whoever said all you ever need to know you learned in kindergarten is wrong.
i would have to say the past couple of weeks have been the most trying thus far in the year. i have come to a behavioral standstill and regression with a few of my students who had been making steady progress. my school is an RtI school.
basically Rti is a way to stuff more information into a 5 year old's brain and then wonder why she has a breakdown every afternoon.
along with Rti--response to intervention, comes an idea called power-up. power-up though great in theory is not seeming to go over to well with some people. basically all the teachers of the grade, a special education teacher, and 2 pals aides split up all the kindergartners amongst themselves into different groups according to need. i may have 5 of my children in my group. i may have none. some kids need to practice their letter sounds or rhyming (you get the point). these groups are "smaller" with 3-6 kids in them (though so far this year they haven't been that small). there are also enrichment groups that can have up to 20some kids in them. i don't know if you have ever been in a room with 20some 5 and 6 year olds; however, i can tell you--it. is. too. many. so basically what is occurring is there are t00 many kids that need help that still can't get the individualized attention they need because of personnel shortages or because he or she just isn't ready to learn how to read yet.
by the way, if/when you have kids please make sure they are reading by the age of 3. thanks.
another side note--power-up used to be the rest time where even the most off the wall kid in my class would be able to veg out for just a few minutes before our next daily adventure. but rest and recover-what a ridiculous idea.
the other main point of RtI (don't worry there will be more points later) is positive discipline. now i am all for giving rewards for kids who are doing their best in the classroom. i do not agree with public humiliation and do not yell at my students. but, if you touch a stove you are going to get burned. if you break rules there should be some consequence for the choice you make. even a kindergartner can understand that. until you throw in the reward for every choice you make system. it has gotten to the point where kids expect a reward if they sit still, if they raise their hand, if they clean up when they are supposed to. what is going to happen in a few years when they don't get a tangible reward for getting to school on time, well they just won't go to school. i feel so bad for my kids who always do what they are supposed to do because they see me giving stickers to one child who never sits still because he sat this one time. what happened to verbal praise and expectations of students. i'm still trying to come up with something for this one. if you have any ideas holler at me. whatever it is though you can't take anything away you just give--kinda like you give the information...till the brain is done absorbing and implodes into a crumpled mass of a child crying on the floor.
top things you learn in kindergarten that you shouldn't...
1) curse words/or just inappropriate words..."ms. henderson she called me sexy. is that nice?"
2) how to yell at your teacher and not get in trouble...ask me about the story in person
3) it really is ok to eat things off the floor once in awhile
4) sharing's overrated
5) there's no such thing as personal space
6) someone is always going to be telling you what to do your whole life learn to deal with it
&istill lovemyjob
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Christmas Countdown
What a busy week it has been! We are learning about the 5 senses this week. Monday I introduced the different senses and we talked about what each was used for. Tuesday (yesterday) we made a touch book in reading which was pretty dull compared to the taste testing we did in the afternoon. I had each child get a cup of water to put at his or her seats. I also placed a trashcan next to one of my students who has thrown up 3 times during class due to gag reflex. I also told this student to not try anything sketch. Yes, I used the word sketch and he just looked at me and nodded. We are on the same wavelength. Then I went on to tell my students about how different parts of their tongue tasted different things. We tasted skittles for sour, pretzals for salty...pretty normal. For sour I brought in some lemon juice. I had them line up and poured it into mouths like cough syrup. I loved the faces! Finally, it was time to taste bitter. For this I got bakers chocolate. This chocolate smells wonderful, so my kids were super excited to eat it. That is until they actually tasted it and sprinted to the trashcans I had strategically placed around the room. I honestly think some of them may have been traumatized for life. No more chocolate! Today we made pipecleaner glasses for sight and had a sensational sniffing hunt. We go to the tree farm on Friday. Should be fun.
And now I leave you with some quotes of the day:
"My mom goes to college she's in 5th grade."
"My mom can't run cause she has big legs"
"Misss Henderrrrsonnnn the paper towel machine is broken!!!!"
"Miss Atkins! Chef Powatan died! (instead of chief hahaha)"
Peace out!
And now I leave you with some quotes of the day:
"My mom goes to college she's in 5th grade."
"My mom can't run cause she has big legs"
"Misss Henderrrrsonnnn the paper towel machine is broken!!!!"
"Miss Atkins! Chef Powatan died! (instead of chief hahaha)"
Peace out!
Monday, November 23, 2009
Productive Day
I was so proud of my kids today. Usually on rainy days everyone drags along and then gets antsy pants. Now it could have been because today was Monday and they recover over weekends, or it could be the fact that a break is coming up. My kids all came in and performed their morning routine (which I have them trained at very well may I add). Well, all of them except for my one girl who I will call Leigh for the confidentiality of my students. Mom I bet you can guess who this is because of the name ;). Well Leigh comes in EVERY morning after everyone has settled down in the classroom doing whatever we are doing that morning. This morning it was math tubs. She eats breakfast at school in the mornings and gets too distracted to finish on time so she gets to make an appearance. Now she could walk into the classroom and do what everyone else was doing, but that just wouldn't be fun would it. And Leigh likes to spice things up a bit. "Good Morning Ms. Hendason"! followed by a huge squeeze around the knees every single morning. Today she was also exceptionally excited because she can now pronouce the letter r's in her words. So she proclaims even though Henderson is still Hendason (that's okay though I like the different pronunciations and a part of me doesn't want her to fix it). She showed me how she could say "r four, see there's an r on the end of that word and I can say it, r four" over and over and over and over. This wouldn't be an issue if this ended her entrance into the classroom, but no she then goes to each table and welcomes her classmates as if it is her classroom. Which in her mind it is her santuary away from unstructured chaos, her place to have boundaries and excel. By the time she has her coat off (which she refused to take off this morning on account it was new), her bookbag put away (which I must rummage through to get her take home folder each morning because she forgets), makes a lunch choice (which I must remind her of at least 2 times each morning), and uses the bathroom (because we can all guess what happens if she doesn't get to go) everyone else is ready to begin calendar time. This usually results in me being "so mean" by taking away her coloring sheet or math manipulatives she is finally starting to work with. But enough about that. My kids did great this morning, even Leigh, because believe it or not we have had screaming battles (well one sided with her claiming to hate school 1 second and then after I ignore her she suddenly is sorry and loves school, me, and my leg she attaches herself to).
I was expecting it to be difficult for my kids to focus on the day ahead knowing a break was coming up; however, I found that I was able to bribe them with a new game as a reward. I don't know how many of you have heard about Hullabulu by Crainum. Let me tell you it is wonderful, and I love it, and I will always have it on hand. It is academic enough that I can use it during reading instruction time, but more importantly it let's the kids move around, play, and be 5 years old. They just discovered the wonderfulness of this game Friday, so with the chance to play looming above their heads they would do whatever I asked.
I love just listening to the conversations of my kids. It is so great to be able to get inside a kid's mind and remember when life was so simple. Today we talked about Thanksgiving and things we were thankful for. I told them about how yes we did eat a lot of food on Thanksgiving, but there were also other things we could do such as have fun with our family or help others out. We then went around the circle telling what we were thankful for.
There were the normal thanks comments: I'm thankful for my mommy and daddy, I'm thankful for my sister, I'm thankful for my bike
The humorous comments: I'm thankful for fresh ham (hahahahahaha), I'm thankful that my mom didn't hit that deer the other day, I'm thankful that my daddy is going to teach me to drive his truck soon, like next week, I'm thankful that my mom is getting the turkey home
And the serious comments: I'm thankful my baby brother didn't choke because mommy saved him.
As I listened to their ideas, tried not to laugh at some, and shared what I myself was thankful for I was reminded how blessed I truly am. I have friends and family who love and support me. Great co-workers, especially my Kindergarten team, and "co-first year teacher next door" :). And 16 smiles that I get to spend 180 days with this year. I might impact some of their lives, but they have no idea what kind of impact they will have as my first real students in my long career ahead of me. That's all folks!
I was expecting it to be difficult for my kids to focus on the day ahead knowing a break was coming up; however, I found that I was able to bribe them with a new game as a reward. I don't know how many of you have heard about Hullabulu by Crainum. Let me tell you it is wonderful, and I love it, and I will always have it on hand. It is academic enough that I can use it during reading instruction time, but more importantly it let's the kids move around, play, and be 5 years old. They just discovered the wonderfulness of this game Friday, so with the chance to play looming above their heads they would do whatever I asked.
I love just listening to the conversations of my kids. It is so great to be able to get inside a kid's mind and remember when life was so simple. Today we talked about Thanksgiving and things we were thankful for. I told them about how yes we did eat a lot of food on Thanksgiving, but there were also other things we could do such as have fun with our family or help others out. We then went around the circle telling what we were thankful for.
There were the normal thanks comments: I'm thankful for my mommy and daddy, I'm thankful for my sister, I'm thankful for my bike
The humorous comments: I'm thankful for fresh ham (hahahahahaha), I'm thankful that my mom didn't hit that deer the other day, I'm thankful that my daddy is going to teach me to drive his truck soon, like next week, I'm thankful that my mom is getting the turkey home
And the serious comments: I'm thankful my baby brother didn't choke because mommy saved him.
As I listened to their ideas, tried not to laugh at some, and shared what I myself was thankful for I was reminded how blessed I truly am. I have friends and family who love and support me. Great co-workers, especially my Kindergarten team, and "co-first year teacher next door" :). And 16 smiles that I get to spend 180 days with this year. I might impact some of their lives, but they have no idea what kind of impact they will have as my first real students in my long career ahead of me. That's all folks!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
a fresh start...in november
So, I've been meaning to keep track of and share experiences from my first year teaching since I was hired in July. Well, I kept getting busy and kept making excuses of why I didn't have time to start this. So here we are 4 days before Thanksgiving break and the beginning of your enlightenment into my life is commencing. :)
Never did I think I would teach Kindergarten. I was aiming for more "challenging students". Meaning those who were in 3rd grade or up. Those whose minds had already formed stereotypes and attitudes I could influence. So, it was an awakening experience to realize that my 4, 5, and 6 year olds are plenty "challenging" in their own way. I prepare myself each morning to tie shoes, button and zip pants, wipe faces, and repeat one and two step instructions 5 times over on top of dealing with attitudes that have already formed; in addition to preparing lesson plans and fun activities to keep my students engaged in learning. I also have started to unintentionally respond to "mommy" as I am referred to as so at least 6 times a day. Never could I have imagined the psychological attachment I would feel towards my students. I am certainly not (nor want to be) any one's mother at this time in my life, but the responsibility and love surely is present.
But wait, I've jumped way to far ahead of myself. I have in fact been keeping a journal of experiences from day 1. I suppose that's the English major coming out in me. I love to write, and my Professional Writing class last fall really made an impact on my writing. It took away the "I have to write another paper" attitude and replaced it with a "this is the one way I can say whatever I want to say". If I don't want other people to know about it I can dispose of the evidence. If I do I have ways to publish it for the world to see.
So starting with day 1, July, 2009. I had pretty much given up on finding a job for the school year and was instead going to continue in grad school at JMU. I wanted (and still want) to be a behavior specialist, yea one of those people that works with the kids that throw things at you, yell at you, but love you more than anything. So, I took 3 classes this summer and was enrolled for full time in the upcoming fall semester to work on my MA in Special Education. Apparently the Lord had different plans in store for me. The principal from the school where I student taught called me one morning, and bluntly asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a Kindergarten position. Surprised, I said of course (in my mind thinking ummm whaaat!). So it was set, I sent in my application and had an interview the next morning. Originally I thought it was going to be a position for me to fill temporarily (until January); however, later circumstances made the position more permanent. Leaving out the suspense and tedious details of paperwork and fingerprints I was hired soon after.
3 weeks before school started and I had a classroom. Let me add this classroom was filled with another teacher's belongings. 26 years of teaching materials left for me to work with. I cannot tell you how thankful and overwhelming that is at the same time. Thankful because I have so many resources and ideas to use (helpful when you have never observed a Kindergarten classroom, let alone be put in charge of one), and overwhelming when there are so many resources I don't know which ones to choose from this year and which to leave for later. I have been so blessed to take over a room where the love the teacher had for her classroom is so apparent, and subsequently 98% of the time I am thankful.
So far the year has gone well. I have 16 youngsters that keep me active as I restart my school days. The way I see it why not start over once you get to the top in school. Let's see if I can better myself this time around :). There will be more to come don't you worry. And for the people that enjoy my school updates on fb. This blog is for you. An entertaining sometimes scary window into my wild, wacky, everyday life of a 5 year old.
PS I am now the world's best hand washer.
Never did I think I would teach Kindergarten. I was aiming for more "challenging students". Meaning those who were in 3rd grade or up. Those whose minds had already formed stereotypes and attitudes I could influence. So, it was an awakening experience to realize that my 4, 5, and 6 year olds are plenty "challenging" in their own way. I prepare myself each morning to tie shoes, button and zip pants, wipe faces, and repeat one and two step instructions 5 times over on top of dealing with attitudes that have already formed; in addition to preparing lesson plans and fun activities to keep my students engaged in learning. I also have started to unintentionally respond to "mommy" as I am referred to as so at least 6 times a day. Never could I have imagined the psychological attachment I would feel towards my students. I am certainly not (nor want to be) any one's mother at this time in my life, but the responsibility and love surely is present.
But wait, I've jumped way to far ahead of myself. I have in fact been keeping a journal of experiences from day 1. I suppose that's the English major coming out in me. I love to write, and my Professional Writing class last fall really made an impact on my writing. It took away the "I have to write another paper" attitude and replaced it with a "this is the one way I can say whatever I want to say". If I don't want other people to know about it I can dispose of the evidence. If I do I have ways to publish it for the world to see.
So starting with day 1, July, 2009. I had pretty much given up on finding a job for the school year and was instead going to continue in grad school at JMU. I wanted (and still want) to be a behavior specialist, yea one of those people that works with the kids that throw things at you, yell at you, but love you more than anything. So, I took 3 classes this summer and was enrolled for full time in the upcoming fall semester to work on my MA in Special Education. Apparently the Lord had different plans in store for me. The principal from the school where I student taught called me one morning, and bluntly asked if I would be interested in interviewing for a Kindergarten position. Surprised, I said of course (in my mind thinking ummm whaaat!). So it was set, I sent in my application and had an interview the next morning. Originally I thought it was going to be a position for me to fill temporarily (until January); however, later circumstances made the position more permanent. Leaving out the suspense and tedious details of paperwork and fingerprints I was hired soon after.
3 weeks before school started and I had a classroom. Let me add this classroom was filled with another teacher's belongings. 26 years of teaching materials left for me to work with. I cannot tell you how thankful and overwhelming that is at the same time. Thankful because I have so many resources and ideas to use (helpful when you have never observed a Kindergarten classroom, let alone be put in charge of one), and overwhelming when there are so many resources I don't know which ones to choose from this year and which to leave for later. I have been so blessed to take over a room where the love the teacher had for her classroom is so apparent, and subsequently 98% of the time I am thankful.
So far the year has gone well. I have 16 youngsters that keep me active as I restart my school days. The way I see it why not start over once you get to the top in school. Let's see if I can better myself this time around :). There will be more to come don't you worry. And for the people that enjoy my school updates on fb. This blog is for you. An entertaining sometimes scary window into my wild, wacky, everyday life of a 5 year old.
PS I am now the world's best hand washer.
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