Week one down, 39 more to go

I survived week one, in relative health and happiness. I do not feel the sense of trepidation which has permeated other first weeks of my career, though a part of me is still waiting for the axe to fall in this job.

Klepto had his first minor blow-up of the week today. I say minor, because I had gotten himself under control before the student sent to the teachers' lounge got back with me in tow. I think I have sorted out the misunderstanding which led to the problem, and I'll reiterate it before lunch on Monday just in case. Still, these events used to occur daily. One per week is definitely manageable. And nothing got broken or went missing. I can handle this.

My bright-bored boy (Nicknamed BBB in future) needs a phone call to Mom as soon as possible. I'm thinking Monday during break. I can't handle the speaking out, and it's undermining the routines in the rest of the class.

We did a Readers' Theatre reading of The Montgomery Bus Boycott today. Yay for American publishing of teacher resources! It led nicely into one of the year's social studies themes, though, which is Canadian Government and includes items on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I even used the old riddle about the doctor who couldn't operate on the boy brought into the hospital because it was HER son. My kids got it immediately.

I have acquired grade 4 spelling books for a few of my low-functioning kids, and will give them separate spelling lessons next week. After that, they'll be the LRT's responsibility to manage in terms of language ability.

Now on to weekend, and my much improved bank account! I'm going shopping tomorrow! Hooray!