ugh...

This is how I felt today. 

"PLEASE try for me, I know you can do it."

"you is so smart."

ahhhh

K

The Elf on the Shelf

So, I know I have been talking a lot about teaching lately, but that is my "Life Lately" and I am so excited to finally be working again. I suddenly remembered today about The Elf on the Shelf. I heard about this a couple of years ago and decided it would be so great to use in my classroom. I am sure my kids will love this and it is something to keep them on their best behavior the month of December. This will be really good especially with Christmas approaching and all the excitement of getting out for Christmas break. You can even register your Elf after you choose a name for him and receive a special letter from Santa.

If you haven't heard about The Elf on the Shelf, here is the story:
(all that it says happens at home will happen in the classroom)


The Elf on the Shelf Tradition
Have you ever wondered how Santa knows who is naughty and who is nice? The Elf on the Shelf – A Christmas Tradition is the very special tool that helps Santa knows who to put on the Naughty and Nice list. This interactive holiday hide-and-seek tradition is perfect for children and families of all ages

The tradition begins when Santa sends his scout elves out to Elf Adoption Centers. Waiting for their families to bring them home, these patient elves hibernate until their family reads The Elf on the Shelf, gives their elf a very special name, and registers their adoption online. Once named, each scout elf will receive its Christmas magic and become a part of the family’s Christmas each and every year. 

Excellent listeners and even better observers, these scout elves are the eyes and ears of Santa Claus. Although they cannot be touched, or else they may lose their magic, the elf will always listen and relay messages back to Santa. Taking in all the day-to-day activities around the house, no good deed goes unnoticed; these scout elves take their job seriously.

Each night, after the family goes to bed, the scout elf uses his magical Christmas powers to fly back to the North Pole. Once there, the elf will make his or her daily report to Santa and visit with elf friends where they will tell stories about their beloved families, play with the reindeer, and of course, sneak some of Mrs. Claus’ cookies!

Before the family awakes each morning, their special scout elf will fly back to their home from the North Pole. However, since these elves like to play games, don’t expect to find them in the same spot!  While some like to hide in the freezer (probably because it reminds them of the North Pole) and others prefer to sit on the fireplace mantle or hang from the chandelier, these elves love to play hide-and-seek with their families.

On Christmas Eve, the scout elf will listen for Santa’s bell and then fly back to the North Pole until the next season, wishing every girl and each boy a Christmas of peace and a year full of joy. 

I can't wait to read the story and see what names the kids come up with to name the elf. I am sure they will look forward to coming in and seeing where the elf is hidden. I think I have a few tricks up my sleeve. I am planning on making this elf do some pretty crazy things!

Enjoy the holiday!

K

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE A TEACHER? by Jeff Foxworty

# You get a secret thrill out of laminating things. 
# You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line. 
# You walk into a store and hear the words, “It’s Ms./Mr. ____________ and know you have been spotted. 
# You have 25 people who accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.
# You can eat a multi-course meal in under 25 minutes. 
# You’ve trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day, lunch and planning period. 
# You start saving other people’s trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom. 
# You believe the Teacher’s Lounge should be equipped with a margarita machine. 
# You want to slap the next person who says, “Must be nice to work 7 to 3 and have summers off”. 
# You believe chocolate is a food group. 
# You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside. 
# You believe that unspeakable evils will befall you if anyone says, “Boy, the kids are sure mellow today.” 
# You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public. # You believe in aerial spraying of Ritalin. 
# You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form. 
# You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own children. 
# You can’t pass the school supply aisle without getting at least 5 items!
# You ask your friends to use their words and explain if the left hand turn he made was a “good choice” or “bad choice.” 
# You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils. 
# You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer. 
# You understand, instantaneously, why a child behaves in a certain way after meeting his/her parents

So true!

K

J-O-B

Finally! On Friday I got approved for a Kindergarten job starting December 1st! This is also my birthday and I couldn't have asked for a better present. I am going to be teaching at the same school I taught at last year, which I am so excited about. I am looking forward to teaching these kiddos and having my former students come visit me in my new classroom. I have a lot of work to do, but I am really looking forward to having a salary and benefits again. I am so thankful, especially during this time of year.

I am so glad that I did not give up on teaching. It has been a rough 4 months not being in the classroom, but  I still had hope.

I am praying for patience and understanding as begin my new adventure. It is going to be a lot different than teaching 3rd grade.

Keep me in your prayers!

K

Teacher Tipster

A couple things I thought I would share. I was searching the blogosphere, especially 'What the teacher wants' blog and found some fun graphic organizers. These would be great to use in the month of November. Go here to download. This is what you will get:

As I was also exploring the blog world, I came across this giveaway at Second Grade is Splendid. She is giving away a Winter Unit. Head over to enter! I hope I win.

Hope everyone has had a lazy Sunday. I know I have.

K

Calling All Teachers... and WANNABE Teachers (again)

Here are a couple of ideas that I thought I would share. When I get a classroom again, I am def. going to use these. I figure with the pumpkin present, you could switch it out according to the time of year and use the same concept. I got these ideas from this wonderful blog ...What The Teacher Wants. (These words and ideas are not my own.)


FIRST....


Halloween time is full of wonderful things!  Like: pumpkins, haunted houses, candy, soup, and REALLY EXCITED STUDENTS!  To help my students remember the rules and expectations during the few weeks leading up to Halloween, we do a "Pumpkin Present" each day.

During the day, if a student is following the rules and expectations, 

they will get the pumpkin on their desk.

I move the pumpkin all around on different students' desks all day.  If you are working nicely, you'll probably see the pumpkin once, maybe even twice on your desk! You can't play with him or touch him, but if you are the very last person to have the pumpkin on your desk at the end of the day..... YOU GET THE "PUMPKIN PRESENT" that is inside of the pumpkin!  I like to put pencils, or stickers, or smarty pants tickets, or maybe silly bands! *If you have lots of kiddos in your class...send around 2 pumpkins!


SECOND...

Image from Funky First Grade

 I found this amazing post by Kimberly at Funky First Grade.....I give her full credit and she's behind my inspiration for...

Every Friday my kiddos get to wear SLIPPERS {or colorful socks if they don't have slippers} during our spelling test.  This will help alleviate my #2 problem about spelling tests {make it less stressful}.

Then, after each test is correct on Monday, I meet with each student BRIEFLY and come up with a personal spelling goal {get a 90%, spell the sentences correctly, write 11/12 words write, etc.} to meet for the next week. If they meet that goal, they get their picture up on our SUPER SPELLER SLIPPER CLUB board!  I have to remember that each child is different and I can't expect them to get 100% on every test. That's why it's an individual goal, not a class goal.

Let me just say how EXCITED my kids are to wear their slippers!  I can't wait to set a goal with each of them on Monday and then next week we'll add some pictures up on our board when they meet their goal.

  And then when they meet their goal, I'll give them this...

And for those who don't meet their goal and need an extra push, I'll give them this one {and it will help the parents know what their goal is}:

Hope you find these ideas as fun as I did!

K

Teacher Tipster

I'm alive. Really. I am. I have been busy and neglecting my blog lately. Saarry.
Here are a few teacher tips.

CHART FOLDERS

PENCIL CUPS

CLOCK SONG

PLACE VALUE SONG

These are all really short. Really fun. And are great!

P.S. They also have printables if you go to the website!

Enjoy

K

Classroom Idea

Here is a neat idea for a classroom job chart. When I get my own classroom again, I am def. doing this.
Take each student's picture at the beginning of the year. Cut their faces out. Laminate them. Put their faces on the helpers. Whoever has their face on the helper, has that particular job for the week!

Jobs include (from left to right): gardener, attendance & greeter, mailbox organizer, caboose & electrician, water bottle helper, deliverer (basically messenger but there wasn't messenger-like clipart!), teacher's assistant, line leader, janitor, pencil sharpener, prayer helper, and paper passer.

THE CLIPART COMES FROM LETTERING DELIGHTS.

ENJOY

K