Since Mother's Day is fast approaching, I had my students use a four square organizer to write 4 things they like about their moms (shout out to Britta for the idea!) and they are going to make a letter tomorrow using the 4 square sheet as a plan for what to write.
During my PM class I was circulating around the room, helping kids and encouraging them with their writing. I came across a student who proudly showed me his work, which was an exact replica of the example I gave about things I like about my mom. There is such a fine line between good and thorough modeling and providing the kids something they can just copy. I usually quickly erase my example when I write something to prevent them from just copying, but this time I happened to have left it on the board. That is aside the point though....
I told this child that I wanted him to write what he likes about his mom.
He kind of gave me that blank stare and didn't write anything. I kept trying to encourage him and told him I would give him some thinking time and I would come back and check.
When I returned a few minutes later, he still had not written anything. I crouched down next to him and again tried to ask him what he likes about his mom or what he does with her.
Blank stare.
So, as I often do if I think that maybe a child has not understood the directions or needs a better explanation, I tried asking this child in Spanish to see if that would help.
Um...
Big mistake.
I said, "por qué tu mamá es especial?" and immediately his eyes filled with tears and he began sobbing.
I was so shocked and I felt so horrible, but I honestly still have no idea what set him off.
He has a mom. She is really supportive. He has never cried in school before. I was lost.
I tried so hard to comfort him and ask him if he was ok and what was wrong. I asked him if what I said upset him and he just continued wailing.
WAILING.
yikes.
I patted his back and told him everything was okay and that I really wanted to help him but that I didn't know what was wrong. Eventually after trying really hard to console him without any luck, I told him that I was going to give him some space and I would check back with him.
Eventually he stopped crying, but only after he had cried long and loud enough that I considered calling one of the ELL teachers to just come and talk to him to see if they could make any headway in figuring out what happened. I seriously have not had criers this year and I was freaked out a little bit. I had forgotten what it was like.
I later went back over after he had stopped crying and asked if he was ok. He nodded and seemed like whatever had caused him to become really upset had passed. I apologized to him and told him that if it was something I said that upset him I was very sorry and I didn't mean to upset him.
For the rest of the day he was fine.
Kids can be such puzzles.
I always try to be sensitive to what is going on in kids' lives and obviously something was up today...maybe he missed his mom? I have no idea, but wow, it was pretty intense there for awhile. One other boy who was sitting nearby covered his ears from the loud crying. Two other boys approached my crying friend and tried to soothe him as well. They were really concerned and so sweet. They kept asking me what happened to him, but all I could say was, I really don't know! A few others kiddos did not want to write about their moms. They could not think of anything to say about their moms. I feel lucky because I have a long list of nice things I could say about my mom.
Lesson learned.
Sometimes you really can't talk about other people's mamas!
Theft
On Friday I discovered one of my students trying to steal a Capri Sun that had been on one of my tables. He was dragging his feet as we were heading out to the buses and as I walked back to the end of the line, he was crouched down putting the juice in his backpack. Given a conversation I had recently had with him about sometimes not eating for an entire day (which I honestly don't know is true or not), I felt like there must have been a reason that he was trying to take it, so I asked him.
I explained the difference between taking something without asking, which is called stealing, and asking someone's permission to have something that you want. Despite my instinct to "teach him a lesson" about the wrongs of stealing, I coached him into asking me for the juice and allowed him to have it once he asked because he said he wanted it to drink at home. I care a lot about this kiddo and I see him having difficulties at school with friends and classroom expectations. If he is hungry, I can help with that...so I gave him the juice. I wanted to show him that I care for him more than anything else because I want him to know that I am a person he can trust and I am a person that wants the best for him.
Today I found out from another student that this same kiddo who tried stealing my juice also took some of the play money that was in the cash register in my kitchen area. He was really interested in playing in that area on Friday and when we cleaned up I did notice that some of the play dollars I had put in the register were gone, but I didn't think it was a big deal and thought maybe they had been hidden somewhere in the kitchen cabinets or something. This was before the juice incident, so I didn't really have reason to believe that this particular child would take something that belonged to the classroom.
Now, I realize that within one day, this kiddo stole on two occasions. I am really saddened because I truly want the best for him, yet I can't help but feel stung by the fact that despite my continued support and encouragement, he would still steal from me. I know that his circumstances at home are far different than the life I have been privileged with and his "stealing" might just be curiosity or more likely survival. I don't understand it because I have never been there...I have never experienced what it might be like to not know when my next meal is coming. To me, giving him the juice or letting him have the play money are small tokens in exchange for the happiness or relief it might provide him. I don't think kids just steal for fun--I think there is a reason and I am not condoning it, yet it makes me realize that he has needs that are not being met.
I don't think punishing this child is the right consequence for his actions, yet I wish I knew how to make him understand the damage he has done to trust I had for him. He is still young, so I don't know the best way to go about addressing this issue with him.
I explained the difference between taking something without asking, which is called stealing, and asking someone's permission to have something that you want. Despite my instinct to "teach him a lesson" about the wrongs of stealing, I coached him into asking me for the juice and allowed him to have it once he asked because he said he wanted it to drink at home. I care a lot about this kiddo and I see him having difficulties at school with friends and classroom expectations. If he is hungry, I can help with that...so I gave him the juice. I wanted to show him that I care for him more than anything else because I want him to know that I am a person he can trust and I am a person that wants the best for him.
Today I found out from another student that this same kiddo who tried stealing my juice also took some of the play money that was in the cash register in my kitchen area. He was really interested in playing in that area on Friday and when we cleaned up I did notice that some of the play dollars I had put in the register were gone, but I didn't think it was a big deal and thought maybe they had been hidden somewhere in the kitchen cabinets or something. This was before the juice incident, so I didn't really have reason to believe that this particular child would take something that belonged to the classroom.
Now, I realize that within one day, this kiddo stole on two occasions. I am really saddened because I truly want the best for him, yet I can't help but feel stung by the fact that despite my continued support and encouragement, he would still steal from me. I know that his circumstances at home are far different than the life I have been privileged with and his "stealing" might just be curiosity or more likely survival. I don't understand it because I have never been there...I have never experienced what it might be like to not know when my next meal is coming. To me, giving him the juice or letting him have the play money are small tokens in exchange for the happiness or relief it might provide him. I don't think kids just steal for fun--I think there is a reason and I am not condoning it, yet it makes me realize that he has needs that are not being met.
I don't think punishing this child is the right consequence for his actions, yet I wish I knew how to make him understand the damage he has done to trust I had for him. He is still young, so I don't know the best way to go about addressing this issue with him.
Any advice on teaching kids about the consequence of lost trust as a result of stealing without inflicting more negativity on a child who seems to already have enough difficulties in his life? How do you handle stealing in your classroom?
words
"Hey! I was there first!"
Normally, when I hear these words, I roll my eyes anticipating a squabble between two kiddos who both want to be the line leader.
Today, hearing these words made me happy.
Why?
They came from a little girl who was silent in my classroom until about February because she is still learning English.
Go girl!
Normally, when I hear these words, I roll my eyes anticipating a squabble between two kiddos who both want to be the line leader.
Today, hearing these words made me happy.
Why?
They came from a little girl who was silent in my classroom until about February because she is still learning English.
Go girl!
Crossing Over
I have officially turned a corner to realizing how little time is left in the school year and feeling like I am going to be a big ball of sadness when my kiddos leave me and become first graders. Lately I have been trying to do things a bit more "my own way" and I have been loving it. Today as I circulated the room while my kiddos were writing in their journals, I literally felt like I was just soaking in their adorableness. I seriously LOVE them.
They make me laugh.
They make me smile.
They make my heart feel full and happy.
Even the ones who need constant reminders to stay on their bottoms and keep quiet when I am talking are pretty awesome little people.
Case in point....Today I read the story The Three Questions, which is pretty deep and very philosophical. The main theme is that a little boy wants to figure out how to be a good person, so he is trying to find the answers to three important questions. The "moral" of the story so to speak is to be good to the ones you are with. We talked about how it's important to be kind to one another and do nice things for each other. I asked both classes if this story reminded them of another story we read earlier this year (thinking about Have You Filled a Bucket Today?) and they came up with many different stories that we have read that included acts of kindness...like Trixie giving away Knuffle Bunny to the crying baby on the plane. We have started talking about "book to book connections" and they were all over it, thinking of wonderful examples and really remembering those acts of kindness displayed by some of our favorite characters.
At one point today we started talking about how soon they will become first graders and they will go to another teacher. One little boy said, "I am going to miss you Mrs. Sneaker."
::tear::
ok, let's be real....
::lotsandlotsoftears::
Those little peanuts who showed up on the first day, some of them never having been in school before, are just so grown up. Reading. Writing. Making book to book connections! I almost can't take the fabulosity! (yes, I made that word up).
I used to look at the Kindergarten students (back when I taught first grade) and think that they were such babies. So not capable of things that my kiddos could do. Now, that I have been on the other side, I feel like they are going on to first grade with so many skills! They are seriously awesome.
I love my job.
They make me laugh.
They make me smile.
They make my heart feel full and happy.
Even the ones who need constant reminders to stay on their bottoms and keep quiet when I am talking are pretty awesome little people.
Case in point....Today I read the story The Three Questions, which is pretty deep and very philosophical. The main theme is that a little boy wants to figure out how to be a good person, so he is trying to find the answers to three important questions. The "moral" of the story so to speak is to be good to the ones you are with. We talked about how it's important to be kind to one another and do nice things for each other. I asked both classes if this story reminded them of another story we read earlier this year (thinking about Have You Filled a Bucket Today?) and they came up with many different stories that we have read that included acts of kindness...like Trixie giving away Knuffle Bunny to the crying baby on the plane. We have started talking about "book to book connections" and they were all over it, thinking of wonderful examples and really remembering those acts of kindness displayed by some of our favorite characters.
At one point today we started talking about how soon they will become first graders and they will go to another teacher. One little boy said, "I am going to miss you Mrs. Sneaker."
::tear::
ok, let's be real....
::lotsandlotsoftears::
Those little peanuts who showed up on the first day, some of them never having been in school before, are just so grown up. Reading. Writing. Making book to book connections! I almost can't take the fabulosity! (yes, I made that word up).
I used to look at the Kindergarten students (back when I taught first grade) and think that they were such babies. So not capable of things that my kiddos could do. Now, that I have been on the other side, I feel like they are going on to first grade with so many skills! They are seriously awesome.
I love my job.
Stone Soup
This week we are focusing on the letter V, so we are having a vegetable party on Friday. Each kiddos is responsible for bringing in a particular vegetable which they conceal in a paper bag and they will give the rest of the kiddos three clues about it so they can guess which vege it is. Since we are focusing on veges, I thought it would be a great week to read Stone Soup. I scoured the library (ok, I really scoured the library website and amazon) to find some different versions of the story to read this week. I bought several different versions in Germany last year, but I left them in storage, so off to the library I went. Luckily, between the two closest libraries, I found almost all of the books I wanted.
We started today with the version of Stone Soup written by Marcia Brown. This is the old school version I remember, and despite some aspects that didn't seem like they would be too familiar for the kiddos, they were so enraptured! I used some cute ideas from here so the kids could put the vegetable cutouts in the pot while we read the story. I backed the pictures with poster board, laminated them, and put small magnets on the back. That way, I can reuse them next year. Stories are always more fun when they are a little bit interactive!
Next we will read Kallaloo, which is a version of Stone Soup that takes place in the West Indies. The images, people, and food are somewhat different, so this version is really fun to read.
Finally, we will read Cactus Soup. I think lots of kiddos will relate to the types of food in this version and Eric Kimmel books are great.
I had the kiddos write today in order to tell whether or not they would share their food to make Stone Soup. It was interesting to hear their responses and I loved seeing some of their critical thinking. Tomorrow I am going to have them write lists in a little book I put together to show what kinds of food went into the different soups.
A few other versions that I came across, but didn't find are:
I am a big fan of how these different versions represent different kinds of people in different places and many cultures.
Fun!
Today was our grading day, so I was in my classroom without the kiddos for a bit. I actually finished most of my report cards yesterday afternoon before class, so all I had left this morning was writing grades for my PM class. It was so fun looking through their journals and what they have written recently. I LOVE kid writing and I kind of wish I could just teach writing all day long and incorporate good literature and fun stories.... ahhh, that would be fun.
I headed to the library once I was done at school and got several (ok, lots) of books for next week. We are going to be focusing on the letter v and having a vegetable party on Friday. I thought it would be fun to read Stone Soup, so I got that and a bunch of other books related to gardening and vegetables. I am still trying to think of a fun writing idea that the kiddos can do that has to do with comparing the different versions of Stone Soup. I have been meaning to post the über cute writing they did with the Mo Willems books, but I lost my flash drive, so I can't scan them. Soon, I promise!
After heading to two different local libraries in order to secure all of the books I wanted, I went in to Michael's because this girl loves some arts and crafts! I heart their $1 bins and I always come away with really cute stuff, especially different paper products that I truly don't need with either a K or a T on them. I have an obsession with monogrammed items.... Today I found the most adorable little stamp sets in the dollar bin. They are complete alphabet sets in lower case and upper case.
I love them so much I am tempted to stamp out a little letter to someone, so I can only imagine how much fun some of my kiddos will have "writing" with them. Each letter stamp is really tiny, but I recall loving things that were small when I was little. I had many very small books that I absolutely adored, so I think these will be a big hit, especially among some of my girlies. I need to get some new ink though, because the ink pads that I got in the dollar bins at Michaels in the past turned out to be not so kid friendly. Many a kid has gone home after stamping with very colorful hands.....oops! I should have been wary given that the word 'tampon' was on that brand (must mean something have to do with ink in French), but needless to say, they were not quite washable.
I am off to class in a little bit, so I need to snack up, clean up, and then hit up the adidas store for my cute husband who has requested some new kicks. Have I mentioned that I reunite with my cute sweetie in just about 66 days?! The countdown is on!
Happy Weekend! Think of me sitting in class as you are out doing fun things and hopefully relaxing:0)
I headed to the library once I was done at school and got several (ok, lots) of books for next week. We are going to be focusing on the letter v and having a vegetable party on Friday. I thought it would be fun to read Stone Soup, so I got that and a bunch of other books related to gardening and vegetables. I am still trying to think of a fun writing idea that the kiddos can do that has to do with comparing the different versions of Stone Soup. I have been meaning to post the über cute writing they did with the Mo Willems books, but I lost my flash drive, so I can't scan them. Soon, I promise!
After heading to two different local libraries in order to secure all of the books I wanted, I went in to Michael's because this girl loves some arts and crafts! I heart their $1 bins and I always come away with really cute stuff, especially different paper products that I truly don't need with either a K or a T on them. I have an obsession with monogrammed items.... Today I found the most adorable little stamp sets in the dollar bin. They are complete alphabet sets in lower case and upper case.
1 dollar each.
Deal!
I love them so much I am tempted to stamp out a little letter to someone, so I can only imagine how much fun some of my kiddos will have "writing" with them. Each letter stamp is really tiny, but I recall loving things that were small when I was little. I had many very small books that I absolutely adored, so I think these will be a big hit, especially among some of my girlies. I need to get some new ink though, because the ink pads that I got in the dollar bins at Michaels in the past turned out to be not so kid friendly. Many a kid has gone home after stamping with very colorful hands.....oops! I should have been wary given that the word 'tampon' was on that brand (must mean something have to do with ink in French), but needless to say, they were not quite washable.
I am off to class in a little bit, so I need to snack up, clean up, and then hit up the adidas store for my cute husband who has requested some new kicks. Have I mentioned that I reunite with my cute sweetie in just about 66 days?! The countdown is on!
Happy Weekend! Think of me sitting in class as you are out doing fun things and hopefully relaxing:0)
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