Ready...sorta!

It's been a while since I updated this blog.  Honestly I thought I could keep it updated throughout the school year last year, but who was I kidding?  Teaching keeps me very busy during the day and then coming home to a toddler and being pregnant didn't help with my energy level or motivation.  But, maybe this year will be different.  Heck, I'm already starting off great by posting BEFORE the new school year starts. Go me!

So I found something on Pinterest (yes, I'm an addict!) that stuck in my mind since the moment I found it: a new way to format my lesson plan book.  Thanks to Luckeyfrog's Lilypad I was able to create my own plan book in a way that I really think is my cup of tea.  After finding and pinning the template for the plan book, I repeatedly went back to that pin and would visit the link for it.  I always got so excited when I looked at the new format and my mind reeled with excitement...and doubt.  I wasn't sure if I would like this new format and I poured over it  for a while.  Finally, a couple weeks ago I just sat down, put my doubts aside, planned out my schedule and made my new formatted lesson plan book.  I think I'm already in love with it and the school year hasn't even started yet. Here are some pictures:

Totally cute cover.  Much better than the plain blue ones we get from school!! Thanks to my dad for coil binding it for me with his magical binding machine!

 

For the birthdays

We have SO MANY different password protected sites we use that I can't keep track of all the passwords in my head.

ANNNNNNND, the plan book.  I love, love, love it so far.

So, in a typical plan book the days read horizontally so if you want to see your entire day you have to lay out the plan book just like mine is in the last picture.  BUT, thanks to Luckeyfrog's Lilypad, MY plan book days read vertically which means I can fold back the other half of the book and still see what I'm doing for the entire day.  PLUS, I LOVE THE "TO DO" SECTION!  That was non-existent in the other plan books I used to use.  The birthday page and password page didn't exist either. Found those as free downloads on www.teacherspayteachers.com.  I just had to find a blank page in the back of my old plan book to write those things down.  Now I have a place for them and I feel so completely organized.  Now it's time to get the rest of my stuff done before school starts in a week and a half!!! YIKES!  Signing out!

Hard Choices

Even though I don't have many followers on this blog of mine, I figured I should still update.  It has been since September, almost the entire school year since I did an update.

Part of the reason is I can't find my cord for my camera to upload some pictures from the pumpkin patch, 100th day, and other things.  The kiddos did look super cute in their 100th day glasses.  Wish I could find that darn cord!

I tell you this year has been CRAZY!  I think this has been the most difficult year I've had.  Granted, I've only been teaching 6 years, but still this one is hard.  The reason could be the maturity level of the students; they seem to be so much more immature than any other class I've had.  I've got more lying, whining, tattling, and BULLYING than ever before and it never seems to end.  Nearly every day I get something new from one of my students of not knowing how to do their work (that we've been doing ALL YEAR) or doing whatever they want when the teacher is teaching, touching other people, hitting, kicking, the works!  We've had bullying lessons, good ones, and talked, talked, talked, individually and as a class about how to treat people.  It makes me insane.  I've realized that the thing that makes me the most angry is when the students flat out lie to my face.  That's happened A TON this year, with the same kids.  I've come to the point where when I talk to any of my students now about a problem we're having I tell them straight up: "DON'T lie to me!"  I think 95% of the time that works now. Whew! I just wish I didn't have to get to that point.  It's frustrating. And don't even get me started on parents this year, either.  Many of them are great, but there are a few who are adding to the craziness!

Having such hard groups (both of the Dual Immersion classes) seriously made me consider taking a break this year.  On top of being pregnant with #2 and wanting so much to just be a stay-at-home mom, those kids in my classes have really got me thinking.  Kory and I have decided that I need to teach at least 1 more year so we can save some money to just live on 1 salary.  That has been the hardest decision ever for me to make.  I'm thankful that my mom and dad are willing to babysit both kids during the next school year but I tell you what--that decision has just wracked my insides!  I wish I was a better writer in order to express how this decision has truly affected me, but just know that this hormonal, 7-month pregnant, frazzled, too busy teacher has about reached the end of her rope.

This is where I count my blessings and move forward.

The 2 things I've been most grateful for are:
1) My student teacher--allowing me time to get some other things done and relax a little, and
2) My Heavenly Father who is the only one who really and truly understands what's happening in my heart and how tough this has been for me.  He has truly poured out so many blessings upon me and I am always so thankful for his love for me.

I only have one more decision to make regarding next school year, another hard decision.  But then after I make that choice, I can work on putting my mind at ease for a little bit and focus on baby girl joining our family and spending the summer with my girls and Kory.

Bed time - must be a foreign word

I have been meaning to get this down on paper (or in this case, on computer) because I am just shocked at the experiences I had with some parents on the first few days of school.  Read on with an open mind, please.  I know this blog entry might rub some people the wrong way.

During the first two weeks of school, we get out early each day in order for us to meet with each student individually, give them a "pre-test" of sorts, and set goals/sign a contract with students, their parents, and the teacher(s).  If you are a Dual Immersion teacher (hi, that's me) I have double the students to meet with but I still try to get to know them and find out how I can best help them this year.

One of my students (I'll call him Q) came for his appointment he had with me and Mrs. B. our Spanish teacher. While I was trying to test him he was just not responding.  He kept laying his head down on the table and when he did respond he would talk like a baby or slur his speech really bad, just being lazy.  It was really frustrating considering I taught this boy's brother a couple years ago who seemed pretty "with it".  When FINALLY the testing was done, we had Q's dad come in right then to go over the results of the test.  The dad is a very nice man, old enough to be Q's grandpa (like in his late 60's), and very "with it" as well.  During the test results, I was trying to be as nice as possible and said: "Q was having a really hard time with this test.  I know he is a smart boy but he seemed to not be putting in any effort.  I think he might be tired."   I don't remember the entirety of our conversation that happened after that, but it came to the point where dad asked both of us "What time SHOULD a child go to bed?" After getting over the initial shock of being asked that question (this man could be my grandpa, he was probably raised with a strict bedtime, how does he not know?) I turned to Mrs. B. and she immediately said: "8:00!"  I followed up with "8 or 8:30 is good."  Dad, hesitant, responds with a laugh and says "In your dreams!"  I think we later found out that Q had been, up to at least that point, going to bed around 11 or later.  OH MY GOSH!!! Let me say that again: "OH MY GOSH!!" Really? And WHO is the parent in that house?  Are you kidding me? I told the dad that he just needed to be strict and when it's bedtime, it's bedtime.  I also told him about some research I have read about how children need 10-12 hours of sleep a night in order to have maximum brain function and proper development. He just kind of shrugged it off and didn't really say anything.  Again, I ask, who is the parent? Sounds like there might be a slight identity crisis in that home.

But it's not just in that home.  After that conversation with Q and his dad, Mrs. B. and I became curious and asked a few of the other students and their parents about bedtime.  Most of the responses were "oh, whenever he/she wants to go to bed, they do;" or "10:00, 11:00, whenever".  Back to my original question: Who is the parent in the house?  Truly,  I don't care if you work late, I don't care if your child throws a fit or fights you tooth and nail about going bed at 8:00, I don't care if it's still light outside when your child does go to bed.  YOU ARE THE PARENT so act like one!  In my short 6 years being a teacher one thing I have learned ans stuck with is that children, even the naughtiest of naughty, LOVE routines, schedules, and consistency.  When I stray from our regular schedule and routine of the day, my kids come unglued and none of us have a good day.  It's a lesson I have learned the hard way.  Sometimes, I have to fight the battle longer with some of the kiddos, but eventually they come around and settle into the routine; no fits, no crying, no fighting tooth and nail.  I am not saying I have perfect classes.  Ohhhhh noooooooo way am I saying that.  Kids just feel safer when there is consistency, whether they realize it or not.  I think, also, that many of our learning problems with our population at my school could be easily resolved with a good night's sleep every night.

Just one more rant:  I grew up always with a bedtime.  Bed time was bed time.  End of story!  In talking to a friend of mine from church she told me this: "I have 4 children, 3 teenagers and a pre-teen.  Every night at 9 o'clock they get all electronics taken away.  Ipods, cells phones, whatever.  We have family prayer and they go to their room for about 30 minutes.  9:30 is lights out! They sometimes think my husband and I are being so unreasonable but I'm not here to be their friend. I'm here to be their parent!"  AMEN!  Thank you.  I think I'll stop and end my post right here.

Ponder. Ready, go.  Share your thoughts. Thanks.

The first is always the worst

The Kindergarten teachers told us we were getting a motley crew this year, I just didn't expect what I got.  I have only taught school for 5 years so I can't say I've seen it all, but this many students who seem to not understand our class rules is unreal!

I feel like my entire afternoon class just doesn't understand. Period. It seems they don't understand Spanish or English; they probably do, but it felt like today they didn't.  I know, I know!  It's only the first day but I don't remember any other first days being like this.

Silvia and I thought it would be a good idea to get the two classes together and go over the rules of first grade all together! Yeah, bad idea!  It took FOREVER and so I couldn't teach my morning class anything. UGH!

It will get better, but until then the days will be long. :)

What would it be?

Since school is out before Father's Day here in Utah, I don't get the chance to have another giggle from my first graders.  (See post about mother's day)  But I can only imagine what they might say.

It's probably good that we don't make it to Father's Day during the school year.  Father's Day is a lot harder and trickier (as a teacher) to celebrate.  Many of the students at my school on only live with mom.  Sad, yes.  True, yes.  And there's nothing I can do about it.

The local newspaper here "The Daily Herald" printed at least 3 different articles about fathers and the deep, positive influence they have on a child's life.  I read through one of those articles and was truly touched by the author's words and grateful that I grew up and still have a two-parent home.  I'm thankful that my daughter has a daddy who loves the heck out of her and I hope when she is older that she realizes how blessed she is to have a GOOD male role model in her home.  The article I read basically pointed out how there aren't enough good dads in this world, but to those who are good dads, BLESS YOU and THANK YOU!  It's quite good for how short it is.  I think I might keep it.

Anyway, this is kind of not a school related post, but enjoy it anyway.

Love,

Teacher ('cuz that's what my kidlets call me)

Love your mom

So, here it is!  The blog.  The diary.  The history.  Whatever you want to call it, I've finally created it.  I have been teaching for 5 years, all in 1st grade Spanish Dual Immersion.  I teach the English part of this Dual Immersion thing.  Everyone always says that teachers should keep journals or at least write down some of their experiences. Well, I've been REALLY bad at that and do regret it some.  But I can't let that eat at me or worry me at all.  When I remember experiences from the past, I will post them.

Let me get into what finally prompted me to sit down and create this blog.  Education is always changing and coming up with new ways to do things, create learners, and prepare students for the "real world".  Well, in 2009 a Common Core was created with the hopes of having students be college and career ready by the time they graduated from high school.  The new core is more rigorous and demanding and 3 years later, we are finally starting to implement it here in our school district.  I am excited for the deeper thinking skills my kidlets will acquire and for the greater understanding of reading, math, writing, science, and social studies it will bring them.  Anyway, the curriculum specialists at the District Office started creating different, more relevant tests for our students to take.  Part of it required new ways of writing that we had not ever tried before.  We had to do narrative, informative (sequencing like First, Next, and Last), and persuasive.  Previously, it was more like an essay that we drilled them on for the entire year in order for them to be prepared for the big writing test at the end of the year.  Not anymore.

Persuasive writing has, by far, become my most favorite writing to teach and to read from my little first graders.  Keep in mind they are 6 and 7 years old.  Persuasive came toward the end of this school year, and I feel that it has helped my students grow immensely.  BUT, my most favorite was when they made Mother's Day cards and wrote little notes to their mom's inside. Since they had the foundational skills they needed to produce great sentences, I required them to write more than just "I love you."  Most of the year, I've been pushing them to "tell me more.  Give me more details about your topic."  So upon reading their rough drafts of their letters  I knew I had to create a blog and share some of what my darling dears wrote for their moms.  It made me excited for the day when Claire and any other children we add to our family are able to write and express their ideas.  Enjoy reading some of these! My hope is that you laugh, melt, and/or shed a tear.  It's more personal for me since I know these little ones, but I hope you can feel their love for their mothers.

Uncut, and uncensored! Enjoy! (Blue is boys, Pink is girls)

"Dear Mom, I hope you have a good motheres day!!! I'm geta give you a flower to you after you read this card. And will have presents. You will have a slow dance with dad. I'll give you hugs after I give you the flower.  Love, J."

"Dear Mom, I love you with all my heart and I always wanted to tell you that you're the best mom in the world. Love, M."

"Dear Mom, I want to be better than I am right now, how can I do that? By the way, I want it to be fathers day, too.  I love you so much! Anyway, happy mothers day! Love, P.

"Dear Mom, Thake you for takeing care of me. Thake you for helping me and give me stuff. I love you mommy.  You are in my heart for ever.  Love, S.

"Dear Mom, I hope you have a great time in mothers day.  Your eyes are in the earth and that means you are speshel to me. You bringed the world to me. Love, M.

"Dear Mom, You are a really good Mom. I know that it is hard to take care of Abbi.  I am willing to help because her arm is broken. Love, E.

"Dear Mom, I think your important because you always give me the thigs I want.  We should love you. We should love you with our whole heart. Love, G.

"Dear Mom, Happy Mothers Day! I hope you have fun with us at the hotel. We hope Megan will stop bothering you on the vacation. Love, Z."  Okay, can you just imagine what in the world is going on at home?  I was giggling for a while after this one!

"Dear Mom, I love you mom because you buy me toys that I likde in kids day.  I love you because you waste your money for a toy for me and my brother.  I love you mom because you protect me from my mean brother. Love, A." :)

"Dear Mom, I love you so much.  Mom I did this card with all my love.  Mom you are the best. Love, J."

I love these guys!  Happy very belated Mother's day.  Your children love you.

Here are some of my crazies!  The first picture is Halloween and the second one is the 100th day of school.