The First Day of School is Already Over

One student was absent; one got added after school started. We have 15 total.

And as quickly as it approached, it ended.

When the students first lined up, I had to corral some of the ones used to messing around in the back of the previous lines. Since I knew that a couple of these students had difficulty lining up, I purposely positioned myself at the end of the line to help manage and get the last few boys to join our class rather than running around the gym (or joining other teachers' lines as a joke).

In a quick summary of how the day went, I have to say it went decently well.

I did have the majority of the students acting up, being very defiant, or telling me "no" if I asked them to do simple tasks. Some students have developed probably years' worth of bad habits like whistling, and clicking their mouth while I'm teaching or while a student is talking.  Another student laid under her jacket in the corner on the floor. I had a few students who wandered out of the room, loudly passed gas, belched, blurted out, yelled or made noises, shoved other students, etc.

But, somehow I was able to keep my mind at peace and quickly think of ways to enforce good behavior and help guide positive behavior. From years of studying classroom management, I was quickly getting to know my students and learning what motivated them as individuals.

I added the Yupik translations for days of the week. And a volcano. :)

I also decided to wait to let the class officially set Class Expectations until the second day of school, and it worked out because I didn't use my "clip chart." I wanted to stay away from drawing attention to who was having to move their clip to red, or any negative attention. During activities, there were times I felt like I should possibly send a student back to his/her seat, but I really wanted to give students a new beginning and didn't want students to get frustrated easily. I didn't want any child to feel labeled like "the bad kid." Unless the student is harming another, I don't send them out in the hall, to the assistant principal's office, or home. In the past, I've learned that students will act up just to get out of class because they're avoiding something like conflict with another student or frustration with academics. I expect them to learn how to stay in class and have proper behavior. That went pretty well.


Some students in this class don't seem used to taking orders. And they would say "no" to commands like 'please turn off the water' or 'come out with me to take a quick assessment' and then argue on the second time I'd ask them. But, by the third they'd either give in or make a choice, then move on with whatever our activity is. My goal is for them to all listen on the first time.

I'm incredibly thankful for the few role models. They did a great job of helping me guide the students in the correct direction so no further consequences happened. I liked to see them use friendly reminders and helpful whispers to pay attention. I hope to see more and more develop into positive leaders.

Our small group center by the class library.

I feel like towards the end of the day I had a better picture of how each student reacted toward certain situations. I saw eyes light up when I praised them for completing a task after they didn't have faith they could. I had the pleasure of seeing a student at the end of the day utilize our clean up time at the end of the day saying, "I'll sharpen my pencil so it's good for tomorrow morning." I got to see my three returning students who are more quiet by nature, lead in their own unique ways. Finally, they're the sixth graders and the veterans. I'm excited to continue finding out what motivates each of the students in my class to learn, laugh, and love learning.

This evening we went to the restaurant for the first time with the new teachers. We had some amazing burgers and even got to meet our wonderful chef's parents. (They are from the Philippines but are here in Alakanuk. It's interesting for me to try think of the comparison to their home in the Philippines versus here. I'd like to get to know them better.)

Then I came back home to take a bath and make cookies for my class. I have officially dozed off about three times while writing this. Good night. I hope there are not too many errors! (I'll edit later... and still I'd like to add some "before pictures" of my classroom.)

Simplicity works for now. I'll have students create more later.

My desk area, and the piano I still need to figure out how to tune.

Our sink area, as well as the corner where I keep lots of curriculum.

Day before the First Day of School

Time: 8:34 P.M.

Location: Sitting cross-legged on my bed facing a view of my open window, some bushes (trees perhaps? I'm not sure. It IS the tundra...) blowing in the wind, and a tall (whopping 50 ft.) communication tower against a very gray, yet bright sky. 

Current Conflict: Finding out that eating dinner while starving AND hyperventilating is difficult. 

So why not try typing, while eating, and trying to relax after a day of getting the classroom ready for a new school year? 

Nearing Conflict: Successfully managing a classroom full of students for the entire first day of school. 

I don't feel like I've been nervous up until this point, so this feeling is getting to me. 

I'll back up. I arrived back in Alakanuk last Wednesday. On my way, my excitement to be back in the village increased with every stop. Anchorage, Aniak, St. Mary's, and finally Alakanuk!

Home, Sweet, Home. No one was there to pick me up, but I had my duffel bag, my gun gas, and a frozen tote of food so I hitched a ride with some construction workers. The dust was swirling so thick, it was hard to see. If you didn't shut your mouth and squint your eyes, that dirt didn't feel too good. Then, no one was at the house so I walked to the school to pick up my key. The best part of returning to Alakanuk this fall was the hugs-- tight, genuine, loving hugs. (They're still continuing as I continue to see familiar faces.)

We have three very enthusiastic, caring staff members on board with us. They already are fitting in with the community well and excited to learn more of the culture to relate to their students better. Plus, we have many new district administration and returning veterans who are collaborating and offering their unique skills to help our kids. I'm excited that these students will continue to get better education. 

Starting last week, we had three days of inservice to learn about more strategies to reach our high population of English Language Learners, a more standardized reading assessment with a thorough comprehension piece, and a new reward incentive program to promote good behavior and attendance. These last two days were dedicated to working in our classroom, but I spent quite a bit of time in multiple meetings for IEPs (Individualized Educational Plan or Program for students with special needs), reading assessments, etc. 

As I chat with two other fellow teachers, Jamie and Sammy, I am starting to forget to breathe again. I just heard we're going to have an assembly at 9:15 A.M. tomorrow which means I'll need to switch the Student First Day Survey to after our P.E. so I can quickly have the kids discuss and practice hallway and assembly expectations. I am a firm believer in getting it right on the first day of school. I will show them the picture of the previous class lining up perfectly on the first day of school and see if this class can do better.

Meanwhile I am trying not to feel nervous about the comments of my class being "probably the roughest class in the school this year" and a certain native aide stating, "You better have a trooper in there." after I showed her my class list. Positive thoughts! :) I'm up for the challenge. I have very structured, yet doable lessons just about ready for tomorrow.

And as my stomach grumbles, I'm off to eat some more leftovers, and probably take a nice bubble bath and sleep so I can focus for tomorrow. (It's sometimes hard to focus in the village when the cops are outside my house visiting the neighbors across the street AND the power just went off and back on.)

Below are pictures taken from a walk a couple days ago. Later, I'll try upload before and after pictures while working to get my classroom ready.

Walking to the airport a couple days ago.

Most of our rock is imported from Nome by a barge.

Sometimes I see beavers and muskrats here.

All are low-quality pictures with my phone.

Fireweed.

Pretty little plants.

Thank you all for reading. Good luck to my fellow teachers starting a new school year! 

Cultural Days- Beading and Manaq Poles

Beading- earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

Notice a pair of long earrings I'm wearing made by a student. "And it's long, and made out of minty floss so if you want to you don't even need to take it out to floss your teeth." So innovative.

An enthusiastic beader.

We all used some cut dowels and string to make ice-fishing poles.

With practice from their spears, they know how to tighten that string on the pole well.

They call the pole a "manaq" in Yupik.

Showing the manaqs on the side of the deck.

Cultural Days- Crocheting and Dance Fans

Second year of attempting crocheting. This time most of us remembered how!

Some of them made necklaces  or dishrags.

After sanding the wood smooth, they painted the base for the fan.

Locals labored hard to cut out a pair for each student.

Some of them painted designs such has hearts or seals on them.

"Is it good enough yet?" "Keep sanding..."

Socializing while having patience to sand.

How do we make them not stick to the paper while drying?

Notice that female dance fans are smaller with two finger holes.

May 8th is pretty late for it to be this white!

Lapp Game- Eskimo Baseball

One of the last days of school the kids played Lapp Game.

Lapp Game is eskimo baseball played with a similar bat and rubber/leather ball.

Before a player bats, the pitcher touches the ball to the bat.

Then the pitcher throws it a couple feet in the air and the batter swings!

If they hit it, they have the option to stay behind home plate.

They can run as a group to the other end to safety, then they have to make it safely home.

All ages of kids and adults play together.

Agnes, our amazing elder, watches and cheers for support.

If an outfielder catches it, the other team is out.

There is only one out before you have to switch.

They love playing Lapp Game outside near the slushy snow.

Other kids cheer them on.

Some kids just play in the cold mud, but everyone has fun!