Wednesday, March 21, 2007

You Never Can Tell


You never can tell how a day is going to turn out!

I woke up suddenly this morning with a terrible headache thinking that it was quarter after seven, giving me exactly 45 minutes to get ready and get to work. Panic time! Once I managed to actually get my eyes open I realized that it was only quarter after five, so I was able to take an aspirin and go back to bed to try to sleep the headache off. At six, the headache had abated somewhat, so I went about trying to get ready for work.

I was pretty snarly by the time I got to school, and morning duty in the gym didn't help my mood much. At our school all the students sit in the gym for morning assembly--three teachers each day have the task of keeping order for the twenty minutes or so between the time the doors open and the time the principal comes in to make announcements and lead the pledge to the flag. This is the last week before Spring Break, so the kids have been pretty wild. Picture supervising 280 wild kids in a gym. When you have a headache.

When you're a teacher, though, no matter what your mood you just have to suck it up. So I did. Suck it up.

So began my day. My last thought as I walked up the stairs to my classroom was, "Am I going to make it through the morning?"

But then, something happened. Actually quite a few little somethings happened.

First, Wednesday is the day I check off the words on flashcards that my kids have been working on all week. Most of them have a stack of ten words--get five checks and you have "mastered" that word and you get to take it home and brag to your mom that you learned a new word. This morning I started on the cards with the kids and every single one got EVERY SINGLE WORD!

The day started looking a little brighter.

Then, a little boy who struggles to read each word in each story he tries came in and asked (asked!) if he could write a story. Ten minutes later he handed me his paper--with a three sentence story! With words I could actually read!

The day was definitely a LOT brighter! It is for moments like this that I am a teacher.

I posted a picture (and here's hoping that it stays posted) of the block I have worked on for the round robin for my quilt guild. A very nice lady named Audrey made the center block. I fussed around for a while before I decided on the border for it. I couldn't match that green she used and I spent a lot of time worrying that the darker green would overpower the center, but I'm reasonably pleased with the way it turned out. Tomorrow we all exchange blocks and get the new one we will be working on next month.

18 comments:

atet said...

Don't you just love days when your students surprise you and let you know that teaching isn't simply a string of frustrations? It is the absolute BEST part about it.

I saw your comment on my blog and had to come over and say hi in response! Thanks for the comments on the quilt that is hanging out for awhile and I love what you did for the round robin!

May Britt said...

That's the small things that brightens the day completly.

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

You see, those things are the ones that I miss about working..those little achievements that are different to those of being at home! Well done, and any headache with School kids is disaster.Tracey

Helen said...

I didn't see the picture, is it there?

Helen said...

Well, doh! It was at the beginning of the post and I had scrolled past it! I need a sleep in!

Unknown said...

I am sorry for your headache but glad your day turned out nicer. I teach adults mainly and they are not so full of surprise as kids are. But still there is a reward I love when they can say their first sentences in french and I actually understand them!
I think the green you added to the block makes it livelier. Well done!

Rose Marie said...

Glad to hear that your day ended brighter ... did you headache go away with all the positive events?
Yum ... love what you are doing with the charm squares and those vintage blocks are priceless!

Joyce said...

I taught little kids for many years so I can appreciate what your day was like. It's those positive surprises and the "Oh, I get it!" Moments that keep teachers at it. The block looks great.

McIrish Annie said...

Glad your day turned out so well! so did your round robin! I like the borders you added. I am working on a RR myself. It's a litle daunting working on someone else's piece.

Pam said...

I think you did a good job matching the green. It frames it nicely with a bit of darker green. I like the purple with the hearts - I have that fabric in red.

It is nice when your job is rewarding and you feel you've done a good job. :))

Finn said...

Bummer way to start your day, but what a great recovery and reward besides!! I like what you've done with the RR block. Makes a statement, but doesn't scream. Good job, round robins are hard.

Unknown said...

I think your addition to the round robin looks fine - just a tip for future reference, you could have used the reverse of your green fabric if you'd wanted to tone it down but in this case it works just fine as it is

Libby said...

What a great day *s* The triumphs of children always make it worthwhile.

david santos said...

Hello!
Very weel done Diana.
This work is very nice. thank you
have a good weekend

meggie said...

Perfect addition to the block, it just sets it off.

So glad your day got brighter. It is true about life- some days ARE diamonds! And teaching must be one of those careers where you get plenty of stones.

molly said...

I've only done one RR and was wary....but it turned out to be so much fun seeing what everyone had done and what kinds of creative ideas they added.Love these colours and what you added is very appropriate....

Ali Honey said...

Those wonderful moments for student and teacher when the light in the attic turns on are what spur folk on. I really believe that nothing succeeds like success. I used to love those moments in teaching and also with my own boys when they were young.
I hope your headaches are few and far between!

Marla said...

It's these kind of days that keep us going back to the classroom again and again. It's amazing how these little ones store up information until we feel like we've become a total failure to them and the POP! they let it all out. It's the AHA moments that make it all worth it.