subbing...and the lessons i've learned

over the last 5 months, i have been subbing in several different districts. i have had every age from kindergarten to 8th grade, and every subject from art to social studies to music to math to p.e.. i have had good days, and i have had bad days. i have subbed for wonderful teachers, and i have subbed for teachers that i hope i never become like them. i have learned that a drink of water can just about fix anything including a tummy ache, a head ache, a hurt toe, a splinter, or just being tired. i have learned that 5th and 6th graders are my favorite age, but 6th graders win because you only have them for 45 minutes at a time. with 5th graders, you have the same 20 kids ALL DAY. i have learned that some 2nd graders think they are know-it-alls and 8th graders think they are cooler than me. i have learned that i was never sneaky when i was in junior high and passed notes...the teacher most definitely always saw me and just let it slide.

here is my list of my most memorable subbing moments and lessons i've learned thus far...both good and not so good.

(in no particular order)

1. 3rd grader: "My name is Zach, but you can call me Zach Attack for short."

2. 8th grade girls trying to be sneaky by passing notes during a video in class. i finally embarrassed them and said "girls i don't mind as long as you are paying attention." i scared them pretty bad, ha.

3. i don't get paid to grade a teachers papers who i'm not even subbing for. actually, i don't get paid to grade anyones papers. AND for the record, that's kind of illegal.

4. kindergardeners hit, tattle, pee their pants, can't sit in their seats, and can't tie their shoes. therefore, they are not for me.

5. middle school is perfect when i take a book...i can usually read half a book in one day.

6. 5th grade boy: "Are you married?" me: "Yes" 5th grade boy: "aww man!" did he honestly think he had a chance?

7. teachers: please be organized with your sub plans, especially elementary!!!

8. i have seen a more well behaved class of 2nd graders than 7th graders

9. i had a 2nd grader who carried around a titanic book the whole day. the kids kept telling me he loved the titanic but it wasn't until i heard him humming The Titanic theme song that i really believed them.

10. i love colored pens. if a teacher has colored pens, i will sign every attendance sheet with a different color.

that's all i can think of off the top of my head for now! i'm sure there are PLENTY more!