I Don't Wanna!

The Triumph:  Friday was successful!  We had a full day, including computer lab time (which went smoothly), writing (also smooth), lunch (ALWAYS smooth), and a new schedule for plan-do-review/science.  The two Kinder classes will start mixing for work-time and science, so the kids will be seeing more of each other, which is AWESOME!  I think they all enjoyed it for the most part.  I know that I did!

The Struggle:  We have been noticing, more and more, where certain kids are at, including the kids that come every day.  One would think, perhaps even assume, that a kid who comes to school everyday, is going to make more progress than a kid who only comes two days a week.  Well, it seems that in our class it isn't quite happening that way!  I think for some of the Kinders it is a difference of language, and the fact that they only hear English when they are at school.  Then when they get home they speak their L1, or first language.  I found myself becoming frustrated with one of these students today.  But I had to remind myself, she is an ELL.  AND she is FIVE!  Already, there is so much going on in her brain.  Two languages, writing in English, knows most of the alphabet, but not the sounds that the letters make...  The list could go on and on.

The Ludicrousness:  For the last two weeks, I have been tying one boys shoes about 6 times a day.  Every day.  He has those shoe laces that slide really easily.  They are that cord like material.  And this kid is a.l.w.a.y.s. pulling and tugging and playing with those darn things.  This week I told him I was going to staple his shoelaces down so I wouldn't have to tie them anymore.  He has pulled the laces out completely twice, and since the plastic parts at the ends have worn down or fallen off, I have to put a safety pin through the end to thread it through his darn shoes!  I think he is obsessive with them.  He is always touching them!  I just want to duct-tape them.  Or get him velcro!