Tomorrow is the last day of school. As usual, I'm not quite ready for it. In one sense, I'm much more prepared for it, as reports went out last week, and I've had only my class to focus on bringing to a closure. However, perhaps because I've only had my kidlets for the last 6 months, I'm [not sick of them yet?]
My days are very exciting as a Year 1 teacher ;) We don't exactly have a lot of formal planning done for this week, so I've reverted to my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants approach, which usually results in my best teaching. Tuesday I decided to do a lesson on multiplication. Some are ready, some aren't. They can all count in two's though, and relate to Noah's ark, LOL. For those that are ready, they've got new excitement for maths, and have embraced the whole concept, transferring their understanding to multiplying by 10's, 5's, 3's, and in one case, 15's. Not bad for 6 year olds.
I've also discovered the joy of randomly choosing a book from the bookshelf, and being able to create whole lessons instantly, as I read the story to the class. For example, we read a story about Percy the Park Keeper who was trimming the hedge maze, and presto - they're all addicted to solving mazes. Focus on quiet table work the last week of school is NOT a bad thing.
Today was the Year 6 leaving do. Spent a couple hours after school playing volleyball, which was a BLAST! As usual, I tend to throw my whole self into the game, so I may be a little sore tomorrow, and covered in a few bruises. No children were hurt during the making of this film. However, my broken wrist arm hurts for the first time since it fully healed a few years ago. Not a good sign for my violin playing. I don't think I've done any permanent damage. It just doesn't twist very well because of the two different bone lengths, and that's what's hurting. Two weeks until Fiddle Frenzy.
Tomorrow will be the final assembly to say goodbye to the Year 1 teacher I've been mentored by over the last few months. It will be a sad day. She's one of those people that is so good at her job that you know it's a calling. That the kids come first, and she truly loves them. I have benefited so much by working with her, and wish that I had more than 6 months to glean off of her. She'll be back a day or so a week next year, so luckily it's not a final goodbye.
