Can you hear Chicago playing in the background. Love that song!
Once again you bloggers out there have inspired me.
During the summer I love to spend some time each day reading teacher blogs--saving, printing, laminating, and filing your amazing ideas. You are the most creative people I know and really make learning fun for your students. I know this even though I've never been in your classrooms because I have fun and often get giddy (Read: teacher nerd high) just reading about them. Then the school year comes and I get caught up in the business of classroom set up, lesson plans, grading, managing, and all of the other "volunteer" opportunities you know we all do that's not part of our job description. Not to mention being a mom of my 2 babies and wife to my hubby. My brain moves too fast to be creative during the school year. I'm exhausted when I get home during the week and I really have *tried* to keep my weekends for the family as much as possible. That's why I love summer. Well truth be told, one of the MANY reasons I love summer. I really don't mind working during the summer--as long as I can do so in front of the TV in my running shorts and t-shirt (or jammies--let's be honest, some days are like that!) . Any preparation I can do when I have nothing else "schooly" to do is not "work" for me.
This year has not been different. I have 17 very high maintence children in class. There are no "average" kids and they all have vastly different needs. It's been....overwhelming. This is the first time I've questioned my career choice. I'm thankful I've been teaching long enough to simply pull from the files this year but I've really missed revamping and making things more exciting.
Enter Christmas Break: "It's the most wonderful time of the year!" The perfect time for a break when you're burning the advent candle at both ends. You're ready for a break. Your kids are ready for a break--and a break from each other. The downtime has been wonderful. My house is clean, the laundry is washed, dried, folded AND put away, no schedule, no expectations, naps during the middle of the day, read 3 books...I think that's what heaven will be like. I've been lazy, I've been happy, I've been relaxed. My husband calls this "Summer Wife". I've also been productive. I've caught up on blogs, I've finished shopping, wrapping and gifting, cleaning up from said gifts, written thank you notes for all of the sweet things my students gave me, I've planned a baby shower, and my crowning achievement: I've planned units for the next 6 weeks! Thanks to my teacher bloggy friends, for the inspiration. I'm using some of your activities, I've adapted some to fit the needs of my class, I've made my own units after seeing how you chunk some of the standards together.
You are amazing. I'm looking forward to getting back to school on Wednesday to start again. It's amazing what some rest, relaxation and reflection can do...
