Monday, 9/30/13

Happy Monday! Our class went on the field trip to Usher Park today for the VFW's flag retirement ceremony. I wanted to share the pictures I'd taken with you, but I'm struggling to get them to arrange in any sort of order. Sorry for the messiness. Don't you just love how beautiful Usher Park is, particularly the portion that honors the veterans? I wanted to be sure and capture it for you to see.  And perhaps in the dead of winter we can remember to look back at this gorgeous day and feel a little warmth from it.

The field trip was a completely success. The kids did an amazing job of walking politely and staying off of the lawns. When we arrived, they noticed that the fire trucks and ambulance were parked on the street. Initially they were concerned, but I explained how the firefighters and EMTs were there for the ceremony just as we were, but they have to travel together in their trucks in case there were to be an emergency. Ironically enough, right as we were leaving, everyone's sirens went on and they were off to take care of someone somewhere. Thank goodness for them!!!

The ceremony itself was beautiful! The veterans took turns teaching the kids things varying from the history of our flag, to explaining our Pledge of Allegiance, to the meaning behind each fold of the properly folded flag. It's an odd thing to explain to kids that the flag is burned when the time has come for its retirement; the best I can do to make it make sense is to explain that it's better to have it return to ashes than to have it be tossed into a garbage can. That explanation seems to suffice, thank goodness! Check out the perfect morning we had:

 I'm not going to mention the Bears game, except to say that at least they seemed to regroup and put themselves together a bit better in the second half. They may not have won, but they didn't go down without a fight. There's definitely a lesson in there. Thank goodness there's always next week.....

Friday, 9/27/13

Yikes! What a week!!! I set up the page to write my blog every single morning, and then every morning I'd come in and delete the date from the day before and write the current day's date. And here it is Friday, and I haven't written since Monday. I'm beyond ready for the weekend!!! And before I forget, let me do this first:

GGGGGOOOOOOOOOO BBBBBBBBEEEAAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Phew! Now, on to the business of the day~ Today was Special Friends' Day! It's always so cute to see the adults come in who haven't hung out in a second-grade classroom in a very long time. I like to watch the expression on their faces as they have one hour to let the adult junk go to the back of their brains and just enjoy spending time hanging out with someone they love. To be honest, back in the day I'd do some big ol' lesson, but with time I've re-evaluated and decided to still do an activity to make the kids (and friends) think, but I really the time should be about them and their special friends. It's one of the best decisions I've made. Seeing the interaction that occurs is so heart-warming. And today was a doubly exciting Special Friends' Day because two of my former students were here!! It is beyond amazing for me to see these little people who I spent a very special year with grow up into intelligent, caring, beautiful big people!! <3

Well, I'm outta here--time to get the weekend started! Enjoy, it's supposed to be beautiful!!

Monday, 9/23/13

Happy autumn! This is my kind of weather!! I love the little crisp in the air, but not too much. Just enough for a sweatshirt and flip flops. Just enough that a hot cup of coffee (pumpkin, of course) can make the morning feel snuggly and right. Just enough that once the sun comes up, the crisp is gone and the day is utter perfection. I'm drinking it all in before the tides turn and my flip flops are locked away for the season (although I've definitely worn them in the snow before--but only on pedicure days).

How about that game last night? I'm an award show junky, so the game being opposite the Emmy's was a bit tough, but I just DVR'd the awards and watched them during the commercials. I almost turned the channel as the game got close during the 4th quarter, and I was afraid I was jinxing them, but alas----put another W on the board. My classroom graph is looking quite stunning, I must say!!

Today the kids did their first round of Children's Progress testing (the other 2 will come later in the year: winter and spring). I was able to jump online and do some preliminary investigating of their scores, and I was sooooo pleased! Were there some kids who need a little boost here and there? Of course, how could there not be? But overall, my little brainiacs did amazingly. I'm a proud mama bear teacher today!!! And this even came after I'd given a math test this morning (which they also rocked!!). Not  the most exciting Monday that has ever existed, but none-the-less a good one academically. =)

Lastly, I hope to see many of you at tonight's IPTO meeting at Franzen. It's at 7:00. Our IPTO does such amazing things for our kids, they are such a gift to this district! Please come out and get involved, or just to come and get out of the house for an hour or two. There are always some good laughs. The parents involved are as sweet as can be, and it's always nice to see fresh faces. Plus, I'll be there, and as you've seen I'm pretty good at making some goofball statement when speaking to a large group, so if nothing else, come out for the show. LOL!

Have a great night!

Friday, 9/20/13

Last week we had our first journal reading. It's a time when the kids can have the spotlight and read something that they've written during the week. Not to mention, it's a little introduction to public speaking. I figure, if they can get the jitters out and see it's not so bad when they're 7, maybe something will carry over into their adult lives. Anyhow, last week the kids were completely nervous, but I promised them that they'd wind up loving it because all of my classes always have before them. Sure enough, all this week, they've been asking when our next journal reading would be. Well, it was today!!! The kids were so excited all day, and then when it was time for them to read, they did such a great job! Of course there were those who are still a bit apprehensive, but I'm positive that after a few more times of getting up there and feeling the pride of sharing an original piece of writing, all of the good feelings will overtake the nerves. I'm so proud of them!

I hope you have a lovely weekend! Don't you find yourself cherishing weekends like this as the summer comes to a close? We know what's right around the corner, so these last few weekends of 70's and sunny are like little gifts to be cherished until we all begin our hibernation.

And without further adieu--let's hear it:   GOOOOOO BBBBEEEEEAAAAARRRRRSSSSS!!! I have friends who are going to the game in PA! My friend Mike is one of the biggest Bears fans I know, and he has wisely taught his wife and first son to be as well. Their second son however, randomly grew up a Steelers fan and married his high-school sweetheart, who of course is sure to cheer for the Steelers as well. They are all venturing out for the game and to see who in their family comes out victorious. I adore their son (who I've known since he was itty bitty) but for the only time in his life--I'm going to be rooting against him. Get it Bears!!!! We've got a rivalry to settle here!! =)

Wednesday, 9/18/13

I hope that you heard about the big reveal of our newest topic in science yesterday: DINOSAURS! It started with the world's longest version of 20 Questions that has ever been played (it was more like 20 cubed questions) but that's okay, as long as there was some deductive thinking being developed, I was okay with it. Later we started to explore a dinosaur smartboard activity that I'd discovered. Overall, it was a dino-rific day!! =)

I started this blog earlier today and somehow it is suddenly 4:45 and thundering furiously outside, so I'll be somewhat brief. We continued the dinosaur smartboard activity today. Every child was able to come up at least twice and use the smartboard to move words, make patterns, spin dice or pop balloons. It's the coolest!!!

Today was school picture day. It is one of my very favorite days--the kids come in looking (and sometimes even smelling) fantastic. Their hair is combed and cute, their outfits are perfect and everyone gets excited seeing each other all fancied up. Then it's always hilarious to see what happens right after it's our classes turn and the pics are completed: the boys all go and change their clothes. Too funny! I love this job!!!

Monday, 9/16/13

I came into our room first thing this morning and a warm feeling came over me. The kids came in, sat down and got right to it on their morning work. No reminders needed from me. No need to ask them to quiet down. It was dreamy! We're still working on those skills throughout the rest of the day, but for the first thing on a Monday morning, that was quite spectacular.

I recently got great news that we were invited to the local VFW's flag retirement ceremony. It will be held at Usher Park at the end of the month. I've taken my class in the past, and it is a very lovely experience.

Just another reminder that our picture day was moved from Sept. 25 to THIS WEDNESDAY, the 18th.

BTW--did you see that Bears game?????????? Holy Moly!

Friday the 13th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So! I went to Dunkin Donuts this morning:

Desperately needed caffination and hydration

But I wasn't the only one! I had to drive around the parking lot a few times to get a place in the drive-thru line! It was backed onto Irving!!! Not good! My patience was short, but then I got my coffee and tea and felt much better. THEN when school started, I went to grab my coffee off of my table, and one of my darling little angels said, "That's from me." I looked and saw 2 coffee cups! She'd brought me coffee. Is that not the cutest thing ever?? I heard from her mom that it was all her idea, and I heard from another teacher that when asked about it, she hugged the cup tight and told that other teacher that the coffee she had was for HER teacher!! I LOVE my job!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank all of you who made it out last night. Curriculum Night is such a mix of feelings for me. It is so great because I get to meet the majority of my kids' parents, but I'm so much better at just having a conversation than trying to cover topics on a "formal" agenda and I wind up jumbled and tongue-tied. I just hope that you all gained a better appreciation for the learning and fun that goes into your child's school days.

And here's a story that will shock very few of you (especially if you were in my first session last night). Today we had a fire drill. No biggie, right? We've had our initial one for the year; so this one was a run-of-the-mill drill. (how'd you like that rhyme??) What was different was that my class was with the music teacher. When the alarm when off, I was in the office, so I headed out the front doors to the sidewalk and then watched my students come out the other set of doors and down the same sidewalk, but not to the same location where I was. In the few seconds when I was standing outside anxiously waiting seeing them exit the building I was oddly (or not-so-oddly now that you know me a bit better) taken by a bit of emotion. I didn't really like that I wasn't with them. Now, I'm going to tell you that there have been many times that I have been through drills when I wasn't with my class, so I'm pretty sure it was the tiredness that was living in my eyes today that contributed to that sensation, but I think it also had to do with the reality that we were all forced to face last December in Connecticut. My reaction kind of took me back. I guess you really do continue to learn about yourself when you're paying attention, huh?  Well, I'll tell you what---by the time they got back in the building I was waiting by the music room to take them back to class and they gave me the "what-for"!! I was asked by nearly every single one of those kids why I didn't warn them! Humph!! Shoulda known-----schooled by second graders again!! (I explained, of course, that we have to practice with surprise drills so Dr. Turner can see that we all know what to do....never a dull moment!!)

My final thought, so that we can keep the winning streak alive: GOOOOOO BEEEAAAARRRRSSSS!!!!

Thursday, 9/12/13

I love the fall--the cool nip in the air, the leaves changing color and PUMPKIN takes over the world!!!!!!!!! I love pumpkin flavored anything!!! I heard a commercial this morning that Dunkin Donuts' pumpkin coffee is back! I'm so excited! Once my birthday came and went, I went back to avoiding sugar. I don't know why, but it really is not my friend despite my continuous desires for it to be, and I'm finally at a point in which I have to accept that bitter truth. BUT the DD pumpkin coffee with a bit of cream is my answer to that craving. There's no sugar (oh please oh please don't anyone tell me that there is!!) but it makes my tastebuds and brain feel happiness in the same way that evil sugar does. I even asked Santa for the DD pumpkin kcups last year. He hooked me up. They weren't the same as getting it straight from that wonderful land-o-donuts, but they were still good. I know where I'm going before school tomorrow!! Can you tell I'm little bit excited??

And the reason I'll need to stop for coffee tomorrow? Because tonight is Curriculum Night! I can't believe that we haven't had it yet. I feel like we've all settled so nicely into the year, that it's sometimes surprising to me that we're only on the 16th day of school. I'm excited to see all of my new (and some former) parents tonight. Please remember that this event is for parents only, however there will be child care in the gym provided by the park district.

Okay--I started writing this earlier in the day and then never got back to it before now and I've got to do some final touches before you all arrive at 6:30. See you soon!!! =)

Wednesday, 9/11/13

I went into my blog archives and pulled this out because I knew what I wanted to write would not have changed much from one year ago today. I hope that you all had time to feel some peace and reflection today. <3

It's hard not to reflect on the exact moment-by-moment memories I have of 12 years ago today. Every morning as I walk up to the doors to enter school, I always take a quick second to take in the fresh air. I don't often have a major thought in my head, but I can distinctly remember noticing the color blue that the sky was that day. It was an unusual blue, one that I haven't seen many times since, despite always looking for it. I was in a hustle to get out my thank you notes from my birthday. I had made the cards so I was running late and needed to get some addresses--those were my big thoughts of the moment. Then everything stopped and life changed. I found myself in the Benson library watching everything unfold on a tv which had been set up after hearing of the first plane hitting.   I don't remember if we had the internet in our rooms back then, but I do remember feeling very trapped in my classroom, unable to find out what was going on in the world and if, as we strongly suspected, something was going to happen in Chicago. Occassionally we'd pop our heads out of our rooms hoping someone was in the hallway to tell us if anyone had heard anything new, meanwhile maintaining a calm poker face with the kids. The event had happened just before the kids had left to come to school that morning, so some knew about it when they got here. I can remember the first student in the room with me that morning. By a strange coincidence, I'd known her aunt---her aunt who worked in Washington D.C. at the time, so we had a moment while talking about "Aunt Amy." Understandably the kids had many questions, and I'd not had time to process it all myself, so I wasn't even sure how best to answer them. At the time I was still watching MTV before school everyday; didn't pay much attention to world news at all. That's definitely changed, I've been addicted to the news ever since. Without a doubt, any growing up I had left to do, happened immediately on 9-11-01. My parents live in Dayton, Ohio and I can remember talking to them that night on the phone, hearing a sonic boom over the phone from the air force base that is in Dayton and being terrified. It's so strange to think how blissfully naive I was before that day.

Well, soon after I'd been able to process the events and we were moving forward in their wake, I had my class painting American flags to hang in our classroom. I'd had Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" on constant rotation in my classroom and we were all singing along. One of my students suggested to me that I should record them singing and from there----like a burst in my brain----an idea came. I'd been feeling very strongly that the school needed to do something to help out. Just to help us all feel as thought we'd contributed in some way to the healing of our country. That was it! Record the kids!! And from there, a CD was created. With help from the staff at all three buildings, it had every single District 10 student on it. It had the Itasca firefighters and police on it. It had the Peacock band's patriotic concert on it and some students' personal reflections on the events and our country. It was AMAZING! (it was also the time I could no longer fit in working out and eating right so I ballooned up and have battling my way back ever since) The PTOs, school board and superintendent at the time fully supported and funded the project, and because of them, 100% of the money went to a fund specifically for the children who lost parents that day. Over $9,000!!! On the one-year anniversary I sent copies of the CD to all of the schools within one mile of Ground Zero so they knew we were out here in Itasca still thinking of them and would never forget.

Probably much like you, I've found it hard to let thoughts of that day stray too far from my brain today, especially as I look out my classroom windows to the park district's flag blowing in the wind at half staff. It sure is a beautiful flag!!  Proud to be an American!!! <3


Tuesday, 9/10/13

Is anyone else finding it hard to not think about the fact that tomorrow is September 11th? I remember when I went to write the date of our Nature Center field trip onto my calendar, I had to stop for a second as the thought crossed my mind that maybe we should reschedule. I don't know why, but the thought of going on a fun field trip on that day seemed a bit wrong to me. Then I thought back to 2001. I remember that my class went on our Nature Center trip on the Friday after it happened, and one of the greatest things occurred while we were there---the Nature Center teacher had to point up, which you probably know when at the Nature Center, that is the sign for "I can't talk right now, there's a plane flying over, so I'll continue after it's passed." I clearly remember us getting so excited after the instructor instinctively pointed up from hearing a plane. It was the first time we'd heard a plane in several days, and that was symbolic that something was slightly, albeit, very slightly going back to "normal." I've never, ever felt that those planes and their noise were a nuisance ever since that day, and with that memory in my head, I dismissed my initial hesitation to reschedule our trip. Tomorrow I will swallow the lump in my throat and feel joy as I hear and watch planes passing over our heads.

On an academic note--the kids took their first math test yesterday. Our math tests have a bit of a different format to them, so I was careful to give instructions for each item before letting the kids start. I graded them last night and was soo pleased with how well they did. Of course, it is always a wise move to review a test when it comes home with your child, especially if he/she missed any items. You want to be sure that the concepts are firmly cemented into their big brains. The beginning of the year the concepts are not incredibly complex, but they build upon each other, and before you know it, things get tough, so as with anything else, a firm foundation sets everyone up for future ease and success.

One more Nature Center reminder----we venture out tomorrow afternoon, pending weather conditions (this morning I heard Paul Konrad mention that we might have storms....). I haven't heard how the bug situation is this season, but it's always better to be safe than sorry and apply repellent at home under your child's clothing. Please do not send repellent to school, we are not allowed to apply it here. Please have your child wear comfy shoes. I myself, would much rather be in flip flops, but alas, they are not the wise choice on a day which we are walking to our destination, then trucking through dirt and twigs and grasses while field tripping, so tennis shoes it will be.

Have a wonderful evening!

Monday, 9/9/13

Well, how'd you like that game? I had a ton of work to do, so I plopped it all down on the couch and put the game on. I looked up once in a while, like for Gould's record-breaking kick, but other than that, I couldn't give it the attention that it deserved, other than to know it was a W!!! I make a graph in the classroom for the Bears games, but wouldn't you know it, the materials I need for it are M.I.A. A consequence of the move. No problem-I can remake them, it's just not gonna happen today. =)

This afternoon we did some browsing at the book fair. Our 'buy' time is on Wednesday, so if there are any books on your child's list which you'd like him/her to buy, please send in the titles and money on Wednesday. Just FYI-the book fair will also be open on Thursday night, so if you want to do the shopping, you'll have the opportunity. Oh, and one more FYI: I gave the kids a little schpeel that they need to be okay with the answer of "no" if that's what their parents say when they ask for money. I asked them to be cool about it, and as a back-up plan, they could pick a book that they really, really want and then ask if there are any chores that they can do to earn the money. I again told them that they need to be okay and not have a fit if the answer is "no," but I wanted to let you know in case your child is suddenly asking to clean a bathroom or take out the garbage. LOL!

In case you haven't heard---Curriculum Night is Thursday. Have I bugged you enough about it yet? It's just such a great opportunity for us to meet, for you to hear about how I run my classroom, grading system, etc, and to see your child's home-away-from-home. Not to mention, I always feel like once we've had Curriculum Night and you've met me----you can "hear" my voice when I'm writing you emails, my weekly note or this blog. In the past I've heard that my students do impressions of me at home, and don't you want to know if they've got it right or not? You do---so I'll see you on Thursday!! ;)

Well, that's about it for a Monday. I just realized that I didn't send the kids with the just-right book that was on the weekly note, so I'm going to go and write an apology email. Mondays----they get the best of me every time! Have a great night!!

Friday, 9/6/13

Happpppyyyyyy Frrrriiiiiiiiiiddaaayyyyyy!!!!!!!!!

Ugh---just as I wrote this it occured to me that yet another week has gone by when I forgot to send reminder notes for kids who may be missing some of their school supplies. I even found a cute note on Pinterest to use. Apparently I need a reminder note that reminds me to send out my reminder note!! I'll hopefully remember to do it next week. I'm so irritated with myself right now!

Onto happier things----and hold on, because I promise this is a happy one. We had our first fire drill today. I'm the kind of teacher that wants to give the kids time to think about, process and ask questions about things like safety drills, so we spent a long, loooooonnngg time discussing my responsibilities during the drill, as well as theirs. I assured them with my entire heart that the only thing that I ever care about is keeping them safe while they are at school, so they have nothing in this world to worry about, ever!!! Of course we slip some math, reading, writing, etc in, but more than anything else, I will be certain that they are safe when they are in my care. So, after all of the chit chat and preparation, eventually, the alarm sounded. The kids were perfect!! They walked out quietly and went right to our spot. When we came back in, I gave them tons of compliments. I only requested that next time they speed it up a bit. They kind of walked outside like they were going on a leisurely stroll. Our classroom is closest to the outside doors, so I explained that we have to hustle out so that the other 80+ children can get out behind us. They got it---next time will be perfection. I was seriously, beyond proud! We've only been in school for 13 days and it feels like we're becoming a well-oiled machine.

On another Happy Friday note: have you ever been surprised by a random act of kindness? I was today! I'm telling you---there's nothing better than the discovery that someone (and in my case, it was someone I haven't even met yet) was thinking of you. I'll just say this-----they say that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, and in my years of experience, I've seen this theory proven true again and again (and again!!), and today was evidence of it. I was surprised by the parent of one of my new students. In our short time together, I've seen my student go out of her way to help others and make them feel good, and now I see where she gets it from. =)

And now to my superstition that I eluded to yesterday:

GOOOOOOO BBBBEEEEEAAARRRRRSSSS!!! (Last year, at least for the beginning of the season, when I'd add my rally cry to my blog, the Bears would win. Then one week I forgot and they lost. I picked back up the following week and they won again for several weeks. Then the season fell apart, and for that, I accept no blame, cuz I kept up my end of the bargain. LOL!)  Can't wait to see our team's first big win on their 2013 road to the Superbowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Holla!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, 9/5/13

I love this job! Oh my gosh I love this job!! When people say to me "Oh, you teach second-grade, kids are so cute at that age!" I say, "Yes, they are very cute," (and I want to tell them all of the OTHER things that they are, which include but are sooooo not limited to, being cute), and then I tell them that the very best part of my job is that second graders are HILARIOUS people, and they don't even know it!!! That is why I love, love, love my job, and today I had a belly laugh to remind me of that. =)

Onto business: In your child's mail today you should have seen a memo telling you that Benson's picture day has been changed from Sept. 25th to Sept. 18th. Mark your calendar for one of the best days of the year!! (the kids are always sooo cute and sometimes even smell really good)

Yesterday I sent home a permission slip for next week's nature center trip. Please sign that puppy and return it to me as soon as you can. Thanks!

The clock is ticking past 5:30, and I've gotta get cleaned up and outta here. I'm so sorry to be brief. I feel like my blog has been a big snooze since school started-I'm so sorry!! There are just starting-school meetings and not too much action yet, so I'm not yet into my groove.

Tomorrow, however, I already know one thing that the superstitious part of me will need to blog. Stay tuned.... (I know, you're totally on pins and n

Monday, 9/3/13

This is my one-year Blog-iversary! I began my classroom blog on year ago. I remember being so nervous about it: Was I doing it right? Would anyone read it? Would my writing be too rambling?? The answer to all of my questions was yes, yes and yes! The biggest stumbling block I came across was when we had a perfectly "normal" day, therefore there wasn't much to report. Fortunatley, that doesn't happen too often in here. We are anything but "normal"!! And I wouldn't want it any other way! So--what's new today? Well, it's a crazy beautiful day, so how could I not want to take the kids out for some recess. That thought had crossed my mind before school even started, then it started, and they had me at hello! Every single one of my "new" studnets came into this classroom first thing this morning with out a peep, NOT AS MUCH AS A PEEP of noise! They came in, took down their chairs, sat down and got right to work on their morning work. That, my friends, is what this gal calls heaven! I was soo proud and impressed! Okay, a skeptic might say, but it was the morning after a long weekend, perhaps they were tired. Yes, I'd say to that skeptic, that thought may have crossed my mind as well, but then, the morning kept ticking away and not once did I have to remind them to quiet down and/or get to work. At the risk of pulling a major jinx---I'm going on a limb and saying that this class is dreamy! Last week I'd begun an incentive with the class. Each team (there are 5) has a card hanging up and when I see a team doing really well, I give them a tally. The team at the end of the day with the most tallies, wins. By late morning, no team had a tally, and I began to sense that the no-tally thing might be confusing them because they'd been so perfect, so I stopped what I was doing for a little explanation. I equated it to a baseball pitcher's no-hitter, aka a perfect game. I explained that the tallies are actually used for two reasons: 1. to reward teams which are going well, but mainly to remind the other teams that they need to step it up. If there are no tallies given out, it's because the entire class is doing so incredibly well, that no one needs a remidner to step it up, therefore everyone deserves a reward!! And viola! That is why we spent the final 15 minutes of school outside breathing the clean, fresh air and watching kids running around being kids. Dreamy! Have a lovely night!