Don't know what I'm doing. |
I didn't fully know what to expect for my first time leading a group of students, especially 6th graders. I envisioned them laughing at my worldly stories and jokes, as I threw the lesson plans out the window and became the coolest teacher ever. I also envisioned utter chaos, with students running around the room, throwing things, cursing at me, and having no respect for authority. It would probably be one of these two situations, and I really hoped for the former.
HELP. |
After that class was my teacher's planning period, where I thought I could relax in her classroom and compose myself for my teaching debut. But when the bell rang, we had to evacuate immediately, as another teacher used the room for this 8th grade class. These kids were bigger and louder. Proportionally, the teacher was also bigger and louder, and his voice boomed at these teens before I could flap out of there.
After countless minutes and deep breaths, I returned to my classroom to lead my group of 6th graders. It was a science class, which was perfect since my science knowledge is also at the 6th grade level. I wavered between standing, sitting, or just plain leaving as the kids entered. I expected they'd been threatened to be nice to the sub the day before, but they hadn't. As I greeted the chickadees, I was met with many a "Where's Miss Teacher?"
I greeted the chickadees and explained the plan for the day. Most cooperated, and some had to use the bathroom immediately. Within minutes, three students in the back corner managed to lean against the wall in a way that ripped two large posters to the ground. The class cackled and clucked, wondering how that could have happen.
"Just leave the posters on the floor, but don't step on them or rip them!" I hollered. One of the culprits offered to rehang the posters, but even standing on a chair, he was too short to help at all.
When does my talk show start? |
My watch and the school clock were 5 minutes apart, so I debated which clock to follow. I picked the wrong one and told them to clean up 5 minutes early. All packed up and with no work to do, the students' volume quickly grew to a roar. My feeble clucks couldn't compete as I tried to come up with a game to pass the time. These kids were done. I was done.
Stay seated. |
I left my first day of substituting unsure if my day was a success, a failure, or just somewhere in between. I may have felt uncomfortable and unstable, but all the students did their work and went to the bathroom at least once. No one swore at me, and no one got into a brawl. Reflecting on the day, I deem it a huge success. Next time - kindergarten! Stay tuned.
KEEP READING! "The Best of the Unfinished Archives!"
"Waking Up in Lisbon."
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