An exhausting week

Most people don't know, but teachers do a lot of extras for their kids. While upper-grade teachers spend hours past their contracted time grading papers, elementary teachers spend hours past their contracted time preparing activities, decorating classrooms, and organizing so that every minute of class time is used to benefit the child. 

Never, ever tell a teacher they are lucky because they only work 8-3. 

Or, for that matter, that they get three months off in the summer. 

I have heard these comments many, many times and it takes a lot to bite my tongue. Teachers still work, even when we aren't getting paid for it. What other job does that? Oh, and while I'm still on my soap box, in what other profession do you still have to work when you call in sick? 

Why don't teachers just plan during their planning period? Wouldn't that solve a lot of time issues? You see, we do have a 50-minute or so planning period, but planning usually gets thrown aside for parent meetings, meetings with other teachers, or any other meeting for that matter. Not to mention things that come up and need to be taken care of...oh, say, a kid peeing his pants and you need to get him changed and such. Ah, the life of a teacher :) 

I don't complain about my pay. Do I think teachers deserve more? Of course! But we get along just fine with what we make. Plus we have great benefits, which I am thankful for everyday.

Moving on... 

This week marked the 100th day of school. This is a monumental milestone each year for our first graders. I planned a day full of activities centered around the number 100. Each activity was placed in a balloon and hung from the ceiling. When it was time to move to the next activity, we popped a balloon to reveal what was next. 

Every year I have the students write about what they will be like when they are 100. It is hilarious to hear some of the things they think they will still be able to do. This year I found an app called 'aging booth'. I took the kids' pictures and printed out what they will be like when they are old. I attached it to a piece of construction paper and when it was time to write, I had them close their eyes to imagine it. While they did that, I placed their picture face down on their desks. When they opened their eyes I told them to turn over their paper and start writing. 

O.M.G 

Their reactions were priceless. Looking back I wish I would have filmed it. Hilarious! 

Here's a picture of old man Knox: 

My point in saying all this was to confirm that I am exhausted. I was at the school until 9:00 the night before the 100th day. And I stayed late pretty much every night. We had basketball games to go to, and had Cody's birthday party Friday night (which was a successful fajita night by the way). 

 So grateful for a day of rest on this Saturday. Planning on spending some time with the Knox-man. Tomorrow is the Super Bowl! Can't wait for game-day food. But not before I make my weekend trek back to the school to prepare for next week...