Saturday, January 28, 2012
100 Days!
I took on the organization of 100s day this year since the teacher who usually does it had her baby 2 days before. I pretty much took what we always do and emailed it to everyone as well as making sure everyone had the supplies they needed. I think it was success and there were compliments. On a side but still related note, The district is having a firm from Australia come and align all of our curriculum. They are visiting all the schools, observing classrooms, and talking to teachers and administrators. He chose Friday to come visit us. If his goal was to see us with our typical routines and curriculum, he didn't get what he came for. I don't really know what kind of report we will get but the 10 minutes that he observed my class my kids were listening so that's good. I didn't see him around in the afternoon for the craziness of all these activities but maybe he'd seen enough. Or our principal hid him away. I'm not really sure. Thankfully, he was gone by the time the fire alarm puller dropped his pants and took a whiz on the playground for all to see. Yes, it happened. No, I'm not surprised. It was pretty much the perfect way to end the week. The principal wasn't even going to tell me what happened. He just looked at me and said, "No, I'm not even going to tell you. You don't even want to know. I'll deal with it and you have a great weekend!" I did find out of course because my students are 5 and tell me everything that happens but I am still enjoying the weekend and hoping for his sake that it's a better week next week. We both need it.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
An Addition
Last week, I got a new student that per his IEP has to have a full time aide. So, now I have an extra person in my room all the time! It's different because I'm usually a one man show and I'm just not used to having extra hands. It's also a sub aide and not the permanent person. I have no idea when they will hire someone but I haven't heard so it could be a bit. The student only needs her for academic work and most of the time he is able to participate and doesn't need any extra help. He is a really quiet sweet kid and doesn't look like he's going to be a problem. It is definitely going to be helpful because I have 3 students who are all very low and need a lot of extra help. They get to have their own little group with her which is fun.
We are doing testing the first part of this week which is no fun for me or the kids but gives us good information about how far they've come. I've been really impressed with the progress of my class so far. Some of the kids that started really behind are completely caught up thanks to our intervention specialist and a little bit of me. I still have the 2 kids who are still having major struggles and 2 with IEPs but overall we rock at reading. We are testing math too so we'll probably see that it's been a little neglected in our push to pick up the reading scores. There just doesn't to be enough time in the day to get everything done.
Friday is the 100th day of school! WOW. YEAH!
We are doing testing the first part of this week which is no fun for me or the kids but gives us good information about how far they've come. I've been really impressed with the progress of my class so far. Some of the kids that started really behind are completely caught up thanks to our intervention specialist and a little bit of me. I still have the 2 kids who are still having major struggles and 2 with IEPs but overall we rock at reading. We are testing math too so we'll probably see that it's been a little neglected in our push to pick up the reading scores. There just doesn't to be enough time in the day to get everything done.
Friday is the 100th day of school! WOW. YEAH!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Freedom
I've several post ideas in my head so depending on how motivated I am this weekend this may be the one of several. Maybe not though. I actually have a list that needs work too.
I've said it already but learning about coins and money always bring out interesting classroom conversations. It's usually funny too. This week, after I explained that George Washington was the 1st President of the United States of America which was in fact a very long time ago. One student's response was, "before Jesus??" "No, a little bit after Jesus."
Then, I explained that on the back of a quarter is sometimes an eagle.
Side note, the US government changing all the quarters and making them all different on one side to represent the states is very confusing for five year olds and their teachers who have to teach them about identifying money. They should have been issued with a lesson plan on how to explain it and help kids identify them. Of course, I tell them it's the biggest coin but it's not really because of half dollars and no one see those anymore. Kindergarteners don't understand time or space. States-nada. Countries-nada. Years-nada. Somethings are so easy to explain and some just aren't.
Back to the story, I said that we had an eagle because it was the country's bird, and it represented freedom. The next obvious question was "what is freedom?" My dilemma? How do you explain the dichotomy of slavery vs. freedom to a five year old without making them think they're slaves? If you are a slave, you have to do everything someone else tells you to do. You can't say no, quit, and you don't get paid. I was just waiting for someone to connect the dots and tell me that he didn't have any freedom. It probably wasn't even close to happening but I stumbled through my explanation anyway. In my head, I tried to think of all the ways slavery is not like being a kid who has to listen and obey adults and their rules all day. Go ahead and try it. It's harder than you think. I tried to keep it to house work, cooking, and cleaning tasks. I probably failed and they have no idea what freedom means. Or maybe they do but they also get that they don't have any. At least, it doesn't feel like it anyway. We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. this week too so it's encouraging that we'd covered that first. I think I did do a good job of explaining that. Kids get fairness. Hopefully, that's the part that sticks. I'm counting on it anyway. They seemed pretty confused so I just collected the quarters and told them that most quarters don't have eagles on them anyway. Thank you U.S. Government.
I've said it already but learning about coins and money always bring out interesting classroom conversations. It's usually funny too. This week, after I explained that George Washington was the 1st President of the United States of America which was in fact a very long time ago. One student's response was, "before Jesus??" "No, a little bit after Jesus."
Then, I explained that on the back of a quarter is sometimes an eagle.
Side note, the US government changing all the quarters and making them all different on one side to represent the states is very confusing for five year olds and their teachers who have to teach them about identifying money. They should have been issued with a lesson plan on how to explain it and help kids identify them. Of course, I tell them it's the biggest coin but it's not really because of half dollars and no one see those anymore. Kindergarteners don't understand time or space. States-nada. Countries-nada. Years-nada. Somethings are so easy to explain and some just aren't.
Back to the story, I said that we had an eagle because it was the country's bird, and it represented freedom. The next obvious question was "what is freedom?" My dilemma? How do you explain the dichotomy of slavery vs. freedom to a five year old without making them think they're slaves? If you are a slave, you have to do everything someone else tells you to do. You can't say no, quit, and you don't get paid. I was just waiting for someone to connect the dots and tell me that he didn't have any freedom. It probably wasn't even close to happening but I stumbled through my explanation anyway. In my head, I tried to think of all the ways slavery is not like being a kid who has to listen and obey adults and their rules all day. Go ahead and try it. It's harder than you think. I tried to keep it to house work, cooking, and cleaning tasks. I probably failed and they have no idea what freedom means. Or maybe they do but they also get that they don't have any. At least, it doesn't feel like it anyway. We talked about Martin Luther King Jr. this week too so it's encouraging that we'd covered that first. I think I did do a good job of explaining that. Kids get fairness. Hopefully, that's the part that sticks. I'm counting on it anyway. They seemed pretty confused so I just collected the quarters and told them that most quarters don't have eagles on them anyway. Thank you U.S. Government.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
A Great Man Lost
I came home a week ago Thursday wanting to post my pictures from the basketball game, snow, and some actual news and goings on in room 25. Then, I learned that this dear and wonderful man from my hometown died in a car accident that morning. It pretty much stopped everything else. It made a tiring day, exhausting. It made a happy heart, broken. It just hurts. It hurts because he still had so much living to do. He loved people the way God calls us to love people-the way God loves people. He always had a smile and "hi, Jessica" every Sunday I was back in church. He made a person feel like he or she was the only person that mattered just by saying hello. I don't know many people who can do that. It's an example we should all strive to attain.
As I read through Facebook posts, comments, and status updates from those who knew him, his wife, or children, I am struck by how much impact a life can really have. We should never think that our lives or what we do with them are insignificant. We will meet and interact with thousands of people in our lifetime. Do we pass them by while thinking about our own agendas or do we take a moment to make an impression? The impression that Greg left was that he cared about and loved you. He loved people because God loved him first and he wanted everyone to know that kind of powerful love.
Our significance in life won't be measured by how much money we make, the jobs we have, or anything else that can so easily be left behind. It's in how live and with those around us. It's how we treat people and participate their lives. When we are with others, do we leave them feeling cared for and loved? If you do, your life will be significant. I learned that from Greg. I know I'll be thinking about it often in the upcoming days, weeks, months, and year. I can only hope and pray that I'll be able to follow his example.
There are a lot of people with heavy hearts because of the loss of this man in their lives. I also think there are an even larger number of people who are better people because of this man in their lives. He will be missed until we meet again. Please be praying for his family and the entire community throw this hard time.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
If you didn't know him, here's a great blog from a friend that you might need a kleenex to read. It's way better than any I can do.
http://farmprogress.com/blogs.aspx/friend-greg-2946
This is also been my song of the week. It's exactly what I needed to hear. Great song.
http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/livelikethat
*Edit: I figure out how to link them so you'll have to copy and paste them. I tried to link them but they didn't come across at all.
As I read through Facebook posts, comments, and status updates from those who knew him, his wife, or children, I am struck by how much impact a life can really have. We should never think that our lives or what we do with them are insignificant. We will meet and interact with thousands of people in our lifetime. Do we pass them by while thinking about our own agendas or do we take a moment to make an impression? The impression that Greg left was that he cared about and loved you. He loved people because God loved him first and he wanted everyone to know that kind of powerful love.
Our significance in life won't be measured by how much money we make, the jobs we have, or anything else that can so easily be left behind. It's in how live and with those around us. It's how we treat people and participate their lives. When we are with others, do we leave them feeling cared for and loved? If you do, your life will be significant. I learned that from Greg. I know I'll be thinking about it often in the upcoming days, weeks, months, and year. I can only hope and pray that I'll be able to follow his example.
There are a lot of people with heavy hearts because of the loss of this man in their lives. I also think there are an even larger number of people who are better people because of this man in their lives. He will be missed until we meet again. Please be praying for his family and the entire community throw this hard time.
Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.
If you didn't know him, here's a great blog from a friend that you might need a kleenex to read. It's way better than any I can do.
http://farmprogress.com/blogs.aspx/friend-greg-2946
This is also been my song of the week. It's exactly what I needed to hear. Great song.
http://www.sidewalkprophets.com/livelikethat
*Edit: I figure out how to link them so you'll have to copy and paste them. I tried to link them but they didn't come across at all.
The Brandon Paul Game
Tuesday's IL-Ohio St. game didn't start until 8 PM. I was telling myself that I just couldn't go because it was too late. I get so keyed up during games that I wouldn't be able to go to sleep until really late so I needed to do the smart thing and stay home, watch the game, and try to go to sleep quickly after. I mean we were probably going to lose by a lot right? We didn't have much of a chance.
BUT
I just couldn't get it out of my head that they had a chance. This year's team is young and have been in almost every game so far. I knew they'd get up for this and what if they played the game of their lives and I stayed at home to go to bed early??!? I've been saying all year that we'll win some we're not supposed to win and lose some we're not supposed to lose. So far, that hadn't held true but it might that night. I'm always pretty positive about IL sports so I tend to always think they have a chance and that optimism certainly paid off. I just didn't want to regret it. So I didn't. I threw my hands up and said, "I'm going." Doesn't matter, I'm going. I might be tired but if they win it will be worth it.
And it was. By the end of the game, I couldn't even hold the camera still enough to take a decent picture.
When BP air balled the first shot, I turned to my friend who came with me and told her that wasn't a good sign. If there was going to be a person on this team who was going to carry us to a win, it had to be him. DJ was hurt, ML was going up against Sully, and no one else has that kind of star power. Thankfully, though he figured it out. In person, I just kept looking at the scoreboard and thinking "He's almost got half our points!? Can this keep going? Is this even possible?" Yes it was. It was amazing. I'll never regret it. I didn't get to sleep until after midnight. t was tired the next three days but you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. If I needed a little extra energy, I just thought about the game. It pumped me up and woke me up pretty darn fast. My great friend did manage to get these clear pictures for me though. Her hands weren't quite as shaky.
Never been a more proud Illini fan.
BUT
I just couldn't get it out of my head that they had a chance. This year's team is young and have been in almost every game so far. I knew they'd get up for this and what if they played the game of their lives and I stayed at home to go to bed early??!? I've been saying all year that we'll win some we're not supposed to win and lose some we're not supposed to lose. So far, that hadn't held true but it might that night. I'm always pretty positive about IL sports so I tend to always think they have a chance and that optimism certainly paid off. I just didn't want to regret it. So I didn't. I threw my hands up and said, "I'm going." Doesn't matter, I'm going. I might be tired but if they win it will be worth it.
And it was. By the end of the game, I couldn't even hold the camera still enough to take a decent picture.
When BP air balled the first shot, I turned to my friend who came with me and told her that wasn't a good sign. If there was going to be a person on this team who was going to carry us to a win, it had to be him. DJ was hurt, ML was going up against Sully, and no one else has that kind of star power. Thankfully, though he figured it out. In person, I just kept looking at the scoreboard and thinking "He's almost got half our points!? Can this keep going? Is this even possible?" Yes it was. It was amazing. I'll never regret it. I didn't get to sleep until after midnight. t was tired the next three days but you couldn't wipe the smile off my face. If I needed a little extra energy, I just thought about the game. It pumped me up and woke me up pretty darn fast. My great friend did manage to get these clear pictures for me though. Her hands weren't quite as shaky.
Never been a more proud Illini fan.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Back to Work
Last week was a good way to get back to school. We had just teachers on Tuesday with some time to work in our classrooms. I was able to get into work mode without actually having to have the energy needed for students. Kids came back on Wednesday pretty tired and low key. The fire alarm puller had his best day of the entire year just by being a pretty regular student. He sat, listened, and followed directions. Pretty solid. Only going three days was perfect because by Friday everyone was tired and ready for a break already. Despite my love of cold weather and snow, I won't complain about this nice weather because it has allowed us to be outside and actually enjoy it.
We have five days of school followed by four days and MLK Jr day. We will be halfway through the school year on Tuesday and the 100th day of school will be before the February 1st. I don't there's much else exciting going on between now and then so unless someone says something funny I don't think they'll be much to post about. Don't want to bore you.
We have five days of school followed by four days and MLK Jr day. We will be halfway through the school year on Tuesday and the 100th day of school will be before the February 1st. I don't there's much else exciting going on between now and then so unless someone says something funny I don't think they'll be much to post about. Don't want to bore you.
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