Monday, September 21, 2009

~ Unexpected ~

Someone said the word "cock" during a spelling lesson in my classroom this week, and nobody even noticed. Well, except me, ready to give out the evil eye/teacher look to the first person who let out the tiniest little guffaw or poked the kid sitting next to them to giggle about the other meaning of that word. Except these weren't fifth graders, they were third graders, and not one of them even moved an eyelash.

How refreshing.

There've been some big changes to my little life recently. To recap:
* Last week of school in May, superintendant decides that one section of 5th grade will be cut. That means me. I think to myself, "Low seniority stinks!"
* In June, the school board asks the superintendant to find other places to cut besides fifth grade. He agrees and in July the board passes a budget which includes me keeping my place in fifth grade. I think to myself, "Yay!"
* In August, the secretaries come back to work and fifth graders begin withdrawing from the district in alarming numbers. My class list drops to 17. In the meantime, second and third graders begin enrolling in large numbers. I start thinking about what to do with all that extra room in my classroom.
* Six days before school starts, I get the call. I can keep my room, but I'm going to be teaching third grade.

I have mixed emotions about this move. I really love fifth graders, their independence and sense of humor.

But for now I'm enjoying the chance to play the game "Heads Up, Seven Up" without anyone rolling their eyes, that a couple of them sneak up to ambush me with hugs when I'm not expecting it, and not having to give a death glare to the kid who suggests another word for rooster during the spelling lesson.