Where to begin???

I don't even know what I need to update on. So much has happened lately, and so if I repeat myself I am sorry.

I start school last Tuesday, Sept. 1st. It was an...interesting day. I thought most of my classes went well, better than expected, and a couple were HORRIBLE! Since then, I have learned to deal with those classes that I struggled with so much on that first day and the few stinkers in each class that can potentially destroy my plans. AND when I say that I learned how to deal with them, I mean it is getting better each day and I am working my ass off to make things better for all of us. I really need to plan a fun variety of games and be careful of how I present everything. It is so exhausting, but it works. You might be thinking DUH, but really I have to plan more for kids that need to move, and more for kids that need something for their friggin mouth to do other than talk. It's going to a be a challenge to constantly come up with ways to keep these kids under control, but so far I am keeping up. It has helped behavior problems, they don't like sitting out, and I think they are liking me more and more.
Since I am just rambling, you will see random new paragraphs form here and there, ha. Today I tried a new activity with balloons and mallets. Basically the concept is to show them that we cannot hit too hard with the mallets, as well as going over basic procedures for using mallet instruments(ie. how to use their "shoulder holders" AKA get those fricken mallets up and quiet!)I was really scared to use the balloons because it might cause chaos, but I was also thinking about how motivating it would be to behave so you could play with a balloon. Some classes it went one way, and with some the other, but overall I think I could use it again. I just need to be quicker to take balloons away if kids are messing around with them.
I have really gotten into playing games and trying to figure out what they reeeally know about music. They are decent at reading rhythm(while still far behind Owatonna, I think it's to be expected). They really seem to not have a clue as to reading pitches, although they've heard and sang in solfege. Today I taught some of the hand signs, and tried to approach it more like a challenge rather than something the kids had to do with singing because I said so. They did pretty good and seemed to actually like using them. As far as their singing, some kids are ballsy and sing out, others are quiet but match pretty darn good, and others just don't know how yet. I thought more kids would just not try, and think it was "STUPID"(they yell everything btw), but really if I just say "everyone needs to do it" then they actually do, especially if they have to sing to play an instrument or get a turn. The little kids are ruuuuuuuuuuul cute! I forget how basic things are in the beginning for young grades, like teaching kids about singing vs. speaking voices and high/low and fast/slow. This kid cried today because he didn't think he could hold the tiny hand drum in one hand and play with the other. I think he thought that he needed to set it on the floor to play it, or he'd drop it. Clearly, he had a long weekend. So cute. Look at me, I think kids crying is cute.
Speaking of crying, the first couple of days I thought some of the kindergarten kids were going to explode. I just can't imagine going back to kindergarten and having to all of the sudden be on your own, all day with strangers. Crazy. It makes me really think of Laura a lot. I just talked to Dad a little while ago and he said she's doing okay. She's really been shy though, and hasn't known what to do at recess. I guess mom took her to the playground last night when no one was there to show her how to use the equipment and show her how much fun it can be. Hopefully she makes friends soon, and feels more confident. I miss her already, sucks that I can't see her at school. Maybe some day I will call in sick and take her to school on a Friday or something. Obviously I would not go all day, but I mean I would love to see her classroom and stuff. I would love to go to her music program too. Sigh, I just wish I could be there all of the time, and I can't. I hate being so much older sometimes.
Theresa is stopping by here(school) on her way to work at Dollar Tree for the first time in Madison. I am excited for her to see my school/classroom. I am going to take some pictures so everyone can see, but first I need to find our connector cord thing and I will probably post pictures of both the apartment and school this weekend. Speaking of this weekend, Yakob and Fat Z are coming to visit and I am so excited for that. I was worried no one would ever visit us, and we'd be bored so we would go to EC every weekend, like last year. Ooops.
Last weekend, when Theresa got here we decided to have a few drinks while reading my old middle school and high school diaries. They are so funny, I cannot believe I was so stupid and boy crazy. With the pressure Theresa is putting on me, apparently now I need to start posting an entry a day on a blog. I do think this would be well worth it to entertain you all. We found some of the most ridiculous things in there. It makes me laugh just thinking about it. Oh man, and of course my tolerance for Sailor has already decreased severely and I don't remember flopping into bed. It was pretty fun. Sunday we mostly spent sleeping it off, watching movies, hanging up pictures/art work, exploring and so on. Monday I did a lot for school and we explored some more and tried to find internet to check our email. We didn't think about it being Labor day and all that so we ended up paying $3.99 at Starbucks to go online. Rip off, but it just goes to show how dependant we are on the internet these days. I can't wait until Charter comes on Thursday, just two more days until we can feel connected again.
Back to school, I still have so much crap to do. I finished my seating charts last week and put a notecard on each chair that has the class code and a kids name on it. It worked alright, but I soon realized that these kids are low low readers and just the smaller letters got them all confused. SO, I need to type up some nice ones, with the changes I've made, for me and subs to use. I already have a sub on Friday so I need to get it done. I also need to copy more dang "fix-it's". I swear last year I handed out maybe 10 for the whole year and I have already passed out that many. Maybe that's just be trying to make a point in the beginning too. You do not EFF with me, people. I hate nothing more than when one kid ruins everything for a bunch of well behaved kids. Yuck. Some kids here I just have to send over to the table, accept that they will have to fill it out later, and try to ignore their behavior. I am sorry though, when the kid is making loud farting noises over and over again, I just cannot stand it. Neither can the other kids. Yes, this happened today, and yes I called his mother. While it is difficult to prevent and manage bad behaviors, many of which I have never had to deal with, I am still enjoying myself and am liking getting back into this elementary music thing. I missed it. It makes my heart happy. :)
I have morning duty three days a week, and while some teachers might not enjoy it, I think I will. It gives me more of an opportunity to connect with the kids and talk to them in a less structured setting. I don't like seeing kids get picked on either, and I happy to be part of not letting it happen. A kid told me the other day that this "fat kid" was getting picked on, and I asked him about it and he said that "Teachers don't do anything anyways" and my heart broke a little. I told him that I would make sure that I did something and he can always tell me no matter what it is. I hope he knows that I am dead serious. Here I am - ADVOCACY WOMAN! That's how I feel some days, but I'd never want to be any other way.
I feel like I haven't seen or talked to Becky in forever. Gee, maybe if she got a blog that would help.
Theresa just got here and I want to show her a few things and let her check her email. I'll blog more later.
BYE!