"Don't worry about it, we've got it"

Can I just say how much I adore my kids this year?!? I mean I know today was only the 7th day of school, but honestly they are making teaching so fun! So far there haven't been any major behavior issues and they are so eager to learn! They don't moan and groan when I give them homework or tell them I want them to try something without a calculator. All I can say is I hope they stay this way. Yesterday when I was talking to my main squeeze Ashley https://twitter.com/mathtastrophe I was saying how I probably was a horrible teacher last year because all I did for a majority of the year (1st semester) were powerpoints and book work. But then on my way home tonight I was thinking about how wonderful my kids are and then it hit me. The reason I only did powerpoints was because my students last year never appreciated anything. Any time I created a game or something fun, they would complain about it because they would have to work in groups or do something other than just sit at their desks. I would spend hours on fun things and they would complain about it. I ended up getting very discouraged so I ended up just sticking with my powerpoints because they were easy and their complaining didn't motivate me to be creative. But this year my attitude is totally different. So far my kids are very receptive to everything I've done. I've gotten comments like "math is so fun now" "I never realized how important math was" "I can't wait to get back in here tomorrow" All of these comments inspire me to want to make the best lesson I possibly can.

I know I probably didn't have the best attitude last year because ya know "even if the kids hate the subject it is your job as the teacher to motivate them and get them excited about your content area" but I was trying everything last year and nothing seemed to work to motivate them and change their attitude.

The small class sizes have allowed me to already connect with some of my chickadees as well. Just asking about their lives and helping them in intervention, I can already see I'm gaining their trust.

So far every day this week I have woken up with a smile on my face and I am actually sad to see them go when the bell rings at the end of the day. Not only are they excited about school, they are SO polite. Case in point. The last period of the day is responsible for putting the chairs up so the custodians can clean under the tables. I made the comment today that if there was a chair around them that no one sat in for someone to please put it up so I wouldn't have to walk around and do it. Well there is a group of students who when the bell rings they leave their stuff in my room and go to their locker to get their books and bookbag and then come back in to pack their bags so they don't have to do it in the crowded hallway. So the bell rings and everyone leaves and there are about 7 chairs that have been left down. I was like "Really? I just asked them to put the chairs up" So I finish what I was doing and then I go over to put the chairs up. All of a sudden some of the boys come back in the room and said"Oh don't worry about it, we've got it, we were going to put them up for you after we came back in" Me: "Thank you boys!" One of the boys: "No problem, it's the least we can do after you've taught us all day!" WOW!! Who the heck says that?!?!? Especially in 7th grade. They took the time to stay after class to put the chairs up for me while their friends were all outside getting ready for football practice or leaving to catch the bus. I know it was something simple, but again, it is such an amazing turn of events since last year.

Sorry for the long post that doesn't contain any super ideas for a crazy good lesson or something creative, I was just so happy today after school and thought I would share my thoughts. I really hope this feeling lasts, because if it does, I can tell it is going to be an awesome and memorable year! :)