If you look closely, you can see that each of my students decorated a piece of this puzzle, then they had to put it together.
Class pets: Introducing Bella & Lucie
Creating a Candy Animal Cell
About to get schooled in motherhood.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Symbols of my classroom
If you look closely, you can see that each of my students decorated a piece of this puzzle, then they had to put it together.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Kaylee comes to school
Kaylee Comes to School- A ballad
As a younger girl at age of ten
she never wanted to come again
that school was mean, and so not fun
she had no friends, she had to run
begrudgingly
Kaylee comes to school.
The counselors around began to stir
nothing they said could convince her
that school was good, or even fine
She does not want to spend her time
unwilling
Kaylee comes to school
She turns 11, a brand new year
Surely this attitude with clear
will see the good from learning
all her teachers are concerning
Sluggishly
Kaylee comes to school
She enters my room, face bright
I try to help her find new heights
She makes 7 calls to find a ride
To school she no longer hides
Joyfully
Kaylee comes to school
Out of the mouth of ...
Out of the mouth of 12 year olds..
Mrs. H - Rigo did you hit Elijah?
R- no
Mrs. H- Did you touch him with any part of your body?
R- No?
Mrs. H- What did you do to Elijah?
R- (points to elbow)
Mrs. H- You elbowed him?
R- yes?
Mrs. H- your elbow is a part of your body
R- yes?
Mrs. H- (trying to sing twinkle twinkle little start in monotone) *Monotone is a spelling word this week*
Seth- Mrs. Howard I'm going to miss you in high school. I hear all those teachers are like sleeping pills in skirts.
Layton - Mrs. Howard, I need a little love over here!
(referring to his computer needing love, because it wasn't working properly)
Mrs. H - What brings you happiness, that doesn't cost money?
Rigo- I mount a horse! (meaning horseback riding)
Monday, February 1, 2010
Dear 6th grader
Dear 6th Grader,
Hi 12 year old. YEah, you I see you playing in your desk while i'm teaching. Even though I see you messing around, I will still answer your question when you come and ask it. I will try not to mention I just covered that exact thing.
I want you to know that you are not always a joy to be around. Sometimes you leave papers on the ground, sometimes you lie to me about turning in your work, and sometimes you tease your classmates and make my life more difficult. I want you to know despite all that, I still show up every day to try to expand your mind.
I know you are tired some mornings, I am too. I know that sometimes things go on at home that affect your day at school. I understand, I have a life outside of school too. If you give me a break sometimes, I'll give you one in return.
I really do want you to succeed. That's why sometimes I have to give you consequences when you don't do an assignment well, or when you don't treat your classmates with respect. It's not because I don't like you, or are picking on you. It's hard on me when you get mad and refuse to answer or participate. I know that you will get over it, even if it takes you posting on your Myspace that I'm a witch!
I hope someday when you interact with 12 year olds, you will remember how I treated you. That I treated you fairly, began each day with you new, and cared for you even though you might roll your eyes, or shrug your shoulders at me. I know 12 is a tough age. So is 24. I'm not so far away from when I was 12 and you aren't so far away from being 24, and adult with responsibilities, So I will try to prepare you the best I can.
Love,
Mrs. Howard
Hi 12 year old. YEah, you I see you playing in your desk while i'm teaching. Even though I see you messing around, I will still answer your question when you come and ask it. I will try not to mention I just covered that exact thing.
I want you to know that you are not always a joy to be around. Sometimes you leave papers on the ground, sometimes you lie to me about turning in your work, and sometimes you tease your classmates and make my life more difficult. I want you to know despite all that, I still show up every day to try to expand your mind.
I know you are tired some mornings, I am too. I know that sometimes things go on at home that affect your day at school. I understand, I have a life outside of school too. If you give me a break sometimes, I'll give you one in return.
I really do want you to succeed. That's why sometimes I have to give you consequences when you don't do an assignment well, or when you don't treat your classmates with respect. It's not because I don't like you, or are picking on you. It's hard on me when you get mad and refuse to answer or participate. I know that you will get over it, even if it takes you posting on your Myspace that I'm a witch!
I hope someday when you interact with 12 year olds, you will remember how I treated you. That I treated you fairly, began each day with you new, and cared for you even though you might roll your eyes, or shrug your shoulders at me. I know 12 is a tough age. So is 24. I'm not so far away from when I was 12 and you aren't so far away from being 24, and adult with responsibilities, So I will try to prepare you the best I can.
Love,
Mrs. Howard
Pride
True Story:
A boy walked through my door last year, first day of school. He had showed up to meet the teacher day, with his older brother. Nothing about him stood out to me, as a first year teacher, I was just taking it all in stride. For some reason, maybe some higher power, I picked this student to be my first "helper of the day." This included running errands, leading the pledge, other small things.
Okay, fast forward to first parent teacher conference. I met mom. Within moments the mother sat there before me crying about how her son loved school, and how she was so happy.
Great, I thought, that's what any teacher loves to hear. But she went on, this student was heavily medicated last year for anxiety, bi-polor, and social disorders. He literally spent hours a day in the counselors office. WHAT?!!? (that would have been good information to know at the beginning of the year)
So all in all my year with J was overall a joy-filled, learning, stretching, growing, year. There were some days when he would feel alone, if his friends were leaving him out, but nothing major.
Tonight I went and watched him play 7th grade basketball. He rushed up to me before the game, (I was standing by his coach) When his coach asked what he needed, he said he just came to see his best teacher. As I watched him own that court later in the evening, I couldn't help but swell up with pride at the young man he became.
J, I can't wait to see you go to high school, and beyond. Keep following your heart, it's a good one.
A boy walked through my door last year, first day of school. He had showed up to meet the teacher day, with his older brother. Nothing about him stood out to me, as a first year teacher, I was just taking it all in stride. For some reason, maybe some higher power, I picked this student to be my first "helper of the day." This included running errands, leading the pledge, other small things.
Okay, fast forward to first parent teacher conference. I met mom. Within moments the mother sat there before me crying about how her son loved school, and how she was so happy.
Great, I thought, that's what any teacher loves to hear. But she went on, this student was heavily medicated last year for anxiety, bi-polor, and social disorders. He literally spent hours a day in the counselors office. WHAT?!!? (that would have been good information to know at the beginning of the year)
So all in all my year with J was overall a joy-filled, learning, stretching, growing, year. There were some days when he would feel alone, if his friends were leaving him out, but nothing major.
Tonight I went and watched him play 7th grade basketball. He rushed up to me before the game, (I was standing by his coach) When his coach asked what he needed, he said he just came to see his best teacher. As I watched him own that court later in the evening, I couldn't help but swell up with pride at the young man he became.
J, I can't wait to see you go to high school, and beyond. Keep following your heart, it's a good one.
It's Just Snow...
Dear parents
It's just snow.
I know it's wet, cold, slippery and intimidating... however it's just snow
Snow is not a good reason to keep your child at home.
Did you know I have a mere two months to prepare your child for their state testing? I have exactly 47 days until the state of OK is going to judge my ability as a teacher on their scores. The state doesn't care if you want to drive on snow, or not. I do care about their safety, and yours of course. With that being said, please send your student to school.
It's just snow.
It's just snow.
I know it's wet, cold, slippery and intimidating... however it's just snow
Snow is not a good reason to keep your child at home.
Did you know I have a mere two months to prepare your child for their state testing? I have exactly 47 days until the state of OK is going to judge my ability as a teacher on their scores. The state doesn't care if you want to drive on snow, or not. I do care about their safety, and yours of course. With that being said, please send your student to school.
It's just snow.
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