Two things this week have caused me to be very thankful for what I have. The first is my classroom. Because the NYS Education department sees it necessary to test fourth graders in English, math, and science, the rest of us in the building have to suffer for three weeks out of the year. This week's science testing is the worst because I am actually kicked out of my classroom. As a result, I am having orchestra rehearsals in the gym and teaching lessons in the auditeria (cafeteria/auditorium). So I am shuffling things between four rooms in order to teach this week.
Teaching lessons in the auditeria--here's an example: I was working with a group of 3rd graders yesterday afternoon. The kids are up on the stage playing, I am down on the floor (because that's where the piano is) trying to keep the kids focused and actually accomplish something. As I'm trying to focus them, the custodian walks in and starts folding tables. Lunch ladies are cleaning up around us, and I'm trying to get the kids prepared for an upcoming concert. We are about to start a song and one of the kids turns to a friend and (completely out of the blue) says, "I have a game at home with recipes where you can make cookies." At this point I truly wanted to throw in the towel and go home for the day.
Today a couple of other teachers and myself took a group of kids over to a nursing home to perform and play bingo with the residents. I found out this morning that I was in charge of a whole busload of kids, some were my kids, some were chorus and band kids. It absolutely amazed me that the 3rd graders were quite well behaved and the 5th graders were out of control. Go figure.
We also found out today that one of our student's father passed away last night. When you stop to think about it, that really puts things into perspective. I worked with this student for two years and had many pleasant interactions with this man. I pray that his family would come to know the love of Christ in the midst of this--that He would be their strength during this time.
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