June in a sentence

My twitter feed tells me that some of us have finished teaching for the year, some of us have not only finished teaching but are on summer break already, and some of us are still out there.

Teaching in June. What a situation to be in. It happens every year and each year it is just as challenging to keep things exciting, to keep the bar high for my kids and myself. Well, come to think of it, it usually isn’t as challenging as this year.

This year I have an extra added bonus kind of challenge. You see, I haven’t done much June teaching at all in the past 9 years or so. I’ve been a high school teacher and the June teaching time is usually only a few days long before ‘the exam period’ starts (raising some … tension … when I’ve worked in schools that housed both elementary and high schools).

On June 1st, 3 days before I was scheduled to stop teaching for the year, I accepted a position as an elementary school teacher until June 30th – placing me smack back into June teaching mode! As the new teacher, no less! So my challenge is getting oriented AND keeping things interesting and relevant for the kids. One of my grade 6 students asked me why we were doing a certain activity – what was the point. Yikes. The point was that I was focusing on classroom management in that class (34 kids! I’m their 3rd French teacher this year. They are testing me big time!) and I just needed them to sit at their seats and focus on a piece of paper in front of them and, really, writing a summary of a play that we are (trying:) to complete by the end of the year is not such a bad thing either. But the thing is – she didn’t see why we were doing it. I need to work on relevancy.

So, how are you holding up this June? Any reflections on what you want to work on, what you want to leave behind, what keeps you excited about teaching at the end of the year?

Here’s my reflection, what I want to keep in mind for the rest of this year and the years to come. My June in a sentence:


Keeping it real and relevant while having fun, smiling, laughing, and making connections.

ps – as always, comments will be held in moderation until next Sunday.

12 Comments

  • I’ve decided that the best sign of me having had a great school year is right about now when there’s a week or more left, and I’m wishing there were a few more months.

  • Art says:

    even in summer
    I never seem to get rest–
    but I love workshops

  • April Niemela says:

    Preparing for summer classes, i smile in anticipation; i’m looking forward to being the student for awhile!

  • Delaine Zody says:

    Delaine Zody has left the building and will not be returning in August.

  • Lynn Jacobs says:

    Realizing my vacation time is now, and will be too short, I struggle between resting and accomplishing all those things I’ve left undone until school was out; so far resting is winning.

  • teachermrw says:

    Feeling good about the year that has concluded, but now it is time to relax, rejuvenate and repair.

    Funny; I have a similar post up @ my blog. Great minds think alike. :)

  • Nancy says:

    June means surviving sweltering heat in old school buildings, dwindling daily attendance, last-minute assignment completion in an effort to earn a passing grade and lots of lollipops for motivation.

  • Bonnie K says:

    No teaching for me in June, but I’m gearing up for my busiest month, JULY and the coming of our SI’10. I know, I’m a bit off, but I like it that way. So I’m heading home from a small beach vacation before my month begins, but I remember…

    Bonnie

  • Cheryl Oakes says:

    June should be for something different, close grades, open up science camp, literacy camp, environmental camp and let the learning continue!

  • I am ashamed to admit that one of my classes (my own homeroom, for God’s sake) has me so incredibly frustrated because of their overall lack of motivation and desire for learning that I come home some days second-guessing my own teaching skills.

    (note: my other three classes, however, are rocking. That keeps me afloat.)

    Kevin

  • elona says:

    Tracey,
    You are brave.

  • Gail P says:

    Amazed by the wonderful material running through my Google Reader this month.

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