Do you ever wonder, what will I write on my blog today? There are so many thoughts going on in my head...how do you stop kids from stealing? how do you get kids (as a whole) to work more quietly? how do you not show your frustration when you've reached the point? do other teachers get home and just not want to do anything? (I guess it helps that I'm single and have no kids)
If you have any thoughts after reading all of those questions, feel free to leave me a comment. I am in the middle of reading several different books on teaching and maybe I'm just involved in too much right now and can't devote to any one thing.
I did have enough sense though to make a massage appointment for the Friday we get out of school right before Spring Break...only 5 weeks to go.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Oh my!
My sister who was complaining about being broke sent me a teddy bear today...how sweet! My kids saw the balloon and flowers from my mom and step-dad so they figured out that my birthday is tomorrow. One girl (I noticed, but tried to let it be a surprise) was quickly making me a birthday card. After school let out, I looked at it...she wrote, "happy birthday you are the best teacher in the hole wold" (we're working on endig punctuation still with her). Then at the bottom of the paper, she wrote "happy birthday you are 30 years old" I almost fell out of my chair...NO, I'M NOT I wanted to shout...just the big 29...but seeing the 30 tells me I need to start preparing myself for it. :)
I'll be spending my day pampering myself...a massage tonight, a dental cleaning tomorrow at my dentist, and maybe getting into my hairdresser too! I know you're probably rereading the part about a teeth cleaning, but I get the happy gas and listen to Josh Groban...simply amazing and relaxing. Then sushi at Cerulean with friends, sweet potato fries on Saturday with my dad, and some friends are coming to my mom's on Sunday for lunch after church...I need to remember these amazing blessings when I get down.
I'll be spending my day pampering myself...a massage tonight, a dental cleaning tomorrow at my dentist, and maybe getting into my hairdresser too! I know you're probably rereading the part about a teeth cleaning, but I get the happy gas and listen to Josh Groban...simply amazing and relaxing. Then sushi at Cerulean with friends, sweet potato fries on Saturday with my dad, and some friends are coming to my mom's on Sunday for lunch after church...I need to remember these amazing blessings when I get down.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Refocusing
Okay, so Friday was a yucky day in class...one of my boys who I am trying to love on and bring out the positive attention got in trouble again...ugh. Soooooooooooo, intead of harping on the bad, I'm going to praise some of my other kids in my class!
During our non-fiction stories, one boy that I was conferencing with (Ruth, my writing coach, was present too) was telling me about the different kinds of golf clubs. He had labeled each with initials and then explained what they were for below. I could figure out the PR (putter) and the SW (sand wedge) and even the DR (driver), but I couldn't figure out IDKWIC...hmmmmm. So I asked him about that club. He replied, "I don't know what it's called." Take the first letter of each and you get what he named it. Talk about classic. I had to laugh out loud at that one.
Another one of my girls (the innocence of children shown here) wrote about babies. On her different kinds page, she wrote about the different kinds of babies...This is a Mexican baby. It speaks Spanish. This is a Russian baby ...it speaks Russian. This is a China baby...it speaks Chinese. This is an American baby...it speaks American. Once again, full out loud laughter!
I need to not get down about one child and remember that there are 23 other students who need me as much as he does. Sometimes, it's just hard to see how we affect kids.
During our non-fiction stories, one boy that I was conferencing with (Ruth, my writing coach, was present too) was telling me about the different kinds of golf clubs. He had labeled each with initials and then explained what they were for below. I could figure out the PR (putter) and the SW (sand wedge) and even the DR (driver), but I couldn't figure out IDKWIC...hmmmmm. So I asked him about that club. He replied, "I don't know what it's called." Take the first letter of each and you get what he named it. Talk about classic. I had to laugh out loud at that one.
Another one of my girls (the innocence of children shown here) wrote about babies. On her different kinds page, she wrote about the different kinds of babies...This is a Mexican baby. It speaks Spanish. This is a Russian baby ...it speaks Russian. This is a China baby...it speaks Chinese. This is an American baby...it speaks American. Once again, full out loud laughter!
I need to not get down about one child and remember that there are 23 other students who need me as much as he does. Sometimes, it's just hard to see how we affect kids.
Thursday, February 15, 2007
It's Over!!!
Thankfully, the Valentine's Day craziness is over! After passing out their Valentines and begging for candy, I caved in. They got one piece each...wait till they get home and eat all of the rest. Sorry to the parents. Although, I did receive 2 bags of Dove dark chocolate, a heart of Dove dark chocolate, and Mrs. Field's dark chocolates...and an apple!
Our non-fiction unit is over too. Looking back, I would change my rubric to include types of facts (definition, number, basic information). I'd want to study facts and opinions in this type of writing. We are starting now studying the craft of writing...I'm a little nervous. This will stretch me as a teacher, so here we go! If anyone has great ideas for this, please post away! Keep in mind, it's second grade!
Our non-fiction unit is over too. Looking back, I would change my rubric to include types of facts (definition, number, basic information). I'd want to study facts and opinions in this type of writing. We are starting now studying the craft of writing...I'm a little nervous. This will stretch me as a teacher, so here we go! If anyone has great ideas for this, please post away! Keep in mind, it's second grade!
Friday, February 9, 2007
Becoming Amazed
Today we had a bee party. Our class theme revolves around bees. We made (as a class) over 1,000 points in Accelerated Reader so we had a party! Wow, talk about food! We had yellow and black food. I've never seen so many cakes and cookies and cupcakes. I feel bad for parents who will have some sugar highs as they enter the house. I'll add a picture as soon as I learn about legality of photos.
We also had Reader's Theater and shared our scripts with our 4th grade data buddies. I'm becoming more amazed at the influence kids have on each other. Yesterday, we practiced our scripts for the class and the final two boys had a script about an elephant. They had the cutest actions for their parts. So fast forward to today...we were practicing before we actually performed. Four more groups added action to their performances. Kids can influence others...even in second grade.
We also had Reader's Theater and shared our scripts with our 4th grade data buddies. I'm becoming more amazed at the influence kids have on each other. Yesterday, we practiced our scripts for the class and the final two boys had a script about an elephant. They had the cutest actions for their parts. So fast forward to today...we were practicing before we actually performed. Four more groups added action to their performances. Kids can influence others...even in second grade.
Becoming
Okay, so after being encouraged to start a blog, I've finally decided to do so. This blog will be designed to track the becoming of me (as a person, educator, etc.). 2006 was an amazing year where I learned a lot about myself spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Becoming is the title because like Phil 1:6 says, I am continually being made into the person God wants to be. I hope all who read this blog can be encouraged, share laughter, and learn about who they are becoming.
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