Present.
May 07
Oh my students never cease to amaze me. Calvin did something today that has to rank as one of the sweetest gestures I’ve ever seen. Well today, Calvin hadn’t even walked into the classroom, and he handed me a book. It was Whistle for Willie. Now we’ve read many Ezra Jack Keats books and I’ve talked about how he’s one of my favorite authors. I wasn’t sure...
Brothers.
May 05
Joey has an older brother. In fact, his older brother goes to our school. Sam is in fifth grade so the age difference is pretty big, but the way he takes care of his little brother is something to be admired. Last week, the book fair started in our school’s library. The day it began, Sam popped in to see me. “Hey, Mr. _____, I have some money… can I bring Joey to the book...
Break.
Apr 12
Well today starts my school break. I’m going away. Far away. There may be WiFi, but I’m not bringing my computer. As teachers, we put our heart, sweat, and sometimes, yes, even tears into our jobs. Teaching is the most rewarding job I could ever imagine having… it’s also really hard. Folks expect the world from us. Funny thing is, we usually deliver. We...
Teasing, Tattling, Defiance, and More: Positive Approaches to 10 Common Classroom Behaviors
Apr 06
As anyone who reads here regularly knows, I’m a big proponent of the Responsive Classroom approach to classroom management. There is something inherent in it, just the name ‘Responsive’ always guides me back to the children. What do they need at this particular moment? Maybe it isn’t in the lesson plan or on our schedule for the day, but my job as a teacher is to...
Where?
Apr 05
Today during Sharing, Joey decided to tell the class what he was doing over our Spring Break, which doesn’t happen for another week. “I’m going campin’ on the ‘cation,” he blurted out. Now, during Sharing, it’s common for me to comment or ask clarifying questions. “Joey, where are you going camping?” I wondered. This wasn’t a place I...
Loved on.
Apr 03
Love really is all you need. I know, I know, it’s much easier said than done. Trust me, I know. This year, I have one little guy, William that has really challenged me. I have tried every trick in the book: preferential seating, behavior charts, positive feedback, and, well, I ‘ve thought about duct tape, but figured I better not. Here’s the thing, while I feel like...
Drum set.
Apr 02
We had an assembly today. It was a good one, but it was on the loooong side. Like over an hour long. Which is never good for my sprouts. Sitting more than fifteen minutes is hard. Well today, to help out, I ended up with a drum set. Let me explain. If I notice a kid getting restless (usually a boy), I motion for them to come sit next to me (we’re on the floor). I then rub or pat...
Chickerella.
Mar 29
Yes, you read that correctly, Chickerella. She showed me just how important and powerful our Fairy Tale unit has been. We started with Cinderella and ready many versions… even Dogerella, but I had never heard of Chickerella. Until yesterday, when Maria, a little girl who is just learning English, came running over to me during Library. Waving the book in her hand, her smile was...
Baby!
Mar 26Let me be clear about something: We do not teach sex education in kindergarten. Not now, not ever. The day they ask me to teach sex ed to five and six-year-olds is the day I will retire early. That being said, my friend Mrs. R. who teaches another grade, is expecting. She’s due in a few weeks and well, there is no doubt about how pregnant she is. Of course she is glowing, but every...
Rhombus.
Mar 23
The other day, we were reviewing shapes. For some reason, most of the shape names aren’t too tricky. Circle – well we all know that. Square and Triangle too. Rectangle can be challenging, but a little explanation of the two short and two long sides usually does the trick. It’s the darn Rhombus that gets us every time. Back when I was a kid, we just called it a...
Just the Way You Are.
Mar 17A few weeks ago, a very smart second grade teacher at my school (yes, YOU Mrs. R.) told me she was brining her Wii in for a treat. Huh? I was confused. Apparently, you can hook a Wii up to a Smartboard. And it’s not very difficult either. Well I had a Wii collecting dust in my basement. Maybe I should try this out? I found the thing just where I thought it was, under a heap of...
The Artist.
Mar 16We are winding down our study of fairy tales (I plan to go out with a bang next week, but you’ll have to wait to find out more about that…) and we finished with Jack and the Beanstalk. After starting with a physical sculpture activity again using some of the action verbs from the story (‘slithered down’, ‘strings vibrated’, etc.), we delved in. We read the...
