It had to come to an end...too soon!

Today was the first day back from Christmas Break. I have always and will always believe that we should not start back with kids on a Monday from our long breaks (summer and Christmas). There are school around mine that only had staff development today...that would have been nice.

But, we didn't. The kids came with smiles on, happy to be back, and I was happy to see them again as well. I wasn't ready to jump right back into our normal schedule quite yet, so I planned something else. I knew each child would be very eager to tell me about something that happened over their break. Instead of sitting and listening to each child's story, they would write about it. This wasn't just a journal entry, their assignment was to brainstorm ideas, do a picture plan, a rough draft and finally publish their story.

As they were working on their stories, I was working on one of my own that the kids chose for me to write based on titles. Mine was "My Mystery Present". They chose that over "The Surprise Present" and "Golfing". I think they chose the best. They thought the present was going to be something amazing. (I'll try to my story tomorrow.) They asked for clues throughout the day, and knowing they would never guess the present, I gave the clues they asked for. It starts with a F and ends with an S. Some guesses were, "fine watches" (after they saw my new watch), "fire hoses", "fierce snakes", and some other very ridiculous things that didn't start with f or end with s.

Overall, I was very pleased with today's behavior and work ethic. Not everyone finished their writing pieces, but everyone worked very hard. I was able to conference with every kiddo and see where they thought they were struggling and also see where they were really struggling. This was also a good checkpoint to see their writing stamina that will be tested in less than 2 months. It's nice to know that writing is coming along okay, especially after receiving our Science Benchmark scores today and seeing how poorly we did. Did I say poorly, I meant terribly, atrocious, embarrassing! But, that's a whole other blog!

I've got this down!

I can safely say that in my first full year of teaching, I've got the holiday parties under control. I even had them under control in my first two weeks of teaching, which was when I had to throw my first party. Unlike most teachers, I didn't ask students to bring anything. My kiddos asked me to bake an igloo cake (see previous blog) and I had already planned on ordering pizza. That was the extent of our treats. They ate pizza and then cake. They didn't beg for more, they ate everything that was on their plates (except the crust), and even parents enjoyed the pizza.

After eating, we had a book exchange. I read a Night Before Christmas story that told the kids when to pass their wrapped book to the right and left. They listened very well and most kids were pleased with their new book, which wasn't really new at all. It was just a book that someone else had read enough time that they wanted to share it with someone else. There were a few mismatched people to books, but they all fixed it themselves and there was no arguing or crying. In fact, most people were super excited at their new read.

The book exchange was the last part of our party and then the kids cleaned up their spaces and went out to play. Because I only had pizza and cake at the party, they only cleanup I had was putting the pizza boxes in the trash bag. This is where my professional party planning comes in. I saw other kids taking up full plates of food they had brought for their parties. They had so many cupcakes and cookies and cakes that they couldn't even touch some of their food. They didn't need all that stuff and they all seemed very happy with what they did have. No need being wasteful.

Next up...Valentine's Party with easy breezy sundaes.

It's the thought that counts!

Yesterday was the last day before Christmas break and of course that meant I received gifts from my students. I'll give a rundown of what I received...hopefully at least one items strikes you as strange, just as it did me.

- gift card to Starbucks
- gift card to Target
- gift card to Chili's
- bath items from Crabtree and Evelyn (in a lime green carrying case)
- bath gel from Bath and Body Works
- note cards (same parent I got note cards from last year)
- Ghirardelli chocolate
- sausage and crackers with mustard set
- bath gel and scrubber from Kohl's
- lotion, hand mirror and chapstick from Ulta

YES, I know you all picked out the sausage. I know it is the thought that counts, but really sausage???? And what made it even worse was that when I pulled it out the bag, a plume of smoke came too. It made me nauseous. I carried it in my hand and then my hand wreaked of smoke as well. The good news is that I did make use of this sausage. Everyday on my way home, I see many homeless people begging for food and/or money. I drove up and waved the lady over. I handed it to her and she said, "Really? Oh my goodness, thank you!!" This made it worth it. I'm glad the sausage helped someone. I was thankful for every gift I received, but I'm thankful I didn't get sausage from every student.
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This week I also received a few letters from some of my kids last year. I think it was an assignment to write a letter to "your favorite teacher". Please remember that I was their teacher for half a year. I received 3 letters. One was very unexpected. It was from a child who I had to constantly get on to. He even sat by my desk so that I could keep a very close eye on him. Apparently, he viewed this as a privilege and liked that I let him help me while he was sitting there. If he viewed this as positive, rather than me nagging him to make good choices, I guess that is a good thing. I also received letters from two other students. Each one of them made me smile. I'm glad that I did something for them that they remember...that's why I do this...and for the gift cards at Christmas time. hahaha

What I do for my kiddos...

Preparing for the holidays should be easy enough...you don't teach much and you have room parents take care of the party. WRONG!

In my case, I don't have room parents to plan the party and my kids want me to do extra things for them. And because I love them and they are so sweet...I'm doing as much as I can. On top of taking care of the classroom when I'm in it, my kiddos requested that I make an igloo cake. I can say it is now successfully cooked and decorated (only after 1 failed attempt in the oven). I also spent a good amount of time making each child their Christmas gift from me. They will soon be the owners of their very own, personalized clipboard. They are super cute and I know they will love them. They already love using the clipboards I have in my room, now they will be able to use their own. I would post a picture of that, but all the kids' names are on them. You'll just have to take my word for it!!!

Tomorrow is our holiday party and it should be a blast. The kids are ready for the break, as am I!

Special Mother's Day Edition!

For Mother's Day, I had my class color a card and create coupons that they could give to their mothers. I found some of them to be very humorous and/or strange.

This says "my heart" and if you think you're reading a first grader's writing, see blog: Frustration, Disappointment, Anger


I would like him to cash this coupon into me.

Any suggestions for handwriting practice for a 4th grader? By the way, this says "stop making you mad".

Only if she wants you to...

I hope your mom doesn't have to use a coupon to get you to shower!

Not quite sure that she understood it should be a gift that your mom does not have to pay for.

I wish everyone a Happy Mother's Day! I hope you have a fantastic day and like I told me kids to treat their mothers, I hope you're treated like a fabulous Queen.