First Day of School

My goodness the first day of school. Never saw so many tears - child after child being dragged by their parent. Each child crying; "I don't want to go to school." I told each child; "I don't want to come to school either, so lets just try to get through the day together." For the most part it worked. One little boy wouldn't fall for it - he left with his mother. I guess it only proves the point that summer is too long. Children become estranged from the school environment then they just don't want to come back to school. Add to the equation children with emotional and learning disabilities - well, your asking for a lot of tears. Emily, on the other hand has had her backpack ready and her clothes picked out for the past two weeks. So what is the difference? Emily is achieving at the highest level - she scored 600 on the CST. That is the highest score you can get. My highest performing student scored 278 - and that is truly amazing! It is however not good enough. Students know this - those students who are the top of the class, they know it. Those students who are in special day classes - they also know it. They know their year is going to be challenging...period! We are required to present the same material to our students that students like Emily receive. It is not fair or right. It is a dilemma? Yes, children with special needs deserve to be as part of the school community. That goes without saying and should never have been an issue. However, when it comes to the material being taught lets keep it real. A fourth grade student who cannot read their own name is not going to find a lot of educational benefit from a fourth grade text book. It is a fact. I can't teach them at their functioning level-Oh NO, I must teach them at their grade level. Yeah sure! What in the world are people thinking? Ah, you no me - I do what is best for my students - I bend the framework a little bit. Students in my class show consistent improvement on test scores - I do it a little different, in the end the test scores don't lie, different apparently is not wrong! I am one tired little girl. Summer is too long - I am out of "Teacher Shape." My job requires me to stand/walk five hours a day. Go from being a couch potato for two months to standing/walking five hours - my feet hurt, my back hurts, my head hurts, shoot my hands hurt. We'll get up tomorrow and go at it again, and again, and again. It's all good - I love teaching. Don't so much like all the crying - but the teaching that is fun. Working with children keeps you young - and in shape, once I get back in shape - Oh, where is my ice bag? Where is the Tylenol? I better go to bed now, tomorrow gets here so darn soon.