Oh. My. Goodness.
Have you ever watched a dog chase their tail over and over and over and wonder why they keep doing it? Well my friends, welcome to my life. I wish I was cool enough to be the dog trainer but nope, I’m the girl chasing my tail. I’m Ms. Frizzle but the hot mess version. ;). I told my teammate that I’m living one of my favorite lines from Steel Magnolios…”I’m not sure if I need to scratch my watch or wind my butt.” Ha!
I really can’t put my finger on that one thing that has me struggling this year so I’m just praying over anything and everything. Our new math TEKS (objectives in the country of Texas, ha!) are a fierce beast and in my opinion initially too hard for the average kindergartner’s developmental capabilities. But, I teach. And they try. And I teach. And then we all need a hug. Sigh.
It will be okay. God is definitely stretching me this year but my heart is big enough for all of it. I just have to remind myself that no matter what expectation is put on me, my expectations for my students need to for that of a five year old. I think our world is in such a rush to grow children up to be little geniuses but we forget to let them be little. I wish social development was part of our objectives. There is something to be said for the teacher that teaches the WHOLE child. That is the child who walks away changed.
Clearly, I have a ton on my mind and any time I could just explode with my opinions but I thought of give you a little peek to what we’ve been up to instead.
So..on to this and that!
What’s in out pocket chart….
Last week we read several books about fall and the kids loved the apples book. Apples really weren’t in the plan but my kids were inquisitive. I saw a door open and ran through it! We had some quick, impromptu learning fun.
I found this chart on Pinterest by my friend Abby from the Inspired Apple (that makes me giggle bc the inspired apple inspired my apple..ha! I know, I’m lame.) and I made my own. 🙂
On Thursday everyone brought an apple and we observed them. We sorted them by color, short/no stem or tall stem, big or small and sticker or no sticker. Then we graphed our results.
On Friday we made applesauce. We peeled and cut about ten apples and tossed them into the crock pot. I put a little cinnamon and about a cup of water in it. It took about four hours to cook and man did our class smell tummy!
We made apple investigator hats for all of our apple adventures too. I baked an apple pie the night before so we could taste our applesauce, apple pie and apple juice. I’m always surprised how many kids have never tried all of these before. It was a ton of fun! We needed to have some fun!!! Objectives are great to keep learning focused but there shouldn’t be too many of them that you have to limit experiences to squeeze them all in. I loved how my students referenced our matter unit w our applesauce too. It’s all about experiences and connections!
Friday we also had flash light reading. It’s definitely a Friday favorite (other than free centers lol). If we can do our best at Read to Self Mon-Thurs, on Friday we turn the lights off and read by flash light.
Here is our Read to Self chart. I like to use real picture of students following the rules instead of clipart for this chart. They also love to see themselves on the chart. 🙂
One of the letters we learned this week was “G” so we made these ghosts to hang from our ceiling. They are made out if paper plates, construction paper and white streamers. They are pretty funny because I just gave my kids construction paper and told them to make it however they wanted to..no patterns. They were super proud of their work. 🙂
Did I mention that we had a fire truck visit was on Friday too? I can’t possible explain how much me crammed into one day. Ha!
I got my school pics. Usually we just get a proof but this year I got a big package lol. I’m not sure if I should mail them to all my BFFs or put them in Christmas cards?! Ha! And can we also notice how my dress appears to be off of my left should a tad AND it looks like I have this crazy tan line that does not exist by the way. How does that happen? lol Can we say retakes?!! 😉
Okay. That’s all I’ve got for now. Actually I have a gazillion other things I want to share with you and even more pictures but let’s be honest, I’m blogging from my phone and I’m already in bed. Ha!
Monday isn’t here yet and I already feel it. I hate complaining about Mondays because I feel like that makes it look like I don’t love my job because I do. I really really do. That doesn’t mean it isn’t hard and unpredictable. Loving my job doesn’t take away the stress and concern I have for my kids…but love makes it worth it. That, my friends is why I set my alarm every day. I go ahead and give tomorrow to God and just pray he walks with me.
I’m not sure what he is doing this year in my life, career and classroom but I dont have to see the bigger picture to know my job is not to be in control. My job is to just be available.
I read your messages and comments on Facebook and know that I’m not the only one that feels this way. Just know that what you do is important. The seed you are planting can change the life of your student. Some days they need your love more than they need your lessons. When you’re teaching the whole child, that is important too!!
Tomorrow the pumpkins are coming! I can’t wait. Pumpkin week is my favorite and on Friday everyone carves one. It’s great. We use my pumpkin unit too! The whole school stinks like pumpkins on Friday lol. It’s good times!!
http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/The-Great-Pumpkin-Investigation
I’m drifting off. Good night moon.
Sending you love and virtual hugs!
I love so much about this post!! This is my 7th year teaching, 4 in PreK and 3rd in K, and it seems like a million new things have been thrown at us this year. It has been my most stressful year by far! But I do LOVE my job with a passion! I love the leaves pocket chart! I love the Read to Self chart! I think your school pictures are adorable! I would never have noticed the appearance of a tan line!! 🙂 And, I look ugly at home also… my poor husband 😉 First thing I do is put on my pajamas and take the makeup off! 🙂
Mrs. Black's Bees
I get on my soapbox about once a day about how we figure if fifth graders can do it so can Kinders. I rant about the importance of the whole child not just the ELA score. I go on and on about how yes I DO need to teach how to use scissors! I am going to stop now as I feel a rant coming on!
Wow, thank you! I had a mini nervous breakdown/midlife crisis in my AP's office this afternoon. I told her I wanted to quit. After teaching kids for 20 years (15 in preschool-prek, 5 in kinder) I feel worthless. The more they put on us (district, state, feds), the less I feel I am getting done.
It's good, and bad, to know that others are just as frazzled.
Hoping your week/month/year shows some signs of improvement 🙂
Connie
Preach sista! I so appreciate you verbalizing how many of us are feeling this year. What is it about this year?! This is my 21st year so it's not my first rodeo, but I feel so chewed up and spit out by all of the new demands of this job. They keep putting more on our plates but don't take anything away. BLEK! I have yet to get a Super Woman cape. Just saying… But you're right. Teach the whole child and pray, pray, and then pray some more. You never know just how far-reaching your efforts will go. Ever see Mr. Holland's Opus? I'm hoping heaven for teachers is like the last scene. I mean we have eternity….a couple hours like that isn't too much to ask is it? 🙂
I love the anchor chart with actual pics of your kids. ….and we get a school pack of our pic like that EVERY year. #joy Unfortunately, my daughter likes to make things with my pics. So I'm "lucky" enough to see my pictures for.ev.er.
Have a great Tuesday.
Angela
I totally feel the same way! I don't know which way I'm going!! I have so much to do and don't know where to start. I am back to full-time after 10 years in Title I. Kindergarten has changed so much since I first started back in the early 90s! 🙂 I love seeing your creative and fun activities and I long for a room like yours with space. Space is something I don't have. Where do you keep all of your pocket charts on display around your classroom?