There was more chaos today at school, but before I write about it, let me first say that I am SO ABSOFREAKIN EXCITED TO HAVE STUDENTS! I’d rather have chaos than have no students. (Don’t quote me on that.)

So… I showed up to my third period class today and there were 29 students. Hooray! Unfortunately, 30 minutes earlier the assistant principal told me that it was supposed to be an Algebra 1 class and it turned out all the kids were there for Geometry. No problem! I tried not to let my surprise show.

After we got settled, we had a semi-successful discussion on definitions for points, lines and planes for about 10 minutes. Then I was just about to start an activity where students had to draw the perimeter for a duck pen (one of the kids chose ducks) using a fixed length of fence (represented by string) and maximize area, when a teacher came in and took about two thirds of my students to another room. Apparently my class really *was* supposed to be an Algebra 1 class, and these students were going off to Geometry.

After the exodus we regrouped but just as we were about to restart, another teacher came in with new students who were supposed to be the class. By the time we got settled again, there were about three minutes left of class. <Sigh>

I think the thing that bothers me the most is that these students are being subjected to so much chaos. If my own child was in this situation, I would be a furious parent–not just about the fact that almost two weeks of instruction been lost (so far), but that the behaviors and attitudes of students are adversely affected by starting off school in such a chaotic way. I think I will have to work hard to send a message to my students, when I get them, that we are starting fresh.

I had no students in two other periods, and 20 kids show up in my sixth period Algebra 1 class. I’m thrilled and scared all over again.