school, school, the golden rule

…sign your name at the golden gate. 1st grade, 2nd grade, 3rd grade, 4th…
Does anyone else remember that jumprope song? I should go out on the playground more often to see what the kids sing while they jump these days. “Cinderella, dressed in yella…” is sure to still be in use, right? What else?
So here I am blogging. Look at me! And do you know who won the prize for Most Likely to Lure Willow Back Into The Blogosphere? Someone named Robert who just yesterday left a comment on a months-old post, asking me so nicely to come back! You win, Robert! Your prize is a rambling Perfect Heart post about teaching and making silly movies! Come collect your prize anytime!
So, teaching. I’m back at it again, and it has been a strange year so far. My class is of course way different this year, and it seemed to take longer for all of us to settle in together. The kids I had last year were mostly old for 1st grade- the bulk of them turned 7 in October or November. As a result they were able to sit on the rug longer, work on stories longer, read longer. They were also able to stand in line without shoving, cutting, screaming, or slapping. Not so this year, my friends. This year’s class has a collectively shorter attention span, and a limited understanding of personal space. Thus when I go to pick them up for recess, 90% of the time someone is crying because someone else bumped/cut/slapped/spit on them. I even gave them assinged spots to stand in line, but it doesn’t really help. I have what is known in the field of education as an “active class.”
On the flip side, they are way funnier than last year’s group. I have one little boy who likes to sit right up close when I am reading a story, and then sing out the last word on each page of the book exactly in unison with me. This same boy has been known to turn to a neighbor in the middle of a lesson and cheerfully ask, “More tea, Eloise?” Another boy has these meta-tantrums where he’ll declare,”I’m mad! I’m so mad I’m gonna stamp my feet!” The next day he’ll say, “Member yesterday when I stamped my feet? That was embarassing.” Funny boys.
This year I am also the union rep for my building, and I am taking courses to get my Reading Endorsement, which is sorta like getting a second Masters. I feel a little over-extended, to be honest. I’m still finding time to work on non-teaching related projects though. Like this movie I made with my friend Justin for a 48 hour film fest (click on the video for details about the contest:

Dragon Breath from No Montage on Vimeo.

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10 Responses to school, school, the golden rule

  1. jon says:

    hahaha the movie is too funny. love the accents, will too! and the scarf flipping.

  2. Sarah says:

    yay, you’re back!

  3. robert says:

    Wow; thank you. i really enjoyed your short film very creative. Please update this blog more your writing is always a breath of fresh air. My youngest sister Lisa is currently pursuing her masters degree in education (autism) SJSU ; respectively. Now if i could only get her to start a blog. School is Cool .. thank you Willow Wonder.

  4. robert says:

    Wow; thank you. i really enjoyed your short film very creative. Please update this blog more your writing is always a breath of fresh air. My youngest sister Lisa is currently pursuing her masters degree in education (autism) SJSU ; respectively. Now if i could only get her to start a blog. School is Cool .. peace on earth Willow Wonder.

  5. robert says:

    Wow; thank you. i really enjoyed your short film very creative. Please update this blog more your writing is always a breath of fresh air. My youngest sister Lisa is currently pursuing her masters degree in education (autism) SJSU ; respectively. Now if i could only get her to start a blog. School is Cool .. peace on earth Willow Wonder.

  6. robert says:

    Wow; thank you. i really enjoyed your short film very creative. Please update this blog more your writing is always a breath of fresh air. My youngest sister Lisa is currently pursuing her masters degree in education (autism) SJSU ; respectively. Now if i could only get her to start a blog. School is Cool .. peace on earth Willow Wonder.

  7. robert says:

    Wow; thank you. i really enjoyed your short film very creative. Please update this blog more your writing is always a breath of fresh air. My youngest sister Lisa is currently pursuing her masters degree in education (autism) SJSU ; respectively. Now if i could only get her to start a blog. School is Cool .. peace on earth Willow Wonder.

  8. momcat says:

    Oh, Willow, it’s good to have you back! I know what you mean about the class…I have what’s known in the trade as a “young” class. It makes me feel like I was a much better teacher last year.

  9. Jenn says:

    As someone who is currently getting her masters in teaching … it’s very nice to read about how things are going for you. It makes me feel less crazy. Thank you.

  10. Liz says:

    Woo! More Willow all the time!

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