Exhaustion
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 at 
6:29 pm ()
I am exhausted. Like seriously, it’s hard to keep my eyes open this evening. I knew what I was getting myself into of course, having taught before and everything. First graders are exhausting. Yes, they are funny, they can be sweet, they love you as a teacher no matter what you do to them but the bottom line is - I wish they would stop talking. My class will not stop talking. No matter what I try, they still talk. We’re slowly getting better, but it’s definitely a huge challenge.
My class usually has pretty good mornings. We do reading in the morning. After reading, we have lunch, recess, and then specials. After all of that, the kids are done. They are ready to go home. This means that writing class and especially math are very difficult. The kids have difficulty focusing, concentrating, and generally just following the rules in the afternoon.
I spend my entire weekend planning lessons and centers. It’s a lot easier to plan lessons on paper than to carry them out in class. I have a select few students who cause disruptions for the whole class therefore not allowing me to teach how I want to and how I feel I should. I feel so bad for the kids who have to constantly listen to me call others down.
I’ve gotten tougher, but it’s still hard. I’ve been advised to be “mean” and “put on my big boss panties” but it’s easier said than done when that is not really my personality. However, I am learning I think. It comes to a point where enough is enough though.
I’ve had one student in SOS (a sort of in-school detention) three or four times. He was actually suspended for half a day too. I have one girl who cries at the drop of a hat about everything. One girl is totally spaced out most of the time. The kids can’t sit still. They constantly pick at themselves and bleed. One student of mine got sent back to kindergarten (he only completed to months of kindergarten anyway), and I have already gotten a new student. I may be getting another student next week who was originally supposed to be in my room at the beginning of the year but then went to another school. He’s a handful and has a disability, and he may stress me more than I already am stressed.
I’m just so tired. I need a vacation. Thank God I finally got paid the other day. That made it a bit better. I know things will get better. I know it takes time, but I am totally exhausted. 
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Filed in: Education, Work ()
11 Comments so far
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mendifae scribbled this note on September 2nd, 2008: 
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I commend you hon because I know I couldn’t do it - I don’t have the patience. I’m praying for you though and hope things get better really soon!
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Is there any way you can maybe swap the classes so that the maths is in the morning, when the kids find it easier to concentrate and then reading in the afternoon?
Keep your chin up Ashley, you can do this
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Awwh, Ashley!
That sounds horrible. Ever since I was an officer in NJHS, I figured out how hard it is to plan something so that everybody pays attention and leaves the room feeling like the learned something.I hope that you aren’t taken for granted and dismissed as if you aren’t an authority figure. But, you are dealing with first graders here.
Things will get better. I promise.
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I do not know how my sons 1st grade teacher does her classes & centers yet - in which order. My sons teacher has neve taught 1st grade before - only kinders & 4th+. She wasn’t too worried though as she was a kinder teacher. I been told that 1st graders are tough as they are not used to going to school all day, they really haven’t learned to pay attention, etc. I hope it all works out for you. At the very least by the end of the year you will know if your a first grade teacher or should move up to a higher grade where they are used to going to school all day, etc. Big Hugs to you! Go get some rest!
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Its gonna be an interesting school year for sure… Is there away to get an helper (teacher ad) with the students who’s got the disability… Good luck and I hope everything works out for you…. WE don’t want you to be over stressed as the school year just started.
I remember how hard it is to make up a lesson plan for the high school kids, I coach (twice a week) and its hard.. I have no clue how you teachers can do it 5 days a week for hours on end…
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Wow, yeah first graders are definitely tiring! Lol, I used to work at a daycare down the street from my mother’s house, while I was pregnant as well and I was working with the kindergarten class. It wasn’t at all like working in a real classroom, but it was pretty close to it, so I know how you feel!!
I’m sure it will take some time too, though, to get them to cooperate with
you but since you’re a teacher and you sound very nice [and you know what
you're doing, obviously] i’m sure you can easily do it somehow…i’m really trying to sound like I know what I’m saying here LOL
but y’know
Nice blog, by the way! I used to stop by here every
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Hearing things like this make me happy that I went into secondary education. I absolutely adore little kids, but I don’t think I could handle an entire classroom of them every single day. I give you a lot of credit. I hope that once the kids all get into the swing of things they’ll calm down a bit. Kids are always the most off the walls after vacations, or especially summer.
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I’d say you must be tired, if I were you I’d probably have pulled all of my hair out by the roots by now.
Other than sending a little note home to the parents of the problem children or extra sticky duct tape over some tiny mouths I don’t know what could be done.
Maybe a giant bag of jolly ranchers as a reward (one per kid per day) to those who listen and behave would be enough incentive for the lil devils to pipe down. I seem to remember some type of treat thing from my elementary days.
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Wow, I can’t imagine ever having to deal with a roomful of yr 1’s… it’d be WAY too much for someone like me who can hardly handle one child let alone a whole bunch - for a whole year! Kudos to you though, someone’s gotta do it, and it sounds like you love your job despite the setbacks. I remember being really frustrated at how “childish” and “immature” my class mates were in year 2… so eck our teacher must’ve had a worse time than me, haha
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Sounds like you need to refer some of the kids? Any sped ones in the class. This might get you some help and some help for the kids.Look online for discipline plans and try them. I have taught many years. This is my first year teaching 1st grade and I also find it tough. I knew it was going to be from talking to other 1st grade teachers, but boy they knock you out by the end of the day.
What is your reading program?
I have been in schools with the strict reading schedule. It does make it challenging. I say do the easiest stuff last when the kids get burnt out. Maybe you do not need to teach math everyday, right now.Have you thought of maybe more activities that are shorter?
Here is my have you tried list?
Called Parents
Tried giving rewards/consequences
Spoke Frankly to each kids
Removed some kids
Taken away things.I think you need a good plan with the kids who is in the SOS room. IF the parents do not care, as they might. Then come up with a plan and send it home anyways.
I have a crier. Annoying. They do it for attention.
You need to get tough with your admin unless they support you. That makes a big deal.
It is sad when as a teacher you get dealt this kind of class, but it is more frequent these days. Is the Admin crazier or kids lazier or parents not as structured.
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I have 6 special ed. students in my room, although 2 are so intense they are never in my room hardly at all. The special ed. teacher comes in for 30 minutes a day. Her case load is crazy.
I’ve tried all sorts of things: candy, money system, earn special jobs (they love to use my little carpet sweeper!), etc. I’ve talked to some parents, sent notes home, made phone calls, took recess away (which I don’t really like), moved them around the room as much as I can (some sit at desks by themselves), the list goes on. It’s getting better, but it’s a slow process.
I think my crier has emotional/social issues.
The kindergarten class this year is awful (the worst in years), so I have that to look forward to for next year.
Ashley scribbled this note on October 5th, 2008: If this is the first time you have commented on RainbowStuff.com, your comment must be approved before it is made public. Please refrain from profanity and cruel or ignorant remarks.
