Year 2 Day 49: It's Too Late to Apologise...

I don't think the music group One Republic had in mind the Year 6 class I was sent to tackle today when they wrote that song. Also, know that the size of a child's apology on a sheet of paper does not directly correlate to how convinced (or not) I am at their sincerity or remorse for their actions. Clearly, that was not what this young man had in mind. He thought the bigger he wrote it, the less chance he would have of his regular classroom teacher telling him off when she returned. Speaking of which, I like this student's interpretation of the events that led to him writing this letter to his teacher. (You can see it better if you click on the photo.) Naturally, I had to annotate at the bottom (in green pen).

I do honestly enjoy going to this school, but this particular class seems to absolutely run better when there is a second adult (a TA) in the room to show attention to the few students who need the constant reinforcement. Otherwise it's a free-for-all and the majority of my time is spent playing crowd-control/babysitter rather than teaching the lesson. As a result, I end up feeling for those of the group who were penalized with less time for their task -- even if some of them busted their rears to STILL get their work completed. Good on them!

I guess it could have been worse...in fact, I know it could have been. Although I do admit it was a bit funny when the children returned after their dinner and when I entered the classroom they were worried that they had caused me to go into labour. I assured them I was well enough to remain with them until the end of the school day. I also assured them that any tricks they had used on me up to this point, I had already done myself at that age...and did a much more effective job.

A couple of the boys who gave constant guff every lesson were lucky enough to be the chosen ones and were held back from their assembly at the end of the day. (Is it any surprise that one of them was the author of the pictured letter?) I brought them both back up to the classroom with me so they could make use of all their excess energy to tidy the classroom, pick up all the rubbish and do odd jobs for me to prepare for the end of the day -- all in complete silence of course. I don't think it was as much fun as they previously anticipated.

Such a mean supply teacher! Shame.

Year 2 Day 35: Flattery...

...will get you...everywhere. This was the impression I made within 10 minutes of today's art lesson with a Year 5 class when I told them if they were finished with their self-portraits they had started previously, they were welcome to sit where they pleased and work on a free art activity of their choice. The funny thing is, the kids think it was purely because they begged for it. To be honest, however, there wasn't anything to do otherwise in the lesson plan and since most children were finished with their work, I thought this would give them an opportunity to show their self-control. But as you see, I, 'Mrs. Bennit' according to this young man, am 'the best' after all. I'd like to think he's just accurate at reading a person's character. I mean, do alright I guess.

I was called just before 8am to supply again at a school I had been to previously in Droitwich. This meant navigating the M5 once again -- and boy does the journey go much faster when you know which lane NOT to drive in! The traffic getting to the motorway was awful...somewhere near 45 minutes just to get through gridlock in Stourbridge alone. Once I was near Bromsgrove it was smooth sailing the rest of the way -- my kind of trip!

I can't say enough how much I enjoy that school, and it's only my second time working there. The kids are amazingly well-behaved and the staff are very friendly. It really makes for an easy-going day to the point where I don't mind doing the marking for the teacher and leaving a note about how smoothly lessons flowed. Even as I sit here typing my blog, where I would typically feel quite winded after a day in a school in Birmingham, I still feel moderately full of energy. I attribute a large part of this to how stress-free the day went.

It was starting to get a bit dark by the time I left, and still up in the air if they would need cover for tomorrow as well -- so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a call tonight, if possible. I also managed to get back in time to pick Matt up from where a friend at work had dropped him off to walk the rest of the way home...so he didn't have to go far.

OH! And speaking of my lovey...the car was better. It didn't overheat and the fan kicked in right when it was supposed to. Go lovey for your auto-mechanic geniusness!! He got a high-five on the way home for that.

So American!!

Year 2 Day 21: Welcome to Middle School

Today's supply teaching adventure led me on my longest solo-trip yet...to Droitwich in Worcestershire. I was assigned an absolutely awesome and well-behaved Year 5 class and did some PPA cover for a Year 7 group as well. The school was so nice and the staff was friendly -- it was completely refreshing, to be honest. A welcome change from what I am typically assigned and used to.

Having a bit of experience now with Year 5 (from when I took over a class last summer term) I really hit the ground running. One thing I made sure to do was use my nationality (which I knew would come up as soon as I spoke) as some classroom motivation. Since each lesson had a different mixture of students, I had to introduce myself each class period. I made it very clear right away that yes, I was American and although that may increase their desire to ask me lots of questions about 'where I've been' and 'who I know'...or even, 'what's the best part,' we still had work that needed to be complete and I would be more than happy to discuss those questions once students got on with their work and showed me respect and sensible behaviour.

Believe it or not...this method actually WORKED! The majority of them got busy straightaway and I held my end of the bargain by floating around to help and answer questions here and there.

"Yes, I have been to New York...what number have you gotten to on your numeracy?"

"Florida is quite nice and yes, I have been there on holiday...so, tell me more about what you've managed to research so far on the Roman Empire?"

"Yes, we watch The Simpsons and Family Guy in America...have you made sure your writing is discussing both sides of the argument of why or why not mobile phones should be allowed in school?"

The classroom I was in for most of the day was aesthetically pleasing as well. Everything was well organised and the students really took pride in tidying up at the end of the day and asking if I needed help with anything. I definitely made sure to leave a list of names and I hope they get some praise from their teacher when she returns.

Luckily I recognised most of the route the SatNav took me as I had traveled with Matt a couple of times when he'd made deliveries in Evesham. I even managed to successfully navigate the M5 on the way there. Go me!

The return trip was another story...talk about an M5 FAIL. I was traveling in the lane marked for the M5 when it tricked me and landed me on the M42! And do you know what is worse than to be headed the wrong direction down the M42? Try, learning that the SatNav wants to make you exit at the next junction (4 miles away) and re-route you to double back the way you just came (4 more miles back) and right in direct sunlight. Not. Fun. At. All.

No offense Britain, but give me an American Freeway any day. At least for the most part there is an exit or turn-off every couple of miles.

Still, I managed to make it home in one piece and just in time to be welcomed by a tall mug of tasty coffee, made with love by hubby. Perfect end to my day!