Today as I was reading a book to my class, my new principal came in for a walk through observation. The book I was reading was titled "Crazy Hair Day". It's about a kid that is excited to go to school because it's crazy hair day. He gets his hair all crazy-like and goes to school. He soon discovers it's not crazy hair day but instead it's picture day. Crazy hair day is the next Friday. It goes on to deal with how the other students handle this little mix-up. It's a really cute book. So, after the story, I have the kids tell me what they would do for crazy hair day since that's what they will write about in their journals.
They all raise their hands eager to share some of their crazy hair ideas. The first student I call on says, "I would put poop on my head." I laugh and say that we would all have to hold our noses. I'm hoping not to draw attention to the fact that he just said he would put poop on his head during my observation! So, moving on, I call on another student for her brilliant idea. Her response is, "I would put pee on my head." OMG! Seriously! Have you all lost your minds? I respond by saying that somehow we have gone in a direction I wasn't expecting. Fortunately the next student response got us back on a normal track. She said she would put eggs and glitter on her head. Better I guess, right?
Anyway... they go to work on their journals and they actually turned out to be creative and not disgusting. (Sigh) Kids. They say the darndest things.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday, October 16, 2008
What A Day
Well...
That's about all I can say.
I feel fortunate that I still have my same job, in my same school, in my same room, with my same kids. I feel a bit sad that I feel fortunate about that. Many of my colleagues can not say the same thing. Why should we be tousled about this way?
It's been an extremely draining day. The school day began at 7:30am and didn't end until 8:00pm. I think I experienced twenty different emotions within this one day. Our school lost many wonderful teachers today. We had 4 teachers take the voluntary release, our principal took the voluntary release, 3 teachers were RIF'd (laid off), 5 teachers were transferred to different schools, and 900 students will suffer. This doesn't include the many teachers that will stay at our school but be placed in different positions.
I'm bracing myself for a strange and difficult next few weeks.
That's about all I can say.
I feel fortunate that I still have my same job, in my same school, in my same room, with my same kids. I feel a bit sad that I feel fortunate about that. Many of my colleagues can not say the same thing. Why should we be tousled about this way?
It's been an extremely draining day. The school day began at 7:30am and didn't end until 8:00pm. I think I experienced twenty different emotions within this one day. Our school lost many wonderful teachers today. We had 4 teachers take the voluntary release, our principal took the voluntary release, 3 teachers were RIF'd (laid off), 5 teachers were transferred to different schools, and 900 students will suffer. This doesn't include the many teachers that will stay at our school but be placed in different positions.
I'm bracing myself for a strange and difficult next few weeks.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Yes! Success!
This has been quite an interesting year for me, as for all others teaching in the Dallas I.S.D. We have had a budget shortfall and teacher layoffs hanging over our heads.
It has been dreadfully stressful and next to impossible to maintain stability in the classroom with so much else going on around me. Thankfully, I have been able to focus on my students and enjoy the simple things that happen day to day.
Today one of my students told me she likes to read because I showed her how. She said she tries so hard because she can tell I want her to learn. Wow! Thanks for noticing!
1 down... 18 to go. :)
It has been dreadfully stressful and next to impossible to maintain stability in the classroom with so much else going on around me. Thankfully, I have been able to focus on my students and enjoy the simple things that happen day to day.
Today one of my students told me she likes to read because I showed her how. She said she tries so hard because she can tell I want her to learn. Wow! Thanks for noticing!
1 down... 18 to go. :)
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Procrastination At It's Finest
Today was a very busy day for me. I am, admittedly, a procrastinator.
Today was the day the science fair projects were due. As a first grade teacher, we are to do a project as a class and turn in a project board. The board was due by our planning/specials period. I, in true form, did not even start the project until 8:30 this morning. My planning period is at 9:55. Our project was to see if plain ice, ice with rock salt added, or ice with table salt added froze homemade ice cream better. We made three batches of "bag" ice cream, wrote out our project, and put the board together in 1 hour. It actually turned out pretty good. Oh, in case you were wondering, rock salt and ice froze the ice cream better.
Moving on...
We have had a junior achievement volunteer who comes once a week and does great lessons with our class. Tomorrow is her last lesson and I wanted to have the kids write some things they enjoyed about her visits. We were working on that and got a book completed for her today. That took about an hour as well.
Still moving on...
Sunday is Mother's Day. I took pictures of all of the kids and had them decorate a frame to put the pictures in. That also took about an hour.
Amazingly, everything got done! I don't know how, but it did. And it all turned out great!
Procrastinators ... Unite!!!
Today was the day the science fair projects were due. As a first grade teacher, we are to do a project as a class and turn in a project board. The board was due by our planning/specials period. I, in true form, did not even start the project until 8:30 this morning. My planning period is at 9:55. Our project was to see if plain ice, ice with rock salt added, or ice with table salt added froze homemade ice cream better. We made three batches of "bag" ice cream, wrote out our project, and put the board together in 1 hour. It actually turned out pretty good. Oh, in case you were wondering, rock salt and ice froze the ice cream better.
Moving on...
We have had a junior achievement volunteer who comes once a week and does great lessons with our class. Tomorrow is her last lesson and I wanted to have the kids write some things they enjoyed about her visits. We were working on that and got a book completed for her today. That took about an hour as well.
Still moving on...
Sunday is Mother's Day. I took pictures of all of the kids and had them decorate a frame to put the pictures in. That also took about an hour.
Amazingly, everything got done! I don't know how, but it did. And it all turned out great!
Procrastinators ... Unite!!!
Monday, May 5, 2008
Just Keep Swimming
In the immortal words of Dory, this week I feel like I'm just swimming and trying to keep my head above water. I have many deadlines coming up and lots of little brains to continue to fill with important and useful information.
The little bodies that incompase the little brains are out of control lately. What's going on? Has anyone else noticed this? They are acting like it's the last week of school. The next few weeks should be interesting!!
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
The little bodies that incompase the little brains are out of control lately. What's going on? Has anyone else noticed this? They are acting like it's the last week of school. The next few weeks should be interesting!!
Just keep swimming, just keep swimming.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Too Much Togetherness
Today was a TAKS testing day, as it was in all other Texas schools as well. Because I teach in a grade that does not take the test, we were not allowed in the building other than to move in and out for specials and getting lunch (to go back to class and eat).
I have several groups of kids that are pulled out of class throughout the day. I am fortunate to have a very academically and behaviorally challenging group this year. I will admit, the fact that they are pulled out for counseling, math tutoring, reading tutoring, dyslexia classes, and speech does help. It keeps the numbers low in my room and I can actually teach. I know! A teacher that can actually teach, not just maintain order and control all day long.
Well... today I had ALL of my students ALL day long and it was exhausting!!!! They were whining, arguing with each other, and talking nonstop all day. I love my students but it was a bit too much today.
More of the same tomorrow! Woo-Hoo!!
On a more positive note...
One of my students did an adaptation of a book we have been reading in his journal today and it was AMAZING!! I predict wonderful things for this kid. Hopefully he can get his act together behaviorally and accomplish greatness in his lifetime.
** Good luck again tomorrow Texas teachers!
I have several groups of kids that are pulled out of class throughout the day. I am fortunate to have a very academically and behaviorally challenging group this year. I will admit, the fact that they are pulled out for counseling, math tutoring, reading tutoring, dyslexia classes, and speech does help. It keeps the numbers low in my room and I can actually teach. I know! A teacher that can actually teach, not just maintain order and control all day long.
Well... today I had ALL of my students ALL day long and it was exhausting!!!! They were whining, arguing with each other, and talking nonstop all day. I love my students but it was a bit too much today.
More of the same tomorrow! Woo-Hoo!!
On a more positive note...
One of my students did an adaptation of a book we have been reading in his journal today and it was AMAZING!! I predict wonderful things for this kid. Hopefully he can get his act together behaviorally and accomplish greatness in his lifetime.
** Good luck again tomorrow Texas teachers!
Monday, April 28, 2008
TAKS
Just want to send a big hug and hello to all of the Texas teachers out there doing TAKS this week.
You've done all you can... my fingers are crossed for you and your students!!!
You've done all you can... my fingers are crossed for you and your students!!!
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