Untitled Story

Welcome. <img src=https://i.postimg.cc/t46mC7CM/283c5d08-2acc-4898-8051-ff6e41eb6fa6-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> It's 2023. You are a Kindergarten teacher in British Columbia. Are you ready to explore what a day looks like in the life of an elementary teacher - Pushy parents, tattling kids, and insufficient prep time... [[Yes, I am ready.]] [[No, I will take a day off.]]

5:30 A.M. You are up. It feels like the middle of the night, but you are up to fly through the morning routine. Are you packing a healthy lunch? [[Yes. Let's add in some protein and vegetables!]]

Alright, since you are already here...why don't you give it a try. You know teaching is the only profession where taking a day off creates more work than actually showing up to work in the first place... [[Fine, I am ready.|Yes, I am ready.]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/T3qm2Xg6/ffdefca7-97e8-4740-9bd8-d827a5f11790-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Now, you are ready to get in your car to drive to work. Once you are at school, you walk into your classroom to turn on all the calming lamps, tidy up the class, prep materials you need, respond to messages and emails from colleagues and parents. [[Prep like a maniac.]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/pLqYvnwv/6698770a-9859-4bc4-af3a-b3564eae5d20-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> 8:32 A.M. Here come your students. The bell rings and you stand at the door to greet each child. "Good morning, Erin!" "Hi Johnny! Good to see you." "Beautiful smile, Renae!" "Good morning, Joey! Oh! Mom's waiting too?" There's Joey's mom again - waiting for a chat. What now? We had wiping issues yesterday, not finishing his lunch the day before...What else can she possibly complain about? [[Smile and greet her with a good morning.]] [[Tell her to schedule an appointment.]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/vm49d277/a3be7021-1e41-4872-9df9-cef7d0b284f2-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1-1.png> "Good morning! How are you today?" you ask. "Not too bad, you?" she replies. "Pretty decent. How can I help you today?" She goes on, "Could I have a private chat with you? Umm...I am just curious to find out who's got the lice problem, and can you make sure my baby Joey does not play with this student-" "Thanks for reading the notice I sent home last night. Unfortunately, we are not to disclose this information. All I can say is that the student's family has been informed and it has been dealt with." Finally, Joey's mom decides she will find out herself by talking to all the parents. Sigh. Alright, time to [[close the door.]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/vm49d277/a3be7021-1e41-4872-9df9-cef7d0b284f2-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1-1.png> "Good morning! How are you today?" you ask. "Not too bad, you?" she replies. "Pretty decent. How can I help you today?" She goes on, "Could I have a private chat with you-" "Actually, after school might be a better time to chat...feel free to email me to schedule an appointment if after school doesn't work for you." "Alright, I will book an appointment," she says impatiently. "Thank you, I will see you then," you say as you [[close the door.]]

After attendance, students work on morning tubs for a soft start. A "soft start" is a simple way for students to ease into their school day work. After their morning routines of hanging their backpacks, changing their shoes and washing their hands, they select a "put your mind at ease" activity to warm up their minds, such as Legos, playdough with letter stamps, kinetic sand, Plus-plus, story tub, puzzles, board games. 9:05 A.M. Gather as a class to do our [[sharing circle.]] [[snack time!]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/SspKtggx/1dcd9875-cfc2-438d-b837-84c8e070fd8e-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Time for snack! Just the students, not you...your stomach is growling. You regret not stopping by Starbucks to grab a hot breakfast and a cup of coffee. That's alright, you will have time to eat and go to the washroom when the students play outside. Is that all Johnny has in his lunch kit? A chocloate bar, two candies and one bag of Cheetos!? Like he doens't have enough energy already! You ask your E.A. to fetch something healthy from the breakfast program. Is Renae sharing food again? Why does Manny have cheesestrings stuffed in his nostrils? And....WHERE IS JOEY? It's time to [[get ready for recess!]]

During a sharing circle, when a student is holding the item in a sharing circle, they speak without interruption. Other students in the circle respectfully listen to the speaker and take in their message. Prompts like rating their day out of 5 "I feel like a 4/5, because..." or "My favorite song is ...., because....." or "Over the weekend, My favorite activity was ...." [[snack time!]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/cLp1rDyB/5bbcda44-2e12-4f77-9cec-83bc885ed367-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Getting kids to dress themselves for the weather is exhausting! Funny how parents worry about sending their kid into grade one unable to read, but rarely think about the fact that they can’t button or zip their own jacket. Once the students are out, you walk back to the classroom to grab a bite. You hear footsteps behind you, as you turn around, your student, Erin is following you. "Erin, it's recess time, have fun playing outside!" "But, I don't want to go outside," Erin murmured. Just then, you name is announced, "Please come to the office." You quickly walk Erin back to the playground and head down to the office. Manny has a black eye. He ran into the play structure outside. You are the only first aid representative on site, so you check Manny's eyes and offer him some ice cubes. You hear the bell. Yes, you've never made it to the washroom or to the staff room. Would you [[pick up your students]] or would you [[rush to the washroom?]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/fWrGzVhx/339664db-f1f2-4375-b470-8d5151384691-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Now, it's time to Daily 5. You work with some students on writing while others rotate from Read to self, Word work, Listening to reading. The students are working hard when Renae suddenly yells, "I'm telling the teacher!" and runs to you complaining that Johnny took her yellow crayon. Really, can't you just use another one while Johnny uses the yellow crayon? I mean there's at least 20 markers in front of both of you, you thought. Then you think, this is their first year of school. These students are just learning how to share and work together. You calmly remind Renae that she's a problem solver and brainstorm a few options for her to choose from. [[Get ready for lunch.]]

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/vmyRJCwk/d8e66e64-ec9c-495f-947e-9bfe52d2523f-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Not cool! You know, as soon as the bell goes, all the teachers and EAs leave the playground. Are you seriously going to leave your students out on the playground? [[Yes,]] my bladdder is about to explode! [[You're right,|pick up your students]] let's go pick up the students.

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/FHj8VGkZ/2288091e-8dc4-46a6-b93a-182df3011134-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> As you rush to the closest staff washroom - the door slams shut. Another teacher got there in front of you. You quickly run to the other staff washroom down the hall - no luck. This washroom is 'Out of Order!' Alright, that's another two minutes. You must [[pick up your students]] NOW!

<<cacheaudio "mainsong" "music/dauphin.mp3

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/RCJBn7dP/76136bfa-4d2a-4ebf-ad9e-046452976fd4-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Get all the students to use the washroom and wash their hands. Then, you remind your EA of which students are on the lunch program. You put on a educational show to keep students eating in their seats while two lunch monitors come in to watch your class as you go on your break. YES! YOUR BREAK!! And, yes, you've never made it to the washroom and you haven't eaten since this morning. You walk down to the staff room to use the washroom and to enjoy your lunch with your colleagues. At least, you have a [[prep]] right after lunch recess, you think to yourself.

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/8CC8kMsm/31140582-3236-4f52-8bbc-8655fda25838-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> After the bell... As you take your time to finish off your lunch in the staff room, another teacher comes in. "Is Joey yours?" he asks. "Yes, I have a Joey," you answer with a sigh. "He's refusing to come in with the P.E. teacher and your EA is with the rest of the class. Do you think you can go get him off the play structure?" "Sure, I will go get him." Yup, there goes your prep. After you finally have Joey in the school, your class returns from P.E. [[Calendar time]]

The special helper leads calendar and brings his show-and-tell to the carpet. Finally, it's [[Centers]] and then home time!

<img src=https://i.postimg.cc/5tXPk36T/9162329f-f73d-4c34-9858-0e7a37729e29-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> Students play in groups of two's and three's while you pull individual students for testing. Time to clean up and get ready for home. Students get ready, bring home notices in their mail bags. <img src=https://i.postimg.cc/3RCbgwyx/a7161b2e-c41a-4b71-a610-4dbb0184c2be-6c9a3494-2890-4a0a-9d22-8caf0da2a936-v1.png> The bell goes at 2:22 P.M. You open the door. Stuednts point at their adult as they exit the door. You stay to prep materials for tomorrow's experiment. Yay! You made it!