Once again, I am going to display my inherent "femaleness" by posting a blog that basically contradicts the last one I wrote. I still love the little ones, but this week....oh this week....is it really only Tuesday? Admist the adorable times my students come up to me and say "Miss, you is beautiful" and "I love you, Miss Wrasman" and wrap their arms and then entire bodies around me, it's been tough lately.
For those of you who might not know, the biggest struggle in teaching is almost always classroom management. If you aren't careful, it can become a beast that tramples every ounce of joy and patience you possess. Well, this week I'm getting pummeled. Trying to keep 22 six year olds on task, happy, and cooperative with others from 7:05-2:30 has been challenging. I've got kids bouncing around the rooms like little rubber balls, I've got kids moving at the pace of a sloth after hip replacement surgery, and I've got kids causing ruckus (yes, I just said ruckus) amongst every object in their path, including each other. So what did I do? Sat them down in a circle, gave them each a flower, and had them say nice things about each other and the world as they plucked off petals? Nope. I yelled. I gave mean looks. I switched on and off the lights; I was the circuit that had blown. Then we all calmed down. We prayed. I told them I love them. And they left with smiling faces as they each responded "Yes" when I asked them "Did you have a good day?" Well, I guess they're not scarred. But I know I can be a better teacher than I was today. It starts with more prayer in the morning; I need to make a better point of that. And..I'd like some advice, too. If you have any good ideas about managing kids - as a teacher or a parent - if you have any anti-bullying strategies - I'd love to hear them. Of course I could always go back to the addicting mega-drug Google for my daily shot of wisdom, but I'd rather listen to you and pretend we are drinking coffee together.
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