I'm Not Quite Sure What I've Gotten Myself Into...

I survived the first week back at work.  I sure missed Gizmo, but every day got a little easier, and she had a great time with Grandma Jersey Girl.  It's work, now, that I'm worried about.

This year I have a really weird schedule - I teach middle school band and choir in the morning, then drive to the elementary school to teach K-5 music.  I know what you're thinking - "Tina, you've never taught elementary music before!  You never student taught in elementary music, or even taken a single class to know how to teach it!".  And you'd be right.  Man, am I wishing I could change that now.

Over the course of the week, I:

• had two boys get in a fight (with one crying) because one accidentally knocked the other kid's Rhythm Bingo card out of his hand
• had a little kindergarten boy start to strip during class
• had several collisions during movement activities, which resulted in "he/she hit me!" complaints
• heard "he already had a turn!" more times than I can count
• practically lost my voice from singing so much
• lost control of 27 3rd graders, which is not a good thing
• learned that 4th graders have no self-control
• realized that all of my discipline and classroom management strategies no longer apply in elementary music
• already broke my "if it doesn't get done at school, it's not getting done" rule

It might be a long year, as I'm not sure I am cut out for this gig.  The positive is that every day things were better and that I felt more confident in my teaching abilities.  It also means that I will most likely have some great stories to share on the blog.  It's no health class, but I have a feeling it might be entertaining!  

Is it Thanksgiving break yet?