Crazy Kindergarten

As most of you know, I have been a substitute teaching now for about 4 weeks. Today was my 9th assignment, and I was at the elementary school teaching kindergarten. Man do I have a new respect for kindergarten teachers...whew...to say it in one word. I have been teaching only at the middle school, so to get called in to do kindergarten was quite an experience to say the least. Not to mention today was a special day as they did a musical program during school hours and are doing one tonight for the parents as well. I felt like I was trying to round up cats all day. These kids wouldn't focus, talked all the time and just would not stay in their seats. The teacher had 3 activities planned, spelling time, 2 parents come in and tell about their job, and 2 story times. On top of this, they had to go to rehearsal and then the program at the end of the day. I am BEAT! The one relaxing part was recess of course. Take them outside and let them run crazy I say. However, even this confused the kids as they usually go to recess after lunch and today they went before lunch because of the program. Poor kids thought they weren't going to get to eat lunch. Then they missed nap/quiet time all together. I hope they make it to their program that's at 7:00pm tonight.

All in all, I would say I prefer teaching middle school over elementary. If you have a bad kid, it's only for an hour (speaking of I just saw one of my bad students from this week skateboard by as I was typing that line...no way would I go out and say Hi, he'd definitely vandalize my house since I gave him 2 strikes for inappropriate behavior). Anyhoo...if you have a bad kid, he/she is no longer your problem in an hour and life goes on. The only problem you have to worry about with middle schoolers is their attitude; no worrying about poopy pants like I did today. I am going to pray that I get middle school from now on, but I will still continue to work at the elementary if needed. It just wouldn't be my first choice. I have yet to be called for high school....it scares me a bit, but I need to give it a fair shake as well.