I was standing in the middle of a different kindergarten room, determined to succeed this time. Which meant this time I wasn't going to allow a huge tub of crayons to be dumped on the floor, ran over by chairs, and then caught by the para pro as if I didn't know what I'm doing. (Uhh, not really...but no one needs to know that.)
It was only a half day and I managed to catch the teacher before she left, which I have found to be extremely helpful. I get to ask questions, like what are the bathroom rules for your class. Some teachers remember to write down this important rule and others forget. Which can be a disaster, because what I have discovered is that the kids will tell you that they are free to skip off to the bathroom, together in large groups, gathering friends from other rooms on the way, and they can stay there all day.
So far I have found this rule to be incorrect and one of the first things I do when I arrive at a classroom is to find the bathroom passes. If a teacher has bathroom passes hanging by the door - it's usually a good indication that there are some bathroom rules.
The Kinder teacher is friendly and equally relieved to be talking to me as I was to have the chance to chat with her. Another thing I have discovered is that most teachers prefer to make a little contact with the sub before they hand over their group of students.
She runs me through rules, technology, and behavioral issues. And then she stops and looks at me.
"We've had a lot of lice in this class. I don't know just how many probably have lice right now. I got lice twice last year and I only started to wear my hair down again. I hope you didn't spend a long time doing your hair today?"
My hand goes to my long locks, which secretly I had been thinking were looking especially wavy and pretty today. I was actually having an excellent hair day - something of a rarity for me. But the moment she mentioned lice, I pulled the hair clip from my hair and swept it all up and out of the way. I did not need to take lice home from work. I already had to worry about Baby Blueberry bringing the little pests home from her own Kindergarten class.
The students arrive back from lunch, eyeing me with curiosity and hesitancy. It is at least more welcoming than the fifth grade class I had recently subbed in - they made a big production of being upset over having a sub and their behavior that day had reflected that attitude.
We run through the material and everyone is participating except for three little boys - but I'm considering this a win. The class is growing restless though, writing is still a difficult skill at this age and they have been working hard. But we have another math sheet to get through.
I dig in my bright blue backpack that I've started carrying with me. It's my sub pack and it has grown in size with every new class I have subbed in. Because I have found that I need my own supply of first aid items, colored pencils and other teaching necessaries to do a proper job.
I pull out doggie and kitty stickers I had added just for the younger classes. They are photos of the cutest, fluffiest, and adorable pets that someone could find. I don't think you can find cuter kitties any where in the world and they are my secret weapon.
"All right guys, I know you've been working so hard. You are doing great on your work, but we have one more sheet to work through before your special class. (language with another teacher) See these stickers - everyone gets one if you finish your work."
The ooo's and ahh's fill the room. Who doesn't want the cutest doggie or kitty sticker ever made? I hand out their math sheet and they eagerly go to work. And I happily hand everyone a sticker that afternoon.
We end the day with a coloring sheet and no crayons on the ground.
And I bring home no lice.
