I met my form for the first time this morning as they came in for an induction day. I had butterflies fluttering round my stomach in the same way you get nervous about meeting anyone. In fact it wasn't just butterflies. It was giant mutant butterflies. On crack. So many questions ran through my brain: Will they like me? Will I like them? Which bright spark's idea was it to put me in charge of twenty-five kids?
I saw them for the first time waiting with another form in the dining hall. I spotted the spitting image of one of my idiot year eights. Please let him be in the other form. Please! My wish was granted.
I spent the first two lessons of the day with them before they went to do some 'proper' lessons. I have to say they seemed nice enough, though there was one boy who I've spotted who could cause problems. I plan to ritualistically wear him down into submission and hope that will be a lesson to the rest of them. It was nice to have a class full of kids who were prepared to listen to me. The contrast between them and my year eights in the afternoon was horrific.
I gave them an activity where they had to come up with something they were looking forward to at their new school and something they were nervous about. I gave them some examples of things they might like or not like such as: joining a sports club or getting lost. The result was twenty-five kids all wanting to play football or netball and looking at their maps with startled paranoia in their eyes.
Later that day I came across some of this year's year sevens. They asked about my form and said that they liked me. Well why wouldn't they? I have to say that at the moment I quite like them too. The trick is going to be keeping them nice and sweet and lovely for as long as possible.
Being a year nine I've got to say you're sure lucky you're not in my (very dossy) school. I remember when I met my first teacher, after spending three years growing up in Spain I was shocked at the way the stundents spoke to the teachers when I returned to England in year 7! They were bloody animals! They threw things at her and swore. I hope none of your form are like this and I hope you get more respect then the students give the teachers at my school (with the exception of me as I am quite nice to all my teachers) Good Luck ^_^
2007-07-10 @ 16:14