better day

It probably is no secret that yesterday was a bit of a bad day for me. I feel much better today and actually had a 100% turn around from yesterday.

Yesterday was a long day. I had class until 7 so I was at school from 7 to 7. I was so frustrated yesterday because we keep hearing that "teacher's don't do enough" and that's why kids aren't passing the big end-of-year test (AYP for those in Utah). Yesterday was difficult because I tried my hardest and did all I knew to do to teach and the kids were completely unresponsive. I do my fair share, as do all teachers, and I'm just sick of hearing that teachers don't do enough.

And I won't get into any more detail, but I will say my day today was better and I still love my job.

I taught the 8th graders about character today. We talked about the character Superman (side note: today was "superhero day" for spirit week so I thought it appropriate). We talked about his 'character' and the elements that make up character. Then, I had them read a story and identify the elements on the character in the story. It went pretty well and I think most of them understood what I was saying. The key thing to focus on today, however, was that they (again, for the most part) followed instructions...they were asked to read on their own quietly. It always pleases me when they follow instructions.

I chaperoned the after school dance today. It was a real....treat? Hmmm. Maybe that's not the right word. The music was blaring and my head is pounding! I was able to take a bunch of pictures so the purpose of my chaperoning was two-fold. I did have a few kids who wanted me to dance with them, in their little circle. I have a running joke with my 6th period that I took break dance lessons as a youth and they are all desperate to see my 'mad skills. So, at the dance a bunch of them found me and I did the best imitation of break dancing I could muster and they all cheered. It was pretty fun.

The funniest thing about the dance was that probably 200-300 kids walked into the dance as single teens but walked out hand in hand with their new boyfriend/girlfriend. Seriously, I think I saw about 3 boys ask girls out and then it was a love fest of which I have nothing to compare.

I am very excited that tomorrow is Friday--Pajama Day, if you were wondering. I had a weird aversion to wearing my pajamas to school when I was in junior high, and I'm trying to talk myself into wearing them tomorrow. I've dressed up for each day so I hate to break my record, but the idea of wearing pajamas is just too strange. We also have an assembly tomorrow, which makes the 30 minute class periods (short day Friday) even shorter!

Just realized that I left my book...New Moon, from the Twilight series...on my desk at school. I had planned on finishing it tonight but it looks like that's not a possibility. Oh well. It'll be nice to just sit and chat with my husband, who I've seen very little of this week.