Truth Thursday...A little despair...a little joy

I wanted to write a post yesterday about how sad I was feeling. But I didn't.


I know in "Blog world" sometimes things get a little distorted, and you would probably rather see a "Happy" blog than a sad/angry/frustrated/depressing blog.

I am a real person after all, and I don't ALWAYS do the pretty little crafts you often see me posting about.


I AM that crafty person, but I'm also a mom, a teacher's aide, and a wife.

Sometimes when something happens at home like a fight with my kids or my husband, it's hard to put on a "happy face" with the kindergartners that I work with. It's hard, but I HAVE TO. Because who knows what might've happened at THEIR house the night before. Maybe their parents fought, or they had a sad night, or a rough morning.


So, I feel like I always have to be "ON" and THAT is exhausting. Not that I'm being totally fake at school, and a have a personality that I don't at my own house, but I do feel like I always have to be a happy helper. This is the most emotionally draining job I've ever had.


Not to say that the kids don't make me laugh on a daily basis, or that I don't enjoy working with my fellow teachers, I do, but I think you know what I'm getting at. When I fall into bed exhausted EVERY NIGHT because after school I get supper ready, pack lunches, do laundry, help with homework, etc. , and just be a mom, it's justified.


I am feeling OVERWHELMED lately, and I don't know what to do about it. It has been weighing heavily on my heart. It makes me feel weighted down.


I'm sorry you have to listen to this, but I just needed to get it out. I'm feeling better already. It's TRUTH THURSDAY after all. This is the TRUTH.


If your kids are in my class...I LOVE your child! PLEASE don't get me wrong!


Ok. Enough with that. It's time for the joy part I promised you about!


Our Principal is a good Principal. I feel lucky to work with her everyday. (Just so happens she's also my neighbor and our husbands are best friends!) But that's beside the point!


Because of the new law in Indiana that will take effect in a couple of years, every 3rd grader will be required to be reading at a third grade level, or be retained. This is a big concern.


SO....our Principal asked our local Lion's Club to help us out with something. They paid for books for every family in the school. We're all reading the same book. "One School, One Book." is what she's calling this program.


We're all reading the Tale of Despereaux.


Each night we're required to read to our kids. As a faculty, we're also ALL reading the book. This IS a stretch for some parents. This is even a stretch for some parents like me whose kids are in activities most every night of the week.


But...


Each chapter is only a couple pages, and my kids have LOVED this extra time we're spending together each night at bedtime.


Everyday, based on what everyone was supposed to read the night before, our Principal asks questions to different grade levels over announcements. Then, whichever class is asked a question, calls in, and their answer is read over announcements.


She also made copies of coloring pages, and activities to do at home to go along with the book.

I'm including some of those today, along with the link to a website that has other coloring pages.

It's a good idea. Not everyone was happy about it, but I think it's working.

Some of the kids whose parents don't read it to them each night, can go down over lunch recess and the Principal will read it to them in the Library to get them caught up as well.


There is also a movie based on the book, so I'm challenging you too. Read it to your kids. I'm sure it's in the public library near you. Then watch the movie together as a family with lots of popcorn if you're into that kind of thing.


Every kid deserves to have a great reading experience, so there will be more great readers out there!

Have a great THURSDAY everyone, and thanks for listening to all my rambling. You're WONDERFUL listeners!