Whew!

The first week of summer school is over. It FLEW past! But each day was so full that it hardly seems possible we have only been in school for 3 days! To make things a little more mushed in my brain, my other years of summer school keep running into one another and I keep forgetting which year things happened.

It's good to see kids I have gotten to know over the years, especially these last 3 years--kids I have had come to the early morning care each year and smile and remember at least my face if not my name. They crave so much attention and are ready to have lots of fun! On day one we made and flew paper airplanes (well, some of the kids learned how to make a plane that does tricks from one of the TA's) and paper airplanes have made their appearance each morning since. On the second morning, I missed my alarm and barely made it to school on time to open the gate for the first parents, but make it I did. My morning assistant Peter was waiting for me. "I slept through my alarm!" I told him. His reply surprised me: "I did, too."

I am feeling more excited about summer school this year than I remember being last year. Mom says that it is because I am back in the classroom after a year of not being in front of a class. I wonder if it's the product of not being worn out from being in front of a classroom this year--not that this year has not been hard work, but that it has been a different kind of hard work. Maybe it's a better understanding of the curriculum and expectations. Maybe it's a feeling of being more organized. I don't know, but I'm enjoying it =)

No kids were singing in the bathroom on the first day this year. But my two classes of 2nd graders are polar opposites of each other: my first class is quiet, my second is quite chatty; my first class is content to sit and read or write or do other "school" things; my second class is more active (the art teacher commented on that class characteristic the first day, and I found her comment quite insightful and helpful); the first class listens to instructions (usually) and then tries to do them; the second class tries to listen and follow instructions at the exact same time . . . while talking to their neighbors about the instructions . . . while sharpening pencils that should already have been sharpened. But they're quite insightful and eager to learn and love stories--what more could a teacher ask for? A quiet class. Well, if I can figure out the best way to harness their energy, we'll be in business!

I have the best TA's (well, I have had others just as good, some more experienced, even, but these girls are great!)! Pray for them--they are with the kids all day while I only have the kids till lunch. I'm sure they sleep very well at night =)

So, as I get ready to sleep in tomorrow without worrying about the alarm, I feel quite pleased with the week overall and grateful for the chance to do this for another summer. I love it! And it's nice to see ways in which I am becoming a better teacher. What are they? that's my secret! (just kidding)