perfect moments

It's funny that I am able to think of today in a positive light.  So many of the kids (first grade and seventh) were either moody, whiney, cranky, or just not listening, but there were so many fun moments that made today great, I am happy to say that today was ANOTHER great day.
I think I need to start being more tough on the kids because they all seem to come to me when they are feeling the littlest bit off sorts.  They know Ms. Moulton will show little remorse, but I'm the easy one, so they come to me. It happened a lot today and I am quickly realizing why Ms. Moulton is the way she is.  Since I don't have my voice back completely, a few of them have complained about a sore throat, while one has had an upset stomach randomly throughout the course of the week.  It's annoying and unnecessary.  The amount of whiney kids in first grade is a little ridiculous and I think it's partially my fault for being too soft.  In seventh grade, one of my course coaching kids was all about the attitude when she walked in, which of course was right after Danielle walked in to observe. My course coaching girl is almost always moody when she walks in and having Danielle try and stop her by trying to give demerits and scold her just doesn't help. If you just let JA go and talk to her, she's fine. Plus, it's not like she's misbehaving, she almost always comes in and does her homework. She's just not a big talker.
Anyways, that's why today SHOULD have been kind of rough, but here's a few gem moments.

1. Holly and I have been modeling good conversations to the first graders for a couple of weeks. We show them how to ask questions, be polite and make good eye contact. Today, we had two students model in front of the class. Holly picked two students, EMG and JG because they are good talkers. JG especially is very talkative and just kind of a jolly old man (in a first grade life).  Watching them talk was hysterical because JG was so serious about his questions and so interested in what EMG likes to do on a rainy day.  It was too cute
2. I got to read a story to all of my kids while Holly met with the ELL (English Language Learner) specialist.  It was so cute and I loved it.
3. Recess/Lunch hour is the most stressful hour of my life normally. Today, though, I taught a few kids some moves from PT. JC had seen us practicing at the beginning of the year and I figured it would be something fun to do. Hopefully they want to do it again because I loved it and they seemed to really enjoy it.
4. On my way home from school, I stopped at Subway to get a sandwhich. I was still in uniform and noticed an older man sitting by himself at a table. I could see him looking at my uniform and soon enough, he was asking me what Americorps/ City Year was. It was the first time I got to really explain what I do to a complete stranger. I need to refine my little elevator speech, but for the first time, I think I did pretty good.  It was exciting because a lot of other people have had this happen to them, but this was the first time for me.

I'm back at headquarters tomorrow and I'm actually not as excited as I normally am. We're supposed to do this thing called BOATS or something.  Danielle wouldn't really tell us what it was except that it was a lot of self-reflecting about our role on the team as well as talking about what other people bring as far as a team player.  She basically just said that we're going to be reflecting a lot and we should be mentally ready for this. I'm the  LEAST confrontational person you'll ever meet and I don't take criticism well. I know this is a weakness of mine, but the thought of doing it tomorrow is hanging over my head. I wish Danielle hadn't said anything because I'm literally going to think about it all night.  Hopefully it's not as bad as I think. 

In other news, my mom is coming this weekend! Opening Day is on Saturday, so she's coming to spend the weekend! I can't wait!  Happy Friday all!