Today was my first day subbing. This was a day that I snagged off of the system last week. It wasn't my elementary school, but I need money so I take what I can get. I was actually pretty nervous and considered deleting the job (plus it made me miss the Royal Wedding!) but again.. I pushed through because I need to get paid $$$.
I got there on time, signed in and got my key. I was subbing 4th grade Language Arts (this school switches between two classes), however, today was a celebration day for the kids because as of yesterday, TAKS testing is over. My sub plans for the day were "today is a day for board games." Easy, right? All I did was read a chapter in the book to them, and they played their games, recess, lunch, switch classes and repeat!
So when I got there, 2 of the other teachers had subs.. so there were 3 subs... I was kind of hoping for some teacher support after student teaching.. but alas, I was on my own.
I did what I knew to do. I laid out my expectations, and when they weren't being met I pulled out some good 'ole Love and Logic techniques so I wouldn't have to get mean and yell. These kids were wild too. A special surprise was that the ASHLEY elementary jump rope team came to perform! So I got to see some of my kiddos! That was exciting for me.
So the Assistant Principal came into the classroom I was subbing in. uhmmm SCARY! He came in just to let me know that this class has some "behavior problems" and that he will be stopping by throughout the day. GREAT! He came by twice and all was well.
Story of the day-
There was a little girl who had her own desk at the front of the class (never a good sign) She had some trouble following directions, so there was already a lot of redirection. I could tell something was up, so I just watched carefully. We were gathering our things, and a student came up to me explaining that this girl took scissors and was cutting the fur off of her pillow pet (they were allowed to bring pillows today)
1. I saw the scissors in the girls hands when she was walking back to her desk
2. She said, "Oh PLEASE! it's just a toy!"
Student with the cut up pillow pet was explaining to me that it was her brother's and he was going to be so mad. I had to get on my soap box for a moment and give a speech about how we respect eachother and each other's property and touching and CUTTING another person's things is absolutely unacceptable. So the whole class was staring at the obvious suspect... So her reaction to this was to start bawling her eyes out, and screaming at the class, "STOP LOOKING AT ME! I DIDNT DO IT! IT WASNT ME! STOP IT! ITS NOT FUNNY!"
Obviously pretty emotional... I told her to "calm down, if you say you didn't, I will believe you because I know you can be honest.' BAM! Love and Logic right there. Then I turned to the whole class and said, "If the person who cut up the pillow pet is listening, it would probably be a good idea to write {Student} a letter of apology."
So the girl who was freaking out got out a piece of paper and wrote her a letter of apology. LOVE AND LOGIC WORKS!!
However, this student was sent to the office by her afternoon teacher.. and the office sent her home.
The kids kept telling me that I was "a really cool sub." I don't know if it's because I taught them how to play the statue game, or because they just got to do whatever they wanted all day... but it definitely made me feel good!
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