Our spring break is coming up in only three weeks which means spring conferences are on the horizon. We have Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th off from school in order to do our conferences/have some professional development. For some reason (which is kind of nice) my principal is asking us to stay later earlier in the week so we get out at noon on Friday. We have training in the morning on Friday, so we are being asked to stay until 6 on Wednesday and Thursday. I always stay after school hours for my conferences because I feel like it's very important to accommodate the parents who work and need to come in the evening. I don't think I can say I want parents to be involved and then only offer conferences during my normal working hours. Because I have class on Wed. and Thurs. I can't stay late those days, so I am doing a late day on Tuesday instead.
After school today I was going to get the note ready to send home and then decided to just call all the parents instead. Yes, that is more time consuming considering I have 41 families at this point, but each call was pretty quick and everyone I talked with was so friendly and happy to hear from me.
I did all my calls in Spanish first since that takes more mental effort and I got them all scheduled easy peasy. Then I started on the rest of the list and got about half of my families scheduled. I emailed a few more parents and then hopefully I will just have a few remaining to schedule by the end of this week.
This time instead of just talking with each family separately, we are doing student led conferences with three families at a time. The students will get a checklist and will show their parents various activities that we do in class. I will also be a station so that each parent has a chance to talk with me at some point while they are visiting. I have never done student led conferences before but I really like the idea! I think the kids will enjoy showing off for their parents and it will be more beneficial for parents to see their children in action rather than just talking to me.
I feel like as I gain more teaching experiencing calling families becomes less of a big deal. I used to take deep breaths before ever calling anyone in Spanish because it was HARD, but now it's a little easier and I don't struggle as much to understand over the phone. It was also nice to get some warm greetings when I said who was calling from many of the parents. I got a few more parents to volunteer for our Teddy Bear project (which I don't think I have posted about!) and I feel like I got a lot accomplished!
I can't believe there are only three more weeks until spring break (which means 19 days until I see Mr. Sneaker!!) He is coming to visit me and I cannot wait! I have a few more papers to do and two presentations next Wednesday. It seems like March 9th is the deadline for EVERYTHING, so once that date passes, I will be a lot less stressed.
Now, it's time for some homework....
100th Day!
Wow it's been a long time since I last posted! With three weeks until the end of Winter term, I am buried with papers and am struggling to get everything done! I know it will happen, but I can't tell you how happy I will be when it is March 19th, Winter term is over, spring break is in effect, and I am on my way to the airport to get my cute husband!
We reconvened at school today after a snow day and celebrated the 100th day. I was a little leery about what was going to happen given that we had snow in Oregon (which doesn't happen that often), and the kids were totally amped up for the 100th day, and it was Friday. I was kind of expecting a pretty chaotic day, but it was awesome. The kiddos had a ton of fun and I was told approximately 100 times that I am the best teacher and I am awesome. The best part of the day was the 100 day snack.
We reconvened at school today after a snow day and celebrated the 100th day. I was a little leery about what was going to happen given that we had snow in Oregon (which doesn't happen that often), and the kids were totally amped up for the 100th day, and it was Friday. I was kind of expecting a pretty chaotic day, but it was awesome. The kiddos had a ton of fun and I was told approximately 100 times that I am the best teacher and I am awesome. The best part of the day was the 100 day snack.
I set out 10 different kinds of snacks which included mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, Cheerios, Fruit Loops, corn nuts, Skittles, popcorn, jelly beans, oyster crackers, and Goldfish.
Each child got an egg carton that had two of the egg cups cut off so there were 10 little compartments. They also got a list with each of the snack items on it.
They went to one snack item at a time and put 10 pieces in their egg carton, then brought it back to their table and put it on a 100 chart.
Some kids even added to the activity by making patterns with their colored candies and Fruit Loops.
Once the kiddos had all of their snack items, they got to slide their snack into a plastic baggie and enjoy it!
The kids also had some other 100 day things to do once they were eating their snack. They had a jumbo 100 dollar bill and they wrote what they would buy with $100 and a certificate that said, I am 100 days smarter that they could color. We had more activities planned, but since we missed school yesterday, I just didn't get to everything. We had planned for them to draw a picture of what they will look like when they are 100 and to write/draw on a page that said I can eat 100 ______.
During our daily math routine we also counted to 100, clapped 100 times, jumped 100 times in groups of ten, then stayed quiet for 100 seconds. Staying quiet was the hardest one! There was a lot of giggle stifling going on. Overall, it was a really fun day.
Dare I say that's what Kindergarten really should be like all the time!
My Heart Smiles...
Both my husband and I graduated from Villanova University, so of course it has a special place in our hearts because that is where we met. It is also where we spent many hours serving on the student committee for Special Olympics because Nova hosted Fall Games in PA. I would love this video even if I didn't have a special connection with Villanova because it is just plain awesome... but I especially love it because Villanova is where my interest in special education came about and this video s a tribute to the kind of community that exists on campus.
7 Facts
Sunny over at The Caffeinated Teacher tagged me in "7 Facts" over the weekend, so I wanted to make good on my tag and join in. The idea is to write 7 random facts about yourself and then tag 15 other bloggers. Let's see if I can come up with a list of 15, if not, I encourage anyone who reads this to play along!
1. I have not thrown up since I was 10. Let's keep it that way!
2. I am a crazy fear of frogs and get total heebie jeebies even thinking about them. Oddly enough, I LOVED teaching about frogs as part of my First Grade science curriculum. Thankfully, my kiddos were never the ones to bring in tadpoles because my neighboring classroom always got some and I would send the kids in to see them, but always got creeped out when I walked by the tank. ::shudder::
3. I am really bad at first impressions. When I first met Mr. Sneaker I thought he was obnoxious (he did have his hair dyed platinum at the time....) Obviously, my first impression was inaccurate because he is a wonderful person and an awesome husband.
4. I am really clumsy. I walk into walls and doors and sometimes people. I am always rushing, so that might be part of it, but it happens a lot. I personally think I have issues with perception because I feel the same way when I drive. I think cars are closer than they really are, but the eye doctor couldn't find any problems. I do have glasses for driving, but my roomie teases me and says they are just clear lenses. I tell her that it's just the power of the mind, so when I wear them, I think I can see better.
5. I have really bad reading comprehension. It has gotten better since I have been teaching reading, yet I still have a quite a hard time remembering what I read (more so with novels than material I read for class). Often when we discuss our books in book club, people talk about parts of the book and I have zero recollection of what they mention....working on it....
6. I try to be really healthy yet I have a crazy sweet tooth. CRAZY. I love chocolate and anything desserty.
7. I got published for the first time in September 2010 and I hope that is the first of many. I really want to write a book (sooner rather than later). I would love to write a children's book or a book about teaching. I'll let you know if that dream ever comes true!!
Tag, you're it!
Following the Footsteps
According to Ashley
First Grader at Last
First Grade Fun
She Wears a Red Sox Cap
All the Weigh
Laugh Until you Cry
Meghann
Ginger Snaps
Ok, that's all I got...but if you want to play along, leave me a comment and I will check it out.
1. I have not thrown up since I was 10. Let's keep it that way!
2. I am a crazy fear of frogs and get total heebie jeebies even thinking about them. Oddly enough, I LOVED teaching about frogs as part of my First Grade science curriculum. Thankfully, my kiddos were never the ones to bring in tadpoles because my neighboring classroom always got some and I would send the kids in to see them, but always got creeped out when I walked by the tank. ::shudder::
3. I am really bad at first impressions. When I first met Mr. Sneaker I thought he was obnoxious (he did have his hair dyed platinum at the time....) Obviously, my first impression was inaccurate because he is a wonderful person and an awesome husband.
4. I am really clumsy. I walk into walls and doors and sometimes people. I am always rushing, so that might be part of it, but it happens a lot. I personally think I have issues with perception because I feel the same way when I drive. I think cars are closer than they really are, but the eye doctor couldn't find any problems. I do have glasses for driving, but my roomie teases me and says they are just clear lenses. I tell her that it's just the power of the mind, so when I wear them, I think I can see better.
5. I have really bad reading comprehension. It has gotten better since I have been teaching reading, yet I still have a quite a hard time remembering what I read (more so with novels than material I read for class). Often when we discuss our books in book club, people talk about parts of the book and I have zero recollection of what they mention....working on it....
6. I try to be really healthy yet I have a crazy sweet tooth. CRAZY. I love chocolate and anything desserty.
7. I got published for the first time in September 2010 and I hope that is the first of many. I really want to write a book (sooner rather than later). I would love to write a children's book or a book about teaching. I'll let you know if that dream ever comes true!!
Tag, you're it!
Following the Footsteps
According to Ashley
First Grader at Last
First Grade Fun
She Wears a Red Sox Cap
All the Weigh
Laugh Until you Cry
Meghann
Ginger Snaps
Ok, that's all I got...but if you want to play along, leave me a comment and I will check it out.
EHW
On Jersey Shore (yes, I watch it) they use lots of acronyms such as GTL (gym tan laundry) and DTF (let's not even go there!). Today my acronym for Valentine's Day is EHW
Effort
Hugs
Words
I so appreciate that a few of my students gave me hand made Valentines like this one...it takes a lot longer to make something like this than to write your name on a store bought card and that makes it all the more special...
I had 8 moms come to our party in the morning session to help out. Well, they actually planned the whole thing, brought all the supplies, gave me a gift card to a local spa with an additional gift card for Peet's coffee, and cleaned up the entire room before leaving. And they had all the kids join in at once to say they love me. They even cut out the hearts I needed for the afternoon party since they knew I didn't have as much parent help and they knew it would take them a lot less time to do it collectively than for me to do it alone.....EFFORT
At the end of the day as we were lined up for the buses, my adorable little Alberto said, What about hugs for everyone? Which prompted me to make my way down the line of cuties giving each one a special Valentine hug. Then several kids embraced each other. Little kid hugs are the best...HUGS
This morning I woke up to find e-cards in my inbox from both my mom and my husband. Despite the distance, I know they were both thinking of me today and that makes me smile. My husband chose the funniest card that was such a tribute to my personality and I love him for that. He can always make me smile. He addressed the card to me by name and then in parenthesis wrote (future Dr. Sneaker) because he knows how much I have been busting my buns with my crazy workload...WORDS
These are the things that are special to me...not the candy (although I do love me some chocolate!), not the flowers, not the store bought character cards, but the effort, the hugs, and the words are what made me smile the most today (and my pink feather boa) :0)
Effort
Hugs
Words
I so appreciate that a few of my students gave me hand made Valentines like this one...it takes a lot longer to make something like this than to write your name on a store bought card and that makes it all the more special...
I had 8 moms come to our party in the morning session to help out. Well, they actually planned the whole thing, brought all the supplies, gave me a gift card to a local spa with an additional gift card for Peet's coffee, and cleaned up the entire room before leaving. And they had all the kids join in at once to say they love me. They even cut out the hearts I needed for the afternoon party since they knew I didn't have as much parent help and they knew it would take them a lot less time to do it collectively than for me to do it alone.....EFFORT
At the end of the day as we were lined up for the buses, my adorable little Alberto said, What about hugs for everyone? Which prompted me to make my way down the line of cuties giving each one a special Valentine hug. Then several kids embraced each other. Little kid hugs are the best...HUGS
This morning I woke up to find e-cards in my inbox from both my mom and my husband. Despite the distance, I know they were both thinking of me today and that makes me smile. My husband chose the funniest card that was such a tribute to my personality and I love him for that. He can always make me smile. He addressed the card to me by name and then in parenthesis wrote (future Dr. Sneaker) because he knows how much I have been busting my buns with my crazy workload...WORDS
These are the things that are special to me...not the candy (although I do love me some chocolate!), not the flowers, not the store bought character cards, but the effort, the hugs, and the words are what made me smile the most today (and my pink feather boa) :0)
Swoon
I just had the best day with my kiddos--both classes. I don't know what it was, but I was just seriously in love with them today.
It started with our journal writing. They were writing in response to the question, "Who do you love and why." I just adored what I saw.
I love my mom because she makes me macaroni and cheese (all spelled correctly)
I love my dad because he takes me to Chuck E. Cheese
I love my mom because she helps me make Valentines (with the cutest little picture of two stick people sitting at a table making cards)
I love my teacher because she teaches me good stuff
I love my brother because he gives me hugs.
Too cute.
Then I listened to my teeniest most adorable Dianita read her first take home Bob book to me and she did awesome. We shared a big hug and such a sweet moment. I heart her and her smile was so big and she is so tiny that it was just precious!
The kiddos were SO pumped to celebrate Fun Friday with choice time and the kids who kept their three sticks all week and got "Yay I made good choices all week" certificates were just on cloud nine.
At the end of the day I realized I needed to give Anna the star of the week backpack. Anna doesn't say much, but she is the one who just asked me to go to the bathroom in English for the first time a few weeks ago and usually says everything in Spanish. When I told her she was going to be star of the week I literally jumped up and down. And, so did she. It was awesome.
I thought that if the morning went so well that the afternoon wouldn't because that's just how my classes role, but the afternoon was great too! Love it! Love it! Love it!
They earned their 30th gumball (class incentive) and so they got to have an outside recess for their Friday Fun activity. Plus, they had PE in the big gym today so it was just a rockin' day for them. I really enjoyed spending time with kiddos in both groups during writing today. For some reason, it just felt productive and not crazy/hectic/rushed like it usually does. I just love reading what they write and I really need to post some of their work because it is great.
I really heart Kindergarten right now.
It started with our journal writing. They were writing in response to the question, "Who do you love and why." I just adored what I saw.
I love my mom because she makes me macaroni and cheese (all spelled correctly)
I love my dad because he takes me to Chuck E. Cheese
I love my mom because she helps me make Valentines (with the cutest little picture of two stick people sitting at a table making cards)
I love my teacher because she teaches me good stuff
I love my brother because he gives me hugs.
Too cute.
Then I listened to my teeniest most adorable Dianita read her first take home Bob book to me and she did awesome. We shared a big hug and such a sweet moment. I heart her and her smile was so big and she is so tiny that it was just precious!
The kiddos were SO pumped to celebrate Fun Friday with choice time and the kids who kept their three sticks all week and got "Yay I made good choices all week" certificates were just on cloud nine.
At the end of the day I realized I needed to give Anna the star of the week backpack. Anna doesn't say much, but she is the one who just asked me to go to the bathroom in English for the first time a few weeks ago and usually says everything in Spanish. When I told her she was going to be star of the week I literally jumped up and down. And, so did she. It was awesome.
I thought that if the morning went so well that the afternoon wouldn't because that's just how my classes role, but the afternoon was great too! Love it! Love it! Love it!
They earned their 30th gumball (class incentive) and so they got to have an outside recess for their Friday Fun activity. Plus, they had PE in the big gym today so it was just a rockin' day for them. I really enjoyed spending time with kiddos in both groups during writing today. For some reason, it just felt productive and not crazy/hectic/rushed like it usually does. I just love reading what they write and I really need to post some of their work because it is great.
I really heart Kindergarten right now.
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