Reality Check!

With the peace of Spring Break behind me and the glory of Summer ahead, I returned to school on Monday. The first day back was idyllic: children followed directions, I received many "love notes" (pictures and notes from my students), lessons were taught, concepts were mastered and it was "an all green day" (which basically boils down to "no one was bad"). I came home feeling energized by the success and flow of the day. All was well.

Today, however, was a very different day. One of those days were somewhere in the middle I found myself thinking, "I really do spend my entire day with six-year-olds". 

The day was thick, one that I had to drag myself through. Despite my effort, most of my lessons finished dry and slightly boring. Reviews of yesterdays concepts revealed that little was understood or retained. And the behavior was... unbelievable... peaking when one of my "friends" decided that the paper mache looked so much like frosting that he should in-fact take a bite of his creation. 

The difference in these two days is not recognized as uncommon by elementary teachers. This is the ebb and flow of our work. We base our work around six-year-olds who in their own development are changing dramatically in a short period of time. 

I must, however, mention a small highlight in my day. With today being the first of April, I spent a part of yesterday explaining what April Fool's Day means. I talked about how sometimes it is fun to tell silly jokes to friends that end in "April Fool's!!!" As fate would have it, I heard nearly 20 April Fool's jokes today! Here are some of my favorites:

"Mrs. Cunningham, guess what?"

"What?"

"My mom broke both of her legs last night!"

"Really, what happened?"

"APRIL FOOL'S!!!!!)

"Mrs. Cunningham, did you know I have an elephant at home?"

"Oh really!"

"Yeah, he lives in my room (long enough pause to attract the attention of his peers)......... even on days that aren't April Fool's!"

(The odd thing about this one, was there wasn't really a punch line. I wonder if he really thinks...)

"Mrs. Cunningham, guess what happened last night?"

"What?"

"My mom changed her name last night."

"Really? To what?"

"Cinderella"

"Wow!"

"APRIL FOOL'S!!!"

Five minute pause....

"Mrs. Cunningham, wouldn't it be cool if my mom really did change her name to Cinderella?"