I finally was able to start subbing last week. It's a strange balance to work and work on classes. Very strange, but I'll get the hang of it.
Last week I was able to sub in a Kindergarten class in a district I subbed in 4 years ago. AMAZING. I wasn't even nervous!! When I arrived in that classroom, I realized I had subbed for that teacher before. She has a very structured day, but it works.
There are only 20 kids in that K class. 20!! More boys than girls. These kids were QUIET in the hall. I mean they were SILENT. And we passed other classes and those classes were silent too. It was so WEIRD. At my prior school it was NEVER quiet in the halls. Noise ALL the time. This was a wonderfully new experience.
These kids listened, they, for the most part, were well behaved. The biggest "problem" was one of the boys called another boy "stupid". At my prior school, we have kids who throw desks and chairs and hit teachers.
During lunch- yes, a LUNCH BREAK! 50 minutes! Shock! Awe! I was able to eat, not inhale, my food AND read a little bit for one of my classes!! Anyway, during lunch, one of the 1st grade teachers was talking about how one of her students was down in the P's office because she was "playing". I wanted to be all, PLAYING? PLAYING?!? I can't even form words that was so... I don't know what the word is other than out of the ordinary for me.
SO this week, I am back at my last school subbing for them. What they are having me do is sub in a 4th grade pull out room. They are pulling out 11 of the lowest 4th graders and having them work on math, reading, and writing. And this is the best part: I GET TO DECIDE HOW TO DO EVERYTHING!!!!!! I totally can't believe it! Granted, I have the math curriculum textbook to guide me on what to teach, but it is NOT scripted. Seriously wonderful. AND for reading I don't have to teach DI. Wahoo!!!! I'm planning a Literacy block (sort-of) where I'm going to have the kids work in small groups and have one group work on writing while I work with the other group on reading and have a spelling practice station. And when they come in, I'm going to have a review math problem on the board or a review sheet on their desk to get their brains started and if they need to go to the bathroom this is when they go. And then we start the lesson. They get the modified math homework, but that's ok. I think I will probably let them start the packet of homework, but they will still have some problems to do. And after both math and lit block, I want do board races/games to keep them excited and make it FUN. Because this should be fun for them, not a punishment or anything like that.
Woo. That was a long thought process. I'm only doing this sub job Mon-Thurs 12:30-3. Friday I sub in 2nd grade, and I totally know that curriculum, so no worries. And I hear this is a good 2nd grade group, so yay!
Next week is mid-terms. Ick. Not sure what to think, but excited that I can review everything I've learned and don't have to read anything new for a bit. AND I can work on my projects. YAY.
Ok I think that is all for now. Wish me luck tomorrow. I fear I am starting to get sick (sore throat, really tired, achy-ish body) so I'm doing my best to get better. FAST.
