Thursday, August 09, 2007

Inservice (year 3)

This will be my third time to start school while blogging. Wow. And, having become typical for me by now, I'm starting something "new". I add the "quotes" because to me it's really all just teaching and the only thing that changes is the age of the student or the subject being taught. I'm one of THOSE teachers. We are sort of few and far between (it seems) and really only need a room and some kids to consider ourselves happy and successful in what we are doing. The age of student and the subject matter taught, while important, are just details that go along with the specific year.

And so, we begin. This time it's 4th grade and I can't wait to show you, my readers, the room I've set up. I've got just a bit more tweaking to do before I take the pictures and present the before/after shots to all the world as you wait with baited breath. Baited breath sounds smelly, doesn't it?

An important aspect of this whole teaching thing is the team of which I'm a part. I'm not being "Pollyanna" when I say that this is a group of ladies for which I could purposely search the world over and not find....leading me to the only conclusion available in that God had this all figured out from the start. I can't begin to convey to you how awesome I know it will be go to work with them each day. The whole set-up - from the room, to the principal, to the office staff, to the custodians - is absolutely heaven-sent for me right now. In many ways, I feel like I've stepped into a time warp. The pace is slower and more relaxed here. However, the test scores of the students are really great, so I don't get the idea that it's a complacent sort of relaxation. At this point, it just seems really intimate and cozy. I'm sure there's a downside to that and I'm sure I'll discover it in time. But, at least I'll have the opposite experience off of which I can bounce this one.

I keep mentioning that the town is really small and I'm related to many folks. Here's the kicker, if I'm not related to them, I SWEAR, we could play the 6 degrees of separation game and EVERY single time I'd come out that close to these people. One of my fellow 4th grade teachers and I share 1st cousins. One degree of separation, right there. It's almost scary at some point.

My class of 4th graders will arrive next Tuesday for what seems to me to be an early start to a school year. I can't wait to meet them! I'm sure I'll figure out, in time, that I'm only 6 degrees from being related to every one of them. Fun fun fun.

Hope all is well with all of you!

love and grace,
pam

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8 comments:

Allyson Dylan Robinson said...

"Baited breath sounds smelly, doesn't it?"

Pam, in five years of blogging and reading blogs, that might just be the best line I've read. =)

I'm so glad you're getting settled and getting excited!

Bill Williams said...

Your students will be blessed in deed, of this I am confident. Hope you have a great year!!

Blessings,
-bill
Spiritual Oasis Blog

Norm! said...

Wow, school is already starting!?

You know, I've never thought about the first day of school from the teacher's perspective. It sounds like you're as enthusiastic as your students (well, considering that I looked forward to school).

Good luck!

kurt_t said...

And you better keep blogging for years to come, Pam. Tony and I are adopting 4-year-old, and I plan to consult your blog regularly for insights into education child rearing.

Which reminds me. When do they outgrow Chuckie Cheese?

That day cannot come soon enough!

grace said...

Ally! Hey! Good to hear from you...

and BILL!! So good to hear from you as well. Thanks for the encouragement, you guys.

Norm!,
Yes, it's starting. Summer has been whittled down to the bare bones. It starts a bit later up North, but we do get out a few weeks earlier down here.

Kurt,
Congratulations! and Oh My Goodness!! You are smack dab in the middle of Chuck E. Cheese age!!! Yikes! It tapers off in the 5th grade(11) and is pretty much gone entirely by 6th(12). But, I hates to tell ya....that's only cause there's much more "fun" to be had by that age. You'll be looking back with longing on the "easy" days of Chuck E. Cheese confinement.

Pomoprophet said...

PomoPam,

Thanks for the encouragement. It came at just the right time! Football camp starts tomorrow! YAY! Did you ever happen to write on Randy Thomas' blog in the past?

grace said...

Pomo,
I used to comment on his blog occasionally....but I'm almost certain it was all back during the time I was still anonymously "grace".
I used to link to him in my sidebar as well....but, at that time, I only linked to those struggling with unwanted attractions. I think he dropped me first ;)....not sure...it'a all a blur.

Jay said...

Hey Pam!

I'm back at school and I'm gonna start blogging again. I'm so happy to hear that you're doing well and that you're excited about your kids. I can't wait to see your classroom! All the best.

Jay