Routines and Recipes

So, here I am searching blogs and trying to find something that interests me.  As I navigate through different recipes, I came across a recipe for Do-It-Yourself Power Bars from 101 Cookbooks. (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/savory-doityourself-power-bars-recipe.html )  I bookmarked it knowing that my intentions are well and good, but deep down I know I probably won't end up making them any time soon.  This time of year is always the craziest, at least for me it is.  

The thing about the beginning of the year as a teacher is that every single day after school ends, you are fried.  Like, literally fried.  I have found myself walking out the door after school and not being able to make one more decision, even if it's about dinner.  I looked in the mirror before I left the classroom today and it looked like I lost a 20 mile race.  My hair was frizzy and the famous black eye liner smudge was halfway down my temple.  I am exhausted.  The new school year is always exciting and I adore meeting my classroom family, but routines and expectations have not been built yet.  If done right, these take up energy, patience, and routine building.  

As I walk through the hallways I see my previous students from last year.  Oh, how I miss them.  They could basically run through the routines backwards in my room.  I look over at my firsties, see them walking in a zig zagged line, stop them in the hallway, and we go over what a single file line looks like.  The crazy thing about the beginning of the year is that eventually, when you least expect it, students will begin picking up the routines.  Just like that, they'll be able to tell you that math is right after our brain break, and that on Wednesday's we sing our phonics song.  Perhaps then, I won't be as crazed and I'll have time to make those tasty power bars.  For now, I'll bookmark it for safe keeping.

Picture found at 101cookbooks.com