Field Trip!

Today was a momentous day - my first field trip as a teacher. We walked a group of 26 kindergarteners 7 blocks to a fire station, spent 45 minutes, and then walked back. Sounds simple enough, right? When we got back to school, I was as exhausted as if I had spent all day at Disney World.

Walking with 26 kids is tiring. You always have lollygaggers that you have to prod along. In every intersection and alley, a meth-crazed drunk driver (or a cougar!) could suddenly appear and wipe out three shorties holding hands and walking along. Kids pick up trash off the ground, wander into people's yards, sing nonsense songs at the top of their lungs, and all try to tell
you stories at the same time.

The firehouse is another story. The kids had a blast, but many of them forgot how to "look with your eyes, not your hands" and how to "be respectful of other peoples' things" and how to "be a good listener." So I was constantly on the alert for kids jumping on a fireman's bed, or trying to wear an air tank or hiding behind a fire engine, or just generally disappearing into the ether.

But, we managed to get there, and back, with no major catastrophes.

This week, I am basically taking over the class for the next four weeks. Wish me luck!