Thoughts during Fall Break

When I told my mom on Sunday that I had fall break this week, she asked, "What is that?" since it doesn't exist in the school district my brother attends in Michigan or in any of the schools that my sister and I attended growing up. My answer was that it was created for teachers so that they can come back to school and be ready to be with their students again.  We all laughed, but such were my feelings on Sunday.

After another roller coaster each day at school, I was really looking forward to my fall break.  As the day ended on Wednesday, one of my students invited me, yet again, to her soccer game, the last one of the season. I said that I wasn't sure if I'd be able to make it, but I'd see.  Cody and I ended up being able to go and watch this student (and another one of my students) in their last soccer game of the season. It was really fun! I was able to talk with their parents in an informal manner about their lives. And my students saw me in an informal setting, laughing and having fun.

And that's when it hit me.

Just like during my student teaching when my mentor teacher, Rachelle, had to call me out and say, "You need to be yourself with the students. You're funny and laughing at lunch but you get all serious when you're teaching. Be yourself all of the time!" I realized that I was doing the same thing with my third graders. This is one of the reasons why the first week of school was so much fun and why the following six weeks have been roller coasters of good and bad and discouragement and hope.

Duh! I wasn't being me with my students. I didn't and still don't know exactly how to be me with my third graders, but I figured it out with my fifth graders so that gives me somewhere to start.  I need to laugh every day with my students or else I will go crazy. I won't want to go to work, I won't enjoy teaching, and I'm sure my students won't enjoy learning as much.  I'm surprised so many of them have said they enjoy school still.  I wouldn't if I was in third grade with a teacher as serious as I have been.  I need to be more fun, like I know I can be.

Another way this was revealed to me today was as I was checking their writing homework, I kept chuckling over their creativity and humor. I have really funny students. I should find more time to laugh with them.  An example of their wit:

One two buckle my shoe. Buckle your own shoe! Who said that? I did. What are you doing with those silly buckles on your shoes anyway? Three four shut the door. You shut it--you opened it! Five six pick up sticks. Why should I pick them up--do you think I'm your slave? Buckle my shoe, shut the door, puck up sticks, next thing you'll be telling me to lay them straight!! But it's only a poem. Nine ten a big fat, oh never mind.

Isn't she funny? Here's a picture of my creative, funny, and adorable students. I just need to remember that they are. :)

Three of my students with their fish as part of their aquarium project