Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Thoughts on Tiggers and the End of the Year

So here we are. The last full real day of school. Tomorrow is a half day of handing things back, an awards assembly, and then they are gone. And, so of course, like most teachers, I look back on the year and think about what worked, what didn't, what drove me crazy and what gave me JOY.

There is a lot of end of the year craziness going on. My trusty yardstick disappeared. I looked everywhere for it. I mentioned it the other day in my 8th hour speech class.

"Well, yeah, about that....."

And the story came out about filming commercials and hitting a ball and, well, let's just say that now I have a half a yard stick. No telling what happened to the other half. Gotta love my SSB's.

And my freshmen boys, well they are another story. They are done with sitting still and being quiet (not they ever really did those things). A few days ago, Katherine wrote about how being the parent of boys helps you in the teaching of them. And I have to agree. I think you are used to all those strange behaviors. I tweeted her on Friday and told her my freshmen boys weren't acting like puppies--they were more like Tiggers (you do remember Tigger from Winnie the Pooh, don't you?).

Watch this and imagine several of them in your room...




And then there are the procrastinators.

I don't believe in zeroes. I don't give much homework, so the work I  assign is important in showing me how kids are doing. I won't give a zero until all avenues are exhausted (or the last day of a semester, whichever comes first).

But

Now those "I don't care" attitudes have turned into "What do you mean I'm going to fail?" incredulousness.

Now I'm getting work.

I'm also getting, "I turned my work in at midnight, why don't you have it in the gradebook yet?"

Now don't think I'm all negativity. Really, I'm not.

I'm having lots of fun today talking with kids and sharing why I will miss them.

I'll miss the randomness of the conversations in my first hour Creative Writing class...
      Who'd win in a fight between Batman and Superman?
I'll miss the kids who sit in the little square outside my room and avoid work like the plague...
     Mizz Day, I gotta get my music going first or I can't concentrate
I'll miss quiet freshmen girls who are planning their reading for the summer.
      I want to read all the Nicholas Sparks books this summer. I hope I can find them all.
I'll miss the silly ones who stop in to visit in the middle of a class period
     I'm your favorite, right Mizz Day?
I'll miss "Father" B and his speeches
    We made a deal with the devil and won the golden fiddle
I'll miss the competitiveness of some and the passiveness of others,
I'll miss the noisy hallways and the silliness.
I'll miss my kids.
But not enough that I won't enjoy my too short summer vacation.

And, by the way. Batman wins every time. He's the keeper of the kryptonite, you see.

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13 comments:

  1. Thanks for this post! I just blogged myself about the end of the year with an entirely different attitude! :-)

    I'll be writing another one after I get over my blues, but I appreciate your sharing this with is. Makes me believe that things just might work out in the end! :)

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  2. Loved this line:

    <>

    I remember that end of the year attitude, even in fifth grade.

    Summer's coming!

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  3. Don't know why the line disappeared. Here's what I was talking about:
    Now those "I don't care" attitudes have turned into "What do you mean I'm going to fail?" incredulousness.

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  4. I LOVE THIS! Teary eyed and laughing out loud. I teach first grade but feel the same way. I'll miss them so much-their silly ways. I will certainly be enjoying the next 7 weeks though!
    Lyssa
    My Mommy Reads

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  5. Much to look back upon and be thankful for, and much to look back upon and miss about the year that was. But...welcome, Summer!

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  6. I love your reflection, Deb. Comparing the boys to Tigger is spot on! Enjoy the final day!

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  7. Yes, Deb, you will miss your kids, but I know that you have lots of books to read, time to play with Chloe and enjoy the lake.

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  8. Like many of your posts, I can feel your love for your students so clearly! I love this idea and I think I might have to try it! I know I will miss so many things about my students... luckily, I get to have some of them again next year!

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  9. I love your details Deb and I remember my last June days. They were filled with emotional contradictions.
    Have a great summer...

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  10. Ah-h, the trials of those last hours/days when things are exaggerated until you wonder if you actually taught anything the past few months. And yet, there are the beautiful moments when you give the hugs and say goodbye. You've shown us so well how much you love your teaching, and then how much you need a break!

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  11. The most wonderful thing about Tiggers, is Tiggers are wonderful things!

    Love, love, love the comparison.

    I also love the way your passion for your work, and moreover, for your kids comes through even when you write the truth about how truly hard this work with so many humans is.

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  12. The yardstick story (and others) made me smile. I love kids.

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