It's all good, but it's too much. This is a problem of privilege, but a problem nonetheless.
Basically it has been a challenging learning/teaching week simply because I've tried to cram too much into one week's time. Some of the extras that have complicated the schedule included the monthly morning faculty meeting, completing progress reports, curriculum prep/refinement, and the new math project. All of this has created a too-heavy load which has seeped into the time I need to serve children well.
What many who put together curriculum, but don't work with children, forget is that children demand a good amount of time for lots of issues that are not on the curriculum, issues such as illness, lost items, friendship problems, stories to tell, and learning needs and interests--lots of learning needs and interests. Most parents know this because it is truly limitless what we can do for our children, however time and energy are limited commodities, thus the challenge.
It's a lot easier to be sensitive, kind, and helpful when you keep the schedule lighter, yet it's hard to try something new or reach for better with a light schedule since that innovation and betterment takes time.
Tomorrow, I'll strive to create a more manageable, kind, and caring day--one with enough time to focus on the myriad of child needs in my midst. I can't forget that when we add something time consuming to a week like progress reports, then something else has to go. When you add to the schedule time doesn't change which means you have to change the schedule.
The good news in all of this is that the fraction project is taking hold and students are doing some amazing work. The field trip went well, and we found time to complete the progress reports, write the grant, and help out with some child friendship issues too. Now it's time to move forward.
