Journal for 10/16/09 Interesting...

Domain 7 Communication

So...my teacher told me that none of her bulletin boards were set in stone and that I could do whatver I wanted with them. I thought that I would try that idea that you mentioned last night (the one that your husband does). I asked her first, and she said yes. Then, when it came to spelling time and putting up their 100% papers, she made a comment about how I was changing it (or something) and asked me what we were going to do with the papers and chart. I was just kind of surprised at the way she said it and wondered if she was really ok with it. She never really acts like I've made her upset or anything, so I don't think she is really having problems with stuff that I am doing; I'm just not quite sure how to read her, so I need to keep working on it.

Something I thought about today is that I don't want her to think I am trying to be better than her or have the kids like me better or anything like that. That is NOT my goal at all (and obviously, you know that). The things that I want to try to do and experiment with are because I would do those in my classroom...I want to do them in my classroom!

We had a sub half day yesterday and today...I tried really hard to be respectful of the fact that they were still "the teacher". Today, I took over getting them settle down a few times because they were crazy. My teacher at one point had to yell at them pretty strongly. She felt bad afterward (she is more of an emotional woman...aren't we all!?:)), and didn't want to leave them on that note. She told them she doesn't like to yell and shouldn't have to. But to me, yelling and being firm are two totally different things. I think, maybe, she might think that I am "yelling" when I talk to them, but I am letting them know who is in control and that I'm serious. A sweet, kind tone with them does not work...at least, it hasn't yet.

Have a great weekend! Thanks again for all you do and have done!