The first few days

I have now completed two days with my new class and I am pleased to say it has been a fairy positive experience!

The realisation that it all starts again has hit home as I repeat for the 15th time "have you washed your hands?" - whilst at the same time I can see my previous cohort sitting beautifully through an adjacent window, engaged and working hard!

As frustrating as the teaching of the basic classroom expectations is, I do really enjoy it and the opportunity to see learning in such close proximity on a daily basis is utterly fulfilling.

The first few hurdles were leapt over with minimal fuss and the children are settling down nicely. The parents have been assessed and I already have a fair idea of who is a potential classroom helper and who is going to be the one with the persistent questions at the door. 

Compared to my class last year who were a challenging mix of immature, physically rough boys and quiet, shy girls this group do seem more balanced on first impressions. These early observations are purely a speculative assessment but suggestions I am quite sure will end up proving me correct. I learnt a lot last year about assessment and making good observations and I think this experience will help me a lot this year. The quality of the observation rather than the quantity probably being the most significant lesson I learnt myself.

One colleague who works nearby has been the only irritation. She is a more experienced teacher than I am but since we started back it is like she is on a mission to prove it. Displays are going up at a furious pace, the learning platform has a running blog on it and her journals are already starting to fill up! I don't know what has prompted this surge of menopausal energy but it has ignited my competitive spirit! 

I am sticking to my plans and spending my time getting to know the children. I think at this early point in the school year this has to be the priority - not putting on a show for the parents and the management.