A friend of mine kindly suggested that I invest in comfortable shoes last year. It was my first year in first grade and I wasn't sure exactly what she was talking about. I smiled, said ok, and then went about my day. At 2:45 that afternoon, I TOTALLY understood what she was talking about. My feet were killing me.
One of the biggest differences between teaching kindergarten and first grade is the amount of standing time on the hard concrete floors. I spent most of my kindergarten time on the floor at eye level with students or sitting at a small group table. Not so in first grade. Over time, your feet kind of get used to it I guess. Or, you just are so super busy all day that you forget about the pain...kind of like the need to go to the bathroom (another thing I learned about being in first grade- not many bathroom breaks.) Your feet lose that toughness over the summer, having spent many days barefoot in the sand, lake, and pool, in the air while hanging in a hammock, under the covers in bed all day, or soaking in the tub because you have time for more than a three minute shower. It's been a great first week back. I love my new room, my sweet little first grade students, and new coworkers. I am excited about the year to come. Only complaint- my feet hurt!
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24 hours from now, I will be standing at my classroom door ready to put on a smile and meet my new students and their families. We will have so much to talk about, things to share, and questions to ask. One of the many things I am excited to talk to them about is the solar eclipse.
Here in the Belton/Honea Path community, we are in the path of totality. Although the path of the eclipse (amazing) will cross the whole country, we will be perfectly located for maximal viewing. Everyone around here already has their special glasses ready for the heavenly sight. I will be in my backyard with my husband and two daughters. We will lay in the hammock and stare up in to the sky to watch all the actions, with safety eclipse glasses on of course. No need to damage the eyes folks! Is this really that rare of an event? It depends on your perspective. Eclipses happen every year or two, but they are only usually viewable from places you and I would never be able to go to. For us to be able to see this spectacle in our own backyard is very rare. I hope that this event brings families together, spending time being amazed at the light show our creator decided to entertain us with. I also hope that there are young children (girls especially) that look up at the visible corona of the sun in the darkness tomorrow afternoon and become inspired. Inspired to learn more about space. Inspired to think of the possiblities of what lies beyond that moon and sun. I wonder how many future rocket scientists will say that they decided on their career when they just happened to find themselves in the path of totality on August 21, 2017. Just something to think about... |
AuthorMarried mother of two, book lover, grant writer, teacher of firsties. Archives
October 2017
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