u/frivolusfrog

I have ADHD and my hardest struggle with teaching is the overstimulation from the kids. I teach k-6 and the random noises, volume, chairs scooting, and constant questions leave me drained by 12. I started a new rule at the end of the year where they are not allowed to ask question for the first 5 minutes after direct instructions. I told them they need to use their noggins because I have them repeat to me what they need and what they need to do. I tell them to use their peers and if they are still confused they can ask after 5 minutes. This helped a lot because many times they figure it out on their own and I’m not surrounded by kids asking me a million questions.

The volume with my 1st graders are the WORST, even if they aren’t screaming it’s just so loud. I wear ear plugs that muffle it a bit but that’s all I can do. I tried the website with the little bouncy balls that volume detect and it worked until the novelty wore off. I’ve tried having the whisper but it immediately gets loud again. I put them away from friends and they scream across the room, I put them next to their friends and they’re causing trouble. Even students in the class say it’s too loud but then they go and make it louder 2 seconds later…

6th graders are always up and wandering and never want to stay in their seat which drives me crazy.

I tried putting felt on the bottom of all the stools and they all slowly fell off, it was nice for a while.

I dim the lights and let the natural light in on days where we don’t need the overhead, I play music that they like which lowers the volume a few decibels.

Does anyone have any tips that have helped you?

I’m a teacher beginning summer break in a week and I’m so grateful for this aspect of my job. I got a summer job last year that I’ll be working at again, and all we do is take kids on field trips and do activities with them. Last year we went to ocean city and we got to sunbathe and swim in the ocean, we did rope climbing, amusement parks, literally everything and we got to participate in it all. I got paid to sit on the bus for hours at a time and we always got free lunch at restaurants. Best part is it’s only 4 times a week. I feel like I hit the summer job lottery. This program I work for also gave me lots of side gigs over the school year and paid me a generous amount for a few hours of work. I live with my partner and our two cats, I have a beautiful balcony with a million plants that I’ve dreamed of having literally forever. The city I live in has everything I could ever need. Life just feels so…simple. Like this is it and that isn’t a bad thing at all.

I wish I knew how to carry this feeling through the tough parts of the school year. I still am thankful for it all but i can lose sight of what I have sometimes. But every summer I’m reminded how lucky I am.

I felt the need to share, even if no one reads it. I don’t want to seem like I’m bragging to friends but I’m just so happy right now. I’ve been in the trenches for a long long time and all I’ve wanted my whole life is to be exactly where I am now.

We used to order from Trait-Tex, I believe it’s 3 ply yarn? But they seemed to have discontinued it and only have a few separately packaged colors. I’ve looked everywhere and I can’t find anything for a whole class set. There was one Amazon set but it the skeins were tiny. Does anyone have any recommendations?