*The last two weeks have been eventful to say the least. I have been visiting my family a few hours away every chance possible. My older sister had massive brain surgery yesterday in Phoenix, Arizona with the best surgeon in the world. My family spent the weekend before eating, laughing, crying, and spending time together. My 3 year old nephew's comment: "Why do you hafta live far away?!" Sometimes I really agree. Especially in times like these...However I know I am here for a reason, doing work that I am supposed to do--and the following stories affirm that! :)
*Although things in my personal life are somewhat falling apart, my classroom has been a HAVEN. My husband is in test week so he has been very occupied with studying like crazy. His comment tonight was: "Tell me when you write your blog so I can find out what's going on in your life". Lol That's a little dramatic, but I have been kind of alone--my house is a wreck, but my sweet students have been very comforting to me!!
*I have been teaching them how to count by 10s, 5s, and 2s. During Calendar, I asked if they could count to 100 by 1s. One started to count: 1, 11, 21,....haha. Cute
*I was working with my Small Reading Group today during centers and was teaching the sight word "come". We then started to read a book about where food comes from. "Where do French Fries come from? They come from Potatoes.", etc. We then read this page: "Where does milk come from? It comes from cows." One student looked at me totally concerned: "UN UH!!! I did NOT know that!" :) She will never drink milk the same!!
*At recess today, one of my students said: "Mrs. You see these leggins I'm wearin? And my skirt?"
Me-Yes. You look so cute. Student-"I wore them cuz I knew you would." Me-How did you know that?
Student-"You wear leggins and skirts a lot. Just wanted to dress like you". :)
*Student-"Mrs. Did you see my red shirt? It's your favorite color, huh!? I told my mom I wanted to wear red cuz it's your favorite." Love them!
*When my kids turned in their homework, one of their writing sentences said: "I went to church and we talked all about Jesus". SO thankful for the Lord's influence in my kids' lives!
*In another small group I was teaching the sightword "these". We were practicing sentences with the word "these" in it. We decided to write "These are my friends." Then I told them they could draw a picture of their friends next to their sentence. "I'm going to draw Mrs! She is my favorite friend!!"
*Probably the sweetest thing my class has ever done: Another teacher knows a 5 year old who has cancer. She asked teachers to have their students make cards for him. I decided it would be a fun activity for Friday afternoon. Then I decided to add my sister in there too. I told the kids that I knew 2 people who were very sick and who had to stay in the hospital and lay in bed all day. (Their faces were full of concern!) I asked them how they thought those 2 people felt. They all responded that they must be really sad. I asked them if they wanted to make cards for those people to help them feel better? They really wanted to. I told them there was a boy and a girl and they could choose which person they wanted to write to. I asked them if sloppy writing/drawing would make someone happy? A resounding "NO!" was the answer. As I walked around and watched them write/draw their cards, I saw: "I am so sorre you are sic", "I hop you get beter real soon", "You are bootiful", "Git well", etc. I was brought to tears. Their pictures were equally sweet. I told them they could talk while they worked. What I heard: "M. is going to LOVe this card. It's going to make her real happy." "When she opens this, she is going to start smilin real big!" I can't tell you how much healing this brought to me!!! One student asked me: "Mrs...what color is M. Is she white or black?" Me-Does it matter? Student-"Yeah! I gotta know how to color her on the card!" :) lol
*My aunt/grandma gave me granola bars to pass out to kids in my class who need more food. She collected a LOT! I have started to pass them out 1 to each kid as the kids leave for the day. They are VERY grateful. :) Thankful for people who are so generous to my kids.
*One of my black students, pointing to the palm of her hand: "Mrs! Look! This part of my hand is kinda white...like YOU Mrs! :)"
*At library checkout, my kids were picking their books out. When they brought them up to me, I asked them what book they chose. They were reading me the titles. Then as I walked around as the kids were looking through their books, I heard one of my kids reading her book. READING THE WORDS to herself. It continues to amaze me.
*As I said, my sister had brain surgery yesterday. I wasn't sure how my teaching would be that day. I only told a few teachers at my school and they have been GREAT. But I didn't tell my principal the exact day...she came in to observe my math (She has to do a few unannounced observations of my teaching as a new teacher)....I was teaching the HARDEST game with addition. But it went so well. After the lesson, she told me that she was so impressed-she said she even tried to trick the kids as she walked around, but wasn't able to! :)
*I found out that my district hasn't allowed my school to have as many teachers next year. I am the newest teacher by far and of course would be on the chopping block. My principal/school is doing everything they can to save my job, but still it's a little concerning. Ever since I found out, I haven't been taking a single moment for granted. I can't say how much I adore my little ones!!
*Every week on Friday, I announce a "Star Student" and give that student an award. Then that student can bring a toy to "Show & Tell" on Monday and a poster to fill out about themselves in the hallway. One of my funniest students was the "Star" this week. He brought a WWE fighting belt or something. Usually the child shares a few things about the toy and then answers 3 questions from other students. I promise this student would have gone on about his belt for 30 minutes if I would have let him. It was SO funny to watch him answer questions. Kids would ask "Do you play with it outside?" His frustrated answer would be: "I TOLD you...You can't PLAY with this--it's a WWE fighting belt...", etc. It was hilarious.
*"Mrs...Do you wanna know my Catch Phrase?! IT's What's Up, Doc?! I also like to say: What's up lady?!"
*When I went home to see my family last weekend, at church I was struck by how much things have changed in my life. In college 2 years ago at this time, my worries/concerns were SO different than they are. My world view was VERY different . Praise the Lord for growth and new life! SO thankful!!
*"In the early church,if there is a rebirth is would affect our economics and how we care for our neighbor. If we have two coats, weve stolen one ...there are people cold on the street! We dont have a right to hold more for ourselves while others are in need!!!" AMEN!!!
Praying for a LESS eventful week this week and for rest for my dear sister. May Christ be closer than ever to her!!!
:)
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Friday, February 17, 2012
But...where IS the side?!
*In the gospels, Jesus was so moved by a woman who gave out of her lack, that He said wherever the gospel was preached in all the world, what she did would also be told in memory of her. I feel like I am beginning to understand that. Tuesday was V Day. First thing in the morning, one of my sweetest students comes in with her mom to give me a small balloon, homemade card & single rose. The card said: "Happy Valntine Day. I LOVE you Mrs." I was so touched. Later that day I received half a box of chocolates and several other homemade cards. The best gifts I've ever received. Students came in with their Valentines....one child brought 12 small stickers and asked me ALL day if she could pass out her stickers. Another brought small pieces of candy and couldn't WAIT to pass them out. Their eagerness to give was the sweetest thing. Before our VDay party, I passed out my gift to them. My mom gave me my used beanie babies from when we were kids--I picked out 20 clean ones & put a card on each one. The kids LOVED them. I let them pick out which one they wanted and go put them in their backpacks. One child caught me off guard and kissed me on the cheek. "Thank you SO much, Mrs!!!" Today at a conference, a parent told me her son sleeps with the beanie baby every much, because "I love Mrs. and she gave it to me". One of the best days ever.
*I came home to a candlelit steak dinner made by my husband, which was equally special. He is equally incredible. I am so blessed.
*I talked to a "grandpop" today after school. It opened my eyes to how this particular student is treated at home. :( They are expecting perfect behavior out of a child who is a little bit of a mess. Their version of punishment is not what I consider helpful. The child left the school with his face full of JOY--during the conversation, I saw his face slowly become more and more defeated as his "grandpop" spoke. He was very respectful to me, just very degrading to the child. I ended the conversation by looking at the student straight in the eyes and said--"I am SO proud of how much you have learned and improved. I LOVE having you in class. I CARE about you so much!" He smiled and gave me the biggest hug ever. I am not blaming the parents, etc...just sad at how some things are handled. I know the man thought he was trying to reassure me that they want their son to succeed and that they respect me so much, but it really made me much more cautious about what I tell them about his behavior...love that boy!
*Today was picture day. The librarian was complimenting my students on how the boys looked handsome, and the girls looked beautiful. One student beamed out--"Mrs. is beautiful too!" All the other students--"She is so beautiful!" Ha. They are so funny. The did look really cute all dressed up in their Easter dresses today! :)
*One of my students quit coming this week. No warning, no goodbye. Just stopped coming to school. It is sad, but I guess that's the way it goes sometimes. He was my most "fighty" student--punched kids in the lunch room. etc./...so to be honest, my classroom is more peaceful without him. I still wonder how he is...he had made SO much improvement. I'm sad that I may not see him again!
*One of my students plays around constantly. He has so much trouble focusing. I can't tell you how much he has improved--but still...kind of a mess. He was especially crazy on Wednesday. We had indoor recess because of rain, so while the other kids were watching a movie--I had him clean my room. He was so cute as he went around the room using a baby wipe to wipe down EVERYTHING he could find. I think he enjoyed it a little too much for it to be punishment again. Lol But my room was CLEAN. :)
*I was on a roll on Thursday morning. My kids were with me--they were on task and working hard. I was squeezing in every bit of learning I could during reading time. I wanted to move on from their word sort to another activity, but some of the kids weren't working fast enough. I had them freeze, and asked them to set that paper to the side and that we were going to work on something else. Everyone was ready. Except one. Me-"Peter-I asked you to set that paper to the side. Why are you not doing that?!
Student (so confused and frustrated)-"But Mrs...Where IS the side?!?!" :) Love them!
*This week I taught greater than/less than, and we began addition sentences in math. I was so nervous, thinking it was too much for them....but OH MY GOODNESS--they are doing SO good. After counting & labeling their papers--students are writing 5 +10=15...etc. They can count by 5s, 2s, 10s, and 1s. :) Once in awhile, if they're doing a super job, I'll let them sing along to a counting rap. They LOVE it. Some of the kids get so into it. It cracks me up.
*I had to leave the room laughing during music yesterday, because the teacher was having them bark like dogs during a song. Cutest, most hilarious thing in the world.
*One of my kids is living in a VERY small apartment with more than 9 other kids....This child is the SWEETEST child in my class--every teacher in the school adores her. I begged the school to squeeze them onto the backpack food program...but they only had 2 open slots. When we asked the kids if they enjoyed the food, they said "OH YES! It was SO good--but it's all gone now." I asked if the girl ate it all alone or shared it with her siblings--Looking at me shocked that I would ask such a thing..."Mrs!! We got 10 kids livin in our house...We GOT to share!!" This parent also opened up a lot to me about hardships...heartbreaking. I've started to send food home with my student--looking for people who want to donate nonperishable food. I want to be able to send home food every Friday..any takers?! :)
*It's hard to express how great this week was. Every morning, I run on my treadmill before work. I have been listening to "Go Hard" by Lecrae. You should check it out. It is one of me & my husband's fav songs. One of the lines..."If the cross don't move me, then I don't want to breathe no more. If you didn't know Christ, would your life look the same? Can they tell you follow Jesus by the way you rep His name? What's the point of living if I'm living for myself. So for God I go hard--I don't want to die tonight, but there's too many people living who haven't heard about the Christ. Lord, use me up! Thank you for the grace--for the willing, the desire.....Lord use me up!" He has taken my prayer literally. So thankful for a 3 day weekend. So tired. :)
*I told my husband that between being so sick for the last 2 weeks, all that my family is going through with my sisters' brain, not being able to help them, the terrible things my students are experiencing everyday--I have shut off my emotions & I feel like I have become apathetic toward everything. He disagreed--saying I've been talking about my kids nonstop, but this week, I started to listen to a mixture of Lecrae and the Bible on my treadmill every morning before work, and it has been the best week ever. I know anyone could step into my classroom and do my job....I just feel so blessed that the Lord allows me to do it.
I am decorating my classroom door for March with 4-leaf clovers with each kids' name on it. The door is going to say--"What a LUCKY teacher..." Seriously!!!!
:) Happy 3 day weekend!!!!! :)
*I came home to a candlelit steak dinner made by my husband, which was equally special. He is equally incredible. I am so blessed.
*I talked to a "grandpop" today after school. It opened my eyes to how this particular student is treated at home. :( They are expecting perfect behavior out of a child who is a little bit of a mess. Their version of punishment is not what I consider helpful. The child left the school with his face full of JOY--during the conversation, I saw his face slowly become more and more defeated as his "grandpop" spoke. He was very respectful to me, just very degrading to the child. I ended the conversation by looking at the student straight in the eyes and said--"I am SO proud of how much you have learned and improved. I LOVE having you in class. I CARE about you so much!" He smiled and gave me the biggest hug ever. I am not blaming the parents, etc...just sad at how some things are handled. I know the man thought he was trying to reassure me that they want their son to succeed and that they respect me so much, but it really made me much more cautious about what I tell them about his behavior...love that boy!
*Today was picture day. The librarian was complimenting my students on how the boys looked handsome, and the girls looked beautiful. One student beamed out--"Mrs. is beautiful too!" All the other students--"She is so beautiful!" Ha. They are so funny. The did look really cute all dressed up in their Easter dresses today! :)
*One of my students quit coming this week. No warning, no goodbye. Just stopped coming to school. It is sad, but I guess that's the way it goes sometimes. He was my most "fighty" student--punched kids in the lunch room. etc./...so to be honest, my classroom is more peaceful without him. I still wonder how he is...he had made SO much improvement. I'm sad that I may not see him again!
*One of my students plays around constantly. He has so much trouble focusing. I can't tell you how much he has improved--but still...kind of a mess. He was especially crazy on Wednesday. We had indoor recess because of rain, so while the other kids were watching a movie--I had him clean my room. He was so cute as he went around the room using a baby wipe to wipe down EVERYTHING he could find. I think he enjoyed it a little too much for it to be punishment again. Lol But my room was CLEAN. :)
*I was on a roll on Thursday morning. My kids were with me--they were on task and working hard. I was squeezing in every bit of learning I could during reading time. I wanted to move on from their word sort to another activity, but some of the kids weren't working fast enough. I had them freeze, and asked them to set that paper to the side and that we were going to work on something else. Everyone was ready. Except one. Me-"Peter-I asked you to set that paper to the side. Why are you not doing that?!
Student (so confused and frustrated)-"But Mrs...Where IS the side?!?!" :) Love them!
*This week I taught greater than/less than, and we began addition sentences in math. I was so nervous, thinking it was too much for them....but OH MY GOODNESS--they are doing SO good. After counting & labeling their papers--students are writing 5 +10=15...etc. They can count by 5s, 2s, 10s, and 1s. :) Once in awhile, if they're doing a super job, I'll let them sing along to a counting rap. They LOVE it. Some of the kids get so into it. It cracks me up.
*I had to leave the room laughing during music yesterday, because the teacher was having them bark like dogs during a song. Cutest, most hilarious thing in the world.
*One of my kids is living in a VERY small apartment with more than 9 other kids....This child is the SWEETEST child in my class--every teacher in the school adores her. I begged the school to squeeze them onto the backpack food program...but they only had 2 open slots. When we asked the kids if they enjoyed the food, they said "OH YES! It was SO good--but it's all gone now." I asked if the girl ate it all alone or shared it with her siblings--Looking at me shocked that I would ask such a thing..."Mrs!! We got 10 kids livin in our house...We GOT to share!!" This parent also opened up a lot to me about hardships...heartbreaking. I've started to send food home with my student--looking for people who want to donate nonperishable food. I want to be able to send home food every Friday..any takers?! :)
*It's hard to express how great this week was. Every morning, I run on my treadmill before work. I have been listening to "Go Hard" by Lecrae. You should check it out. It is one of me & my husband's fav songs. One of the lines..."If the cross don't move me, then I don't want to breathe no more. If you didn't know Christ, would your life look the same? Can they tell you follow Jesus by the way you rep His name? What's the point of living if I'm living for myself. So for God I go hard--I don't want to die tonight, but there's too many people living who haven't heard about the Christ. Lord, use me up! Thank you for the grace--for the willing, the desire.....Lord use me up!" He has taken my prayer literally. So thankful for a 3 day weekend. So tired. :)
*I told my husband that between being so sick for the last 2 weeks, all that my family is going through with my sisters' brain, not being able to help them, the terrible things my students are experiencing everyday--I have shut off my emotions & I feel like I have become apathetic toward everything. He disagreed--saying I've been talking about my kids nonstop, but this week, I started to listen to a mixture of Lecrae and the Bible on my treadmill every morning before work, and it has been the best week ever. I know anyone could step into my classroom and do my job....I just feel so blessed that the Lord allows me to do it.
I am decorating my classroom door for March with 4-leaf clovers with each kids' name on it. The door is going to say--"What a LUCKY teacher..." Seriously!!!!
:) Happy 3 day weekend!!!!! :)
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Don't worry Mrs! I'm sick too!!
It's been awhile since I've posted--I am battling the worst part of being a first year teacher--SICKNESS! I have been sick for about 2 weeks and don't see any end in sight. In the last 2 weeks, though, I've taken 1 day off. It's more work than it's worth to take a day. My husband keeps asking me if I'm worried that I'll get the kids sick. My response? They gave it to me!! No really, I have been sanitizing my room every morning and afternoon. I've given lessons on how to cough into your elbow, drink lots of water and wash your hands a lot. Here's to hoping for wellness. I had a sub last Monday when I had the stomach flu. When I picked up my kids on Tuesday morning, they all started to cheer. "I missed you so much, Mrs." I heard all day. "Don't be sick again, ok?" And people wonder why I don't like to call in sick :). The sub did leave a note that she loved my class and had a great day. Thank GOODNESS!!
*I usually hold my kids' hands in the hallway while we walk to specials, lunch, etc. This week I didn't hold hands. "Friends, I am still a little sick, so I'm not going to hold your hands. I don't want to get you sick, too!" One student looking very concerned: "Don't worry Mrs! I'm sick too-you can hold my hand!!" How can you refuse that? :)
*We had conferences last week--I am probably the only teacher in the world who loves conferences. I love my families and their affirmation of me as a teacher was really appreciated. One comment: "Any chance you gonna teach 1st grade next year, Mrs?!" :) I was able to show parents how much their child had improved--I showed writing samples from 3 months ago, and compared them to now. I had the kid read one of their small group reading books to their parents--we talked about what they need to work on, etc...but at the end of every conference, I got to tell the parent why I love having that student in class. It was a fun day. And those parents that didn't show? I've been hounding them ever since. :) haha
*"Mrs..this kindergarten thang is gettin pretty easy--I think I'm ready for 1st grade."
*"Mrs--2012 is a pretty good year. But you know what my favorite year was?! 2008! That was a REAL good year." Lol...um?!
*"Man, Mrs.--it seems like school is gettin harder every day. You just keep teachin us more and more and more." Me--That's because you are getting so much smarter. I am trying to fill that brain up with everything I can. Student-"Yea..."
*When I started teaching Kinder....I had no IDEA how much we are expecting out of 5 year olds now...this week I started teaching addition. That's right. ADDITION--my students were working at their math centers making their designs with tile blocks and then writing out 2+6=8....(just an example). I am floored.
**My kids took a state test on the computer this week. A 57 question multiple choice test. I kid you not. Before we went into the test, I told them it was super important--that their parents, me, and the principal was going to see their score, so I wanted them to turn their brains on. (They all did--click!!) "You are so smart, I know you will do great. I'm proud of you already!!" After the test "Mrs...I know I turned my brain on cuz I did real good on that test."
*"Mrs...for that heart day--me and my mom are going to make some candies for my friends." I'm so excited for Valentine's Day! It was one of my favorite things about elementary school!!!
**Some of my parents confided some horrible things to me at conferences. It continues to break my heart to hear about the situations that people are forced to live in...Feeling inspired to do something more.....
*We have been working on counting by 10s, 5s and 2s...so I found a little kid rap video to help us practice--you should have SEEN how excited my kids were. It was hilarious. :)
*My FAVORITE thing about my class was the way they all watched out for each other--they were so sweet to each other and they didn't seem to notice differences in skin, clothes, hair, etc. I am sad, because I already see them growing up--I see them losing some of that innocence...this week some of them have started to say MEAN things to each other--I have come down hard on them--we've had apologies and tears...lots of lessons on being a good friend. It just stinks to watch them lose some of that genuine friendship. :(
*I have invited our teacher leader to spend more time in my classroom--she LOVES my kids so has started to come in everyday during writing. One day last week...she said "Can I come watch them in centers, too?" I love for them to have another adult who adores them!
*I volunteered to test a computer program that reads books to the kids. They have had SO much fun listening to books at the computer center during centers...They say one of the best ways to build fluency is to have someone read to you--a lot of my kids parents either aren't reading to them or can't read English--so this is a great alternative....and they LOVE it.
*Walking down the hallway...."Mrs...will you PLEASE read us a story when we get back to the room!?" :) When I told another teacher how much they ask to be read to, she said: Are they trying to get out of something? ...Are you kidding? They would stay after school to hear a story! :) Singing and reading....their 2 favorite things.
For those of you who have seen "David at the Dentist" on Youtube...one of my students was late coming to school because he was at the dentist. He came up to me while the other students were in the bathroom with a dazed look on his face: "Mrs...my teeth feel funnnnnnnnny." I had to leave laughing. He was so confused. :)
:)
*I usually hold my kids' hands in the hallway while we walk to specials, lunch, etc. This week I didn't hold hands. "Friends, I am still a little sick, so I'm not going to hold your hands. I don't want to get you sick, too!" One student looking very concerned: "Don't worry Mrs! I'm sick too-you can hold my hand!!" How can you refuse that? :)
*We had conferences last week--I am probably the only teacher in the world who loves conferences. I love my families and their affirmation of me as a teacher was really appreciated. One comment: "Any chance you gonna teach 1st grade next year, Mrs?!" :) I was able to show parents how much their child had improved--I showed writing samples from 3 months ago, and compared them to now. I had the kid read one of their small group reading books to their parents--we talked about what they need to work on, etc...but at the end of every conference, I got to tell the parent why I love having that student in class. It was a fun day. And those parents that didn't show? I've been hounding them ever since. :) haha
*"Mrs..this kindergarten thang is gettin pretty easy--I think I'm ready for 1st grade."
*"Mrs--2012 is a pretty good year. But you know what my favorite year was?! 2008! That was a REAL good year." Lol...um?!
*"Man, Mrs.--it seems like school is gettin harder every day. You just keep teachin us more and more and more." Me--That's because you are getting so much smarter. I am trying to fill that brain up with everything I can. Student-"Yea..."
*When I started teaching Kinder....I had no IDEA how much we are expecting out of 5 year olds now...this week I started teaching addition. That's right. ADDITION--my students were working at their math centers making their designs with tile blocks and then writing out 2+6=8....(just an example). I am floored.
**My kids took a state test on the computer this week. A 57 question multiple choice test. I kid you not. Before we went into the test, I told them it was super important--that their parents, me, and the principal was going to see their score, so I wanted them to turn their brains on. (They all did--click!!) "You are so smart, I know you will do great. I'm proud of you already!!" After the test "Mrs...I know I turned my brain on cuz I did real good on that test."
*"Mrs...for that heart day--me and my mom are going to make some candies for my friends." I'm so excited for Valentine's Day! It was one of my favorite things about elementary school!!!
**Some of my parents confided some horrible things to me at conferences. It continues to break my heart to hear about the situations that people are forced to live in...Feeling inspired to do something more.....
*We have been working on counting by 10s, 5s and 2s...so I found a little kid rap video to help us practice--you should have SEEN how excited my kids were. It was hilarious. :)
*My FAVORITE thing about my class was the way they all watched out for each other--they were so sweet to each other and they didn't seem to notice differences in skin, clothes, hair, etc. I am sad, because I already see them growing up--I see them losing some of that innocence...this week some of them have started to say MEAN things to each other--I have come down hard on them--we've had apologies and tears...lots of lessons on being a good friend. It just stinks to watch them lose some of that genuine friendship. :(
*I have invited our teacher leader to spend more time in my classroom--she LOVES my kids so has started to come in everyday during writing. One day last week...she said "Can I come watch them in centers, too?" I love for them to have another adult who adores them!
*I volunteered to test a computer program that reads books to the kids. They have had SO much fun listening to books at the computer center during centers...They say one of the best ways to build fluency is to have someone read to you--a lot of my kids parents either aren't reading to them or can't read English--so this is a great alternative....and they LOVE it.
*Walking down the hallway...."Mrs...will you PLEASE read us a story when we get back to the room!?" :) When I told another teacher how much they ask to be read to, she said: Are they trying to get out of something? ...Are you kidding? They would stay after school to hear a story! :) Singing and reading....their 2 favorite things.
For those of you who have seen "David at the Dentist" on Youtube...one of my students was late coming to school because he was at the dentist. He came up to me while the other students were in the bathroom with a dazed look on his face: "Mrs...my teeth feel funnnnnnnnny." I had to leave laughing. He was so confused. :)
:)
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