In-Service=Exhaustion

So yesterday morning we had training about TAKS testing (boring) and classroom management. It made me really glad that I am not teaching an upper grade that has to take state tests! After lunch with all the staff and a few hours of work I made my 17th trip to Walmart and was asleep on my couch by 5:30... phew!

Today was a little better. We had training on confidentiality, got warned about the possibilities of being sued, talked about after school tutoring expectations (no big deal that I have to tutor Thursdays until 4... wait for the kids to be picked up and be at night class by 5). Then grabbed a quick lunch with a colleague and got to work organizing and decorating my room. Oh ya! I also got put in charge of the school aquarium... which means I need to find some cheap fish that are hard to kill! I put together 2 bookselves... well sort of. I put a small one together with ease and loaded it with books. The big one was not so easy... about half way through I went to stand it up and a one of the pieces broke in half. I thought I could repair it, but in the process I cut myself 3 times and ended up with a blister from fighting with the screwdriver. Just when I thought maybe there was a chance... I realize that half of it was put together backwards! UGH!!! That's when I decided it was time to call it a day.

So, after a trip to Big Lots and Ross and a nice dinner with a friend here I am.... here are a few pictures of my classroom to-date: