Rough Day

Seriously, today was not the best day.

The kids were super hyper (left over Halloween candy?), didn't have enough time to run around (inside recess - yuck), and had a terrible time listening! I'd get there attention, spend a while calling out lots of names to get them to look at me, and then as soon as I'd start talking some kid would start making noises, or someone would come up to me to ask to go the bathroom, or someone would start coloring again, or playing with the pencils, or poking their neighbor, or generally ignoring me! It was maddening.

I don't understand the kids who keep coming up to me while I was talking! I'm standing up front, giving directions, and some kid would just get out of their seat, and come up to me and start calling, "Miss Barnes. Miss Barnes. Miss Barnes!" As if they don't realize I see them and am ignoring them. They just get louder and start poking me, so I HAVE to stop and tell them to sit down. Kid has got some complaint of needing to go to the bathroom or needing a band aid. Then they look at me with shock and horror when I tell them "Not now, I'm talking and you should be sitting at your seat listening."

Kid: "But I'm bleeding"

Me: "You'll be fine."

*Look of shock again*

Me: "Sit down"

*Kid holds finger in my face* (which by the way has a 1 millimeter scratch in it that is kind of red - it's not like I'm denying first aid to the mortally wounded here!)

All. Day. Long.

Sit down. Sit down. Sit down.

Not now. Not now. Not now.

You'll be fine! Tough it out. Get over it!

I sound mean don't I?

But when you're dealing with kids who don't do their work, can't get in line quietly, are prone to pushing and hitting each other, and whine over ever tiny thing they don't like, my last concern is getting a band aid to the kid with a hangnail.

On the plus side, they do listen to a story well. Perhaps next time I just need to give directions like I'm a picture book. Maybe illustrate it as I go. Something to try for next time! :)