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

Popcorn angel.

Anonymous — Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:39:18 GMT

My new school’s PTA does Popcorn Fridays to raise money. Kids bring in 25 cents and get a bag of popcorn for snack. Now I have lots of kids in my room that I knew, for whatever reason, wouldn’t be able to bring in a quarter. A little guy came up to me and said, [...]

The Giving Tree.

Anonymous — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 17:57:37 GMT

Well I’m mostly done. I jetted in this morning for a couple of hours to do some last minute setup tasks and came to the conclusion that I will truly never be ‘done’ so I came home and decided to try and enjoy the long weekend before we hit the ground running next week. One [...]

Reunited.

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:55:13 GMT

When I started teaching kindergarten, I was amazed at how affectionate my sprouts were. Some more than others, but it was rare to find a child who didn’t want to hug me at least some of the time. As that first year progressed and we learned more, the hugs just increased. One little guy, Sage, [...]

Plaidypus.

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 21:07:41 GMT

This week we are reading Plaidypus Lost (really, an amazing book) and making our stuffed platypus animals… so sweet, it’s really one of my favorite activities we do all year. I burned myself with the hot glue gun a few times, but it was totally worth it… each year I’m reminded of this post I wrote the [...]

Odd.

Anonymous — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 20:29:24 GMT

Oh how I love getting email from readers… here’s one recently sent: Hi there! I am a first year education student and I too am planning on teaching in a younger year classroom (anywhere from k-5) and am wondering whether you found that being a male in that position has caused you some difficulty? I [...]

Reminder.

Anonymous — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 12:56:07 GMT

With conferences behind me and time to reflect, I can’t help but think of one resounding common theme across all my conferences… ‘How is my child doing… socially?’ Yes, with all the push on academics, discussions of the national Common Core, and everyone talking about kindergarten being the new first grade, again and again, what [...]

Over?

Anonymous — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:39:10 GMT

So, if I go into my classroom tomorrow to start getting ready, does that mean summer is officially over? Ugh. My classroom was tiled this summer, so everything was gutting and placed in the hallway and is in a large pile in the center of the room right now. Maybe I’ll take a picture of [...]

Graduation Reflections.

Anonymous — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:03:00 GMT

Yesterday was our kindergarten graduation. Always a bittersweet day, here some highlights.

There's not much cuter than new dresses and new dress shirts on kindergartners.

Practicing our songs in the morning, a certain kindergarten teacher had a mini panic attack when the entire class forgot the second verse of 'Rags' - a song we've sung all year long.

When you realize that every other class is having some sort of celebration around the same time as yours, don't worry about parking... Just email all parents and ask them to take said parking chaos into consideration.

Realize when your female teaching partner comes back from changing into a dress, a little boy saying, "You look like a cow!" is probably not a good thing... For the record, her dress was black and white - prompting the comment.

When you emerge from the bathroom wearing a dress shirt and khaki pants and every child swarms to tell you how 'handsome' you are, it's most likely a sign that all the t-shirts and shorts you've been wearing the past few weeks have washed away the fact that you wore the same dress shirt and khaki pants all year long until it hit eighty degrees.

When, not one, but two little boys have a clothes crisis (scissors and chocolate milk), be sure to start the phone calls to their mothers with 'He isn't hurt' - Both moms arrived with new shirts and for the record, kindergarten moms ROCK. Also of note - no wardrobe malfunctions for the girls.

When you walk the class down to the cafe-gym-atorium a full half hour before the ceremony begins to set up, do not be surprised to see almost all of the parents there ready and waiting for you... after all, you warned them about the parking.

When planning your outfit for the celebration, don't forget that while your classroom is air conditioned and cool, the cafe-gym-atorium is not. You will be sweating. You will be shiny. Get over it.

Don't forget the extension cord for the boom box in the classroom. If you do, when you realize you've forgotten it moments before you need to hip play, you'll have to run back to your classroom on the other side of the school making yourself even sweatier.

When kneeling down for pictures with every child after the celebration, try not to worry about the pain in your knees on the hard tile floor. Remember why you're here and the smiles will be natural.

Don't imagine you're the President or Lady Gaga when the flashes from the cameras temporarily blind you.

When the dust begins to settle and your realize one little boy had nobody show up, do not let his tears make you cry too. Take his hand, walk him back to class and offer him a chocolate pudding from your secret stash. Since naturally he's on the last bus, sit next to him, put your arm around his shoulders and read books with him until his bus his called to distract him from being sad.

When his bus is finally called and he leaves, remember this is why you teach. You teach for the one kid who is alone after everyone else has left with parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. You teach so you can give him a pudding, read with him, and make him feel better.

Monday is our last day. It's never easy and when I finally say my last goodbyes and get in my car to go home, I fully expect to shed a tear or two.

Portal.

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 12:09:00 GMT

Ah the internet (or World Wide Web as the local newsman calls it...). I'm never surprised at the amazing networking opportunities it provides. I get tweets and emails weekly from teachers, students, and parents. Usually they are kind comments and questions. Occasionally, I'm asked to read and review a book (who doesn't love a free book?) - a few weeks ago I got a most unusual email.

Rachael Stefanussen, an Industrial Design student, emailed and asked if I would take a few minutes to look over her senior capstone project. Being the busy person I am (yes, the kids leave at three, but we all know how that goes), I agreed, but it took me a few weeks to give it the attention it deserved. When I finally sat down to view her project, I was blown away.

Rachael's video was entertaining, professional, and, most importantly, thought provoking. She has envisioned a Portal that would connect teachers across communities to collaborate on classroom management, lesson planning, and all aspects of teacher mentoring. After viewing the video twice, I emailed Rachael with my thoughts and ideas. What about crossing all boundaries and making this international? What about integrating Facebook and twitter and using the already built networks many teachers have created?

Part of what excited me about Rachael's video is the simple idea that someone is thinking outside the box and trying to push the teaching experience even further into the future. I love progressive pondering and Rachael has really impressed me with her ideas.

Rachael was very gracious and we had a nice email dialogue back and forth. I asked her if she minded me sharing her wonderful proposal with others... she agreed on one condition - she'd love feedback from others too. So here it is. Please take a few minutes to watch and leave a comment for Rachael.

Job.

Anonymous — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:46:00 GMT

Last week, as we were standing in line for the bus, some of the sprouts were talking about their parents coming along on our field trip to the beach the next day. Evelyn, whose mom was not joining us, was feeling left out.

“I wish my Mom could come on a field trip,” she said.

“Well next year, when your brothers and sisters are in school, maybe your mom can come,” Mrs. D. offered.

Next year, Evelyn’s little brother and sister will start kindergarten and maybe mom will be able to come along on one of Evelyn’s first grade field trips.

“No, my dad has already said he’s signing her up for a job next year,” she replied.

I had to smile. Parents sign kids up for soccer, T-ball, dance class, and other activities. Apparently Evelyn’s dad is signing her mom up for work.