The one thing I hate more than anything is when my students "toot" in class. I don't like even talking about it, let alone saying the word. Today we were in the middle of our Math lesson when *Johnny let a very loud "toot" escape. My class looked at me knowing I would be mad, when *Johnny looked up and said "That one came straight from my dad!" Okay, I have to admit that I laughed.
*All names have been changed to protect the guilty!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
This week's show and tell
1. A small notebook that *Suzy said she got as a present when she was a baby and she's been writing important things in it her whole life. She showed us the pages-all scribbles.
2. A pair of sunglasses.
3. A piece of rope - no story to go with...just a piece of rope.
4. A tackle box full of rocks (rough estimate-200). I stopped *Mary from showing all of them after about 15 rocks.
5. A turkey feather - which was said to have come from their Thanksgiving turkey....hmmmm?
6. A calendar.
7. More rocks.
8. A canker on the inside of *Sarah's cheek. She walked around and let each student look inside her mouth for it.
9. A paper airplane.
10. More rocks.
11. A Medal from the Army. (This was a good one.)
Count:
Educational items: 1 Non-education items: 209
*Name have been changed to protect the guilty!!
2. A pair of sunglasses.
3. A piece of rope - no story to go with...just a piece of rope.
4. A tackle box full of rocks (rough estimate-200). I stopped *Mary from showing all of them after about 15 rocks.
5. A turkey feather - which was said to have come from their Thanksgiving turkey....hmmmm?
6. A calendar.
7. More rocks.
8. A canker on the inside of *Sarah's cheek. She walked around and let each student look inside her mouth for it.
9. A paper airplane.
10. More rocks.
11. A Medal from the Army. (This was a good one.)
Count:
Educational items: 1 Non-education items: 209
*Name have been changed to protect the guilty!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
I have to tell this funny story before I forget it. Our school has had a lot of changes this year, the biggest being that we are now two schools combined into one. Last year our school board decided that, in an effort to save money, we would combine our two elementary schools into one and put everyone into one building. A few other teachers and I were talking about a month or so into the year about how the changes were effecting everyone and I made the comment that I hadn't seen any of the school board members or district personnel at our school this year to see how things were going.
Lo and behold, a few days later my principal came into my room and told me that the next day the school board members would most likely be coming into my room and a few others to see how things were going. I wanted to prepare my students ahead of time so that they were on their best behavior. I told them that we needed to have an important talk. I believe in telling kids the truth, so I started by explaining to them why the two schools were put together and we talked about the changes they all were experiencing, etc. I told them that some very important people were going to be visiting our class the next day to see how we were doing with the changes. They asked who the people were. I figured that the words "school board members" wouldn't mean anything to them, so I explained that they were the people who made the decisions for us at school, such as what rules we should follow, and really important things like how much money we spend on things at school, and even sometimes what we learn. I then asked the class to tell me what kind of students they thought the school board memebers expected them to be. One boy who is so quiet and innocent and never yells out or anything, jumped up and said, "Idiots!" I was so taken back, I looked at him and asked him to tell me again. He said the same thing with such innocence on his face that I could tell that he was serious. I got the giggles and so did the rest of my class. This was one of the few times I haven't been able to "get a grip" - I couldn't quit laughing. This boy looked like he might start crying. I asked him why he thought that and he said, "You know, so they'll give us more money and won't make us learn as many hard things."
Lo and behold, a few days later my principal came into my room and told me that the next day the school board members would most likely be coming into my room and a few others to see how things were going. I wanted to prepare my students ahead of time so that they were on their best behavior. I told them that we needed to have an important talk. I believe in telling kids the truth, so I started by explaining to them why the two schools were put together and we talked about the changes they all were experiencing, etc. I told them that some very important people were going to be visiting our class the next day to see how we were doing with the changes. They asked who the people were. I figured that the words "school board members" wouldn't mean anything to them, so I explained that they were the people who made the decisions for us at school, such as what rules we should follow, and really important things like how much money we spend on things at school, and even sometimes what we learn. I then asked the class to tell me what kind of students they thought the school board memebers expected them to be. One boy who is so quiet and innocent and never yells out or anything, jumped up and said, "Idiots!" I was so taken back, I looked at him and asked him to tell me again. He said the same thing with such innocence on his face that I could tell that he was serious. I got the giggles and so did the rest of my class. This was one of the few times I haven't been able to "get a grip" - I couldn't quit laughing. This boy looked like he might start crying. I asked him why he thought that and he said, "You know, so they'll give us more money and won't make us learn as many hard things."
Show and Tell
Show and Tell just kills me. If you want a way to get your kids to think out of the box, just tell them that show and tell items have to be educational-something that we can learn from. I told them from the first that what they bring can be items they have made or bought, but absolutely no toys. I can't believe the creative ways they come up with to show a toy and make it "legal." A few weeks ago we had a toy cat whose owner told us that she had made the cat with her grandma. Grandma had allegedly bought the fur and stuffing at a craft store and they made it together. The cat's owner then proceeded to show us that the cat had a compartment in the bottom that you could put two batteries in and the cat would meow. The cat was then thrust into my arms as she produced the cat's matching kitten from her backpack. After we listened to the both cats meow a couple of times I said to the owner, "Are you sure you and your grandma made these?" "Yes, we did," she said. "Are you really sure?" I said. "Yes," was her reply again.
I then turned the cat I was holding over and held up the "Made in Taiwan" tag. I really wanted to say "so you must live in Taiwan, then." But being the nice teacher I am, I just gave her that look that we as teachers strive to perfect. You know, the one that says I know exactly what you are doing and you can't fool me. As soon as she saw the tag, she suddenly remembered that this wasn't the right cat that she and her grandma made, they actually made a different one that was still at home.
Another time a student brought a Hannah Montana eraser in the shape of a heart. Thinking that I wouldn't allow it, she told the class that her dad was a scientist (he's not) and that she and her dad had made this eraser from a "special" material that doesn't break. She told us how they had a mold and poured the solution in and then they painted a Hannah Montana picture on the front. She then proceeded to show us how she could bend the eraser back and forth and it wouldn't break. The kids were amazed! I thought, "hmmm, I need to talk to this student about telling the truth." But then as fate would have it, the problem took care of itself. The kids all asked if she would pass it around so they could see it close up. When the eraser came back around to the front, it was given back to her in two pieces.
I could go on all day about the show and tells we've had so far, but let me just leave you with what we had for this week's show and tell.
1. Aaron's rock collection. A plastic grocery bag filled with hundreds of rocks and each one had its own story.
2. A vending machine ring that we were told was a "very expensive" birthstone ring.
3. A pokemon card that when I told the student that it counted as a toy, he replied that he was showing it to us because the picture was beautiful art.
4. A "very special" pink Hannah Montana backpack. (We've seen this same backpack at three other sessions of show and tell.)
5. A dried and crumbling bread bowl that we were told was from the pioneer times when they didn't have plates and so they ate on stale bread. It broke twice during the day before show and tell and so it's owner and I glued it back together. I had to say no when it was suggested that everyone take a bite to see what it was like to eat in the "olden days."
This last one was funny to me, yet very true, and actually led us into a great discussion about the pilgrims and what people ate back then. It came from one of my very creative thinking students who always brings the most interesting things for show and tell. I love to see her mind at work.
I then turned the cat I was holding over and held up the "Made in Taiwan" tag. I really wanted to say "so you must live in Taiwan, then." But being the nice teacher I am, I just gave her that look that we as teachers strive to perfect. You know, the one that says I know exactly what you are doing and you can't fool me. As soon as she saw the tag, she suddenly remembered that this wasn't the right cat that she and her grandma made, they actually made a different one that was still at home.
Another time a student brought a Hannah Montana eraser in the shape of a heart. Thinking that I wouldn't allow it, she told the class that her dad was a scientist (he's not) and that she and her dad had made this eraser from a "special" material that doesn't break. She told us how they had a mold and poured the solution in and then they painted a Hannah Montana picture on the front. She then proceeded to show us how she could bend the eraser back and forth and it wouldn't break. The kids were amazed! I thought, "hmmm, I need to talk to this student about telling the truth." But then as fate would have it, the problem took care of itself. The kids all asked if she would pass it around so they could see it close up. When the eraser came back around to the front, it was given back to her in two pieces.
I could go on all day about the show and tells we've had so far, but let me just leave you with what we had for this week's show and tell.
1. Aaron's rock collection. A plastic grocery bag filled with hundreds of rocks and each one had its own story.
2. A vending machine ring that we were told was a "very expensive" birthstone ring.
3. A pokemon card that when I told the student that it counted as a toy, he replied that he was showing it to us because the picture was beautiful art.
4. A "very special" pink Hannah Montana backpack. (We've seen this same backpack at three other sessions of show and tell.)
5. A dried and crumbling bread bowl that we were told was from the pioneer times when they didn't have plates and so they ate on stale bread. It broke twice during the day before show and tell and so it's owner and I glued it back together. I had to say no when it was suggested that everyone take a bite to see what it was like to eat in the "olden days."
This last one was funny to me, yet very true, and actually led us into a great discussion about the pilgrims and what people ate back then. It came from one of my very creative thinking students who always brings the most interesting things for show and tell. I love to see her mind at work.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Prisoners of ...
So, the most hillarious/embarrassing thing happened today at school. Our school put together a Veteran's Day program and invited all the veterans from the community to attend and be honored. Some of our students would be reading essays they wrote or performing patriotic numbers. I wanted to make sure my students would be on their best behavior in the program and show appropriate respect for the veterans. We had talked for about 20 minutes in class about what veterans are, and why we respect them, I explained to them that even though we do the Pledge of Allegience every morning, we would be doing it again when the flag was posted. I wanted to cover all my bases so that they understood what was going on and nothing embarrassing or "attention-getting" would happen during the program. We practiced our behavior and how we should sit and pay attention to the speakers, etc. I felt comfortable that we were good-to-go. Right after our discussion we filed into the gym past all the veterans young and old in their uniforms and sat down on the floor toward the front of the gym near the stage. Our principal introduced the program and then the beautiful music of the various armed forces played as a representative from each group of the military proudly carried a flag to the front and posted it. Along with the rest of the audience my sweet class stood at attention and I was as proud as a mama hen as they stood their with their hands over their hearts and gave their full attention and respect for the flags and veterans, then sat quietly down on the floor and folded their arms. During the time that the various flags were being carried up, I noticed a gentleman I know carrying a flag at the end that I have never noticed before. I was a black and white POW flag. I was caught up in thought because I didn't know this man had been a prisoner of war and I was thinking that I'll have to ask his daughter (a friend of mine) about it. I came out of my thoughts as the music ended and the audience sat down. Of course, I noticed how perfectly my students sat down without incident and was sure that others noticed their good behavior also. They were silent while we had a moment of silence for our fallen soldiers, they were attentive during the speeches, they were in fact-perfect. Soon the principal stood up to the microphone and said, "Could we have everyone who has been a POW stand up, please." Well....as if it was rehearsed, my entire class stood up! I don't know if any real POWs stood up, because everyone was looking at my class. Well, because of their "good" example the class behind us started to stand up. That class's teacher and I both jumped up and tried to quietly get all the kids to sit down. There were plently of chuckles in the audience and my face was beat red. I just looked at the teachers next to me and said, "Wow, I thought they liked school, but I guess they feel like I'm holding them prisoner." The program continued without further incident and school was out shortly after. As soon as the kids left I penciled in my plan book-"First thing tomorrow discuss the differences between a student and a prisoner of war." Apparently for some it's a gray area.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
What are Parent/Teacher conferences?
I was standing at the front of the room giving a lesson, when our secretary walked in and set some papers on my desk. I had been expecting them to bring around notes to go home with the student's conference times on them. Of course, 2nd graders are curious and they all wanted to know what those notes were for. I explained to them that they were notes telling their parents what time they were scheduled to be at PT conferences. One boy said," So teacher, what exactly are parent teacher conferences? I told them that it was an opportunity for their parents to come to school and see what we do in our classroom. I then told them that the best part of all is that I get to tell their parents all the bad things I have learned about each student. Their jaws dropped to the floor and they began to look pretty worried. I continued the rouse for a little while until one of my little girls raised her hand and said, "Teacher, can you give us a break? I mean we haven't told your mom about the three times you have been on the wrong side of the page in math?" I began laughing so hard. But none of the other kids laughed--they were totally serious.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
The teacher tattles
You are probably wondering why the address to this site is "tell the toad." Well, it didn't take me long to find out that 2nd graders are masters at tattling. I knew that I needed to come up with a solution for the tattling as soon as possible. I searched the internet for other teacher's recommendation and then came up with a solution I hoped would work.
The theme in my class this year is Frogs, so I took a green composition book and created a cute cover for it that has a picture of a toad with the words "Tell the Toad" under it. I happened to have a ceramic frog figurine that has one of it's hands on it's head and looks like it is full of sympathy. Just perfect for what I needed! We discussed in class what "tattling" was and how to tell the difference between tattling and telling the teacher something that the teacher needs to know or a problem the student is having. If it was a tattle, then they needed to write their tattle in the notebook and we would discuss it later. For the first couple of weeks each time a student would start to complain I would say, "Wait a second, is this a tattle or not?" It was amazing...my students would stop and think for a second and then go over to the notebook and write down what their tattle was. Some students didn't want to take the time to write their tattle and would just go to their seats and soon the problem was forgotten. We take out the tattle book every once in a while and discuss as a class what was written and how those problems could be solved. This has worked so well and I don't have any more tattlers!!
I have discovered how absolutely hilarious 2nd graders are. So I decided to be the tattler in my class and tattle on my students. They have done and said so many cute, adorable, and absolutely hilarious things that I just have to share them. So now I'm the tattler:)
The theme in my class this year is Frogs, so I took a green composition book and created a cute cover for it that has a picture of a toad with the words "Tell the Toad" under it. I happened to have a ceramic frog figurine that has one of it's hands on it's head and looks like it is full of sympathy. Just perfect for what I needed! We discussed in class what "tattling" was and how to tell the difference between tattling and telling the teacher something that the teacher needs to know or a problem the student is having. If it was a tattle, then they needed to write their tattle in the notebook and we would discuss it later. For the first couple of weeks each time a student would start to complain I would say, "Wait a second, is this a tattle or not?" It was amazing...my students would stop and think for a second and then go over to the notebook and write down what their tattle was. Some students didn't want to take the time to write their tattle and would just go to their seats and soon the problem was forgotten. We take out the tattle book every once in a while and discuss as a class what was written and how those problems could be solved. This has worked so well and I don't have any more tattlers!!
I have discovered how absolutely hilarious 2nd graders are. So I decided to be the tattler in my class and tattle on my students. They have done and said so many cute, adorable, and absolutely hilarious things that I just have to share them. So now I'm the tattler:)
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Getting a grip
The first week of school was a little rough for me trying to get used to such young students. I had visited with my fellow second grade teachers and they informed me that the students don't read yet when they come into second grade, they are very clingy, and they only know how to add in math. (I teach high school Algebra during summer school!)
Just as I anticipated, it seemed like all I did the first week was tie shoes, hold hands with everyone, break up arguments over who got to hold my hand, and go through a whole bottle of hand sanitizer. I'm not a touchy feely kind of person and I couldn't imagine how I was going to get through the year. Everytime I tied a shoe I wondered where those shoelaces had been dragged through...most of my students live on farms and everytime I held a hand I tried to remember if that was the hand I saw Johnny picking his nose with earlier.
Over the weekend, I did a lot of self talk and decided I needed to do whatever it took to make it a great year and refocus my views of 2nd grade. In short, I needed to take charge. On Monday my students received a very important homework assignment. They had to go home and learn how to tie their shoes by the next day. They next morning they each lined up and one by one untied their shoes and then retied them perfectly! I then informed them that I would no longer be tying shoes. They could all do it and if they had trouble with their shoes they each had 21 other people in class who I'm sure would be more than willing to help them tie their shoes. I haven't tied a pair of shoes since!!
Just as I anticipated, it seemed like all I did the first week was tie shoes, hold hands with everyone, break up arguments over who got to hold my hand, and go through a whole bottle of hand sanitizer. I'm not a touchy feely kind of person and I couldn't imagine how I was going to get through the year. Everytime I tied a shoe I wondered where those shoelaces had been dragged through...most of my students live on farms and everytime I held a hand I tried to remember if that was the hand I saw Johnny picking his nose with earlier.
Over the weekend, I did a lot of self talk and decided I needed to do whatever it took to make it a great year and refocus my views of 2nd grade. In short, I needed to take charge. On Monday my students received a very important homework assignment. They had to go home and learn how to tie their shoes by the next day. They next morning they each lined up and one by one untied their shoes and then retied them perfectly! I then informed them that I would no longer be tying shoes. They could all do it and if they had trouble with their shoes they each had 21 other people in class who I'm sure would be more than willing to help them tie their shoes. I haven't tied a pair of shoes since!!
A Whole New World
Okay, so I have been meaning to start this blog for months now and have been so busy that it ended up on the back burner. Let me introduce my intentions with this blog. Simply put, I have the best job in the world and I want to share it with everyone else!!
I have been teaching school for 13 years. I was at the middle school age until three years ago when I transferred to 5th grade. The next year I was asked to teach a 4th/5th split and this year I moved to 2nd grade. I was really worried about moving to such a low grade level this year. I have always been so comfortable with older students. I love getting into meaningful and deep conversations with them and seeing them really desire to learn. When I thought of second grade all I could think of was tying shoes, wiping noses, holding hands (yes...I'm kind of a germ freak), and just coloring all day. I think I was more scared and nervous than my students on the first day of school. I didn't know what to expect. In fact, when my first two students walked through the door, I ran next door to my friend's classroom and asked her if they were all really that small!!! Unfortunately, she relplied in the affirmative. I just knew it was going to be a horrible school year. I didn't know how to relate to these teeny tiny kids. I mean they looked like they could break!!!
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love to joke with my students and use a lot of humor in my classroom. Well, the school bell rang the students took their seats and 22 little faces looked at me with the question on them of "Well, you're the teacher-what do we do next?" I introduced myself to the class like I always did with a few funny anecdotes, but no laughs came, like with my previous classes, just blank looks wondering what I was talking about.
It was going to be a loooooong year!!!!
I have been teaching school for 13 years. I was at the middle school age until three years ago when I transferred to 5th grade. The next year I was asked to teach a 4th/5th split and this year I moved to 2nd grade. I was really worried about moving to such a low grade level this year. I have always been so comfortable with older students. I love getting into meaningful and deep conversations with them and seeing them really desire to learn. When I thought of second grade all I could think of was tying shoes, wiping noses, holding hands (yes...I'm kind of a germ freak), and just coloring all day. I think I was more scared and nervous than my students on the first day of school. I didn't know what to expect. In fact, when my first two students walked through the door, I ran next door to my friend's classroom and asked her if they were all really that small!!! Unfortunately, she relplied in the affirmative. I just knew it was going to be a horrible school year. I didn't know how to relate to these teeny tiny kids. I mean they looked like they could break!!!
Now, anyone who knows me knows that I love to joke with my students and use a lot of humor in my classroom. Well, the school bell rang the students took their seats and 22 little faces looked at me with the question on them of "Well, you're the teacher-what do we do next?" I introduced myself to the class like I always did with a few funny anecdotes, but no laughs came, like with my previous classes, just blank looks wondering what I was talking about.
It was going to be a loooooong year!!!!
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