One day at circle time, this conversation took place:
Student: We love you!
Me: I love you, too!
Student: But we love you more!
Me: That's so nice of you to say, but I think I love you more.
Since then, it's been a lovefest in kindergarten. Each day, they present me with new reasons why they love me more than I love them. They tell me the love me more than recess, more than ice cream, more than all the chocolate chip cookies in the world.
We become a big family during kindergarten. We spend the majority of our days together. We have experiences and inside jokes that belong to us. They bond us together. Sure, there are times when we fuss and argue, but we also take care of each other.
And now my little ones are in their final month of school. It's that time of year when I wish I could just slow time down. There are still so many things I want to teach them. There are so many more stories for them to tell me. There are still so many experiences for us to share. We need more time.
But I can't slow time down. For now, I'll do my best to fill their final kindergarten days with as much learning, fun and happiness as possible. And when that final day arrives, I'll be the one at the door quietly whispering, "I love you more!"
Showing posts with label Kid Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kid Stories. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Teachers Say the Funniest Things
Here are a few comments I found myself saying in my classroom today.
"If it hurts, stop doing it!"
"Hiding my keys is not acceptable behavior."
"No, you may not ask the men across the street for a ladder so you can get on the roof."
"No, you can't be a dog until after snacktime."
"No, we are not getting a hot tub for the classroom."
"Beer is not an appropriate conversation for center time."
And today was a good day!
"If it hurts, stop doing it!"
"Hiding my keys is not acceptable behavior."
"No, you may not ask the men across the street for a ladder so you can get on the roof."
"No, you can't be a dog until after snacktime."
"No, we are not getting a hot tub for the classroom."
"Beer is not an appropriate conversation for center time."
And today was a good day!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Library Books
I spent some time at school today in an attempt to get things organized for next week. The kids and I will be taking a trip around the world next week through books as we continue to explore character and setting. I have copies of many of the books on my bookshelf at home, but I opted to use copies from the school library.
Growing up, I loved library books. I loved walking into the children's section and smelling that in describable smell. All those spines standing upright were adventures waiting for me to discover. Sure, I had books at home, but I had already read them all. I would revisit them, but at the library had so many new stories waiting for me.
The kids in my class love stories just as much as I did, but I have found that the library doesn't hold quite the same magic that it did for me. They are accustom to the brightly colored covers they see in the book stores, not the dull imitation they find on the cover of the books. In a world where everyone is looking for the latest new thing, they associate library books things that are old.
But I am working to change this. It started with the book Tacky the Penguin. My copy is an old library book that was discarded. When it was put on the shelf initially, no one bothered to pick it up. But once I read it (complete with "the voices"), it became one of the most popular books. They love the story and make me read it constantly. A book that was already in rather sad shape looks pretty beat up on the shelf next to the brightly colored paperback, but it is one of the most loved books.
So next week, we will only be using books from the school library. Some of the stories will be older. Some will be newer. But they will all be books the kids will have access to every Tuesday when they travel upstairs to the room full of books. Maybe by introducing them to more of the stories in the dull covered books they will see that the true magic is not on the outside, but waiting on the pages within.
Growing up, I loved library books. I loved walking into the children's section and smelling that in describable smell. All those spines standing upright were adventures waiting for me to discover. Sure, I had books at home, but I had already read them all. I would revisit them, but at the library had so many new stories waiting for me.
The kids in my class love stories just as much as I did, but I have found that the library doesn't hold quite the same magic that it did for me. They are accustom to the brightly colored covers they see in the book stores, not the dull imitation they find on the cover of the books. In a world where everyone is looking for the latest new thing, they associate library books things that are old.
But I am working to change this. It started with the book Tacky the Penguin. My copy is an old library book that was discarded. When it was put on the shelf initially, no one bothered to pick it up. But once I read it (complete with "the voices"), it became one of the most popular books. They love the story and make me read it constantly. A book that was already in rather sad shape looks pretty beat up on the shelf next to the brightly colored paperback, but it is one of the most loved books.
So next week, we will only be using books from the school library. Some of the stories will be older. Some will be newer. But they will all be books the kids will have access to every Tuesday when they travel upstairs to the room full of books. Maybe by introducing them to more of the stories in the dull covered books they will see that the true magic is not on the outside, but waiting on the pages within.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Touch of Elegance
At the beginning of the school year, it's me and a room full of kids. All those anxious little faces look at me with tremendous curiosity and perhaps even a bit of fear. They are excited to be in this place they have heard so much about, but are not quite sure what to do or what to expect. It is my job to make them feel welcome, loved, and comfortable.
Around February, it becomes apparent that I have done my job quite well. They do feel welcome. They do feel loved. They do feel comfortable. Perhaps a bit too comfortable. (Let's face it--they are ready to complete take over the entire school!) That's when it's time to bring them back to reality. It's time for the Elegant Party.
For the week prior to the party, we focus on manners. We read books. We have discussions. We do projects. We even practice. We learn that manners are how we show the world we care about them and their feelings. Suddenly, there are a lot more "pleases" and "thank yous" floating around the room. There's more assistance during clean up times and more door being held open. Tattling is replaced with reports of the good manners they see in each other.
And, finally, the day of the party arrives. They come dressed up in their "elegant" clothing and sit at their "elegant" table to demonstrate their "elegant" manners. Some even demonstrate their "elegant" dancing skills. They laugh and giggle, but they are also polite and sweet. It is one of my most favorite days of the year.
I'm not foolish enough to believe that this party will change their behaviors for the rest of the school year, but maybe--just maybe--they'll remember a please or thank you every now and then.
Around February, it becomes apparent that I have done my job quite well. They do feel welcome. They do feel loved. They do feel comfortable. Perhaps a bit too comfortable. (Let's face it--they are ready to complete take over the entire school!) That's when it's time to bring them back to reality. It's time for the Elegant Party.
For the week prior to the party, we focus on manners. We read books. We have discussions. We do projects. We even practice. We learn that manners are how we show the world we care about them and their feelings. Suddenly, there are a lot more "pleases" and "thank yous" floating around the room. There's more assistance during clean up times and more door being held open. Tattling is replaced with reports of the good manners they see in each other.
And, finally, the day of the party arrives. They come dressed up in their "elegant" clothing and sit at their "elegant" table to demonstrate their "elegant" manners. Some even demonstrate their "elegant" dancing skills. They laugh and giggle, but they are also polite and sweet. It is one of my most favorite days of the year.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
How Are You Feeling Today?
A couple of years ago, I was fortunate enough to be invited to Florida with some friends. These little fellows accompanied me on my return trip and quickly found a new home on top of the pink fridge in my classroom.
People who see them think of them as little more than decorations for the kids to enjoy. The truth is, they are my mood regulators. Each day, I move the character that most closely resembles my current mood to the middle. Most characters are perfectly acceptable, but there are days when Grumpy takes center stage.
Grumpy and small children are not exactly a good combination. I try to change the lead character, but really, the kids do it for me. Without even trying, they can often bring Happy back into the spotlight. Something they say or a look they may give me usually has me laughing or smiling within five minutes of their arrival. How lucky I am to have constant sources of happiness all around me every day.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas Program
The school's Christmas program is officially over! After weeks of laboring over costumes (did I mention I don't know how to sew?) and countless hours of being trapped in a basement with six year olds, I can finally look back at time I have invested and begin to look at the fond and funny memories made.
1. Kindergartners are just cute. They may not remember the words. They may not remember the actions. But whatever they do, they are just so darn cute doing it.
2. I have answered the question as to why my kids are having so much trouble tying their shoes this year. Apparently, the PE teacher told them they couldn't go to first grade until they learn to tie their shoes. My creative thinkers seem to think they have found a way to stay in the land of glitter and happiness. (For the record, the PE teacher denies ever making this statement.)
3. Dressing up for a performance means you have to stand in the corner and compare outfits. Girls in one corner, boys in the other. All dresses must be tested for their twirling ability. All shirt tails will become untucked with ten minutes of arrival.
4. No matter how much they have driven their teacher crazy singing the same songs over and over again at the top of their lungs, kindergartners will suddenly be come shy and quiet in front of a group of people.
5. Every time they leave the risers, their little eyes shine with pride. I'm just lucky to be the one taking them back to the basement where their excitement takes on the form of hugs.
1. Kindergartners are just cute. They may not remember the words. They may not remember the actions. But whatever they do, they are just so darn cute doing it.
2. I have answered the question as to why my kids are having so much trouble tying their shoes this year. Apparently, the PE teacher told them they couldn't go to first grade until they learn to tie their shoes. My creative thinkers seem to think they have found a way to stay in the land of glitter and happiness. (For the record, the PE teacher denies ever making this statement.)
3. Dressing up for a performance means you have to stand in the corner and compare outfits. Girls in one corner, boys in the other. All dresses must be tested for their twirling ability. All shirt tails will become untucked with ten minutes of arrival.
4. No matter how much they have driven their teacher crazy singing the same songs over and over again at the top of their lungs, kindergartners will suddenly be come shy and quiet in front of a group of people.
5. Every time they leave the risers, their little eyes shine with pride. I'm just lucky to be the one taking them back to the basement where their excitement takes on the form of hugs.
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