I don't know about you, but I'm still not used to this 2013 thing. I don't think I've mistakenly written 2012 (yet), but it's more the look of it. I've never been overly superstitious (note the qualifier: 'overly' LOL!), but maybe it's the 13 thing??? Although that really doesn't make sense either because my favorite Bears player is Johnny Knox #13 (I know he's not playing anymore, but I love him!!) and my favorite Bulls player is Joakim Noah #13, so clearly I love that number, but for whatever reason seeing it as the date just looks bizarro to me. Maybe because it's an odd number, but I'm an odd chick, so I should love it under that logic. Maybe I'm illogical? Maybe I should stop thinking!
Today was what we call llllllooooooonnnnnngggggg!! Due to testing, our gym time was switched with another second-grade class. Normally we go at 12:40-1:10. Today we went from 9:45-10:15, and other than that minuscule moment in time, we were stuck with each other the whole rest of the day. I say 'stuck with each other' with nothing but love---the kids may disagree however; they may have wanted that afternoon break from me. =) For the most part, I was very pleased with how hard and quietly they were working, but when the cabin fever set in, it S.E.T. I.N.!! It's at times like that when I'm thankful that my brain can take in as much stimuli as it does. I always have no less than 5-7 children within 10 inches of me, who knows how many more talking at me and then of course, it's those who aren't right next to me or talking to me who I REALLY need to keep my eyes on. LOL! I'm exhausted right now. Exhausted, yet feeling pretty happy while writing this reflection. The kids did do good work and did show great kindness to each other throughout the day, despite the cabin fever. All of that being said---my present stream of consciousness is leading down a very dull path, so I'll do us all a favor and sign off now.
P.S. My first paragraph musings about the year were written first thing this morning. The second paragraph was obviously written after 4 p.m. Rereading them right now is kind of making me laugh. It pretty much sums up how the day was and how my brain operates. =)
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Monday, 1/28/13 aka 100s Day!!!
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| Entrance to our classroom today |
Can you believe that we've been in school for 100 (school) days???? It baffles my mind!! I can so clearly remember that not-yet-settled, new-class feeling from the first few weeks/months of school, and now we've become such a family. There's pretty much nothing I can't predict of the kids' behavior, and I'd be willing to bet they'd say the same of me. The kids have lived through my having laryngitis for 5 weeks, and I've lived through their...you name it!! LOL! We've laughed, we've cried (not at the same time, but I can guarantee most of us have shed at least one tear in this classroom at some point this year), and each and every one of us has grown in one way or another. We're on the "downhill" slope of the year, 77 (school) days left, to be exact, and I can't wait to see what each of them brings! Cheers!!!
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday, 1/25/13
Do any of you remember hoping for Schoolhouse Rock to come on during the commercials of the Saturday morning cartoons? I totally remember it, and now I have the joy of introducing the videos to my students. I was teaching pronouns a few weeks ago and showed them the clip on the Smartboard. They LOVED it!!
Today we did a big lesson on adjectives. I popped up some popcorn while the kids were in music class so the classroom was all popy-corny when they came back in. I had printed out some popcorn clip art and had the kids cut them out, and list 3 adjectives about popcorn on each. After they'd done that, they got to snack on the popcorn while watching the Schoolhouse Rock video about adjectives. On a funny sidenote: Of course there were those kids who simply could not think of any adjectives--so I told them that I'd get to eat anyone's popcorn who didn't have their listing done (sidenote for the sidenote: they know that popcorn is my very favorite thing ever)------shock of all shocks, the words started POPPING into their brains.
It was a FUN afternoon! That's how Friday's should be, right??
Stay safe this weekend, they're saying it's going to get icy, but I think a thaw might be on the way.
Adios mi amigos!!
Today we did a big lesson on adjectives. I popped up some popcorn while the kids were in music class so the classroom was all popy-corny when they came back in. I had printed out some popcorn clip art and had the kids cut them out, and list 3 adjectives about popcorn on each. After they'd done that, they got to snack on the popcorn while watching the Schoolhouse Rock video about adjectives. On a funny sidenote: Of course there were those kids who simply could not think of any adjectives--so I told them that I'd get to eat anyone's popcorn who didn't have their listing done (sidenote for the sidenote: they know that popcorn is my very favorite thing ever)------shock of all shocks, the words started POPPING into their brains.
It was a FUN afternoon! That's how Friday's should be, right??
Stay safe this weekend, they're saying it's going to get icy, but I think a thaw might be on the way.
Adios mi amigos!!
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Thursday, 1/24/13
Today I have a funny story for you. Before I get to the funny, I have to give you some background. Yesterday my eye was twitching in the middle of class. I told the kids that I loved Donkey in Shrek (one) for many reasons, but mainly because when he was getting stressed out he said, "Look at me, my eye is twitchin'," and my eye twitches when I'm stressed, so I fell in love with Donkey! (we just get each other!! ;) )
Here comes the funny--brace yourself:
This afternoon the kids were in the depths of making a (paper) snowman and this is what I overheard: "My eye is twitching........and I'm not even stressed!!!" Now, it could be because of said stress that I've been feeling, it could be cabin fever, it could be that it was the end of the day or, and this is probably it...because I find 2nd graders hilarious, but this was the best moment of my day. It cracked me up and gave me just the endorphins (don't you get endorphins from laughing??) I needed to get through the rest of the day.
If any of you are at tonight's PTO meeting and you suddenly see a smile come across my face at a random time---you'll know what I'm thinking about. =)
Have a good night!
Here comes the funny--brace yourself:
This afternoon the kids were in the depths of making a (paper) snowman and this is what I overheard: "My eye is twitching........and I'm not even stressed!!!" Now, it could be because of said stress that I've been feeling, it could be cabin fever, it could be that it was the end of the day or, and this is probably it...because I find 2nd graders hilarious, but this was the best moment of my day. It cracked me up and gave me just the endorphins (don't you get endorphins from laughing??) I needed to get through the rest of the day.
If any of you are at tonight's PTO meeting and you suddenly see a smile come across my face at a random time---you'll know what I'm thinking about. =)
Have a good night!
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Wednesday, 1/23/13
Today, due to having had Monday off of school, we had "switch day" today. On switch days, we essentially do our Monday schedule rather than our Wednesday schedule so that those specialists who missed seeing their classes on Monday don't get jipped of days by the end of the year. It's awesome for me because instead of a 30 minute prep time, I have a 45 minute prep time (time to make homework and use the bathroom!!)!! But let me lay it out to you as I did for the kids this morning: "Happy Wednesday that feels like a Tuesday that we're going to act like is a Monday." Needless to say, my brain is a little mushy right now.
Here's something else unbelievable------Monday is the 100th day of school. I think I mentioned to you back in the fall that once Halloween hits, the year flies by. We start saying, "I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already....Is it really time for the holidays?" and now it's 100's day, then it will be Valentines Day, St Patrick's day and spring break, and then viola, it's May! It's just startling how fast it goes by. I start to get a bit stressed because there's just so much to do, but it all works itself out eventually.
Today I gave the kids their health magazine. It is about muscles. I asked them to read it, make note of at least three things that they found interesting, weird, confusing, etc and we'd discuss them over the next few days. Oh my gosh, you could have heard a pin drop in here! It was the most amazing part of the day! Further evidence that we are getting further into the school year and my little cherubs are becoming incredibly intelligent and happily independent. It was a good moment for me!!
It started to snow nicely earlier this afternoon, but I guess it has now stopped. I'm kind of bummed. I like it when there's a nice solid layer of white to cover the dead grass that I look out on every day. Maybe I should shut my pie hole because I think that this is right around the time we had a big blizzard a couple of years ago (but we also had 2 snow days that year!! You wanna talk about a happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and while that was fun, I'm kind of enjoying every day that goes by that I don't have to lug out the snow blower or pay the plow guy. See what happens when my brain gets mushy--I ramble on and become quite indecisive. I'll sign off for tonight and end your torture.
Have a good night!!
Here's something else unbelievable------Monday is the 100th day of school. I think I mentioned to you back in the fall that once Halloween hits, the year flies by. We start saying, "I can't believe it's Thanksgiving already....Is it really time for the holidays?" and now it's 100's day, then it will be Valentines Day, St Patrick's day and spring break, and then viola, it's May! It's just startling how fast it goes by. I start to get a bit stressed because there's just so much to do, but it all works itself out eventually.
Today I gave the kids their health magazine. It is about muscles. I asked them to read it, make note of at least three things that they found interesting, weird, confusing, etc and we'd discuss them over the next few days. Oh my gosh, you could have heard a pin drop in here! It was the most amazing part of the day! Further evidence that we are getting further into the school year and my little cherubs are becoming incredibly intelligent and happily independent. It was a good moment for me!!
It started to snow nicely earlier this afternoon, but I guess it has now stopped. I'm kind of bummed. I like it when there's a nice solid layer of white to cover the dead grass that I look out on every day. Maybe I should shut my pie hole because I think that this is right around the time we had a big blizzard a couple of years ago (but we also had 2 snow days that year!! You wanna talk about a happy dance!!!!!!!!!!!!!) and while that was fun, I'm kind of enjoying every day that goes by that I don't have to lug out the snow blower or pay the plow guy. See what happens when my brain gets mushy--I ramble on and become quite indecisive. I'll sign off for tonight and end your torture.
Have a good night!!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, 1/22/13
Well, despite it being the coldest day in two years, this was a good Tuesday that felt like a Monday. I don't know about you, but after a breakfast meeting yesterday, I was home curled up on the couch loving all of the Inauguration stuff. Yupp----Dorky McDorster strikes again!! Regardless of political affiliations, the pride, honor and tradition shown on Inauguration Day is just striking!! Did you see Joe Biden's bible??? OMG, that was, by far, the biggest bible I've ever seen (and I attend Catholic church!!). And did you see Martin Luther King Jr's bible? I was struck by how worn and loved that it was. There were just too many amazing things yesterday with it being MLK Day and the Inauguration; I even found myself getting choked up now and then. This country, regardless of how frustrating it can be at times, is truly the greatest place on earth! Hands down, no contest! The VERY BEST!!! Oh, oh, oh---and Beyonce??? Girl worked it! And Kelly Clarkson!!! That girl's got pipes!! Wowzers!!!
Today the kids took the Children's Progress assessment in the computer lab. I did a brief review of their scores and was pretty happy with what I saw. I also found an area that I need to bulk up my instruction on, so it was doubly beneficial to check those score right away. We will be sending the scores home in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know when it gets closer so you can be on the lookout.
That's it for now. I have to go clean up, get things graded and prepare myself (and whatever it is that freezes inside the nasal area...LOL!) for the arctic air.
Have a warm night, and be sure to send up a thought of thanks that you have a roof over your head and heat in your vents. Some are not so lucky, and remember there is never anything too small to say thank you for!!
Today the kids took the Children's Progress assessment in the computer lab. I did a brief review of their scores and was pretty happy with what I saw. I also found an area that I need to bulk up my instruction on, so it was doubly beneficial to check those score right away. We will be sending the scores home in about 2 weeks. I'll let you know when it gets closer so you can be on the lookout.
That's it for now. I have to go clean up, get things graded and prepare myself (and whatever it is that freezes inside the nasal area...LOL!) for the arctic air.
Have a warm night, and be sure to send up a thought of thanks that you have a roof over your head and heat in your vents. Some are not so lucky, and remember there is never anything too small to say thank you for!!
Friday, January 18, 2013
Friday, 1/18/13
It's Friday!! It's Friday!! Are you doing a happy dance with me??? Not only is it Friday, but it's the Friday of a long weekend, which could not have come at a more perfect time. The other night I was cashed out on the couch by 9:00----my brain clearly needs rest so I'm grateful that this day off is finally here. People always give teachers a hard time about their days off, but I'm here to tell you, if it wasn't for an occasional extra day to rest and regroup, not many people would survive this profession with the strength and grace that it requires. So, cheers to Dr. King!!! Not only because of our day off, but most importantly because of how he led our country to change. Even when I'm reading books and teaching the kids about this time in our country's history, I find it hard to imagine what it must've been like back then. I love the History Channel, and particularly things about that time in our country; so much turmoil, yet so much change and strength. I can only hope that these tumultuous times that we are living in now will also go down in history as a time of positive and forward-moving change. I don't think you can know that its happening when you're in the eye of the storm, but hopefully with time comes perspective. (How do you like that, I'm getting all philosophical on ya for a Friday, eh?)
We will be taking the test on double-digit subtraction with regrouping (aka borrowing) next week. If you have time to fit in some practice, that sure would be great. The kids have picked up the concept, but it's one of those that needs much practice before it is concretely cemented in their brains (how redundant was that??). If you need a little "trick," we use the following in class: BBB Which means: "If the BIGGER number is on the BOTTOM (in the one's place), then you must BORROW." I encourage the kids to write BBB on the top of their papers--some do, some don't, most need to. It's very very helpful, especially when they remember it. ;)
I'm off to start my weekend! Enjoy yours and stay warm!! I hope that this cold sufficiently kills off all of the flu germs floating around and all of the box-elder bugs that are hibernating. I had a horrible lot of them last fall and they said on the news that it was because we never got a good solid freeze last winter--so now I really want a "good, solid freeze!!"
We will be taking the test on double-digit subtraction with regrouping (aka borrowing) next week. If you have time to fit in some practice, that sure would be great. The kids have picked up the concept, but it's one of those that needs much practice before it is concretely cemented in their brains (how redundant was that??). If you need a little "trick," we use the following in class: BBB Which means: "If the BIGGER number is on the BOTTOM (in the one's place), then you must BORROW." I encourage the kids to write BBB on the top of their papers--some do, some don't, most need to. It's very very helpful, especially when they remember it. ;)
I'm off to start my weekend! Enjoy yours and stay warm!! I hope that this cold sufficiently kills off all of the flu germs floating around and all of the box-elder bugs that are hibernating. I had a horrible lot of them last fall and they said on the news that it was because we never got a good solid freeze last winter--so now I really want a "good, solid freeze!!"
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