Normal?

Normal at the beginning of the school year meant a week that consisted of going to school Monday-Friday, arriving around 7am, leaving around 3:30 or 4pm, planning/grading at night, bed at 9pm. I've come to the conclusion that normal will no longer be an adjective that describes my week until next August.

Last week was a nice change from being a lazy bum to being an active human being again. Although exhausting, it was nice to get back in the routine of things. Granted, there were some grumpy days on both mine and the students' parts; but, we made it through to this week, which has thrown things all off again. Monday we were let out three hours early. This announcement was made Sunday night. No snow or ice began to fall until late in the evening. We could have gone all day, but I'm not complaining about a half day that counted as a school day. I got to leave at 12 and we don't have to make the day up. Yesterday and today were both snow days. Tuesday was understandable and expected; today could have been fine with a 2 hr delay. These days will have to be made up. Part of me wants them to be made up on a Saturday so I don't loose my spring break. When spring break finally gets here, we will all be needing a break from one another. Shortening that break with snow make-up days does not appeal to me. However, I'm not the one making the decisions.

When I woke up yesterday, I wasn't sure if we would still be held accountable for our time. You see, snow days are usually just for students; teachers are expected to serve a work day. So, I got up and got quite a bit of planning done just in case I needed to document my time. It ended up being a snow day for everyone. However, it is still so refreshing to be planned so far ahead. With this unexpected snow day today, I have another day planned for next week; each snow days bumps my plans back a day.

So, now I will go curl up on the couch with my blanket and a good book!

Quotes from this past week:
Everyone was tired Monday morning after being off for two weeks. My first class was extra quiet. So quiet that the students commented on the silence several times. Observing the silence was about all the energy they had for extra conversation and things would fall silent again after each comment. Then, one boy piped up and said, "It's too quiet in here. Ms. Hemric, you need to get some birds in here to sing for us." Everyone else, myself included, decided this was not a good idea and continued to enjoy the silence.

"My mom got me some glow in the dark boxers for Christmas!" (Why? Why do I need to know that??)

I caught two kids in the back of the room loudly "whispering" to each other about texting. I told them to put the phones away that I was a pro at reading lips. One girl at the front of the room was amazed by this fact. So, I decided to inform her that in order for me to get a teaching degree, I had to take a lip reading class, especially to teach middle schoolers. She was impressed. I made sure to let them know I got an A in that course. They believed me. Sometimes you have to have fun with their gullible little selves.

I also received this note after I switched a girl's seat:

Please notice the dead flower.

She has 6 teachers so I still have one spot to fall!