Organized Chaos

I love my job because with children you can have the greatest plans of all time, you could write the lesson plans that would make professors weep with joy, and if the children are not in the mood to participate there is no force on earth strong enough to convince them otherwise. I love the unpredictability, the need t constantly be thinking and rethinking, the fact that it is a job that is absolutely alive and in the moment, and most of all the tiny little lives that are at the center of it. The screaming and crying, the diapers, the occasional returned food item that had been partially ingested, the contest to see who can throw themselves to the floor with the most drama (I usually win...I mean, um, the kids seem to love this game) are all just side distractions. Now I may need to be reminded of this the next time I have one child returning lunch while another is beating a friend over the head with any of an assortment of options and a third is trying to sneak out the door. :) So far summer school has been organized chaos. We have managed to keep track of every child, to actually teach (as in do individual work and some small group work), and to get through the daily curriculum. However, we have not been having all of the kids show up. Should all 17 ever appear at once, we are officially in deep trouble. As it is getting to and from any location is a lot like herding wild mustangs that want nothing more than to escape and run free. Stubborn, determined, and willing to use whatever tricks might work to escape. :) But they have also surprised us with their abilities to engage in great play all together, to follow directions (some more than others - my little tazmanian Devil is so testing everything), and to have fun. This is the perfect fun and distraction that I have needed. Now if only it was not 100 degrees outside (and 90 degrees inside). Ugh!!! I think it is time to do a water activity today!!