I don't even know where to begin. What a year it's been. I have so many incredibly amazing memories of this class. We laughed, learned, (sometimes cried.....or was that just me????), discovered and were challenged together. This was the first year I ever wrote a blog, and I've cherished it. I love that I now have an entire year of my career (and some of my "real" life) chronicled. I've loved the idea that I'm connecting with my (students') parents in a way that I've never done before. I'm so incredibly grateful to all of you. I plan to continue to blog next year, so come check in on me every once in a while (and pardon any repeats you may read----know that you were always the original audience receiving my thoughts). We experienced Sandy Hook and Oklahoma (I never wrote about it----I thought about it, but it was another time when teachers were brought to do what we all know we would do for our kids, and I almost couldn't handle the heartbreak of writing about it again). We went through our first-ever
RAIN day and rescheduled Celebration of Learning together. And the budget--well, I'm not even going there on this day of happiness, other than to say that the magic (I have no better way to describe what I witnessed) that I saw in this town was nothing short of amazing. I always knew that Itasca was extraordinarily special, it's truly where my heart lives, and you all demonstrated in real-life ways exactly why. I'm so very blessed to know such strong, passionate, dedicated people, who also happen to be parents of some incredibly important-to-me kids!
I am thankful to each and every one of you, and your children will forever be a major piece of my heart.
"Don't cry because it's over; smile because it happened." -Dr. Seuss
With love,
Ms. Mitchell
<3 =)
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Saturday, May 25, 2013
Bonus Saturday packing post
Happy Saturday. I'm at school cleaning/packing/procrastinating.... actually, I'm taking a small lunch break and feeling the need to write. Just like when you're packing to move your home~ the labor stinks, but the job becomes quite cathartic. I've run across notes, trinkets and memories that have continued to live on over 17 years in this classroom, despite the occupants having moved on to bigger and better things in life. I guess I wanted you all to know because, while I might only have about 12 hours left of being your child's teacher, he/she will ALWAYS live on in my heart and in this classroom. I know that our last two days are going to be emotion-charged (there were already some tears on Friday) and bittersweet, but I just want you and your children to know that once I'm in their lives, I'm in for the long-haul. AKA: You're stuck with me forever (forrrrrrrrr----eeeevvvvvv------errrrrrrrr Sandlot style!!!)
Okay, I should hit 'publish' and get back to the fun of packing up.
But, before I do, I need to send a special thank you to an amazing Nonna. She sent this into school for me yesterday. Thank goodness I have one more week of stress eating (is that sentence a complete oxymoron, or what??). Grazie Nonna!!!
Okay, I should hit 'publish' and get back to the fun of packing up.
But, before I do, I need to send a special thank you to an amazing Nonna. She sent this into school for me yesterday. Thank goodness I have one more week of stress eating (is that sentence a complete oxymoron, or what??). Grazie Nonna!!!
Friday, May 24, 2013
Friday, 5/24/13
OMG------I wish you could have seen the lunch spread that was in the teachers' lounge today. Some of the second-grade parents (who are just about to complete their final year/s at Benson, that is....unless they get some news at the special doctor's someday......LOL! Easy for the single girl to joke about, right??) provided a VAST array of yummmmmmmminess for the staff for lunch. The food was amazing and completely appreciated, but beyond that, the kindness that was demonstrated in that act really does blow my mind. It is an insanely busy time for every single one of us this time of year (teachers and parents alike) and for people to find the time to communicate and coordinate and then actually shop, bake, cook, etc???? I haven't eaten a normal meal in weeks, and I don't even have a family filling all of my time, so I just don't know how they pulled it off! OHOHOH and!!! Some of the kids made cards to decorate the table. You know me well enough to know by now that I was fighting back the emotion that tends to show in my eyeballs. If you happened to be a part of the love and lovely, please know that there was nothing but gratitude and appreciation in that lunchroom today. THANK YOU!
And at the end of the day was my big Character Counts assembly! My theme was based on the song "Hall of Fame" by the Script (but I used the Glee version). So, I did "The Hall of Fame of Kindness and Character." The assembly was held in the gym so I had a Power Point of a story that I projected on a giant screen that hangs above our stage in the gym. The book I used was called Each Kindness. It was a story of a new student in a school who the others did not treat with kindness. I'd asked all of teachers to have their students color a mini template of a person. I had them do one side green (the side that would show if we were all the same) and the other side's only requirements were to have a brain and a heart, beyond that----simply drawings of things that represent the individual artist. I did a little schpeel about the green side--how boring if we were all the same, then about the decorated side and how that's what makes us each unique. Then I read the book. I took an idea I'd read in a chain email about how, once a paper is crumpled, it can never be made the same again. I asked the kids to do a small crumple to their paper every time the kids in the story treated the little girl poorly. Once the story was over I asked the kids to try to reflatten their person. Of course they couldn't (side-note: this morning one of my boys came up to me with a wrinkled math paper and told me that he wished they made an iron for paper-----proving once again that we are at the time in the school year when the kids can read my mind!!! My class is as in the dark about the assembly as all the others, so it wasn't like he had any inkling of my idea---kind of blew my mind!) Anyhow-----then I told a story you are all probably familiar with. I like to tell it at the assembly every few years because I find it incredibly impactful. It's, again, a story I'd seen via email years ago about a special needs child who wanted to play baseball. The boy's dad asked a team he saw playing while on a walk with his son one day if his son could step in for an inning or two. The kids obliged because they were losing by several runs and the game was nearly over. Flash forward: it's the kid's at-bat, the team has rallied and tied the game and the opposing team (who would win if this kid struck out) "fumbled" in the outfield to allow the boy to hit the ball, run the bases and win the game for the team. The all-time greatest story of kindness!! Once I got them all juiced up with that great story came the big moment: I started the music and played my coordinated PowerPoint of all of the kids' pictures in the school with the song "Hall of Fame." One day last week I went to all of the classrooms and took pictures of small groups of kids. I then made a PowerPoint with one giant pic per slide along coordinated with a lyric from the song. Viola! Cuteness with a message!! Whoa! What a day!! This girl's gonna sleep WELL tonight!!
I hope you all have an amazing long weekend. I may see some of you at the parade on Monday! Fingers are crossed for good weather!!
XOXO
And at the end of the day was my big Character Counts assembly! My theme was based on the song "Hall of Fame" by the Script (but I used the Glee version). So, I did "The Hall of Fame of Kindness and Character." The assembly was held in the gym so I had a Power Point of a story that I projected on a giant screen that hangs above our stage in the gym. The book I used was called Each Kindness. It was a story of a new student in a school who the others did not treat with kindness. I'd asked all of teachers to have their students color a mini template of a person. I had them do one side green (the side that would show if we were all the same) and the other side's only requirements were to have a brain and a heart, beyond that----simply drawings of things that represent the individual artist. I did a little schpeel about the green side--how boring if we were all the same, then about the decorated side and how that's what makes us each unique. Then I read the book. I took an idea I'd read in a chain email about how, once a paper is crumpled, it can never be made the same again. I asked the kids to do a small crumple to their paper every time the kids in the story treated the little girl poorly. Once the story was over I asked the kids to try to reflatten their person. Of course they couldn't (side-note: this morning one of my boys came up to me with a wrinkled math paper and told me that he wished they made an iron for paper-----proving once again that we are at the time in the school year when the kids can read my mind!!! My class is as in the dark about the assembly as all the others, so it wasn't like he had any inkling of my idea---kind of blew my mind!) Anyhow-----then I told a story you are all probably familiar with. I like to tell it at the assembly every few years because I find it incredibly impactful. It's, again, a story I'd seen via email years ago about a special needs child who wanted to play baseball. The boy's dad asked a team he saw playing while on a walk with his son one day if his son could step in for an inning or two. The kids obliged because they were losing by several runs and the game was nearly over. Flash forward: it's the kid's at-bat, the team has rallied and tied the game and the opposing team (who would win if this kid struck out) "fumbled" in the outfield to allow the boy to hit the ball, run the bases and win the game for the team. The all-time greatest story of kindness!! Once I got them all juiced up with that great story came the big moment: I started the music and played my coordinated PowerPoint of all of the kids' pictures in the school with the song "Hall of Fame." One day last week I went to all of the classrooms and took pictures of small groups of kids. I then made a PowerPoint with one giant pic per slide along coordinated with a lyric from the song. Viola! Cuteness with a message!! Whoa! What a day!! This girl's gonna sleep WELL tonight!!
I hope you all have an amazing long weekend. I may see some of you at the parade on Monday! Fingers are crossed for good weather!!
XOXO
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, 5/23/13
When I told you yesterday about the notorious village of Bonkersville, one of the exits I forgot to mention was to the Land of Never-ending Questions. Today when someone said my name, I said the following: "If you're going to ask me a question, I'm sorry, but I answered the final question of the year about 20 minutes ago. You see, every year Dr. Turner gives me a certain number of questions I can answer, and I reached my limit a little while ago. I'm so very, very sorry!" At this point in the year, the kids are onto my sense of humor, so they don't buy into my stand-up routines anymore. However, I kind of cracked myself up with that one, and thought I'd share because I'd hoped you'd see the humor as well. Feel free to use it if you find yourself traveling that road over the summer. LOL!
One more quick story:
Below are the shoes I wore today. The second school started I was busted up laughing, and I knew I'd have to share the story with you. One of the girls looked at my shoes and said, "Those are Tango shoes!!!" I thought that I must've heard her wrong (I thought she'd said "Tangled," as in the movie) so I asked her to repeat herself. Sure enough--it was Tango. I asked how she knew what the Tango was, and she, very proudly, told me, "I watch Dancing with the Stars!!" See, reality tv can be educational after all!! And in case you're wondering--yes, later on in the morning, I most definitely grabbed one of the kids and began a Tango. I had to......I was wearing Tango shoes!!! =)
One more quick story:
Below are the shoes I wore today. The second school started I was busted up laughing, and I knew I'd have to share the story with you. One of the girls looked at my shoes and said, "Those are Tango shoes!!!" I thought that I must've heard her wrong (I thought she'd said "Tangled," as in the movie) so I asked her to repeat herself. Sure enough--it was Tango. I asked how she knew what the Tango was, and she, very proudly, told me, "I watch Dancing with the Stars!!" See, reality tv can be educational after all!! And in case you're wondering--yes, later on in the morning, I most definitely grabbed one of the kids and began a Tango. I had to......I was wearing Tango shoes!!! =)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Wednesday, 5/22/13
I'm so very sorry that I've been M.I.A. My end-of-year schedule and (even more) my computer has been a major P.A.I.N.!!!! Which is no good for me, because writing to you each day has become my therapy. When my computer is not cooperating and my schedule is not allowing for therapy time, that means there's a slight chance I'm losing my mind. Luckily for all of us, time has slightly freed up today and our amazing computer lab aide gave me a solution to my computer glitch, so let the 50-minute session begin (you're not going to start charging me for services, right??)
So, we have a week to catch up on. Where to begin---I told you about the chicks. They went back to the farm on Friday. The kids came in on Monday to discovered I'd been in over the weekend and packed up 15 boxes for our big project this summer. Have I told you about that? The district had cashed in a bond that has to be used for building and grounds (I want to make that clear since we're in a budget crisis right now-the bond could NOT have been used to help balance our budget). So-----Benson is getting a bit of a face-lift this summer. The floors are being replaced, the paint is being redone and the front sidewalk is being relayed (repaved?? recementified???). I was on the committee to help choose the flooring and paint colors, so I'm bursting with anticipation to see what it will look like in August. What that means now, however, is that the entire classroom, top-to-bottom, left-to-right has to be packed up. Eek! No easy undertaking, but it will be soooo worth it! Of course, the thought of having to recreate a classroom from scratch in August gives me a slight ulcer, but I'm just not thinking about it. Maybe 'duh Nile IS just a river in Egypt!!!!???? Who am I to argue?
Other than that--let's see, the kids are in the midst of their annual end-of-the-year trip to Bonkersland. What's that? You've not heard of it? Let me give you a snapshot: nonstop talking, never-ending attaching themselves to their teacher, lamentations on how great their teacher is (okay, I'll sacrifice and allow that one to occur!!), the abandonment of all recollection of rules/expectations in the classroom and overall electric energy that cannot be subdued. I'm working my tail off to maintain structure and routine, but it's not exactly easy when we're at the end of all of the curricular materials, and I'm ready to hitch a ride to Bonkersland myself!!!
I'm feverishly finishing up my final two huge projects of the year---one being the gigantic, climactic Character Counts assembly I put on. I'm super excited about this year's theme and song. Fortunately I recently had an overnight trip to Bloomington, which meant a long car ride, which is typically when my best ideas surface. In theory, an activity I have planned is great and a bit impactful. Hopefully it will hold true when I bring the idea to life with 300 primary kids on Friday. Pray for me! LOL! Just kidding. I think it should be great. The song I chose has the h-e-double-hockey-sticks word in it, but I've just discovered software which will allow me to cut it out of the song. Isn't technology amazing! Now if only I could figure out how to burn the fixed-up song onto a disk. So far, that's been my only glitch. I've resolved myself to dealing with it if I have to play the song off of my computer . My sound isn't great, so hopefully I can track down some speakers somewhere to get that gym bumpin! And my final accomplishment of the year is a little gift for my kiddies. I can't wait to give it to them. I'll be putting the final touches on it tomorrow and then giving it to them on Tuesday. Yay!
Well, I've got more thoughts in my head, but I think I've made up for my lack-of-writing over the past week I hope all is well in your world.
So, we have a week to catch up on. Where to begin---I told you about the chicks. They went back to the farm on Friday. The kids came in on Monday to discovered I'd been in over the weekend and packed up 15 boxes for our big project this summer. Have I told you about that? The district had cashed in a bond that has to be used for building and grounds (I want to make that clear since we're in a budget crisis right now-the bond could NOT have been used to help balance our budget). So-----Benson is getting a bit of a face-lift this summer. The floors are being replaced, the paint is being redone and the front sidewalk is being relayed (repaved?? recementified???). I was on the committee to help choose the flooring and paint colors, so I'm bursting with anticipation to see what it will look like in August. What that means now, however, is that the entire classroom, top-to-bottom, left-to-right has to be packed up. Eek! No easy undertaking, but it will be soooo worth it! Of course, the thought of having to recreate a classroom from scratch in August gives me a slight ulcer, but I'm just not thinking about it. Maybe 'duh Nile IS just a river in Egypt!!!!???? Who am I to argue?
Other than that--let's see, the kids are in the midst of their annual end-of-the-year trip to Bonkersland. What's that? You've not heard of it? Let me give you a snapshot: nonstop talking, never-ending attaching themselves to their teacher, lamentations on how great their teacher is (okay, I'll sacrifice and allow that one to occur!!), the abandonment of all recollection of rules/expectations in the classroom and overall electric energy that cannot be subdued. I'm working my tail off to maintain structure and routine, but it's not exactly easy when we're at the end of all of the curricular materials, and I'm ready to hitch a ride to Bonkersland myself!!!
I'm feverishly finishing up my final two huge projects of the year---one being the gigantic, climactic Character Counts assembly I put on. I'm super excited about this year's theme and song. Fortunately I recently had an overnight trip to Bloomington, which meant a long car ride, which is typically when my best ideas surface. In theory, an activity I have planned is great and a bit impactful. Hopefully it will hold true when I bring the idea to life with 300 primary kids on Friday. Pray for me! LOL! Just kidding. I think it should be great. The song I chose has the h-e-double-hockey-sticks word in it, but I've just discovered software which will allow me to cut it out of the song. Isn't technology amazing! Now if only I could figure out how to burn the fixed-up song onto a disk. So far, that's been my only glitch. I've resolved myself to dealing with it if I have to play the song off of my computer . My sound isn't great, so hopefully I can track down some speakers somewhere to get that gym bumpin! And my final accomplishment of the year is a little gift for my kiddies. I can't wait to give it to them. I'll be putting the final touches on it tomorrow and then giving it to them on Tuesday. Yay!
Well, I've got more thoughts in my head, but I think I've made up for my lack-of-writing over the past week I hope all is well in your world.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Wednesday, 5/16/13
CHICKS! CHICKS! EVERYWHERE CHICKS!! (and I'm not even talking about the teachers!!!)
On Monday, after 21 long days of waiting, our first little guy started to pip, and before we knew it, we had chicks breaking out of their shells left and right. This event is, by far, one of the most exciting and anticipated of the entire year. The incubators are in the library every year so all of the Benson kids can come along on our adventure, but they learn at an early age that it is a 2nd-grade activity. This year I began getting questions about the chicks--when they'd arrive, what we'd do with them, on and on and on and on way back in August, so when I say this was a long-awaited event, it wasn't my typical hyperbole. And, you can probably understand why when you look at this:
They are nearly as cute as my kids, don't you think? They are DEFINITELY as loud! Of that I can guarantee!!!
Well, if any of you were at the meeting last night, you'll forgive me for being brief. This chick needs to sign off, get some work done and catch some zzzzzzzz's.
On Monday, after 21 long days of waiting, our first little guy started to pip, and before we knew it, we had chicks breaking out of their shells left and right. This event is, by far, one of the most exciting and anticipated of the entire year. The incubators are in the library every year so all of the Benson kids can come along on our adventure, but they learn at an early age that it is a 2nd-grade activity. This year I began getting questions about the chicks--when they'd arrive, what we'd do with them, on and on and on and on way back in August, so when I say this was a long-awaited event, it wasn't my typical hyperbole. And, you can probably understand why when you look at this:
They are nearly as cute as my kids, don't you think? They are DEFINITELY as loud! Of that I can guarantee!!!
Well, if any of you were at the meeting last night, you'll forgive me for being brief. This chick needs to sign off, get some work done and catch some zzzzzzzz's.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Monday, 5/13/13
If there's one thing I work to express to you guys, but probably can't ever do justice to, is just how much we laugh all day long in my classroom. When people say to me, "Oh, you teach 2nd grade? They're so cute at that age!!" I always cringe a little bit. Not because it's untrue--they are darn stinkin cute, but mainly because they are soooooo much more than cute. In fact, probably the main blessing of grade-level centers (in my humble opinion) is that 2nd graders are the big kids, so cute isn't really how they are primarily thought of around here--- leaders, responsible, intelligent, thinkers, and then somewhere down the line comes cute. My response when getting the 'cute' comment is to state that my favorite thing about 2nd graders is that they are so incredibly funny, but they don't even know it yet. They aren't trying to be "class clowns," they just say such amazing, ironic and sometimes misplaced comments that I can't help but have a huge belly-laugh at least once every single day. I, personally, think that humor is the great uniter. You can have different life views, different political views, different personalities altogether, but in just about all cases---funny is funny, especially when it comes from a second-grader's mouth.
One summer many years ago I was back in the classroom soon after school had let out for the summer. I like to come in and clean, purge, pack up, etc after the kids have gone, so that's why I was here. I kept finding little scraps of paper all around in my little nooks of the room--and they were things that the kids had said that had cracked me up. I decided at that time to begin a log to document all of the funny. I will forever regret that I did not start it at the beginning of my career and I will also regret that I have only captured snippets in the years since I've begun, but snippets are better than nothing. My friends tell me I should publish it---maybe someday.
I'll leave you with a note I just found from Friday when someone made me laugh. Somehow we'd been talking about tears----tears of joy. I can only assume someone asked me if I've cried tears of joy (many times I can't remember what came before the punchline because with second-graders they often come out of regular-old conversations, so please forgive my lack of set-up to the humor....) and this is what my darling second grader said to me: "Hang on, I'll get you an onion!"
Really? They'll get me an onion so I have tears??? How can I not laugh---those thinking skills?? That's talent right there------talent I'm starting to realize I'll only have for a very brief time, and so now I will sign off because despite the fact that there are no onions anywhere near me, I seem to be tearing up.
One summer many years ago I was back in the classroom soon after school had let out for the summer. I like to come in and clean, purge, pack up, etc after the kids have gone, so that's why I was here. I kept finding little scraps of paper all around in my little nooks of the room--and they were things that the kids had said that had cracked me up. I decided at that time to begin a log to document all of the funny. I will forever regret that I did not start it at the beginning of my career and I will also regret that I have only captured snippets in the years since I've begun, but snippets are better than nothing. My friends tell me I should publish it---maybe someday.
I'll leave you with a note I just found from Friday when someone made me laugh. Somehow we'd been talking about tears----tears of joy. I can only assume someone asked me if I've cried tears of joy (many times I can't remember what came before the punchline because with second-graders they often come out of regular-old conversations, so please forgive my lack of set-up to the humor....) and this is what my darling second grader said to me: "Hang on, I'll get you an onion!"
Really? They'll get me an onion so I have tears??? How can I not laugh---those thinking skills?? That's talent right there------talent I'm starting to realize I'll only have for a very brief time, and so now I will sign off because despite the fact that there are no onions anywhere near me, I seem to be tearing up.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Thursday, 5/9/13
Today was butterfly release day!!! The beautiful butterflies you see below came to us as teeny-tiny little caterpillars. We made them homes, fed them and watched them as they grew. (on a personal note, this time of year always surfaces a bizarre emotion for me: jealousy.....jealousy of caterpillars. Why, you might ask. Or, more likely, at this point in the year you're not asking, not surprised at all, but I'm going to tell you one way or the other. The caterpillar's only job in life it to eat and get bigger. My goal in life is to get smaller, and it is the most challenging thing ever, so I'm a tad jealous of a creature who is SUPPOSED to get bigger. ;) ) Eventually the caterpillars changed into their chrysalises right before our very eyes so we moved them from their little food-filled homes into the net that would soon allow the new butterflies the space needed to spread their wings. We anxiously awaited as the miracle inside the chrysalises took place, and then, soon enough-----we came into school to find that butterflies had emerged!!! We kept them in our classroom for a few days to observe, but then knew the time had come to release them to the flowers and open sky in which they belong. Any child who wanted one was given a butterfly to hold until we were outside in our school garden. The kids released them, ran around and watched the butterflies do their butterfly thing and I took in the moment of watching the kids enjoy this hands-on learning experience. Oh, and I captured some serious cuteness on film....... 
In other breaking news----------------Our class has a 9 piece puzzle that some of the kids have been bound-and-determined to solve. A 9 piece puzzle doesn't sound too difficult, that is until you try it. All four sides of each of the nine pieces have to match. They have been working on this puzzle for months. Recently those who have perservered have gotten as close as being just one piece away. Then today it happened! Check out these happy, and deservingly satisfied, faces:
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Tuesday, 5/7/13
To all of my fellow educators out there--Happy Teacher Appreciation Day!
It is nice to feel the love from parents and our principal. This year we volunteered for our PTO to donate their Teacher Appreciation budget to the school district. Despite that, a group of parents have come together to do really kind things for our entire staff. I posted some pictures of their creative and thoughtful way of making our Monday special yesterday.
Throughout the years I've received some very kind and touching tokens that let me know how much specific students/their parents appreciate the work that I've done for their children. It has given me a great awareness that there is no greater gift than someone letting another know what they mean to them. There is no salary, no bonus, no gesture greater than feeling appreciated for the work that one does. We all work so incredibly hard at what we do (I'm talking beyond teachers here----by all of us, I mean every single person out there). It is not easy when it feels thankless, but still we perservere because we know that working hard and working well is doing what is right. Then there are the times when someone lets you know that your efforts are not only recognized, but appreciated. Suddenly the work doesn't seem as challenging and the load not as heavy. If you haven't recently, please make time to the let the people in your life, your work, your family, etc know that they are appreciated. You never know when it will be just the spark that they need to push them through a difficult time!
It is nice to feel the love from parents and our principal. This year we volunteered for our PTO to donate their Teacher Appreciation budget to the school district. Despite that, a group of parents have come together to do really kind things for our entire staff. I posted some pictures of their creative and thoughtful way of making our Monday special yesterday.
Throughout the years I've received some very kind and touching tokens that let me know how much specific students/their parents appreciate the work that I've done for their children. It has given me a great awareness that there is no greater gift than someone letting another know what they mean to them. There is no salary, no bonus, no gesture greater than feeling appreciated for the work that one does. We all work so incredibly hard at what we do (I'm talking beyond teachers here----by all of us, I mean every single person out there). It is not easy when it feels thankless, but still we perservere because we know that working hard and working well is doing what is right. Then there are the times when someone lets you know that your efforts are not only recognized, but appreciated. Suddenly the work doesn't seem as challenging and the load not as heavy. If you haven't recently, please make time to the let the people in your life, your work, your family, etc know that they are appreciated. You never know when it will be just the spark that they need to push them through a difficult time!
 |
| A red carpet leading into the staff room. |
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| On the door |
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| What was waiting inside |
Friday, May 3, 2013
Friday, 5/3/13
Today was our long-awaited visit to Franzen! We left Benson at 10:45 and arrived to meet up with the 3rd grade pen pals in their classrooms. The kids were able to chat and visit for about 15 minutes (by the time we arrived and got settled), at which time the recess bell rang. Due to today's lovely weather, recess was indoors so the kids had more time to get to know each other in the close quarters of the classrooms. ;) Then we all headed into the gym for lunch. They discovered that lunch at Franzen runs very much like lunch at Benson. Once everyone's bellies were full, the third graders headed back to class and the second graders converged on the library. Mr. Murhpy took half of the 2nd graders on a tour of the school while the other half listened to stories read by Ms. Witt, the library teacher at Franzen. When the first tour was done, the groups flip-flopped. We were in the second group. The tour took us to see the 4th/5th grade wing and how the walls between their classrooms can open up if they want to have classes work together. We then went back to the 3rd grade wing, and Mr. Murphy gave us some additional informaiton about how third grade runs; we then took a quick jaunt through the office and headed out to see the mobile classrooms. Finally, we returned to the library where Mr. Murphy did a Q and A session for a little while.
The kids were very well behaved and Mr. Murphy gave them many compliments on how they acted. I think that Franzen always expects to see the "little kids" when we go over there, but then are pleasantly surprised by how great our "big kids" really are!! I hope you hear all about the adventure this weekend!!
The kids were very well behaved and Mr. Murphy gave them many compliments on how they acted. I think that Franzen always expects to see the "little kids" when we go over there, but then are pleasantly surprised by how great our "big kids" really are!! I hope you hear all about the adventure this weekend!!
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Wednesday, 5/1/13
When I was little, my mom would always have me bring some cuts from our lilac bush to my teacher on May Day. I loved doing it, but for some crazy little-kid reason, it completely embarrassed me that I had to carry them to my teacher with a wet paper towel wrapped in tin foil. Every now and then in the spring time, I get a little bouquet of freshly cut, paper toweled/tin foiled flowers, and I've got to tell you, it is BY FAR one of my favorite things on the planet!!!
I have a Facebook page specifically set up to remain in touch with former student and their parents. I posted this little story on there this morning and low-and-behold, look what I received this morning. Many, many thanks to the mom who read the post and sent her son to school with such a special surprise!
Life is so good! I hope that you made time to enjoy May Day in all of its foil-wrapped splendor!!
XOXO
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