day 99

A new addition to our library, thanks to some window crayons. I don't think I'm technically allowed to draw on the windows, but I'm just going to do it and see what happens. It's much better than staring at that ugly building out the window.

two more balloons in the sky...

I just passed two more babies up to Reading Level A. Before quiet time, they proudly hung their hot air balloons in the Land of I Can. A few weeks ago, both were struggling with one-to-one correspondence. I love the days when I can feel our momentum!

Reason #829: teacher attrition

We have lost four teachers since we came back from the holiday break. Four teachers in less than one month, and that's not even counting all of the teachers we lost before the break. There is one class that is getting their FOURTH teacher on Monday, and that's not even counting the substitutes in-between each teacher that left.

The expected lifespan of a teacher within my district is three years maximum. In other words, they never expect to keep a teacher for more than three years. Apparently, we are notorious for losing teachers.

At a PD the other day my principal begged that no one else "jump ship. At least until June." After that, she is happy to write us a good recommendation and send us on our way. Without the few staff members who have stayed on since the opening of the school, I would not know the history. I would not be able to find out information about families. There would simply be no order, no culture.

For me, the worst part is my principal settling for such a high teacher attrition rate. She preaches that we need to have high expectations for our students, but at the same time has accepted as fact some very low expectations for her staff. I wish that she was willing to fight for us to stay.

little kids--powerful problem solvers

Recently, another teacher offhandedly offered me a book on our way to class. I liked that it was specifically geared towards Kindergarten, and it was written long enough ago that it probably had some best-practices for hands-on math.

Let's just say that it was so interesting it took me all the way out of the city on one morning commute.

Having come to education in a non-traditional way, I haven't had much opportunity to observe other classrooms. Admittedly, I have been forced to trust my instincts and go with what works for me and my students -- which is probably a good thing. However, this book offers a quick glimpse into exemplary math lessons that are energizing, creative, and responsive to children's needs. Since reading this book, I have begun to re-think the way that I teach math, and I highly recommend it to other K teachers looking for a hands-on mindset.

poverty action campaign

Students have to “cross dangerous gang boundaries, encountering all kinds of violence and often times when they get to the school outside of the community, there is no real learning taking place there.”

Leaders of the Poverty Action Campaign said they will confront the city’s Board of Education for a new state-of-the-art high school campus that would incorporate academics, a football, baseball and track field and a cultural arts and performing center.

Read more here.

music

Who would have thought that music (even terrible children's music) could bring so much happiness into my classroom? As of today I am officially convinced that music is an important part of school. Every classroom needs it. If you are a first year teacher with no time to do this, tell me. I will make you a mixtape. For real. Right now, this is our daily playlist:

1. Rise and Shine (greeting song)
2. Days of the Week (to the tune of the Addams Family theme song)
3. Who Let the Letters Out?
4., 5., and 6. Tchaikovsky (for quiet time)
7. Counting by 10's
8. Big Numbers

Friends, don't even think about judging me. I promise that whatever I play is better than what I can sing.

day 96

"Ms. Haley, in art N told me that I kissed C. I told him, that's nasty."

I actually had to turn away as I regained my composure.