velvetpage: (Default)
velvetpage ([personal profile] velvetpage) wrote2004-09-07 05:09 pm

My First Day of School

If I had to sum it up in one sentence, that sentence would be: Better than I expected.

Now, everyone was on best behaviour today. Klepto was a model student, basically, with one minor blow-up that I managed to head off. My other ADHD students, in order were: 1) not on meds, and suffering for it; 2) not officially diagnosed, though I'm not the only teacher who is convinced; 3) moved, 4) showed no sign of hyperactivity, though she was definitely spaced. I'm not sure about the status of her meds.

The math lesson went extremely well. I gave some A's to kids who have probably never had them before in their lives, which is always a nice feeling. Other than the ADHD kids, I had very few kids speaking out; they seem to be a polite bunch overall. When the "all about me" booklet asked them about their favourite book, no fewer than four kids asked me how to spell "Pheonix", which is a very good sign. Though I was told their French was good, I had several kids tell me that a) they don't like French, or b) they're no good at French. I wasn't expecting that kind of attitude this early, but I'm going to fight it. We're starting a play next week; I'm thinking Les Trois Petits Cochons. It's quick, it's easy, and it's got some great one-liners. (My grade 4's really loved telling off the wolf: "Tu n'entres pas, Monsieur le loup! Je ne suis pas fou!")

I like the principal. When she didn't like the way they lined up after first break, she sent them back to do it again. They got it right the second time. But she repeated the process after second break, thereby winning my heart forever. (Sorry, Pyat. :)) I'm not used to that kind of action from a principal.

I had enough energy at the end of the day to work out, so the day much have been pretty good. A day of grade 7 would have worn me out completely.

Here's to a good year!

[identity profile] pyat.livejournal.com 2004-09-07 02:32 pm (UTC)(link)

Here's to a good year!


CHeers!

Don't hurt me.

[identity profile] athelind.livejournal.com 2004-09-07 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
When the "all about me" booklet asked them about their favourite book, no fewer than four kids asked me how to spell "Pheonix", which is a very good sign.

Um... "Phoenix".

Re: Don't hurt me.

[identity profile] velvetpage.livejournal.com 2004-09-07 05:14 pm (UTC)(link)
The fifth Harry Potter book is called "Order of the Phoenix". It's not by any means a light read for a ten-year-old (or for me either, for that matter) and I happen to be a big Harry Potter fan myself.

[identity profile] jadecat.livejournal.com 2004-09-08 07:30 am (UTC)(link)
Yay!! Sounds like a great start. :)