First Day of First Grade

I was terribly nervous going into Ms. Hernandez's first grade classroom today to take over her class for the next four weeks. I was nervous for a variety of reasons that include failing as a teacher, not seeing the achievement I want to see in my children, messing up lesson plans, losing control over the class, etc. I had extreme stomach nerves as the children fled into the cafeteria for morning stretching and dancing (something Browning Elementary does every morning... I can't explain it; you'd have to see it!) My tense nerves were calmed once I began meeting students. "You're Mr. Street! Are you going to be my new teacher?" several students asked. It was really awkward to hear little 6 year-olds use my last name. I taught the first block of the day when the children were the best behaved.

After the Pledge of Alligience and the Pledge to Texas (something I hate!) I introduced myself to the class and my other collaborative members who were in the room to begin the diagnostic testing process to see how much our children knew and what our goals needed to be in order for them to be at or above grade level by summer schools end (19 more class days!). The kids were awesome, after taking the kids to the bathroom (we have to take the whole class every 90 or so minutes) we learned classroom rules, expectations, and what it means to be a super star (our achievement program to get them excited for learning). I had their attention and had fun in the process... Then, the air conditioning system broke down and remained broke for the whole entire day... it was miserable. The kids didn't mind nearly as much as we did. After my classroom teaching block, I had to go into CS session (the class that we are all taking to learn pedagogical skills, lesson planning, etc, a VERY miserable class to begin with as our instructor is not the world's best and the room is cramped and we have to sit on little stools and most classes are 120 minutes) with 35 other people who, after 5 minutes, were drinched in sweat. To make it worst, a lot of us fell asleep at various points during the miserabley hot and gross session and got written up for it, it was horrible. Everyone was extremely irritable and tired. I fell asleep the second I got on the bus. I am cooled off now both physcially and mentally and ready to begin lesson planning and preparing for tomorrow.

I am so surprised as to how little our studnts know according to the diagnostic tests we administered today. It is extremely motivating though as now I know what to begin attacking so they can be better learners with more confidence and prepared for 2nd grade next year. I was definitely tested today, on my first day, and am excited for tomorrow and for the days to come. I'll be honest, there were moments today where I told myself, "Why the hell are you in here and doing this?!"

Much love to you all, stay cool.
Robert