actually recharged my batteries.

Meet 'Em, Greet 'Em, Meet 'Em Again, and Again

During Thursday of inservice week my school held an open house where parents and students could find out their teacher. Students could bring their school supplies and unload their goods into their desks. The open house was held in the evening after school hours. During the second week of school we held a "Curriculum Night." This meeting was held to tell the parents about new school policies, and listen to teachers talk about class procedures. During this meeting parents were encouraged to sign-up for teacher-parent conferences to be held three weeks later. In two weeks the school will hold a PTA meeting at night in which teachers are highly encouraged to attend.

It was 8:45 PM when I finally ushered the last parent out the door. I had been on my feet non-stop since arriving at school at 7:30 AM. I'm really curious what occupation has their salaried employees work 13 hour days without the benefit of a "flex" or "comp" day. I don't know of a school that offers this arrangement to teachers. I really do "get it" about the need for parents to have access to teachers. I always attended my children's school events. I really appreciated the long hours the teachers put in, because I was in their same boat.

When I arrived home, my daughter and husband had tried making "spirit overalls" in which I had insisted they not start until I was home. My daughter was determined to start without me and I did my best to give directions. Even still, they had spent hours cutting out patterns and letters, but had missed a vital step. Prior to cutting out the shapes, the "wonder under" should have been ironed to the fabric. After eating dinner which consisted of a quick bowl of cereal, I was finally able to take off my teacher hat and be a mother. We started the project over from scratch. Shortly after midnight the project was half completed, but we all called it a night anyway.

My feet hurt, my eyes are weary, and in 6 hours I will awake to be a motivating teacher. Why did I plan a science experiment tomorrow with several stations? I'm not sure my feet can handle it. After school I will look forward to a 2 hour training for science teachers. I really like the science trainings because I usually get to be a kid and investigate all kinds of experiments. However, the family has been instructed once again to eat without me.

I know this is all part of the job, but it's hard with the time demands to strike a balance between family and work. The old saying of the best part of being a teacher is "June, July and August" really only boils down to a few weeks. The rest of the summer is heavily scheduled with trainings, curriculum writing, or building summer inservice.

Although I wouldn't trade my job for anything in the world, it's tough when the job entails putting other kids in front of my own. My daughter needed me to be home tonight. The time I missed with her was time I simply won't get back. Hopefully, I can figure out how to have the best of both worlds, but a night like tonight makes it pretty hard on my heart.

Day 2---Why? why? WHY?

Today is all about the "why?" On day two the science lesson was setting up the student science notebook and composition book. All of my fellow 6th grade teachers across the district were supposedly teaching the same lesson at the exact same time. When I was going through my lesson plans, it never dawned on me that only a handful of the 80 students would actually have the science composition book. Why would that be? It was never put on the district supply list! The students and parents didn't know to buy it. ARGH!!!!

In elementary school a teacher must be at certain places at exact certain times. Everything and I mean everything runs with honed precision down to the exact minute. This morning after calling roll and all of my children were present, I sent my attendance to the office. My classroom is outside in an old surplus WWII barracks. The outside of my building is a dull Army brown, but inside my room has been transformed into a tropical paradise. Even still, with today's "stranger danger" times, we keep our doors locked and students travel in pairs with my building key to go inside. A trip to the office is a big ordeal. My two Helpers of the Day took my attendance, well actually one would travel to the office with the attendance and the other helper would return to my room with the key. Please...they are 6th graders with a key to Ft. Knox, I mean the building, so I don't let them go very far. Several minutes later my helper returned from the long trek to the office holding my attendance in hand. "Why are you back with that?" I asked half-heartedly, "Did the office get moved from yesterday?" It was around 9:28-ish and the attendance MUST be in the office by 10:00 AM. My little helper shyly said, "You have to turn it in at 10:00 AM." I'm sure the expression of disappointment on my face showed, because this sweet little helper gave me a hug and said, "It's going to be okay." Why on Earth would my attendance not be accepted 32 minutes early? ALL of my students were present. Were more of my already 100% in attendance going to show up? Why could I not turn in my attendance? A student rescued me by handing me my Starbucks cup of Joe. Thank goodness! All is right with the world again. While changing classes at 10:28, my teacher intern came up to me and said, "I think it's past time to get your roll turned in." I knew it! I just knew it!!!! My attendance was now past due and undoubtedly I would be scolded for being tardy. I'm not sure what the punishment is for a tardy teacher's attendance...detention?

The next surprise came at recess when we found out the office decided to move the kindergarten and first grade lunches back 10 minutes. Now this might not seem like a big deal, but if no one had bothered to tell the 6th grade teachers, we would have entered the cafeteria to find little kindergartners still occupying our sixth grade seats. I have learned not to stand between a hungry 6th grader and his food. It's like a hungry bear going through a vacationer's car. The cafeteria ended up being backed up 10 minutes the entire day.

While my students were at Fine Arts time, I had a few minutes to race through some e-mails. I discovered that attendance would be done electronically starting in the morning. Why am I not overly excited about this news? In order for attendance to happen in the morning, I would need to follow a few short steps to set-up my Teacher Attendance Center. Let's get something straight. Anytime anyone says technology will only take a few minutes can immediately be translated to hours and hours of frustration. By this time in the afternoon my Starbucks is long gone and the effects are waning. Three hours of frustration, two e-mails and two colleagues later, I'm all set for tomorrow's attendance. At least my computer won't tell me "You're too early!"

I have only one question to ask, "Why is tomorrow only Wednesday?"