First few days

It has been so wonderful to get back to school and see all the students. I was welcomed Monday morning with many hugs and "is it true" questions. I had put that we are pregnant on facebook a few days ago and I am friends with just a couple students, but in those few days almost the entire IAS community knew we were expecting, so that was fun. One student even said to me. "ms, I happy that you are pregnant, because I just thought you got fat." I has like well, thanks Juan, I did gain some weight, I'm glad you noticed:) Althought you have to understand that being classed gordo, or fat is not really a put down, it is simply an observation and sometimes even a complement in this culture.
Back to school, I am teaching Math and Bible this year and I am so excited. I have always loved math and that will be the same as last year. Already in the few Bible classes I have had the kids are really excited, ask great questions and are really interested in why I believe what I believe, so I think this will be a learning experience for all! One the first day I had them journal about what they wanted to learn in Bible class and what they think Bible class should be. Well I got some amazing responses, some very deep theological things that I was very surprised by, some simple things like Bible stories and such, and then I got Young's entry. Young is by far the most naturally intelligent student, possibly in the school. He is learning in his third language and is bored most of the time, this is what he wrote. "I want to learn if God actually exists. I don't feel him or see him like I used to. I don't understand why poeple believe in this thing they call God that they cannot even see or feel. I think I am becoming an Atheist." WOW, I had no idea, but I am thankful for his honesty and I am so looking forward to answering his questions and hopefully guiding him to find Jesus, what a vantastic oppurtunity!
Another exciting change for me this year is that I have much more prep time! last year I taught 5 different classes a day and only had 4 prep periods a week, that is crazy for those of you who haven't taught before. This year I am still teaching 5 different classes a day, but I have two prep periods everyday!!! This makes such a difference and is really nice since I am sleeping so much while I am at home:)

My (Tony's) schedule has changed significantly, but I am loving it. I think that it is fun to have all of the kids for the entire day. I am used to just getting them riled up and sending them back to their classroom teachers. Not anymore. I really like the kids that are in my class, and I give it a week before I get real sick of saying things like, "Jose stop making noises when you raise your hand because that makes me really not want to call on you." or "You just went to the bathroom a half hour ago, how much water did you drink" or "I already explained it to the class you need to listen the first time." The kids have been really good for me and I enjoy them all. I find that I have a lot less time at school, but the day goes really fast. I am very happy in my decision to become the fourth grade teacher and I think that kids are having a lot of fun also. On monday we made the classroom rules together and here are my two favorite rules. "Don't rock your cher" and "Race your hand before speaking." These rules have been posted at the back of my classroom and if you violate any of them you sit in a chair facing the wall and keep reading the rule that you broke. I really like it and it worked the first time that I used it!