The First Week of School

Wow. I made it through my first week of teaching alive. Not only alive, but extremely excited! Everything went so well. Rachel, my preschooler, even cried at the end of the first day because she didn't want to go home. The rest of the days went just as well. I made sure I was prepared for each day, and my work definitely paid off. The girl seem to really be enjoying school as well as learning. Just this first week, Hannah, my kindergartner, has become an excellent sorter; Rachel has painted some beautiful pictures of flowers with her watercolors and become a magnificent counter (she can make it to past 60); and Rebekah, my 2nd grader, is a spectacular estimator and has figured out how to play the computer game Treasure Mountain.

I have learned many things this week as well. I have gotten to know my students more. Rachel loves to sing. Hannah is very sweet, but needs to be encouraged to speak up, especially when her sisters are ready to talk for her. Rebekah likes to be up and moving. She makes it all over the classroom while sitting in her desk. Don't ask me how she does it. I am also learning how to balance my time with the younger girls, who still need lots of personal attention, while still being able to teach lessons to Rebekah. I have also realized sometimes it's just better to go with the flow. The girls had been begging since the first day of school to paint, so today for art I changed my plans and we painted. Hopefully that gets it out of their systems. I have also learned to be thankful for small blessings. The computer ON switch broke Thursday. This was spectacular. No more children asking me every 5 minutes if they will get computer time today. Well I'm sure I could write pages more about this week, but I am exhausted; so I'll stop here. I love teaching and my students, and I am so thankful for everything God has done to get me here.