So Glad I Teach High School

And once more, I am quite happy to teach high school students.

I just spent a day and a half helping L with her 5th grade classroom.  It is exhausting to be an elementary teacher, and it takes every bit of creativity that this poor old brain contains. 

Since L is making the switch from 1st grade to 5th grade, none of her "little kid" things would work.  We had to think like 5th graders. 

Actually, we borrowed my "English Rocks" poster idea.  (Yeah, the sophs don't buy that either.)  Now, there is a 5th grade classroom in Big City that Rocks or rather "Miss E's 5th Grade Class Rocks." 

Miss E's students are Rock Stars.  She has a "This Work Rocks" bulletin board to display student work.  Star "books" Cafe is one bulletin board from her old classroom that still works at this level.  The general theme of the room is music, sports, and books. 

L's room even has a display window that is visible from both the hallway and from inside her room.  It is ceiling level and is about 15 feet long.  It will house sports memorabilia (cheer outfits, running shoes, footballs, and baseball gloves), old albums and 45's (Mom's and Dad's), an electronic keyboard, and books.  There's even room for an inflatable guitar or two.  (All but the air guitars are being pulled from my basement.)

I left her with a lot to do, but her bookcases are full and her supplies are hauled in and put away.  We made a start on all of her bulletin boards, but she was finishing them up on her own this afternoon. I will make her take pictures of her room for a future post.

Elementary teachers exhaust me.  Consequently, L makes me feel like a lightweight in the school preparation department.  She will spend the first four days of next week still working on her classroom.  New teacher meetings begin for her next Friday.  They will have gotten their money's worth even before her first contract day.

L really does "rock," and I'm sure her classroom will, too.  Those lucky 5th graders who have Miss E should be in for a great year.