Today we started a new writing project about "Fun at the Zoo" so we had a discussion about who we could go to zoo with to have fun and what we can do for fun. For the first part of the discussion there were the typical answers - with my cousins, my brother, my friend, my sister, my family, etc. Then one of the girls raises her hand and shyly says, "My husband?" HAHAHAHAHA!!! Then I remembered that when we were doing our "Adventure" story another girl said that her characters got married. They are only 7 years old and they're already thinking about getting married and having a husband. Do they start dreaming young or what?

Since the last time I blogged I got a job!!! I've already been working for almost two weeks which is why I haven't really blogged. I am beat when I get home from work. So what am I doing? I'm a first grade teacher. Since I've been out of work for six months, the hardest adjustment has been waking up at 6A.M. Also, it's been awhile since I've had to interact with so many kids at once where I'm the disciplinarian.

I have 18 students in my class. It's very manageable compared to the 36 students I had when I was teaching in Chicago. My class is one of the two toughest first grade classes behaviorally and academically so I'm pretty strict with my kids and sometimes even mean. I push them pretty hard too. I don't let them get away with slacking. I make them do their work over and over until they get it right, but I do help them. The thing that bothers me the most about teaching this age is that they constantly tattle tail. It drives me crazy. But I do have to listen to them just in case it's something that really does need my attention. Like today some kids came up to me as soon as we got into the classroom in the morning saying that one of the girls are itching really badly. I told the girl to come to me and I asked her where she was itching. She told me that her neck and chest were itching so I took a look and saw tiny red rashes all over her neck and chest. I sent her over to the nurse right away and she sent her home. I think she might have the chicken pox. Unfortunately most other information they give is useless and annoying.

Our school is year round so there are three different tracks. I am actually just finishing off the year for the original teacher. Our track ends at the end of April then I'll have May and June off without pay. Then I'll start again in July with a gifted third grade class. Woo-hoo!!! I've never taught a gifted class before. That means they will all know how to read! Third graders are much more independent too. I'm really looking forward to teaching next school year.

All in all, I'm just thankful to have a job and that i can konk out at night because I'm exhausted from working hard.