Two Weeks Left

This week, I moved my teaching supplies into my new classroom.  Yesterday, we actually arranged for a babysitter so that I could unpack and start arranging my classroom without Eleanor destroying everything or being completely distracting.  So yesterday, I finished bringing in my stuff, and then the school director had her student workers drop off all the textbooks and resources . . .

OMG.

Yes, this is a picture of just the supplies.  I didn’t take a picture of the closet, which was packed with Geometry and Careers supplies.  I was there from 9-1 just working on organizing and separating the possibly useful stuff from the useless stuff.  I also found a textbook from 1994 that I used when I was in high school.  Yes, a book almost 20 years old was among the stuff, and that I used.  God, I’m starting to feel old.

If you look closely, you will see that I am to teach World History I and II this year.  Now, I haven’t taught these courses in five years, but I guess that’s ok.  It just means I have a lot of planning to do, but it’s only two classes instead of the five I had to prep for at my old job.  I just need to research how I would like to teach World History.  I’ve got to review the standards, the textbooks, and then I can look up some other resources to purchase.  I need to start searching for some good materials that work well with teenagers, such as graphic novels, etc.  I’ll also trade info with one of my former colleagues. 

I will also have to come up with some good projects for the students.  I will have some computers in the classroom, and will also have access to computer labs, so I think it won’t be so hard to figure out some interesting projects.  I have a lot to prep for

Since I had the babysitter, I took the opportunity to get my nails done, of which I think they look quite nice.  As I was getting primped, one of my old students saw me from the window and stopped in to say hi.  Turns out she lives about three blocks from me, is doing well at college, and seems pretty happy.  We chatted for a few minutes and then she was on her way.  I have to say, I see my students A LOT.  You’d think I lived in a small town and not a large city.

I then went home to see my girl, and was finally able to crank out a picture of her smiling:

It is super hard to get a good picture of E because she mostly saves her smiles and grins for strangers and neighbors.  She was super happy yesterday though, and also super adventurous:  She managed to fall into the litter box.  I heard her say, “Oh, boy” which is my cue for her needing help, so I go into the hallway to find the closet door opened, and her feet sticking out of the box.  She was playing with a washcloth and dropped it in the litter, and then when she went to retrieve it, she fell in.  Let me tell you, litter is not fun to clean up on a toddler.  She had a bunch in her hand, and first she shook some of it on the floor, and then she put it up to her face, so then she was shoulder and face deep in soap and running water to try to clean herself up, and then I was sweeping and vacuuming as quickly as possible to prevent her from getting into her mess on the floor.  Why can’t my girl just want to play dolls or take everything out of her play-box?!

Today, I finally washed all of the clothes (E was wearing her last clean outfit), and so now I have 2 baskets and a laundry bag of items to put away.  I can hear E playing, so she’s awake from her nap, so adios!