April. Need I Say More?

It has arrived.

April.

For all you new teachers:  Buckle up.  This is where it starts to get bumpy.

You thought those nine weeks where we did have a full week of school caused chaos and disruption?  Na.  Nothing.  Child's play compared to what April and May brings.  The school has a whole different feel these last two months.  There are just some many things happening these last two months that add to the all ready amped up atmosphere of the school day.

State testing:  Nothing like having to take a week off from instruction to administer testing, only to have to try to get your students back on track AFTER they are done.  Testing is stressful for our students.  It is stressful for us too.  You wondered if you covered it all.  You worry about the effort your students are putting into the test.  You worry about making sure the technology does not fail during your scheduled time.

Out of school events: Track meets.  Field trips.  It is hard to move forward when only 4 of the 25 kids in your class are there.  It is even harder when only 2 of the 25 turn in their homework.  These events are exciting for our students.  For our young kids, there is nothing more exciting then a field trip.  Riding the bus...packing your lunch...going away from the school.  For teachers it is exhausting and for our students it is something they always will remember.

The end is in sight:  This really is the main ingredient in the fever pitch here at school. Students can smell it.  They can taste it.  They know that May will be here, bringing with it the last day of school.  Students stop turnings things in.  Their minds begins to wander.  You have to work twice as hard to keep their attention and focus.  The sunshine and the bird coming back are way more exciting than anything you have to say.

While it is a struggle, stay strong.  Teach until May 24th.  Teach our students something new each day.  Savor each moment.  Enjoy the fun and memories that April and May brings.