Two and Half Days

Well, my middle-school career for now only has two days remaining (for now, anyway). Okay, two and a half. But I only had four kids today, so I can't imagine the crowds are going to be rushing in for the half day that Friday is. I did get a new teaching assignment today, you are now friends with an official elementary school teacher. Fourth grade it is. I can't say that I'm exactly thrilled about the change, but I didn't really have much of a choice in the matter. I have to say, I really like middle schoolers. I don't think most teacher do. I kind of think they should let people who actually like them, teach them. But, ces le vie. I'm sure I'll adjust, and I'm sure I'll like 10 year olds too. The biggest bummer is that now I teach ALL subjects, which can be really overwhelming if you acutally want to teach all of them well, and you're a new teacher. One thing I get a super frustrated with is that math and reading are emphasized so much in education now, because they are what's tested. So if you want to teach science or social studies, you really have to justify the time that's spent on them, and you really have to do a lot of planning because the cirriculum for them isn't well designed. So, long story short: I have my work cut out for me. But really, it's just another way to grow, right? What doesn't kill us makes us stronger. And, in the end I'll be a more well rounded teacher. I'm just not sure I can teach math as well as it deserves to be taught...I just sometimes feel a little bit bad that my students have to have me as a teacher. I kind of want to write them all letters for them to read in about 10 years and explain that I really did try hard, and I know they deserved a little more, but I really did try. Oh well, what's done is done....

So, I was a little stressed after school today, and spent a lot of time at the gym. Had a good long run. Hopped on the rowing machine. Lifted a few weights. Decided to climb the wall a little. By the time I got to that though, my arms were pretty shot and I had worn myself out pretty well. But, it was among the best workouts I've had in a while. Now we'll just see if I can move tomorrow.

I have to say, I thought it would rain a little more here than it did in Utah! We haven't had rain here in weeks! Baltimore is kind of funny, because it often misses HUGE storms that are just a few miles north or south of us. For example, last week there was a massive storm that caused a lot of power outages in DC just 30 miles south. Here in Baltimore: nada. zip. zilch. Not a drop of rain. Although, word on the street is that it might rain tonight. Probably a few drops. I can only pray for a little thunder and lightening. I think I'll sleep with my window open in hopes a little storm action. I love laying in bed in the dark, and listening to a storm. Nothing better.

I'm off to bed. Lots of big plans for the six kids that may show up to school tomorrow. We're making some oobleck. I mean, it's such a mystery, is it a solid? a liquid? No one really knows. Depending on how many of them there are, we may have a surprise pizza party. We're for sure watching a movie and playing some games. Pretty much I'm just playing with them. And they are pretty darn fun.