One Week done!! (Well okay, it was only three days with children) I have been hearing for the last week and half about how wonderful the year three students are. I have heard such things as "They're the best year in the school!" Well, day one they definitely tried to see how much they could get away with. By Friday, they all seemed to be their normal, lovely selves. I can see why everyone thinks they are so wonderful. One little boy told his mum that Wednesday was the best first day of school he had ever had. My gut reaction to this was that I wasn't mean enough, "Oh, no! I'm a push over!!". Well, his mum told another parent that the reason why her son liked my class was because he could tell that I was "nice but stern and consistent and I wasn't going to let the other kids get away with things!" The other parent passed this information on to me. Now, that's what I like to hear! So, needless to say, I think we are off to a good start. We are already laughing and learning from each other. I have promised to teach them everything they need to know for year three as long as they teach me everything I need to know to live in England. So, for the first bit of school they are teaching me to tell time the British way! Needless to say, we are getting in our lesson on telling time in a unique way. They don't even know they are solidifying their own knowledge by teaching me! We have had a few horrific moments when I asked the children to put their work in "The Bin". I meant the red bin at the back of the room, they all thought I meant the rubbish bin! One little boy walked up to the rubbish bin (garbage can) and said, "Are you sure, Miss Robinson?". The look of concern on his face was so frightful! He really thought I had him do all that work just to throw it away! So, needless to say, we now call it the red basket at the back of the room!
There are only twelve of them, but they are going to be very hard work. One of them is probably technically at about two years above the rest of her class. Challenging her will be difficult. While another girl is about two years behind the rest of the class. So, I definitely have my work cut out. Maths in particular will be challenging. That's where their gaps become very noticeable. I am also teaching four students year four maths and the rest year three. That means I have to be in two places at once. Thankfully, the more advanced students work well together and are excited to be challenged. They also know that if they aren't actually doing the work there will be a consequence. So, it's hard to keep moving on when after only two days of year three maths, I know that I've already lost about three children. So, I am not sure exactly what to do about that. Thankfully I have lots of help. I have a TA three days a week and a learning support specialist on the fourth. So, there are lots of extra bodies. With only twelve pupils I hope that I can get every child the help he/she needs. So, that's school. It's definitely a steep learning curve. I'm thankful for lots of resources and lots of helpful people. No one seems to tire of all my questions. The staff is wonderful. It was amazing on day one to be talking about unity and creating a safe, loving environment for our students. It's also great to be able to talk about God. Assembly, which happens every Friday, was wonderful. We got to sing worship songs and talk about the memory verse for the the week. The school is peaceful and full of love.
On the flip side of all that, my social life so far has been zero. I have literally been going to school, coming home, planning, going to bed and getting up and doing it all over again. I had no idea just how tired I was until this weekend hit. All I did Saturday was watch a movie and catnap! I know I was tired because I still slept through the night. Church this morning was nice. I went away with the youth children, for my one morning of the term. It was nice to be a part of this group. I've decided for the time being to stay with the main church in the morning from now on. So, no youth for me for at least the first half of term. I will re-evaluate come November! The young people are so lovely that I'm really going to miss being a part of this group, but know it's important for me to get to know people my own age in the church. So, that's me! I will keep you updated on life as I begin to become more comfortable with teaching. I'm sure you will hear many more silly stories about my lovely children!
