A little goes a long way

So, the other day a 6th grade boy came in carrying a sketch pad. On it, he had a pencil drawing of a car (a Mustang, maybe? I didn't really know) and so I asked to see it. He showed me, and smiled, and told me a little about it.
The next time he had class, he came in, carrying the sketch pad, open this time, and he had added more to the drawing (shading, and background). He stood in front of me, holding the sketchpad just so in order for me to notice it. So, I did, and commented, and said that I liked Mustangs. Perhaps it was a little lie, because I don't really care about cars.
Well, next class, he brought me in an article he had printed about Mustangs. And I noticed he had written
To: Mrs. Wopat
From: M
on the picture. Only he didn't give it to me.

He still carries his sketch pad to class every day. I'm not sure if i should say, "Hey! It says my name on it-is it for me?"
I wonder if he's nervous? If he thinks I won't like it?

It is just a reminder to me of how far one little thing-my comment that I liked his picture-can go. It also reminds me just how much importance some (most?) kids put on your words. It makes me think that one sarcastic/joking comment can impact a kids entire day (week?). They remember things you say. They want you to compliment them. They hope you like their drawings. They look for your acceptance.

I get frustrated sometimes....

"Seriously? No pencil? Are you kidding me?"
(I'm sure they're certainly not kidding)

"What grade did you really think you would get on this test?"
(I'm sure they knew they needed the help)

Those are just two from this week that I regret. That I can't take back after I've said them, but I can apologize. I can try to fix it.

Last story.

7th grade boy. Failing French when I got back from leave. Kept pushing him to study during class. Don't know much about him.

Today was the assessment. He comes up. Seriously, he started talking for the assessment and he was just speaking gibberish. Total gobblygook. I was so perplexed. So I just said, "Look. You know you can re-do anything. Let's study together."

Then after he sat down, I thought of something. So I called him back up.

"Who is your advisor? Who is your academy teacher?"

Then, "Do you ever See Mrs. Hanson, or Mrs. Crogan?"

Yep, Mrs. Hanson is my teacher.

Sinking feeling. Should've been getting accomodations! How did I miss this?

I show him the assessment with a word bank. He WHIZZES through it. I mean, seriously-he got an A+ while using the word bank.

A little goes a LONG WAY!

Coming Back

So, I'm back from maternity leave. So much has happened in just 12 days of school for me, so I think I will make a list of highlights for now:

1. Having students tell me they missed me
2. Having students tell me they are learning now! (not a slight against my sub; she's great-just that it makes me feel effective)
3. Being asked to be the "celebrity" guest at the adaptive phy ed class. I played baseball with a giant bouncy ball and a tennis racket. I was not so good.
4. Singing
5. Laughing
6. Being surprised by some of the positive attitudes of certain staff members!
7. Finding it quite easy to get back in the swing of things
8. Already feeling like I was never gone (the good parts of that-feeling comfortable, feeling respect from the kids).
9. PBIS, 'nuff said.
10. It's sort of fun to not be "burnt out" at this time of year. It's the hardest time, in winter before the holidays, and so it's fun to have just started because I have a little more patience than normal during this time
11. Seeing how much the kids have grown since I saw them last!
12. Although I will never be the same, it's nice to be back without being in those nasty initial grief stages, not be pregnant and racked with anxiety, and not even trying to be pregnant, and have basicially a calm on all family fronts. I'm still distracted by the thought of my beauty at home, but it's a nice thought instead of the rest.
13. Although I have a lot to learn, I like Infinite Campus so far!

And the lowlights:
1. Having SO MANY kids. Seriously. This almost counters all my highlights :(
2. Having kids every other day. This schedule is HARD. I don't know who is coming or going. I have a hard time keeping 4 classes on the same track. I don't know how I'm going to grade them. I feel like when I don't have a class from Friday until Tuesday, I have to completely reteach the content-reviewing has become so much more important and time consuming.
3. Feeling like I have no clue about certain things-obviously this can't be helped, but sometimes I get SO confused!
4. Some classes have developed some (bad?) habits that I'm not used and have to work hard to re-direct.
5. Feeling like I haven't a good grasp on how the kids were graded.
6. I'm not feeling at ALL connected to my advisory. I struggle with that-it's always been one of my favorite classes and not being around for the get to know you stage is HARD!
7. I am TIRED!
8. I miss my baby girl so, so much.