Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Punishment

My apologies for being so late with this entry! My afternoon and evening were completely taken up by errands, dinner meetings and favorite TV shows.

Today was my third day with the same class. Friday had been find, yesterday was good, but today was a bit more of a struggle. It seemed like the class was punishing me for being there instead of their teacher - who they really want to be back. I don't know why they don't seem at all happy to have me there. I've giving them partner reading time, free time, watched videos with them, etc. All of which seem like fun things that should make them eager to see what else I'll do with them today. However, they just made the day kinda hard. Lots of talking (not listening), attitude problems, whining, and tattling. I was so exasperated with a few of them at the end of the day!

One boy told me he wanted to read alone during partner reading time. I told him that was fine. He chose a spot in the room to sit and read, but proceeded to keep goofing around (playing with pencils, rolling around on the floor, etc.). I kept going over to where he was and standing watch. He was irritated by this. Once he mumbled, "Don't you know what alone means?" To which I responded, "Yes, I know what that means. However, I am your teacher, and my job is to make sure you do what you are supposed to. Right now, you are supposed to be reading. However, every time I come over you are not doing that. So if you'd like me to leave you alone then you need to follow directions and get to work." He kept shooting me irritated glances, but (mostly) read for the rest of the time.

And that is a sample of the battles I fought today.

I also made another boy cry. (Purely unintentional, I assure you!) He got upset over something another girl said to him about how I wasn't going to let him watch the movie, and just couldn't get himself under control. He was sobbing and begging me to let him go home. I told him to take some deep breaths, get a drink of water and just try to calm down a little and he'd be fine. Eventually (after at least 20 minutes) he managed to get himself under control and made it to the end of the day.

Phew. I'm tired just thinking about all of it!

I'm hoping (for my sake, their sake, and their teacher's sake) that she is back tomorrow!

2 comments:

Betty said...

That boy who wanted to be alone seemed to have quite the attitude. Sounds like you handled it well. I can't imagine why they were so anxious to have their regular teacher back when you were the sub. They don't know how lucky they were.
Love you!!! MOM

Anonymous said...

Wow, what a long day. I got irritated on your behalf just reading about it. Crazy kids to not enjoy such a wonderful sub. Congrats on not verbally thumping the child who wanted to be "alone", not sure I could've contained myself :)
Hugs, Rhonda