Oh. Oh, oh, oh.
I don't know how I didn't think of this sooner. I am lying on my back, laptop resting just so, typing this entry. Lying down, people. With the a/c overhead.
Surely this is a testament to the new sloth.
This morning I helped out in Audrey's class. Her teacher has been absent the first three weeks of school (recovering from surgery) and today was her first day back. We had a good sub, and our teacher kept in touch with everyone--it hardly seemed like she was gone.
Now, I know lots of my journaling pals have kids starting kindergarten. I want to pass this on:
Kindergarten is hard work. In spite of it's crayons, cut-and-paste image, it's work. These last three weeks, I've been gritting my teeth as Audrey has had a meltdown EVERY day....now I realize why.
The day does have it's sing-songy moments, and yeah, there is cutting and coloring involved, but there's also a ton of other stuff going on.
Take care of yourself. Do your work. Keep an eye on your tablemates. Clean up your messes. Get in line. No talking. No running in the classroom.
And in the middle of all that, the gentle and not-so-gentle reminders to the ones who are not listening and need guidance.
Not to mention the directions for the tasks they are performing.
I was exhausted half an hour into it. I can only imagine how hard it is for the little ones, who are learning all the school rules, and how to interact with each other, learning in general, and adjusting to being separate from their families, all at the same time.
Our teacher makes it look so easy, smoothly transitioning from point A to point B.
All I can think about is a nap.
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6 comments:
My Mom taught Kindergarten for 30 some odd years and I have worked in Kindergarten as a paraprofessional and I believe it is one of the hardest grade levels! From where I was in the classroom it was quite obivous that the K teachers were turning on a light for most of them for the very first time...all the ground work is laid for coming years...are they so under paid or what?
it is a TON of work - and twice as hard for kids who haven't been to pre-school and have never had to sit still, listen to the teacher, keep their hands to themselves and follow directions all at the same time! My head wants to explode just thinking about it!
If I ever had to teach, it would be in Middle or High School. I can't even imagine having to teach Kindergarten. There is a huge weight to teach those precious lambs everything. Uggh! It gives me hives just thinking about it.
Trace~
www.tracenoel.blogspot.com
"Think of what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world -- had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together."
Mrs. L
Yes, Kindergarten isn't fun anymore for the little ones. It is hard work now. Enjoy your Thursday.
Missie
yep K is hard but first grade is harder i think lol glad Audrey loves to read:) have a good week
Deb
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