Kindergarten

Last week I spent three exhausting days in kindergarten. I think that all teachers need to spend consecutive days in kindergarten to give kindergarten more credit as teachers. Their job is NOT easy. They may not teach as many classes or subjects as other teachers but they have their hands filled. The class I was teaching had 20 five and six year-olds with no aid or helper. These kids were wild! There were about five maybe six of them that needed constant monitoring and reminders about how to play nicely, sit in their chairs safely, talk quietly, and stay on track. Some kids were already reading, while others I couldn't even understand what they were saying.

They also know how to manipulate! My first morning one kid said they had to go to the bathroom (which is all the way down the hall at the other end of the school) I let her go and then they all said they had to go to the bathroom. I knew they didn't really but they were doing the potty dance and a couple even had their hands down their pants. So I got them all in a line to take a group trip to the bathroom. This is a bad idea, NEVER DO IT!!! They went running and screaming down the hall with me chasing them trying to get them to walk and be quiet. All the teachers came out and closed their doors. I was embarrassed and humiliated but it only got worse. The boys would not come out of the bathroom and one of them decided it was a good idea to moon me. I told him to pull up his pants now, wash his hands and come out here! He instead decided to take the foam soap and through it around the bathroom with the other boys!!! I wanted to cry and walk out the door. Luckily the other boys were ready to come out so I herded them back to our class.

Thursday went better because a mom decided to stay and help out in the morning so when one of the boys disappeared I was able to go look for him instead of alerting the office that one of my kids went missing.

Friday the kids were tired and hyped up for the furlough week. The cried over everything. I was so happy that it was my last day but it was great experience. I learned that kindergarten teachers deserve way more credit than they are given. I thought that first graders in September were hard to deal with but imagine what kindergartners are like! They have come so far socially, emotionally and physically by the time they are in first grade it is unbelievable. I love watching the process of kids grow and learn it is so amazing. Just another reason why subbing this year has been beneficial.