Insects and Incest

My first graders were working on the /i/ sound today. We have a story called Injured Insects that we look at and find all the words with the /i/ sound. One of my darlings raised her hand to tell me an /i/ word. I'm happy she's excited to share and call on her. "Incest!" Oh dear. What have I taught today?! The other kids were smiling and nodding. I decided she was really trying to say "insect" and we practiced saying that word. Hopefully she won't go home saying Mrs. Z taught her about incest today!

The Great Pumpkin

I love the Charlie Brown special, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Since it will be on TV tonight, I decided to read the book to some of my classes and told them they can watch it on TV. I'm reading the book to my 1st graders, who are really into the story. I stop to ask what the dog's name is again. One of my little darlings answers, "Snoop Dog!" Umm, close! But so far away!

Letters from Home

I've been having problems with A from last year. She's now in 3rd grade and still disrespectful and rude. Yesterday she was rolling her eyes when I asked her to do things and groaning. A refuses to try to read. She just gives up. I give them lots of individual support, but she still refuses to try. On the rare occasion that she makes an effort, she figures out what we're doing. So she is capable. I sent home a note to mom about her eye rolling, groaning, and lack of effort. I told mom that I know she can do the work but just refuses to try. I received a note back from mom today. I thought I'd share (I didn't edit her note) -

I suspect their are conflicts with your personalities. I've met you. You can be a little tart. I will remind A of her responsibilities as a student and a child and I will continue to stress to her that she attends school to Learn however I would Like to stress to you that you could be a little more patient with her and change your tone. She is a very astuele individual, and She can since your dislike for her.

I think I am one of the most patient teachers here. A has been disrespectful to every adult she's come in contact with at our school. Everyone knows who she is because of this. A also had another teacher calling mom yesterday about her behavior with 2 other teachers! She was nice to them on the phone. Last year mom did hang up on a teacher for calling about A though. I showed the principal, assistant principal, and counselor. I wanted to be sure they knew what was going on with this parent. They all read it and laughed. They all know A and know the huge attitude A has. None of them had anything to tell me to fix - I'm glad they know this parent and how I am!

Sonic & DonorsChoose

Sonic has a new program called Limeades for Learning that will provide grants to U.S. public school teachers to fund classroom projects by partnering with a wonderful organization called DonorsChoose.org. This September, SONIC will donate more than a half million dollars to fund classroom materials and inspire learning. All you have to do to help is buy any Sonic drink and then log on to the Limeades for Learning website. You pick you favorite project (maybe one called Wildcat Book Attack) and enter in the code on your drink.

I do have another grant I'm trying to fund through DonorsChoose and would love any support - either by voting for my project or donating! I'm trying to restart our 2nd & 3rd grade book club and need books for my students. Many of them can't afford a new book and I really want them to be able to keep their book. My proposal is called Wildcat Book Attack.

Thanks!

Wild Week!

This week has definitely been exciting - not in a good way though! Monday we were out for Labor Day, but since then - phew! Glad I'm not an administrator!

One of our kindergarten teachers fell Tuesday and broke her knee cap. The ambulance had to come take her. She had surgery and will be out for a while.

Yesterday the 5th graders found ants and roaches in their gumbo! So gross! Lunch was tossed and they had to find something else to feed everyone so it was way behind. The health inspector came out for a visit. They couldn't figure out where the extra protein came from because the kitchen was clean and no other bugs were found. They think that maybe it was in the rue. All of our testing results for 2nd grade were lost when we synced the palms. Ugh!

Then today the police were called on one of my students from last year. Apparently he wanted to run away from school and kept attempting it!

Sure hope tomorrow is a dull Friday!

A Moment of Silence

I was doing bus duty after school yesterday. My group of pre-k through 1st graders were sitting and talking. Along came a 4th grader shushing them and asking for a moment of silence. Another teacher and I couldn't figure out why he wanted them to be quiet. Then we saw him point. A funeral procession was going by. Ahh, how sweet of him! Of course, now I'm turned toward the funeral procession laughing because I couldn't laugh at him!!


Today I was testing 1st grade. I asked the child who came out what his last name was. "Weirdo." I'm very confused and look at my list. Oh, he must have said "Rideaux!" It rhymes by the way.

Welcome Back!

I hope everyone had a wonderful summer! I'm in week 2 of school. Last week went pretty smoothly - I'm ready to start pulling my kids again! I've already had a few come ask when they get to come to me again. We start testing everyone this week which is no fun!

Here's a little info on my job if you need it. I am a reading interventionist and pull struggling readers K-3rd for extra help. Yes, one of the dreaded "special" teachers - not sure why they call us special; we seem to not be valued much. I tend to get irritated when my classes are cancelled to cover for someone else. I am one that actually does my job and stays late to finish everything! It takes time to plan for 45 different students, keep up with all their documentation, and test them every other week, not to mention actually getting materials all ready for them! Plus lunch duty, before and after school duty. I really do enjoy my job.

I don't have any cute stories yet, so I'll leave you with one from one of my friends. Her son started kindergarten this year. When he came home from school, my friend asked him how his day was. His response? "Good, but my teacher talks too much!" Love it!