Fight or Flight?

Me: Ahmed, didn't you hear what I just said? You should have your red folder on your desk.
Ahmed: It's not with me
Me: Then take it out of your bag.
Ahmed: But I don't have my bag.
Me: I told you to bring your bag with you to class, very well, go get it from outside.
Ahmed: But I dont' have it.
Me: You don't have your bag?
Ahmed: Yes, I forgot it at home today.
Me: You came to school without your school bag?
Ahmed: Yep.
Me: Just you, with your hands dangling at your sides?
Ahmed: Yep.
Me: Are you for real?
Ahmed: Well my mom kept saying "hurry hurry" so I hurried and forgot to get my bag!
Me: Oh.

This conversation sent me into a fit of laughs that lasted me the entire day!

Aah, kids. Leave it to them to add a tang of humour to the dullest of situations. But that's not the only thing they're good at; they are also very talented when it comes to driving anyone half-mad. Trust me, I would know.
In my classroom, the boys have distributed this responsibility amongst them all, so that everyone is contributing something to my madness- isn't that sweet of them?:)
The categories include (but are not exlcusive to):

1. The group of boys who never ever raise their hands. They just never do that. But then when they sense that it is the time in the lesson when everyone (including me!) is most involved , or better yet, when I ask a challenging question and everyone's thinking of the answer, this is when they strike! They raise there hands very enthusiastically and I think to myself: BINGO, I've broke their silence!
"Yes?" I say to them, full of fragile hopes. "There's a little ant walking on the floor next to your foot? Need me to kill it?" or, "Can I go to the bathroom?" or worse, "Can I blow my nose", and the grand finale, "Teacher Abdulla ate my sandwitch in recess".
Fragile hopes shattered to a million pieces! :P

2. To describe this second group I can only visualize a tornado striking! This group's job doesn't begin until after the bell rings, in the couple of minutes it takes me to line the kids up and walk them to their next lesson. They are extremely diligent, effective and always deliver what they promise. And in their case it's pushing and shoving each and every desk and chair out of its place (bonus points if you put the chairs ON the desks!), leaving the class looking like it just witnessed a wrestling match (one that involved throwing desks at one another!).

3. Then there's the "opposite bunch". If I say open your book, they open their copybooks. If I say use a pencil, they use a pen. If I say color in green, they color in yellow. If I say color in whatever color you want, they insist I specify a color and when I do, they don't use it!

4. This group waits patiently as I explain, re-explain and re-re-explain the assignment, demostrating every step and talking in a slow clear voice to make sure everyone understands. Then I say: Okay start!
"But teacher what should we do?"

5. This group must think I'm blind or something. Right in front of me, in broad daylight he punches his friend or kicks him or something.
Me: Khaled! We NEVER hit, you know that.
Khaled: Teacher I didn't hit him!

I could think of a dozen more things (for I must say they are creative, new categories are added every day!), but I'm already falling asleep, so I better hit the sheets! My sleeping pattern is so messed up in Ramadan. I wake up pretty cranky in the morning, and I'm usually a morning person. But when I get my first class for the day, any traces of sleepiness or crankiness is instantly washed away, to be replaced by a rush of adrenaline... which is (if you are familiar with biology) what your body secretes in the typical "Fight or Flight" response to danger. Until now, I'm choosing to "Fight"! ;)

I hear ya Bruce!!

I was surfing the internet for some funny peoms and rhymes to share with the kids in reading class tomorrow, when I fell upon a poem that made me laugh my head off! Sis, this poem is for you:) I know I should've said that earlier, but better late than never! THIS is how I feel.....

I'd Rather
(by Bruce Lansky)

I’d rather wash the dishes.
I’d rather kiss a frog.
I’d rather get an F in math
or run a ten-mile jog.
I’d rather do my homework.
I’d rather mow the lawn.
I’d rather take the garbage out.
I’d rather wake at dawn.
I’d rather dine on Brussels sprouts
or catch the chicken pox.
I’d rather do most anything
than clean the litter box.

That should explain why I sucked at my "litter box cleaning" duties- that and why our "Crazy Cat" soon became a "Smelly Cat"!

What's in a name? A "Obeid" by any other name would still be a devil!

The kids find it hilarious when I storm towards the whiteboard, wearing what I hope is my most threatening and stern face, to write the name of the misbehaving boy and end up writing the wrong name!! The whole class cracks up (even more so when this is followed by the cry of the innocent boy- who's name is now on the board- saying: "WHAT did I do!!!!"), and well.. I can't help cracking up too! Talk about bursting my bubble of "seriousness".

I must say however, (kindly ignore the above story!) that I am doing much better with the names than I had first expected. Putting the "Abduls" and "Moh'ds" aside for a sec, I can happily announce that I almost know the names of the rest of the students:) I have a lot of Nassers and a couple of Osamas. I even successfully learnt to distinguish between "Hamad", "Hammad" and "Homoud" (believe me that was quite the feat, when my brain had them firmly classified under IAO: Indistinguishable Annoying Objects:D)

There is less to boast about when it comes to the kids named Abdulrahman/Abdulrahim/Abdulaziz or anything similar. The best I could do so far is look at the kid and recognize that he's an "Abdul"- but which one of the Abduls exactly remains a mystery to me. I have to resort to guessing each and every time- and boy do I suck at it! Many a times have I gone through this or a similar conversation:
Me (running after a boy in the corridor): hey YOU, come here and stay in line! Abdul.... rahim right?
IAO (shakes head): nope
Me: Abdul rahman? Abdulaziz? Abdul majid?
(boy continues shaking head)
Me: oh very well WHAT is your name then.
IAO: Abdulla
Me (in a desperate attempt to save face:P): Well too bad cuz you look like an Abdulrahman to me. Now GO!

And as for the Mohammads, it's a very simple strategy. If I don't automatically know the boy's
name, and don't recognize him as an Abdul, then he must be a Mohammad:)

About a week ago, we had an "Open House". This is where parents come to school for a friendly meeting with the teachers and to take a look at their kids classes. I must admit that back then my knowledge of their names was still pretty bad. So as each mom came to me and said "How's Abdulaziz???", I apologetically explained that I teach four different classes and still don't remember the names, although if I saw him I'd know which one he is.

Then someone had to go and call my bluff! A mom was ready and took out the picture of her son. I stared at the picture and staring back at me was a face of a boy I had never seen in my life before! I'm telling ya, never in my life- let alone in my classroom.

Yikes, talk about awkward :p

At least he has nice clothes:P

I sent my dear sister an email asking if she could possibly send me a certain children's book I wanted to read with my class in reading time. I received the book the other day- along with a dozen more! Story books for children, science experiments ideas, fun things for teachers, you name it. That's how great my sister is:D

So one of the books was called "1,003 Great Things About Teachers" (how great is that title, eh?:D). It's quite funny, I'll share a bit with you now....

Generic Report Card Comments- work for any student!

"Could try harder."
"Needs to work on preparedness."
"Should pay more attention to the subject matter and less attention to her friends!"
"A pleasure to have in class"
"Please make sure parents sign all tests."
"Shows potential."
"could participate more in class discussions."
"Should check work more carefully."
"Always makes me smile."

I choked with laughter when I read the ones bellow (someone must've read my mind- freaky!)

Report Comments it Would be Better to Avoid

"At least he has nice clothes."
"Did not do a good job when piercing my ears."
"I hate the little bastard."
"Living witness to the fact that her parents have never opened a book in their lives."
"His classmates shun him, and rightly so."
"Who's Todd Garfinkel? I don't think I've ever noticed him."
"This is a child without a future."
"I look forward to the day we can be together... always."

Why a Teacher is Better Than a Parent

Doesn't talk about your posture all the time.
Doesn't call you by your older brother's name unless she taught your older brother.
Doesn't have aged relatives you have to visit.
Can't force you to write thank-you notes to aged relatives.
Can't make you eat your peas.
Hasn't seen you nude as a toddler
Has no taking-away-TV-for-a-week privileges
Never wears a bathrobe in your presence.
Never asks, "What did you do in school today?"
Only cares about one of your grades, not your entire report card.
Out of sight during holidays.
Can only bug you for a year.
Must ultimately answer to the principal.

Bad Things About Teacher (I know you've been waiting for that part:P)

oh, sure, it's okay for them to come up with cruel nicknames for you and your classmates.
They can be sadistic on Friday afternoons when assigning homework.
They don't tell you they're pregnant until about the seventh month- even though everyone knows a lot earlier than that.
If your older sister was good at math, they assume you're good at math too.
When they're calling attendance on the first day of school, they mispronounce a lot of kids' last names.
Woefully insensitive to this season's fashions.
Generally take your parents' side first.
Don't drive sports cars.

Teachers aren't fazed by:

Body piercing.
Indecent clothes.
Ridiculous haircuts.
Kids who sniff constantly and never use a Kleenex.
Sudden outbreaks of fake coughing throughout the room.
all the students dropping their pencils at once.
Rude language.
Dog doo on a child's shoe.
Ignorance.
Throw-up.
Crying.
Six dead grandmothers offered up as "I didn't do my homework" excuses.
Dropped lines in the third-grade play.

And one of my favorites:

Does an ant have lungs? I don't know honey- ask your teacher.
:P

Could it be Solar Energy?

I was having a conversation with my mom the other week about how active the boys in the classroom are and how much of a challenge it is to get them to settle down for a second. She mentioned to me that a while back she read an article about how a child's diet can affect the way he behaves. If he gets a lot of sugary and unhealthy stuff, he ends up being hyperactive and doesn't concentrate much. She suggested that changing the quality of their diet might help- if not completely solve- the problem.

Then it struck me- Ramadan was just a week away! Do you see where I'm going with this?
Forget all that food quality mumbo-jumbo, the root of the problem lies in the fact that they are getting food to begin with!!
Food = Energy (so far so good)
Energy = crazy boys dancing on the desks! (definite no-no)

Ramadan held a promise of starving children with no energy to punch, kick and dive straight into their friends everytime they are asked to "line up properly PLEASE".
But the important question remained, do fourth-graders fast Ramadan?

So this morning as I entered the classroom and said "Ramadan Kareem" to the boys, I ventured a hopeful "Anyone fasting today?". You cannot imagine my happiness as two-thirds of the boys' hands shot up in the air. This would be my month of heaven!

Two minutes. That's how long it took for my new-found dream to shatter to peices! Those boys were as rowdy as ever!
By the end of the lesson, broken-hearted, I just stared at them and said "are you SERIOUSLY fasting?". They nodded their faces in answer- for a second there, I think they might've even looked "innocent and cute". But then again, I'm fasting and hallucinating, my judgement is greatly compromised!

That settles it then. Those boys work by Solar Energy. Keeping in mind that we are in Kuwait (where the scorching hot sun is never missed) I must say that is a fine choice indeed!

"If it's bitter at the start, then it's sweeter in the end"

These were the lyrics of the song playing on the radio as I drove home from work last Sunday. To put it mildly, I've had better days. As I rubbed my aching neck, I wondered if time would prove those lyrics true. Was the rough start I was going through going to lead me to a sweet end? Does that mean at the end of the year I'll have the ideal smooth-running classroom filled with eager and involved kids? I found the idea comforting... and so sang along with passion!

Little did I know I would be getting a glimpse of that 'sweet end' much sooner than that- this Wednesday to be specific- in my last lesson of the day.

Far be it from me to pretend to be an expert- my teaching skills are still budding!- but I think I would venture and call that lesson a success.

I won't lie to you, the promise of leaving the classroom with a cookie to munch on, on their way to their next lesson, was enough motivation to put half the class on "mute". But still, their involvement and enthusiasm was hard to miss.

We were studying the process of Photosynthesis, in which a plant "makes its own food". The other teacher working with me (teaches girls- what a blessing!), shared this creative idea with me: we would be cooking in the classroom! She said it was a success last year. We would make a simple recipe called "Chocolate Crispies", and compare between our food-making and the plant's. Just to give you an idea, it's basically this:

Ms. Mariam's Recipe:

Mars + Rice crispies ---- (energy to mix)----> chocolate crispies +

paper wrappings (extra. thrown out)

Mr. Plant's Recipe:

Water + CO2 ---- (energy to mix from sunlight)-------> sugar +

O2 (extra. thrown out)

And so I entered the classroom with Mars bars and Rice crispies, and the boys' eyes were sparkling! They almost jumped out of their seats (some actually did) when I asked who would like to be my "assistant chef", and chuckled as I wore my pink apron and gave the assistant chef his blue one!

I was gonna give this lesson 4 times (for my four different classes) and it was a success the first three times. I had fun and they had fun, but most importantly, they grasped the concept and I believe will be retaining it in their "little minds" for years to come:)

But the fourth and last lesson was something else. By the time it was their turn, the news about "goodies in the science classroom" was already out. So when I went to pick them up from the English classroom, I was bombarded with a dozen "Teacher will we eat today???", "Teacher will we make a cake today???" (A CAKE- what the?). I smiled and gave a happy "Yep!" in answer.

Then, I saw the golden opportunity and instantly seized it. One of those eager boys was the boy who gave me the hardest time ever last lesson (when I asked his English teacher who taught him last year about him- she said he was very weak in English and thus not aware or interested in what is happening in the classroom, and ends up spending the entire lesson troublemaking!). So when he enquired if we will be making the "cake", I knelt down and smiled and said "oh yeah! and it's gonna be SO much fun. And you know what? I think I'll make you my assistant chef! But only if you promise to behave?"- BINGO! He was an ANGEL that lesson. As it turns out, all you need is to neutralize the star troublemaker, then the rest of the class follows suit!

I don't think I was more involved in anything I've ever done than in that particular lesson. The whole class was on fire! They were about to burst with excitement as I threw questions at them (giving out 'group points' for every correct answer, and when they reach ten points they'd move a step up on the Rocket Bulletin Board). I can honestly tell you, I almost had each and every child's attention in every step of the way. I could see it in their eyes, they were having fun learning!

These 40 minutes, made my day- heck they made my entire week!

I realize fully that one successful lesson with one of my classes does not in any way mean I've got it covered. It might mean I'm heading in the right direction (hopefully!)- but my journey is only starting.
The impact of this lesson on me, however, was momentous. It was the life ring that pulled my- by then- about to sink spirits, up for a long-due breath. And I suspect will be keeping them afloat for at least some time:)

You see, my week had a far less rosy start. I'm not particularly thrilled to remember it, but I feel that for this to be a truthful documentation of my teaching experience, I must share the downs as I do the ups.

It was a disastrous Sunday, though it didn't promise to be one. I was taking the kids up to the "visual lab", to watch a very cute educational animation about plants on data show- sounds simple and fun enough? Think again. The boys had other plans, and as soon as I got them up, they were out of control. I had to yell and threaten for what seemed like eternity before they were silent enough to listen to me or the data show, and even then I was still facing trouble.

I hated myself for yelling, and hated the boys for making me yell, and was sure they hated me as well. This was repeated with more than one class, and so by the end of the day.. I was reduced to tears!

Oh yes, you read that right. I fought back my tears just long enough to take the last class to their next lesson then hurried towards my classroom (my initial thought was to go to my friend's classroom, but I knew I was gonna cry, so prefered to avoid a scene and cry in the privacy of my own classroom!) Yeah right. I stormed in and was mortified to find my HOD waiting for me inside. It was too late to hold back my tears, I was already sobbing. The poor lady was surprised! But was very sweet about it. She said some nice things to me, and asked me to go freshen up and come back. I went and washed my face and was heading back when I passed by my friend who looked at me and asked "what's wrong?"- that's all it took. The water works were back.

How embarrassing. I hate to think, but I suspect a substantial amount of people knew about my "emotional outburst" if you will, since I got more than my fair share of hugs that day every time I passed by a teacher!!

When I went home, my neck, shoulders and back were SO tense and aching (I suspect from all the yelling), and my rib cage felt as if someone has punched me over and over, full force. It was painful to breathe, to speak in anything louder than a whisper, and laughing or coughing was honest to God agony. I was an utter mess. It took me two days to get my voice back and be able to laugh without wincing in pain afterwards.

To give you an idea of how utterly seeped out of energy I was, the next day I went in for a short "nap" at 6 p.m. and woke up... the very next morning!

They say the good thing about having a 'down', is that you know you can only be heading up from there. And you appreciate any improvement no matter how small or seemingly trivial.

I might've had less-than-positive feelings towards my students that Sunday, but I can assure you they were momentary and fleeting. It's only been 2 weeks, but I already genuinly care for them. And I'm learning how important it is to let them know you care.

I make it a point to smile, wink or jokingly poke each and every boy of my students when I see them in the corridors or down in the playground. Even if that was the boy I put in time-out just a few minutes ago cuz he drove me mad. I'd smile at him, assuring him that I do care. I feel by doing that I'm sending them a clear message: our relationships goes beyond the restricting walls of a classroom. I care for your learning because I'm your teacher, but I also care for you, simply because you're You!

You're allowed one favorite- right?

Desperate times call for desperate measures. That is why I'm putting all my energy into ignoring the fact that 18 out of the 19 boys in the classes I teach are honest-to-God devils, and choosing to concentrate instead on that one boy who by some miracle is... normal!:)

Alright alright, I admit it. The school year is barely a week old and I already have favorites! Is that too bad?
Cut me some slack here, will you? When I hear the stampede of kids rushing towards my classroom, my natural and self-preserving instinct is to run for the hills! So the only way to stop myself from doing just that (and getting myself fired:P), is to take a deep breath and visualize the face of one of those adorabely cute "good kids". Until now, it's working like a charm!

I'm trying to prove a point here, which is that I must officially be allowed to have favorites- cuz it's really what keeps me on the right track (of sanity?:P). And I'm willing to compromise, mind you. I'll even narrow them down to one child (out of 80 kids- that's something).

If I had to choose one child, then it'll be Hamza without a doubt. He's the son of the new High School principal, they are Jordanians but were living in the states and just moved to Kuwait. He is absolutely and utterly the cutest, most adorable, and polite sweetheart!

I was playing Bingo with the kids last week (as a reading activity- oh did I mention I also teach reading? Don't ask!:P) and Hamza came in late, so I let him join one of the kids with his board. We were already halfway through the game and some of the kids were getting "Bingos". Of course everytime someone got a bingo, the whole room would literally vibrate from the shrieks of excitement! (At first from the kids who got the bingo- but soon joined in by the rest of the class just for the heck of it!)

So Hamza raises his hand and I come close to him and kneel down to make out his words (he's very soft-spoken, but then again having a circus for a class doesn't help either:P).
He says: Ms. Mariam what is the big prize they get when they get a bingo?
Me: nothing dear, it's just a game and they win!
Hamza (with the most adorable puzzled look): Then why are they acting like that when they get a bingo?
Me: I WISH I KNEW honey, I wish I knew!

Aah, the world could use more "Hamzas" (or at least- my classroom could!).

Allergic to... 9-year-olds?!!

It wasn't exactly a secret that when I moved back to Kuwait a year ago, I was far from thrilled (except for being close to my parents again- which was and still is the highlight of it all:). And so when my- back then- seasonal allergy, turned into a chronic case of itchy nose, sneezing and a burning throat (thanks to the dust and humidity that IS Kuwait), I had my scapegoat ready. My answer to every possible variation to the question "What are you allergic to?" was a heartfelt and extremely decisive: "KUWAIT"!!!

But as I showed up to work this morning, armed with my kleenex box, and sneezed my way through the day- I was confronted with the now all-too-familiar "what's wrong with you? allergy? from what?" drill. This time though, I found myself grinning and saying: "To Saood... Mobarak...Oh and Hamad":P Who knew you can get allergic to kids! I must be studied! hehehe

On a serious note, I survived my very FIRST week of teaching! (intact and whole- I might add:P oh well, pretty much!) Yay! And aaaaaah, the weekend is here at last. Sweeeet.
Isn't the weekend the best invention ever? I'm serious, I believe looking forward to the weekend is a healthy thing- it shouldn't mean you don't enjoy your job or are unhappy. Everyone needs to kickback and recharge after a tough week. Then start the new week energized and ready for action!

The best way to describe my first week would be to say it was a "bumpy ride"- there were ups, and downs, thrill, and panic- it was the whole package!

Saturday was a bit traumatic. It's the day when I happen to have the heaviest load of classes, and so it was too much too soon for me! At the end of the day I was in a state of shock. Having worked last year as an assistant for Grade One GIRLS (and so spent most of the school year giving out hugs and listening to adorable anecdotes), the jump to teaching Grade 4 BOYS felt more abrupt than ever. These were rowdy and hyper-active kids with the attention span of a fly! I felt overwhelmed- yet for some bizarre reason, I didn't feel disheartened. I felt physically exhausted, but my spirits were soaring still. I wasn't about to give up before even starting.

Ah, the power of humor. It was what got me through that first day. As I retold my eventful day to teachers in school and my mom at home, they chose to highlight the humor in it- and I was more than happy to join in. I told story after story and we laughed so hard... it was exactly what I needed. I literally laughed away my troubles that day. And thus was able to show up the next day, fresh, happy, and optimistic!

Which was great, since Sunday and Monday went on really smoothly. However, I could tell from an early stage that one of the four classes I teach, is a trouble maker. I was urged by the teachers to be more firm and to look like I mean business. And that is how I spent an afternoon home, in front of the mirror, practising various faces: the "Watch it boy" look, the "I'm not amused look" and the supposedly "angry look" - but in effect makes me look like I have constipation!!:P

And then there was trying to remember their names. I'm bad at remembering names already. So it didn't really help when I had four classes and in each class I had 5 "Mobaraks", 4 "Abdulazizs", 3 "Saoods", and 15 "mohammads"!! I end up mixing all the names up. Can you imagine what the Parents Conference will be like? I hate to think!

I know some people think that teachers have got it easy. What with going home at noon, and the whole summer vacation (alright alright, I must admit the summer vacation is sweeeet:P). But other than that, it must be one of the most demanding jobs ever, mentally and physically.

I work from 7am.-3p.m. and I can honestly say that through these 8 hours I am constantly on the move. If I'm in the classroom giving a lesson, I'm on high-alert that everyone understands, everyone is on task and stopping misbehavior before it gets out of hand (easier said than done!). Between lessons, I'm running around the corridors (literally- although the school rules state "no running", but I didn't teach that to the kids, I thought it would be hypocritical of me:P) either to get stuff from the resource room, print or photo copy teaching aids, or planning for the next lesson. And when a teacher goes home, she's NEVER empty handed. It's either exams or copybooks to be checked, or the teacher manuals to prepare for the upcoming lessons. It's demanding alright, but I'm loving it.

I look at the faces of those kids and I smile. So they aren't the most disciplined, motivated and eager-to-learn kids you'll meet, but they are not all bad either.

The funny thing is, I relate to them in so many ways. When I hear a teacher complaining that these kids just DON'T listen and are not interested, I can't get myself to join in. Cuz watching them reminds me of myself as a kid. I was a disaster. I was just NOT interested in what happens in the classroom. Watching a teacher talking for 40 minutes bored me to death- still does. The only reason I got A's in University, was because I studied hard at home. I had no clue what happens in the lecture room (although I attended all lectures). Unless the person infront of me has exceptional and compelling presentation skills, my brain disconnects from the lecture room even before he finishes his "Hellos". Just one professor in the 4 years of university succeeded in catching my attention. He was amazing. I hung on his EVERY word. He knew what he was talking about and he knew how to say it. That course in particular, I didn't have to study at home. Oh and I aced it;)

That's why, I feel for those kids. I don't blame them for getting bored easily. And that's why I'm gonna do ALL I can to keep them compelled. I would hate for my classroom to be anything less than interesting and fun. Education books keep saying that as a teacher you must "sell yourself and sell your subject". You should make them look forward to, not dread, walking into your classroom. So I've got to rise to the challenge! God knows, I need the lessons to be fun just as much as the kids do- imagine getting bored in my OWN lessons :P

But I must also work on my discipline skills- these kids really don't think I'm scary:P (not that I'm trying to be!) But I attended a religion lesson for the class that's giving me and other new teachers a tough time, and I was appalled. They were QUIET and STILL the WHOLE lesson. Man, that teacher knows what she's doing! Maybe one day I'll have excellent class management skills like her, but in the meantime, I will have to continue chasing Saood back to class :P hehehehe

I went to bed the other night, after staying up late checking out Teacher Manuals and jotting down ideas for next week. My brain was so full, my heart bursting with excitement, I could not get myself to sleep. I kept remembering stuff and jumping out of bed to write this thing down, or check that thing out. Next morning at school, I couldn't open my eyes! Gotta stop doing that. hehe

After a long day with the boys, I can't help but rush into the girls' section for a quick dose of "pink" (that's the uniform color for the elementary girls). Hearing the excited "Ms. Mariam! Ms. Mariam!" cries and getting hugged (more like squashed) by 5 tiny girls all at once, rejuvinates me in ways I can't describe...

What are little boys made of?
Frogs and snails,
and puppy dog tails,
That's what little boys are made of.
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice, and
everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

Amen to that!

The early bird gets... the compliments!

It wasn't even 6:30 am. yet, but I was already parking my car at school. Ever since classes started, I'm finding it necessary to come earlier and earlier each day, with a long list of things to do before my first class for the day- I fear by the end of this month I'll start bringing my sleeping bag to school!!

I was kinda drowsy, and my feet were still aching from the day before (I didn't sit for a second all through my 8 hours at school), and was still recovering from the fact that the FEW hours of sleep I got last night were crowded with dreams (more like NIGHTMARES) of the kids I teach!!
Boy, being a teacher is a handful! (more on that in upcoming posts;)

Then it happened. This one teenie weenie totally unexpected thing that takes you by surprise, and then leaves you, standing there, with a big fat silly grin on your face! And you know right there and then- it's a magical start for a magical day!

She's an American teacher (married to a Kuwaiti) and her kid is in Grade 4. She came up to me and said: "Just so you'd know, yesterday I asked Ahmed what his favorite subject for the day was, and he said Science.... He usually says PE, that's a first".

I'm tellin ya, big fat silly grin ALL day!;D

Photos- Part 1 (at long last!)

Photos- Part 2

WARNING: Students are naughtier than they appear in the first day!

It's funny how easily you can conjure an image of something or someone you've never met, based solely on a description- sometimes a very unreliable one at that. Or how readily this image can metamorphose on a daily basis, with features added here or there, a certain aspect ridiculously exaggerated, or one completely disregarded. The more stories you hear, the more complex, detailed and vivid the image in your head becomes. Until you are no longer conscious that this image, as real as it may appear, is nothing more than a figment of your imagination....

And this, exactly, is what happened to me. Back in May, when I first knew I'd be teaching Grade 4 boys, I thought fondly of my to-be-students, dressed neatly in their uniforms, sitting in class with eager faces!
By the end of August, however, my image of a "typical 4th Grader" was a cross between Godzilla and Dracula!!!

So you can imagine the suspense I felt this morning as I walked into school.. yep, today the kids were coming! However, I wasn't gonna give any lessons, since on the first day they stay with their Advisor teacher (which I'm not- hmmm, how come they don't let me "advise" kids, I must say I feel offended:P). I was assigned on the corridors to show late comers into their classes and occasionally- and fruitlessly, I might add- tried to tear a crying first-grader away from his mommy!! (not pleasant)
As I was walking back and forth in the fourth Grade corridor, I ventured peaks into the different classrooms they were in and..... THEY WERE KIDS! TINY LITTLE KIDS! With big fat cute grins over their faces! You have NO idea the relief I felt at that moment. Every single worry I had before was instantly washed away to be replaced with utter excitement! I could NOT wait to have them in my class and experiment on them :D (oops, did I say that out loud? I meant experiment WITH them of course, you know, scientific stuff:P)

As the more experienced teachers warned me, those kids aren't as harmless as they seemed today. But I don't care, after that Godzilla-meets-Dracula image I had imprinted in my brain, ANYthing is an improvement!
Tomorrow I'll be having my first batch of students! Yay! wish me luck:D I'll let you know how it goes:)

As I promised, here are photos of my classroom, starting from the outside door (“Sahar” is my HOD, she teaches only one class so she uses my classroom. But since she’s my HOD and consequently controls my evaluation, I thought better than to risk getting on her bad side from day one by putting my name before hers:P wise, eh?) Also views from the inside.. A closed up on my classroom rules and reward system and stuff, just in case you're wondering!;) Oh and a few of the posters I hung up on the walls.

There's also a photo of my mug that says "Good Luck". It's funny really, I can't remember who gave me this mug. It was ages ago and I don't remember ever using it. The other day however I was going through the kitchen cabinet to choose a mug for work and there it was right in front of me:) I thought it was very appropriate, cuz God knows I'm gonna need loads of luck! (And in case you're wondering I don't use it to drink coffee, rather I drink green tea with honey- very wholesome indeed :D)

There are also photos of my bulletin boards, the one with the rockets and stars is a behavioral one. Each class will be divided into groups and they are supposed to reach to the top (the stars!). I’ll be keeping score and at the end of the semester I’ll be throwing a “pizza party” in class for the winning groups from all classes. Fun :D

Yes Dalia, these are the World magazines from when you were a kid yourself:) They are awesome, I got loads of great pictures and posters!

Well.. I guess that's enough for now, I have lesson plans to prepare for tomorrow! Gotta keep the little ones entertained;)

Emotional Chaos At Its Finest

I am going to be a teacher. A real teacher. With a class of my own and 20-something students staring at me! *gulp*
Technically, I am very much aware of the previous information. I was aware when I prepared my CV and applied for the job. I was aware when I gave my 'model lesson' by which I was evaluated, and I was also aware as I signed the contract. But being 'aware' of something, and for this something to actually sink in, are two completely unrelated matters, I can assure you.

And so I spent the biggest chunk of the summer back home in Jordan, blissful and at ease.. It felt good to be home. In the place that I love, with the people I cherish, doing the things I most enjoy- you can see why it was easy for me to disconnect from any worries that might otherwise have crowded my thoughts. Besides, September was more than two months away, that's a LOT of time, right?

Oh how I wish how I wish that was true.. Before I knew it I was on a plane back to Kuwait and school started the very next morning. It was the closest I ever got to a nervous breakdown without actually having one! I was going to be a teacher people. I was going to teach Kuwaiti boys, get that, KUWAITI BOYS. It was all I can do not to jump out of the plane! Saying that I panicked wouldn't half describe how I felt, I was white with fear. I grew dizzy from all the questions that swirled in my brain: What will I do? Will I be able to handle the kids? The parents? What happens if I can't? Will my classroom turn into a circus? Should I wear red socks or pink ones first day of school? (Okay, maybe I'm not supposed to share this last one:P)

I believe that it's not the event itself that we actually fear; it's the uncertainty, the ambiguity, the anticipation- which naturally accompanies something new- that tortures.
So by the time I was in the school itself, and was shown to the classroom which was to be mine this school year, I forgot all about being scared. To be honest, it was hard to think of much else, when I had a class filled with what I can only imagine to be the entire content of last year's Science Fare!
Somebody dumped the whole thing into my room, is that like a practical joke on new teachers or something? Ha ha, that's cute, can you stop it now?
But come the next day, and the next, and the dump was still standing strong. It was time to take action!
And so the whole of last week was spent setting up my classroom (the kids don't start school till after a couple more days), getting rid of the dump, arranging the furniture, the stationary, posting up my classroom rules and stuff. It was a lot of work, but I didn't even feel it. There is something about preparing your own class that involves you completely. It gives you a sense of ownership, you feel it's your very own space, where you and only you run the show, in this otherwise big crazy and out-of-control world:)

Underneath all that rubble, my classroom turned out to be very spacious. And I'm proud to announce that today I was done with most of the decorations:) I'll be posting photos of my classroom, just as soon as I take some tomorrow, oh and figure out how to publish them in the post!!

I snuggled in the corner of my class, cherishing the sound of silence. Everything looked so neat and in order. It was hard to imagine that in a couple of days, this same room will be filled with rowdy boys and a million voices!

But for now, I was alone and weirdly enough, even though the big day is nearer than ever, I felt nothing but calmness and serenity... I'll be enjoying it while it lasts;)