Image Map

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

12 Kinds of Exhausted

Tonight, I am - you guessed it - 12 kinds of exhausted.  I had the second of two yearly-observations this morning, a necessary evil of being an untenured teacher.  In all honesty, it's not the observation that I mind.  It's the planning and preparation and pressure of the lesson that really takes it out of me.  I'm slightly a type-A personality, so everything has to be, in a word: perfect.  And while I had the idea for my observation lesson in mind all along, it wasn't until last night that my creativity really started kicking in and I was up until 1am polishing off my activities and resources.  Combine that with MAP testing for an hour, plus a conference with a parent, and all the bribes I had to bestow upon my firsties to get them through the day without turning into whackadoos and you've got ONE TIRED TEACHER.  And if it gives you any idea just how tired I am, I'm probably going to have to DVR Teen Mom 2.  That's tired, you all.

Becks and B are at the Depot, buying who knows what.  I'm kind of just enjoying the quiet, and another episode of House Hunters.  Happy Wednesday, ya'll :)

{If I magically get a second wind, I'll be posting a super fun activity!  If not tonight, then hopefully tomorrow! }

18 comments:

Clutter-Free Classroom said...

I'm sure your observation was stellar. I love daddy/son trips to Home Depot. did you know that they do a free kids' clinic on the 1st Saturday of every month. FREE! I think it says it's geared for ages 5 and up, but Hubby started taking my son at 2.5. They give them their own little HD apron too. :) Jodi www.littlestlearners.com

Leslie Ann said...

I'm so glad you said that about your creativity striking last night. I always feel like I'm putting things off, but I simply cannot do something until my creativity hits and that usually doesn't happen until the night before. lol :)

Amy Coates@ SweetExpectations8 or TheClassroomPet.blogspot.com said...

I know exactly how you feel.. but i can only imagine your observation was WONDERFUL! Map testing on any other day wears me out!!

Ps- love the clipboard activities. I have a fun penguin art activity if you would like it for first grade! Let me know!

Melissa @ A Dozen Years Later said...

I'm looking forward to Teen Mom 2 tonight as well :)

Ariane said...

I'm sure you did great today! :)

Jodi said...

I can't imagine that your observation was anything less than PERFECT!

Jodi
www.fun-in-first.blogspot.com

Kathleen said...

Congrats on surviving today! I agree, doesn't bother me to be observed during the lesson- it's the handing in the lesson plan ahead of time and all that comes with it. Oh and maybe the stress of worrying if the kiddos are going to go crazy during :-). I just posted on an arts workshop I went to- I have links for free arts ed lesson plans if you're interested :-)

Rachelle said...

I hear ya on the whole "un-tenured observations"! AHHH!!! I have one more and I'm D.O.N.E! Abby, I think we could be friends. I'm in love with House Hunters (I really love Dear Genevieve too) and I cannot live without the agony of Teen Mom. WOW! :)

-Rachelle
www.whattheteacherwants.blogspot.com

mikey said...

I totally agree I don't mind being observed it's all the preparation!! I'm sure you'll sleep well tonight :)

Jamie said...

Observations definitely stress me out too! I know you did great :) I just had my second one last week and am glad it's over!

Hi, I'm Harmony said...

I feel your pain. I too had an observation, and I understand all the planning and preparation that goes into it.

Sweet dreams, enjoy your well-earned rest!

~Mrs. Beck

http://mrsbecksgotclass.blogspot.com/

Brandy said...

At least you knew the observation was coming. Where I taught, we had 4 a year. 2 formal unannounced from administration, and 2 informal unannounced (usually from a peer). Plus, we were able to schedule visits in other classrooms (with the teachers' permission) which I loved because you really got to see your peers in action and they had a chance to prepare for your arrival. And the high school had a program for their students who were interested in education and they were coming in all the time. I tell you, the whole thing keeps you on your toes with every detail.

Anonymous said...

I hope your lesson went fabulously!! I've never known when I was going to be observed in the past, so that really puts a strain on the type a :)

Claire Kiefer said...

Observations are a STRESSFEST! (I'm a high school teacher). Glad you made it through the day and glad I found your blog!

According to Ashley said...

Blah - I spend tons of time getting ready for my observations, too, and I have 4 from the principal, 4 from my mentor, and 1 or 2 from a peer teacher. It's nuts!

AbbyS. said...

hey chica. I was right there with ya'. I went to bed at 9:00 and DVRed Teen Mom. Then woke up to ANOTHER snow day. Yes- #12.
Hope you stop by tomorrow for my first TEACHER TALK THURSDAY!

labride said...

I. Feel. Your. Pain! My 2nd formal observation is tomorrow at 7:30am. Whoo freaking hoo haha. I have gone beyond the bribe and convinced my crowd that THEY are getting observed...not me haha. Nothing like a good lie to get through the day. I also use cookies on obs days, which I am having a lot of lately from my university sup. due to my upcoming graduation. Yuck.

Unknown said...

I'm so glad to see that TONS of other teachers feel the same way about observations! :) I am a first year teacher and just had my second formal for the year (unannounced) Yuck!
I am too addicted to Teen Mom 2 and I am pregnant so I had to DVR it as well. lol