Fun Day 2010

Fun Day was postponed from last Friday to this Monday because imminent rain. It was a good call because it did rain all day Friday. However, pushing it back also meant battling 90 degree weather. As you can see, we made the most of it. They had it set up really well and the order that my class went through the games and inflatables was ideal. We got hot, got wet, ate lunch, cooled off, got hot, and went home. There were 6 inflatables and 6 game stations for all to enjoy. The kids weren't a big fan of the walk (about a 1/2 mile) to the Youth Center but the cops stopped traffic for us so it went very smoothly. They were VERY tired by the end of the day which then translated to a low key day yesterday. Hopefully, they will be rested up in time for the field trip tomorrow!

9!

I'm finally counting down since it's single digits, and I honestly can't believe the end is so close. Time sure flies when you're having fun!

This week, we practiced the schedule for next year, and it's gone as smoothly as it could. The biggest difference for the kids is that lunch is almost 45 later than before. Therefore, they start whining at about 10 that they're hungry but don't get to eat until 11:30. I'm definitely going to like the later lunch next year because it gives up more productivity in the AM. The transitions around lunch feel very rushed, but I think that will subside after we get used to it. The biggest kink was having recess before lunch but after 2 days everyone unanimously voted to switch it back to lunch then recess. Everything just runs a little smoother. We are also doing 30 minutes of intervention time where we have split all the kindergarteners into 6 groups and every teacher plus TItle teachers take a group. Next year, we're going to target weak areas that the kids have but now we're just playing games and having fun. It's going to be great for the kids next year and I'm enjoying the break from having only my own. (Can you tell I'm ready for a new batch?)

Otherwise, I'm busy packing up the room and trying to keep everything just under control for the last few days. Tomorrow was supposed to be Fun Day with inflatables and games at the youth center but due to inclement rainy weather, we have changed it to Monday. I'm not looking forward to throwing together plans for tomorrow but that means next week will only be 3 days of being in the classroom. Yeah for Fun Day and Field Trips!

New Rule

It might be a little late in the year for a new rule but in a stroke of genius I thought of one today.

For every unkind thing you say, you have to say 3 nice things about that person AND shake his or her hand. It was initially hug but that would probably get me in trouble so I changed it to shaking hands. Thus far, we've had a few offenders. I expect less tomorrow.

In other funny news, I was told today that one of my girls was NEVER going to need glasses because, "I don't read in the dark!"

In life news, I applied for a job at Borders. Now, I can at least say I've actually done something towards avoiding a completely pointless summer.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

This is what we made: Handprints and Poem. They also took home a flower that we had been growing. Not super exciting but at least something. Maybe I'll be more adventurous next year.

So to my mom and all the great and wonderful moms out there, I hope you have a great day and know that you loved, appreciated, cherished, prayed for, cared about, and loved some more. I wouldn't be the person I am today without you and all you've done. I love you Mom!

Walk-A-Thon 2010

Yesterday, we had the second annual PBIS Walk-A-Thon. PBIS is positive behavior intervention system and is basically the rewards program we have to promote good behavior. It's pretty effective and the money that the kids raise is used for referral free parties, the PowerStore, and other incentives. We raised over $4,000 which I guess is good. I think they raised a little more last year but for the second year they thought it was still very successful.

We had a noon dismissal and it was the best day ever since we watched a movie, walked, had a popsicle, watched the end of the movie, and went home. The actual Walk-A-Thon was a blast. They had a DJ come in and set up speakers in the commons for music and the entire school lined the hallways and walked, danced, and partied through the entire building. We walked for 30 minutes and it was actually a good workout. I was sweating and the kids were just starting to wear out. They had someone there taping it to put together a promotional video and it was fun just spending some time having fun with the kids instead of working. After the 30 minutes, we all went to the gym and the top money raising kids got to turn our principal into a banana split. Actually, it was just dumping as much chocolate sauce, sprinkles, cherries, cool whip, and marshmallows on him as possible, but the kids thought it was just about the best thing ever. He's a really good sport about it and even might have enjoyed it a little too much. As you can see, he was a bit of mess.




At least this year he remembered to bring a change of clothes. Last year, he forgot extra clothes and had to spend the rest of the day like this and then drive 30 minutes home. Luckily someone thought to take his IPhone off of him so I think only the clothes were ruined and not expensive technology. Can't wait to see what they add next year. : )

Is "Pimp" a word?

On Tuesday, I was being observed by the district literacy coach just so that she could see how far my kids have come and what we are doing at the end of the year. It's very informal and she's been in my classroom almost twice a month all year so even the kids don't question her presence. She was the only one I was expecting but after she sits down, in walks the principal from the other K-2 building. I know who he is despite never having been introduced to him, and he wasn't there to watch me perse but see the lesson. He used to be a kindergarten teacher and sometimes follows the literacy coach around to see our reading program in action without having formally observing his own teachers. This explanation might not make sense but it does in practice. Surprisingly, I wasn't more nervous but that's probably just because I didn't have time to be. He walked in as we were starting so I didn't have a chance to think about it. All by design I'm sure.

All of that to say this: We were doing "Making Words" lesson where the kids were using 5 square cut out letters to make a variety of 2, 3, 4, and 5 letters words. Letters being p, t, n, i, r. Started with it, in, tin, pin, etc. We got up to 4 and 5 letter words when someone shouts out "PIMP!?!?" Is "pimp" a word Ms. Lock? Someone else replies, "Yes! It's a guy." And suddenly half the class is arguing over whether or not "pimp" is a word and what it means. I'm just standing there in the middle of the room saying nothing. I look over at my two observers who are DYING laughing. The principal has to turn around and stare at the color words on my wall to keep from losing it and the lit coach has her head hiding behind her arm. There is suddenly silence as everyone waits for me to give the definitive answer to which I reply, "No. It's not." When someone shouts out in response, "But pimple is!" And I didn't hear it because I was retreating back to the front and moving on as quickly as possible but the lit. coach told me later that someone started talking about how he used to have a pimple on his butt and it was huge and on and on about it. Oh the joys of vocabulary building. Overall, it was good lesson and I guess both said they were impressed by the kids ability to even be able to do the lesson, but all I could do was laugh. You just never know what might happen next. And who can't laugh at that?

My Competition

Is there really anything else to say?? How wants to compete with that? Come on, Ms. Lock or giant back hoe?? I know which one I would choose. And, it doesn't talk or yell or make us listen or take away recess.