times are changing.

Tuesday September 24th.
I am back in the full swing of things, but not quite back in the swing of things.
I did math in France.... So we are going over 3 dimensional shapes and whether they have rounded edges or flat edges. We are using cones, cylinders, spheres, pyramids... And this is the first time the kids have seen these shapes... So trying to get the kids to know what rounded edges, flat edges, and mixed edges are in new shapes (at least in English)... I should be able to catch up... but some of these concepts are so hard to teach... I tried making the shapes out of paper so the kids could actually see them... I am not sure if it worked too well.
Australia was good. We got through all of the work we needed to. Denmark... I got about 3/4 of the time of work done. We had good manners and Reading Street.. I wish I could teach them something more fun in the afternoon... I think it would keep their attention a bit better.
My firstgraders, we did the whole no tables again today. It worked pretty well again today. We got the schedules for next month, and it looks like I am going to be losing them. I am kind of sad about that. While I have some troubles with them, I really like seeing them grow and change. They are moving me to one of the classes that either Ama or Sarah have been teaching. One of the new teachers will take over my firstgraders. I feel that these kids are still the age where they can be excited and impressionable. I am going to miss a lot of them... I will still have my one on one with Chloe which I am very happy about, but there are quite a few of the others that I will really miss too. The personalities of the first graders is incredible to watch. They are starting to learn who they are... I am sure whatever class I will take over will be good... but it is going to be bittersweet leaving them. It is like me giving up one of my Kindy classes... It would be really tough. The older kids you form relationships with.... but there is a special bond between a teacher and the young ones. I will have to take a picture of them this week if there is a day that all of them are there. I dont know what I will do with our class points. I do not want to pass it off to the new teacher, because I want to celebrate with them. But we are still 15 points shy of our goal...
My afternoon Denmark class we worked on our debates.... I am not sure how it is going to go next week.... But next month I think I will let them choose their subject. Just talking to them... I think they could have a great debate if they cared about the subject.
After work I went by Emart and bought a situp bench. I really want to get in at least a little better shape as I said yesterday. It was a little more than I wanted to spend... but if I use it like I should, it will be well worth it. I did several sets of situps tonight. I am horribly out of shape. The sight of the little bench in my room will be a constant devil on my shoulder that I cant ignore, so hopefully I will be able to get a routine going on. I also walked 3 miles this evening. I'd love to start running... but I know I am not in enough shape for that yet. I figure that if I start by walking several miles, I will be able to start running a short distance once my muscles are used to being used. I need to buy some kind of healthy food to eat at night for like diet food. I just dont know where to start with that....
I have no problem cooking... I just need to see what I can do. I also need a bigger freezer. When Ama leaves, I might try to steal his refrigerator... I'd be happy if I can get one that actually keeps things frozen. I can then go to Costco and buy frozen food, and keep it frozen.
I'm watching Wreck it Ralph tonight. I love this movie. It is so light hearted, happy, deep, emotional, serious... just a wide range of emotions. It is one movie that brings tears to my eyes every time I watch it. And I am okay admitting it. No matter what is going on, this movie just makes me feel great! If I am happy, sad, tired, awake, excited, bored... this just puts a warm feeling in my heart. And still that relationship between Ralph and Vanellope makes me think of me and my students....  Ralph is 30 (I am near that) and Vanellope is 9 (near my students ages). When Ralph says "It turns out I don't need a medal to tell me I'm a good guy; cause if that little kid likes me, how bad can I be." Not that I think I am anywhere near a bad guy... but that sentence... well just makes me think... if these little kids look up to and like and love me.... what else really matters. I've got to be doing something right. So when I contemplate the future or what I am going to do... It gives me piece of mind to think that.
Until next time... goodnight!