School

So, I'm back at school with a brand new crop of fourth graders. They are so cute and fresh, attentive and waiting for me to show them what's next. As a teacher of elementary school students, I always marvel at the first few days which are like the honeymoon period, that time when everyone is at their best and does what they are asked. My room is always really clean during this time, and this year it was filled with beautiful vases of flowers on every table.

So, I'm past the first few days now, and the honeymoon, while not over with one big fight and someone sleeping on the couch, is slowly ending nevertheless. Yesterday, I had a student tell me that she couldn't write because she was an only child. Today, it's about 100 degrees outside, and our air conditioning isn't quite working very well. I was in the middle of talking about how great California is and about to do this really fun lesson on watersheds, when a kid just yells out in the most whiny voice imaginable, "I'm hot."

Everything stopped in the room, and the kids all looked really nervous. I slowly turned from the whiteboard where I was about to draw my famous cross section of the state. I then explained to him, ticking off my ailments on one hand, that yes, I was also hot, thirsty, hungry and probably had to go to the bathroom as well, but that those things are not things that one just yells out in the middle of class. I think I made him cry and I have to call his mother tonight and explain (in the nicest way possible, and let's face it I'm sure she's heard it before) that this is just one example of other exasperating traits this child displays, but also apologize for hurting his feelings.

It's hard, because I was not at my best in that moment, that's true enough, but I do think that kids should know by the time they are in fourth grade that they can't just yell whatever they want out in the middle of class. Also, shouldn't they not have to go to the bathroom every frickin five minutes? I don't remember that being an issue last year, but this year it's like everyone has these super tiny useless bladders. It makes me crazy.

Anyway, yeah, the honeymoon is over. The good news is that now we can start to really get to know each other, with the bad and good, and that is my favorite part.