I've decided that the best place in school is second grade.

I had some fun teaching days this week. Fourth grade was great. They were good learners that could  play a bit and then get back to work.  When we had extra time in math I suggested a multiplication facts shoot-out. (I'd learned it at another school.) I brought them to the front, one table at a time, and had them square off to see who could answer the math fact on the flash card first. Fun. right? Well, this game should really be called, "How to not win without falling apart." I thought about cutting it short when I saw some less than stellar dealing-with-disappointment but then decided that gracious losing was very educational as was gracious winning,

When I heard a student say, "I don't want to go against (so and so). I know they'll win." I just had to point to March Madness and remind them that it was anybody's game.  We played until we had a champion from each table and then called for anyone who had lost that wanted to try again.  That brought up quite a few determined students.  As it turns out, the final champion was from the consolation bracket. Don't give up. Anything can happen.

I always think subbing for a music teacher is going to be more fun than it is. I want lesson plans with learning, and all I've gotten so far is video watching. That means 6 hours of drilling students on sitting criss-cross applesauce, without lying down, on the designated carpet, staying in their place, without touching their neighbor, quietly. Frankly, it's exhausting. But the kids were hilarious. One class came in all compliments (they were probably second graders) "I like your dress." "I like your hair." The cute little first graders had this conversation, "She's not the music teacher." "She's a sub." "The music teacher is part brown and part white.She's all the way white." :) Another class had a new boy join them for the first time 1/2 way through the movie.  I was filled with anxiety as I empathized with this little child entering a room full of strangers. but my concern was met with relief as their response was delightful.  When he sat down they all scooted to sit by him. He got pats and introductions. "What do you like to do?" "Come sit by us." I've never seen anything like the welcome they extended. Someone needs to share the secret so all the new kids around the country can feel that warm extended hand.

I've heard a lot of maladies in my short career; scratch on the leg, sore in the mouth,  stomach ache, headache. "The front of my leg hurts, the back of my leg hurts. my wrist hurts." But Wednesday I heard something new. Student: "I coughed and some mucous came into my mouth." Me: "Okay. Sometimes that happens." Ten minutes later the student raised her hand again, "Can I put the mucous in the trash can?" Me, "Um yes. Please use a Kleenex." I can honestly say, I did not anticipate that conversation.

And then there was today, the heavenly second grade day. They read, work independently, love their teacher, like to learn, try to please, and are game to have fun.  When I walked in, the parapro said, "This is Mrs. Stoker. She'll be your sub today." A student in the back said, "Yay!" (That's not necessarily a typical response.) Later I asked, Who would like to volunteer?" They all raised their hand. "Who can tell us...?" "They raised their hand. "Let's go to the carpet to read." They went to the carpet. I told them a silly joke. They laughed and then took turns telling me jokes. We played "Valley of the Green Glass Door." They thought about it and puzzled it in their minds all day. There were a couple of times when they were waiting for their peers to finish their work, and they were allowed to read, draw, etc. Some read, 3 little girls drew a picture. For me. <3 <3 <3 I felt like a million bucks after taxes.

"She'd been boiled down to a good strong broth." Handful in "Invention of Wings." by Sue Monk Kidd

After reading the metaphor of a good strong broth I had to stop and write it on a piece of paper. I wish I had a reading journal that contained all my favorite quotes from books, but instead I write on sticky notes, any of several notebooks that I use for lessons, church, grocery lists, budgets (I forget where they are and what they're for), a random pamphlet I may have picked up from a museum, strips of paper saved for scraps... because that's the kind of girl I am. It could be called random, but I like to call it spontaneous, or maybe not inclined to move from my reading posture. That's what blogs are for, right? So my blogging tip for the day is, "Let's get cute reading journals" We could record titles, authors, date, and our favorite quotes, plus our thoughts on each book we read.

"The Invention of Wings." is a well-written historical fiction based on the lives of Sarah and Angelina Grimke. They are both abolitionists and suffragettes. If you were to ask me if I recommend this book I would say, "Yes," but I need to qualify that although I do believe in abolition and suffrage, To me there is nothing more important than a woman's devotion to husband and family. I do not agree with the message of, "I could not have him and myself both."

When I read, my number one goal is to be inspired. I don't mind being informed or entertained, but not at the cost of being motivated to be a better person. I tolerate a cautionary tale, but I prefer courageous heroes.With that in mind, I am constantly evaluating the morals of the characters and looking for attributes that I would like to develop, and I love it when the author writes a passage that enlightens.

Here are some of those passages:

"Every man is guilty of all the good he didn't do." Voltaire

"Isn't flexibility more perfect than stasis?"

"My affliction wouldn't stop me. It would compel me. It would make me strong. For I would need to be strong. 'Please, God, let the seed you planted in me bear fruit."

"There is no pain on earth that doesn't crave a benevolent witness."

"Was it so wrong to put feet to my prayers?"

"We must not think so much of heaven that we do not think this life is important."

"This ain't the Sarah who left here. She had a firm look in her eye and her voice didn't dither and hesitate like it used to. She'd been boiled down to a good strong broth."

This reminds me of the parable of the silversmith in the Bible. I might even like it better since I've actually made broth but have not purified silver. I picture the soup, watery and flavorless, but as it simmers on the heat under the watchful eye of the creator, the weak liquids evaporate and the savor intensifies, nourishing and wholesome.

We've been doing a bit of simmering over at the Stoker house, as I'm sure you have.  We have sickness, financial challenges, house repairs, etc. But there have been some wonderful additions to our soup as well. I randomly talked to a person with a recommendation for a health issue I had not previously known about. On Thursday, I subbed in the most wonderful position on the planet after a couple of tough days and a cold coming on. Wednesday was a lovely day in the temple sealing ancestors to their parents. Both children contributed to music sounding from the piano this week. Plus there are birds singing on the branches outside my window, and my children weeded the flower bed willingly this morning. Strong broth indeed.

No more playing the "new girl" card.

This week I only had 1 prearranged subbing gig where I knew ahead of time where I'd be. The other 3 were my calling after seminary to find out what was available. Who says I don't like an adrenaline rush every morning? I think most of all, I like the fact that they're desperate and will feel thankful just to have someone come in and will be forgiving of my inexperience. Well it turns out that's exactly what they needed to be.

When I substituted in music it started out so great.  I showed the videos the teacher had predetermined which taught me all about singing the Blues...12 bars of 4 beats, 3 chords and a special scale, and Reggae...accent on the 2nd and 4th beat, strumming up, and a message about peace and love. I had a nice quiet lunch and then went to show the videos again and got this terrifying message "Session expired, enter user name and password." Well I panicked and did what any self-respecting sub would do. I called the office.  Yes I did. They sent the IT person in who said, 'Um. I can't help you." At that point I desperately started thinking of alternate activities and only came up with a rhythm game which I thought lasted for longer than it actually did and then promptly lined the students up about 15 minutes early. As I was standing at the door, the parapro who had oriented me that morning walked by and asked how it was going.  I described my predicament and she saved me with this amazing information. "The user name and password is on the top of the teacher's directions."Ugh. Of course. The instructions. What a great hiding place. Okay, that was embarrassing.

Yesterday, I taught a 4th grade class. Things were going along normally (for a sub) with me trying to keep control and direct the students in their activities and stay friendly but firm, when a boy raised his had and said, "These people are being disrespectful. They would never act this way for the teacher." Okay, that hurt. Apparently the noise and disruption level that I tolerate is not the level that is ideal for learning.  I spent all of my lunch hour thinking about what my goals were as a substitute teacher.  I didn't just want to be the babysitter.  I wanted to help the kids learn, feel safe, be happy and also help the teacher maintain the expectations established. It is time for me to ramp up my skills.  On the other hand, I feel that sometimes we're too strict and make silence the most valued attribute.  So I've considered the teachers' positions and the students' positions and how much influence I can really have in one day. Here are my new resolves:

1. Read all the instructions. All of them. Even if the parapro explained them to me.

2. Learn the school rules

3. Have interesting activities for lining up. We spend a lot of time lining up.

4. If I have a home room, learn the names. Have a name game, use labels.

5. Have a discipline plan, leverage my assets, which as a sub aren't many...recess, lining up first, passing out papers, reward with sticky notes.

6. Keep and show my sense of humor

7. Be thankful for the great things I get to learn and experience by being with children:



Monday-Excellence should be encouraged.  I was walking a little boy to another class.
As we were walking, he was twirling. I thought he was showing great coordination and motor planning. One of the teachers looked out her door and asked him, "Is that how we walk down the hall?" Okay, call me a rebel, but isn't it more educational to twirl and walk than just walk?

Tuesday-I don't think sitting in a desk for 7 hours a day is a match for some students' dispositions.  I noticed some boys who were working pretty well in periods 2 and 3 but were about ready to explode by period 5-6. I'm trying to think of a way to give them a little activity without all that energy blowing into a storm. I'm still working on it, but for what it's worth, I feel ya, bud.

Thursday-Music is great for everyone.  Don't ever let it be eliminated from the schools.

Friday-The adult world is so predictable. If you want magic in your life, spend time with a child.
One student walked up to me and said," I want you to wear this ring. It matches your outfit and your eyes." Another girl gave me this delicious cookie, which was exactly what I needed. In the cafeteria, a sweet beautiful girl from church came up and gave me a hug, it was the other thing I needed.

Don't be afraid to be different, like the little boy who told me he didn't need a jacket to go outside for recess. "I'm not like other people. I don't get cold. My parents lived in MN and my uncle lives in Alaska"

So after all this learning and making mistakes and contemplating the areas I need to improve, I'm not going to be the confused new girl any more.  I'm gong to be the prepared, well-read, tricks-up-her-sleeve, sub who rocks.