Search results matching tags 'life lessons' and 'music'

100th Day!

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 23:24:42 GMT

Well, it really doesn’t get much better than the 100th day in kindergarten. It’s kind of like Christmas, Valentine’s Day (coming Thursday!), and the Fourth of July wrapped into one. Well, it is in my class anyway. I used an entire bottle of glitter to make this for the doorway: We sang our hearts [...]

DJ.

Anonymous — Sun, 16 Sep 2012 12:41:18 GMT

One of the things I love most about teaching kindergarten is the spontaneous nature of five-year-olds… and, well, me. My brain works at a speed so fast, sometimes thoughts pass me by without ever truly garnering the attention they deserve. Every once in awhile, one pops out of my mouth – and is a good [...]

Why I love it.

Anonymous — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 19:13:48 GMT

As I prepare to start my new job so many emotions are swirling. While I’m so excited about my new school (really the folks there have been so amazingly welcoming), it’s bittersweet because I’ll be leaving some very dear friends. One of my closest, dearest, friends, Ms. R., gave me a bag of goodies for [...]

Questions.

Anonymous — Sun, 24 Jun 2012 11:38:18 GMT

Oh how I love a good email from a reader. This one really hit home for me as I’m writing and editing the story of my first year in kindergarten and remember these feelings well. Let me start with the email and then my reply will follow. I’m writing to get your opinion and experience [...]

We sing.

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 21:22:28 GMT

Lately I’ve been feeling very nostalgic. I’m not sure why, perhaps it’s the weather and some of my old (I’m talking middle school old) students coming to visit and making me feel… well ancient. For the record, I’m not, but when in my mind you were a tiny child and now you’re a young gentleman [...]

Sing!

Anonymous — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:11:52 GMT

I’m not a gifted singer, but I love to sing. I’m under the impression that my love of music makes my voice just a little bit better. Here’s the secret they don’t tell you in your education classes (shhh! Don’t tell anyone…) – Kids don’t care if you can sing. They won’t judge your singing. [...]

Some spider.

Anonymous — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:16:00 GMT

Oh Charlotte. Each year, you cast a spell on my class... and me. We just finished our study of insects and spiders (they're different!) and celebrated by watching Charlotte's Web... the classic animated version - not the live action remake from a few years ago. I was about to begin writing about E.B. White's masterpiece, but I remembered my post from last year. After rereading it, it really captures the magic of the story... so, here it is again. Until next year Charlotte, rest well dear friend.

Well, we finally finished Charlotte’s Web. I’ve got to say, every time I read that book, I find something new to admire. They don’t call it a classic for nothing.

Anyway, yesterday I read the chapter where Charlotte dies. We’d talked quite a bit about what they thought might be coming and I knew most of them knew it was imminent. When I came to the last paragraph, the one where she actually dies I scanned the room. My sprouts were engrossed. I looked down and finished the chapter.

One of the most heart wrenching lines of the book (or any book for that matter) closes the chapter.

‘Nobody, of the hundreds of people that had visited the Fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most important part of all. No one was with her when she died.’

As I finished the line, I looked up. There were some visibly sad children staring back at me… a few with tears. Momentarily, I questioned my book selection. Had Charlotte’s death been too much for my sprouts?

No. In kindergarten, the majority of books we read are finished in one sitting. The reading experience is short, usually around ten minutes or so. The other chapter books we’ve read this year were on the short side too. This book was a journey. It took weeks to complete. Each day, we took twenty minutes out of our hectic day to sit and experience the world E.B. White created together. It was magical.

After I read from a chapter book, we usually get up and sing a song or do some movement activity… sitting for twenty minutes is a feat for five-year-olds! As we got up yesterday, I noticed Andy and Sage walked over to me… they were clearly affected by the sadness we’d just shared.

“Are you boys alright?” I whispered to them.

Andy nodded, but his face was giving him away. He wasn’t.

Sage chimed in with, “Anyway, we can sing and dance and we won’t be so sad about Charlotte, come on Andy.” He grabbed his buddy’s hand and walked him over to the circle.

Charlotte, you truly are some spider.

Important.

Anonymous — Thu, 26 May 2011 19:35:00 GMT

Yesterday was my birthday. I got many gifts and cards from friends, but, not surprisingly, it was the treasures from my sprouts that made my day. As they each arrived I got many ‘Happy Birthday’ shout outs and extra hugs. They really were excited for my big day. As we do for all birthdays we sang our special birthday song, A Cat Hat A Birthday. It’s way more fun than boring old ‘Happy Birthday’…

A few had made special cards, paintings, notes, and some even had treats! I oohed and ahhed over each surprise and by the time we arrived at the end of Morning Meeting I was on cloud nine. Then Mrs. D. told me they had a surprise for me.

When I was out a few weeks ago, they made me a special book. I had a clue there was something special, but I wasn’t sure what… kindergartners don’t keep secrets well, but they hadn’t spilled the beans entirely.

After reading The Important Book (one of my all time favorites), they wrote a book for me… The Important Thing About Mr. _______. Each child wrote and illustrated a page. As Mrs. D. read the book to me and shared the pictures, I tried my best not to get choked up.

As I sat and listened to her, I was overcome with a deep feeling of gratitude. How lucky can a guy get? I also couldn’t help but be taken aback by what the majority of my sprouts found important about me… sure a few mentioned ‘school stuff’ (he reads to us, he helps us count, and he teaches us), but overwhelmingly, they had written about feelings.

Here are a few highlights.

(Really, what could be more important than love?)

(Hugs are super important too.)

(Overwhelmingly it was about hugs and love. I also realized today, without me for a kindergarten teacher, they wouldn't have mastered the art of drawing curly hair...)

(Whoa. This one really got me. Simple, yet surprisingly deep. Probably my favorite.)

There’s a famous quote, ‘They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.’ My sprouts definitely feel loved and really, isn't that the most important part of my job? After reading my book, I consider myself a success... and that truly is the most awesome gift. Best. Birthday. Ever.

Concert.

Anonymous — Fri, 06 May 2011 19:47:00 GMT

Last night was our spring kindergarten concert. There isn’t much more entertaining than watching a gaggle of sprouts sing their heart out in their Sunday finest... even if the silly songs get stuck in your head.

As I stood backstage waiting for them each to arrive, their excitement was palpable. David was wearing a shirt, tie, vest, and dress pants. I don’t think he figured how warm it would be under those lights… ever the gentleman, every time a new little girl arrived, David commented, “Wow, you look beautiful… just like a rag doll!”

I’m no doll expert (or fashion or hair for that matter), but aren’t rag dolls made of… rags? Aren’t they the least beautiful of the dolls? David meant it as a compliment, of that I’m sure… and none of the girls seemed offended, so what do I know?

The show began and as I sat there, watching them sing (except for David – he was either extremely hot or struck with stage fright). The ones I was worst worried most about being silly did amazing… a few I never thought to worry about sat down and made faces. What could I do? I sat there and thought, ‘Well, it’s a kindergarten concert – what do you expect?’

As the last song finished and I walked up to the stage to dismiss the class to their parents, David looked like he was about to fall over… I quickly snapped his tie off (really, is there anything cuter than a clip on tie?) and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt – that seemed to cool him down a bit and he offered the first smile I’d see all night.

As I drove home, after a twelve plus hour day, I couldn’t help but think, yep, still love everything about my job… even having silly kindergarten concert songs stuck in my head.

Forever Young (or how teaching kindergarten is like an 80's song).

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 12:35:00 GMT

This one was a favorite. I miss it on the blog, so here it is, reinstated as it should be.

Forever Young by Alphaville - Forever young, I want to be forever young

I grew up in the 80’s. I’m a sucker for 80’s music; it’s sad, but true. Lately, as I listen to my massive collection of 80’s tunes, I started thinking, being a kindergarten teacher is a lot like an 80’s song.

Safety Dance by Men Without Hats – ‘We can dance if we want to, We can leave your friends behind 'Cause your friends don't dance and if they don't dance Well they're no friends of mine’

In kindergarten we dance. If you don’t dance, well, come into my room and you will.

Walk Like an Egyptian by The Bangles - All the kids in the marketplace say  Ay oh whey oh, ay oh whey oh  Walk like an Egyptian

Walking down the hallway with a gaggle of five-year-olds in tow is a science. Keeping them relatively calm and quiet is a no small undertaking. We tip toe, wave our arms, and yes, walk like an Egyptian… hey, kindergartners think it’s hilarious.

Hold Me Now by The Thompson Twins - Hold me now, warm my heart
stay with me, let loving start (let loving start)

One of the biggest lessons I learned this year is that kindergartners love to hug. They practically beg to be hugged. When I stand at the cafeteria door wishing them a nice lunch, I get hugged by each child. Every single one.

Abracadabra by The Steve Miller Band - Abra-abra-cadabra, I want to reach out and grab ya, Abra-abra-cadabra, Abracadabra

There is magic in just about everything we do. Finished a book, applause! Turn white flowers blue with food coloring and water, applause! Make symmetrical paintings by painting half the paper and folding it, applause! You get the idea.

Vacation by The Go Go’s – Vacation, All I ever wanted, Vacation, Had to get away

There’s no denying it. Teachers get a lot of time off. That being said, we need it. I need my time of to relax, regroup and recharge.

Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler - I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light, He's gotta be sure, And it's gotta be soon, And he's gotta be larger than life, larger than life

Like it or not, when you teach young children, you are a hero… Plain and simple. I wear my cape with pride.

Voices Carry by Til Tuesday - hush hush, keep it down now, voices carry

You can try with all your might, but teaching kindergarten means learning to love the voices. Mrs. D., my neighboring teacher jokes, only a kindergarten teacher can assess students one on one while the rest of the class partakes in Dress Up, Blocks, Kitchen, Legos, and Puzzles. It is a skill for sure.

Dress You Up by Madonna - Gonna dress you up in my love, in my love, All over your body, all over your body

Dress up has to be one of the craziest things about kindergarten. The kids constantly amaze me with the outfits they come up with. I’ve been proposed to and arrested by the same purse toting cop in the Dress Up area.

I’m So Excited by The Pointer Sisters - I'm so excited and I just can't hide it
I'm about to lose control and I think I like it

My sprouts are excited by just about anything… and they do have a propensity to lose control… every once in awhile, it can be freeing to let yourself behave like a five-year-old. Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.

True Colors by Cyndi Lauper - You with the sad eyes, Don’t be discouraged, Oh I realize, It’s hard to take courage In a world full of people, You can lose sight of it all, And the darkness inside you, Can make you fell so small, But I see your true colors, Shining through I see your true colors, And that's why I love you, So don't be afraid to let them show, Your true colors, True colors are beautiful, Like a rainbow

If nothing else, I want my sprouts to hear these words and know how true they are.

Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House - Hey now, hey now, Don't dream it's over

When the last day comes, I know it will be bittersweet. This journey we’ve taken together will, like it or not, be over.