Survived My First Week – Comments Welcome

I was so glad that Friday finally arrived.  You will never believe how busy I am with this Long Term Sub job.  I get to school early so I can do cross walk duty from 7:15-7:45am.  Then I get the students into the classroom at 7:55, but usually there are about half a dozen already hanging out in the classroom.  Then I take roll and do the Pledge and we are off again to put the flag up.  Then back in the classroom until 11:30am.  I have recess duty everyday from 11:30am to noon.  Lunch is from noon to 12:30.  The regular teacher always ate in the cafeteria with his students.  I have been doing that, but I think I am going to have to have some "me" time during this time.  After lunch we are back in the classroom until the day ends.  My class is also responsible for lowering the flag so this is a hectic time.  We lower the flag and return to the classroom to pack up and leave.  Whew!  I am going to be busy until this assignment ends.  However, I am grateful to have a permanent home from now until the assignment ends.  No more 4:30am wake up calls telling me where to be each morning.  However, I do get up between 4:30 and 5am just to get my day started.  I have a 5th/6th grade class.  I have 12 5th graders and 7 6th graders.  They each have a grade level reading textbook.  I teach 5th grade math, and the principal/former teacher takes the 6th graders for math.  I also have 6th graders only for Math Focus (prep for the state assessments) and American History.  This week the former teacher did all the planning to make the transition easy for me.  I get to start planning starting this week.  However, I am in a dilemma.  The class each receives a 25 word spelling list, but they are never tested.  I think I will change this.  I think it is fruitless to give a spelling list and not hold them accountable.  How will they ever learn to spell the words correctly?  They are also responsible for writing their reading vocabulary words.  They write the word.  Break the word into syllables.  Write the definition of the word.  Write a sentence with the word.  Last, they write the word 3 times each.  They are never tested on these words either.  I think this should change, too.  I asked the former teacher specifically about these items. He said I could do it my way, but he quickly let me know the kids could not do 25 spelling words AND 8 vocabulary words.  I will can make this work.  I am thinking they will be held accountable for 18 spelling words and  2 vocabulary words (or 15 spelling words and 5 vocabulary words).  What do you think?  I think accountability is important or just eliminate the spelling words and vocabulary words altogether.  I think is it "busy work" if the students are not measured on their knowledge.