My rainbow child, DuckDuck, was absent on Monday. Since he isn't usually absent I noticed but didn't think too much of it. Tuesday during circle time he raised his hand. I called on him and he said, with all the monotone inherent in young children delivering bad news, "My uncle was shot yesterday. He might come home. He might not."
Ladies and gentleman, that is the third time that this has happened to one of my students in two years. And I'm not counting all the relatives who are shot before I meet my students.
My heart goes out to Duck's mom who showed up at dismissal physically frazzled and red-eyed, but still calm.
Showing posts with label duckduck. Show all posts
Showing posts with label duckduck. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 05, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
54 days to go
We did a science experiment to discover the necessary elements of life for plants. Each group planted a flower seed with one resource missing: water, light, and soil. The fourth group was our control - they just planted a plant.
Two funny things happened in relation to this experiment. First, during school DuckDuck began to cry a sad, hearty, leaky sort of sob. When I asked what was wrong he answered, "I'm just a little bit sad that our plant isn't going to grow." He was in the "no water" group. Second, after school I was giving the no soil and control plants each a little bit more water to last the weekend and I accidentally watered the "no water" cup. I quickly poured the water off the top before it seeped in, but DuckDuck may have his wish fulfilled after all.
In less exciting news, N was sent home during gym because while he was sitting in the corner for choking a student he found a chisel and chucked it at another student and hit her. I know that he isn't malicious, but it sincerely worries me that his first thought on finding something sharp and heavy is to throw it at another child.
Two funny things happened in relation to this experiment. First, during school DuckDuck began to cry a sad, hearty, leaky sort of sob. When I asked what was wrong he answered, "I'm just a little bit sad that our plant isn't going to grow." He was in the "no water" group. Second, after school I was giving the no soil and control plants each a little bit more water to last the weekend and I accidentally watered the "no water" cup. I quickly poured the water off the top before it seeped in, but DuckDuck may have his wish fulfilled after all.
In less exciting news, N was sent home during gym because while he was sitting in the corner for choking a student he found a chisel and chucked it at another student and hit her. I know that he isn't malicious, but it sincerely worries me that his first thought on finding something sharp and heavy is to throw it at another child.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
78 days to go
Vee approached me today to inform me that she had changed her name. A quiet, timid child, I figured that something very epic must have happened to cause such a sudden change of heart about her name. I inquired.
"I asked my mom if I could change my name to Shanaynay and she said yes. So I did."
Highlights from our shout-outs today:
"I asked my mom if I could change my name to Shanaynay and she said yes. So I did."
Highlights from our shout-outs today:
- DuckDuck, "I would like to shout out Kyle because when I [reminded him not to talk in the hall], he listened.
- Dee, "I would like to shout out M because I really wanted the pink one [marker] and she let me have it first."
- Texas, "I would like to shout out Jay because today in gym when I was crying she rubbed my back."
- And the BEST, Jamari, "I would like to shout out X because today at lunch I wasn't sure about the meatballs but then he tried them and he told me that they were ok."
thoughtfulness
Today during calendar time I mentioned to my class that a very special teacher had a birthday this past weekend, Ms. H -- the third grade teacher of our third grade buddies, aka hero of the universe.
After recess, DuckDuck approached me with a piece of construction paper and a piece of plain paper, "Ms. Haley do you have some glue so that I can make this into a real card?" Not only did he remember that yesterday was Ms. H's birthday for more than four hours, he made her a card WITH A PAPER INSERT.
Not even I can beat that, and I am an avid birthday card sender.
After recess, DuckDuck approached me with a piece of construction paper and a piece of plain paper, "Ms. Haley do you have some glue so that I can make this into a real card?" Not only did he remember that yesterday was Ms. H's birthday for more than four hours, he made her a card WITH A PAPER INSERT.
Not even I can beat that, and I am an avid birthday card sender.
Friday, January 25, 2013
celebrating brain growth
I told my kids if every single person grew in reading and math on the NWEA that we would have a party. Well, they did. So, we did.
First of all, we toasted red Kool-aid to all of their hard work. Then, while they were enjoying their pizza, cookies, and chips they spontaneously began a game of Cup (short for counting up, it is what it sounds like: someone shouts a number and then everyone calls out the next number). Without almost no facilitation from me, they took turns shouting numbers for the whole class, only occasionally making a number up ("80 one hundred thousand!"). As the game was winding down, and I was basking in the learning-related joy, someone asked me to please put on our math songs. We rocked out hard core to The Big Numbers Song, among others.
Finally, we sang the football chant, taught to me by the lovely Ms. Nash, my former grade-level partner and veteran teacher extraordinaire. Basically, everyone chants and then one person comes to the middle to dance. Texas did the robot, DuckDuck did the zombie, and I did the sprinkler. It was loud and blissful. At the end of the chant, we called N over from time out to "do your thing" and it was the only good moment of the day for him. I really needed to have such a good day with them.
First of all, we toasted red Kool-aid to all of their hard work. Then, while they were enjoying their pizza, cookies, and chips they spontaneously began a game of Cup (short for counting up, it is what it sounds like: someone shouts a number and then everyone calls out the next number). Without almost no facilitation from me, they took turns shouting numbers for the whole class, only occasionally making a number up ("80 one hundred thousand!"). As the game was winding down, and I was basking in the learning-related joy, someone asked me to please put on our math songs. We rocked out hard core to The Big Numbers Song, among others.
Finally, we sang the football chant, taught to me by the lovely Ms. Nash, my former grade-level partner and veteran teacher extraordinaire. Basically, everyone chants and then one person comes to the middle to dance. Texas did the robot, DuckDuck did the zombie, and I did the sprinkler. It was loud and blissful. At the end of the chant, we called N over from time out to "do your thing" and it was the only good moment of the day for him. I really needed to have such a good day with them.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
day 57
I feel a little bit like I've already checked out for Thanksgiving -- not academically with my kids, they are still working hard -- but in terms of energy and innovation. I am coasting into that four day weekend like its the biggest vacation of my life. The one upside is that I'm very calm.
I saw my two high groups in buddy reading today. Eli, who has been a terror since his twin siblings were born, is sharp as a tack. On the trick page, he sounded out "but" and "best" without any prompting. I was so proud of him! I have been working so hard with the lower groups that I forgot how far the higher groups have come. I can't wait to test them again after Thanksgiving. Sometimes guided reading is harder than whole group because they are a little harder to control, but it makes me feel like we are headed somewhere. A teacher who has one of my old students, the floor sweeper, complimented me on his reading skills -- something stuck!
During lunch five or six of my girls from last year told me that they want to come back to my class. When I told them they were too smart for me, they told me that they were learning take-aways.
In other news, N hit another girl. In the face. He had a rough morning with me and then apparently reccess didn't go so well either.
Have you ever read The Bear Snores On? If not, read it. It's such a lovely book about a bear sleeping through a party in his lair. My students told me where their lairs were (DuckDuck: behind his dresser). Then, I told them mine is the library, but what I really meant was the Art Library at Wellesley.
I saw my two high groups in buddy reading today. Eli, who has been a terror since his twin siblings were born, is sharp as a tack. On the trick page, he sounded out "but" and "best" without any prompting. I was so proud of him! I have been working so hard with the lower groups that I forgot how far the higher groups have come. I can't wait to test them again after Thanksgiving. Sometimes guided reading is harder than whole group because they are a little harder to control, but it makes me feel like we are headed somewhere. A teacher who has one of my old students, the floor sweeper, complimented me on his reading skills -- something stuck!
During lunch five or six of my girls from last year told me that they want to come back to my class. When I told them they were too smart for me, they told me that they were learning take-aways.
In other news, N hit another girl. In the face. He had a rough morning with me and then apparently reccess didn't go so well either.
Have you ever read The Bear Snores On? If not, read it. It's such a lovely book about a bear sleeping through a party in his lair. My students told me where their lairs were (DuckDuck: behind his dresser). Then, I told them mine is the library, but what I really meant was the Art Library at Wellesley.
Monday, November 12, 2012
hitting a stride
Friday was perhaps the best day of the year, thus far.
While I was settling a dispute between two girls, my class took themselves to the bathroom and finished the girls in record time. All day, we maintained that rhythm and sense of purpose. They are really getting to the point where they don't need me for routines -- which is a big goal of mine for this year.
In the afternoon, we hosted a 3rd grade class for buddy reading. It was an absolute success. The 3rd graders were so patient and kind with our class -- helping students stretch out words they didn't know and gently showing them the way. Not only that, but every one of my kinders got specialized instruction for 15 minutes. Bam.
During shout-outs, DuckDuck shouted out Ms. A (who is literally never nice) because during the Honor Roll Assembly, when DuckDuck was crying for not getting an award, she said, "Sometimes we get awards and sometimes we don't." He then thanked her for making his heart feel better.
After shout-outs, Jay came up to me and asked if she could hug me. This caused a chain reaction in which everyone in the entire room attempted to hug me and then each other. It took me 5 minutes to break it up.
As we were leaving, Texas looked at me and said, "Ms. Haley, I don't want to leave. I want to stay here with you. Can we come to school tomorrow?" A chorus of ME TOO! followed.
When I told Ryan about my day, he looked at me and said, "There's the satisfaction that makes it all worth it."
While I was settling a dispute between two girls, my class took themselves to the bathroom and finished the girls in record time. All day, we maintained that rhythm and sense of purpose. They are really getting to the point where they don't need me for routines -- which is a big goal of mine for this year.
In the afternoon, we hosted a 3rd grade class for buddy reading. It was an absolute success. The 3rd graders were so patient and kind with our class -- helping students stretch out words they didn't know and gently showing them the way. Not only that, but every one of my kinders got specialized instruction for 15 minutes. Bam.
During shout-outs, DuckDuck shouted out Ms. A (who is literally never nice) because during the Honor Roll Assembly, when DuckDuck was crying for not getting an award, she said, "Sometimes we get awards and sometimes we don't." He then thanked her for making his heart feel better.
After shout-outs, Jay came up to me and asked if she could hug me. This caused a chain reaction in which everyone in the entire room attempted to hug me and then each other. It took me 5 minutes to break it up.
As we were leaving, Texas looked at me and said, "Ms. Haley, I don't want to leave. I want to stay here with you. Can we come to school tomorrow?" A chorus of ME TOO! followed.
When I told Ryan about my day, he looked at me and said, "There's the satisfaction that makes it all worth it."
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
day 42
Still sick, but I'm owning it. Things I've accomplished:
- Lunch with DuckDuck and X
- All report cards entered
- All reading grades for quarter 1 entered
Today, we also got a new student. I haven't got a name for her yet but she's doing the quiet, shy act for today so I haven't seen much of her personality. Her oral language is proficient, but she can't spell her name. I'm hoping that means she's primed and ready to grow A LOT.
October's almost over.
Tuesday, October 09, 2012
day 31
Duck Duck (obv a nickname) raised his hand.
"When N is doing the wrong thing, I remind him by going like this [thumbs down]."
I am in love with this sweet rainbow-loving child.
"When N is doing the wrong thing, I remind him by going like this [thumbs down]."
I am in love with this sweet rainbow-loving child.
Monday, August 20, 2012
day 1
Day 1 went fine. Better than last year's day 1, but certainly no where near perfect. It was so absolutely wonderful to see my kids from last year. They are my heart. Still. It's hard to start over when you have something so good so fresh in your mind.
Surprises
Relief
Surprises
- no one cried, at least not hysterically
- Everyone is WAY bigger (physically) than my ducklings last year
- Being vicious the first day only works on some children
- I have a child, let's call him N, who needs to be redirected every 10 seconds to stay on task. You'll hear more about him.
- A cucumber held me over until 7pm
Relief
- It's just easier
- They are just drunk cats, craziness to be expected
- Day 1 is OVER
- It's no longer a surprise that children will find ways to surprise you all day long
Quote of the Day:
"D, what's your favorite color?"
"Rainbow."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)