Sometimes Even Teachers Get Cranky

This week I have seen a WIDE range of emotions in our students. Tired and cranky kids. Hungry kids. Kids missing family. I have had excited students, laughing students, crying students. I have had loud students, quiet students, and shy students.

For the most part, students are falling into the routine and settling into the expectations of 2nd grade--which are quite high. Writing is expected. Math is expected. Finishing work in a timely manner is expected. This can be so overwhelming and cause students to suddenly dislike school, feel overwhelmed with the work, or sometimes, just shut down. The best solution of course is to keep working. :) We will make it. The work will become easier and the expectations will just seem normal.

Yesterday I had meeting after meeting. I had a substitute in the morning and a REALLY long evening the day before due to my own kiddos becoming over achievers and participating in a LOT of highschool activities. I was tired. I was cranky. I wanted to be in my classroom because I am needed here but the learning in my meeting was great---computer lab will be very fun this year plus the thought of netbooks in the classroom is exciting.

But, I think my own crankiness rubbed off on the students. Smiling through cranky sometimes looks like a grimace!! Today is a better day and we are working hard and reading a fun story. Math was exciting as we practice our money skills and sang songs and shook our buns a bit to some math music. No grimaces today. Just real smiles.