Stand Up Straight

So They Say

2012-01-12T14:38:00.000-05:00

"I love chocolate blaze donuts!" - second grader (talking about chocolate glazed donuts)

"You're lucky Miss D., you don't have to eat what's on your plate all the time." - 5th grader

Be KIND

2012-01-11T10:39:00.001-05:00

My new favorite snack bars ("new", as in at least a year ago I tried them=) are the all-natural KIND bars. Their slogan is "ingredients you can see and pronounce." Love it! Unfortunately they are a bit pricey, but for a gf/df person like it's totally completely worth it. Also, they are higher in calories/fat calories, but just be sensible about how many you eat and what else you eat and you'll be grand. Like I said, it's worth it. I especially love the Blueberry Vanilla & Cashews bar and the Almond & Apricot. I get them at Meijer, Health Hutt, and Starbuck's. Check out their website: www.kindsnsacks.com

Cube Control

2011-09-23T09:51:00.001-04:00

My fourth grade boys have a difficult time keeping their mouths shut in class. Not really a surprise, but it was getting pretty bad. Hm, yes, by the way I have a tiny class of fourth grade math students and they are all boys, three of them. Yesterday they had a little detention with me because of their lack of control. Today I had a lightbulb moment and it turned out better than I expected. Here's what went down...

First of all, I have these colorful mini cubes I used. They are fun to look at and handle. Each time one of the boys raised his hand, I gave him a cube. If a student talked out, I took a cube away. At the end of the class period they could pick one small object from the Goodie Box for every ten cubes they had earned. In the future, we will collect cubes all week, keep track of how many cubes each boy has, and take a prize only on Friday. I might do a system where some things take more cubes than others, or for every fifty cubes they can pick from the box, or something else like that. Maybe they can choose to collect cubes for a longer period of time and get a larger prize. It all just occurred to me today so I haven't worked out the details. Any ideas are welcome.

The best part of all this is that the boys thought it was a super fun game and asked if we could play it again next week! Several times they caught themselves talking out and turned in a cube. Then they corrected their behavior and worked on remembering to raise their hand. No one got mad if he had to put a cube back. Weird, but hey, if it works...

For me, it means they're being quiet and raising their hands. And now we're all happy.

Shout Out

2011-09-22T10:35:00.001-04:00

Here's to my fifth graders - Audrey, Caitlin, Abi, Kara, Maddie, Paul, Keegan, Jacob, Katie - for all A's on their first math test! Way to go, guys! I am so proud of your hard work already this year.

Ten Things I've Had To Remember...

2011-09-16T10:53:00.001-04:00

at the beginning of this school year:

1. I have to go to bed early.

2. Prayer is a must.

3. Things will have to be explained many times.

4. Patience = sanity.

5. Something is going to change - new student, different schedule, something!

6. I will make mistakes; students will make mistakes.

7. I can't be too prepared at the beginning of the year.

8. Early morning meetings are inevitable; just go with it.

9. Everyone else is tired and overwhelmed, too.

10.The rest of the year isn't like the beginning; it does get easier.

I am My Mother

2011-08-30T12:56:00.001-04:00

As I get older I am amazed to see traits of both my parents manifested in my own lifestyle, personality, etc. Sitting in teacher meetings yesterday and today, I had the thought, "I am my mother!" and I had to chuckle. For those of you who know my mom well or have taught with her, you'll get this - I was sitting in our meetings taking notes, making lists and plans with my mom's signature blue Bic pen and yellow lined legal pad! Not only that, I am working in the same school with the same staff (mostly) teaching the same class she did! And I am happy to say that if I have to be like somebody, I'm so glad it's Chris Dykstra.

Here We Go Again!!

2011-08-29T08:47:00.001-04:00

Up at 6:00, ran 2 miles at 6:30, left for school at 8:15! I'm back in the school mode, almost into the school schedule and routine, and I LOVE it.

rainy day funnies

2011-07-11T14:02:00.001-04:00

"It's right. I did math." Charlie, figuring out if the pasta had been cooking long enough

"Dear Heavenly Father...oh, I mean 1,2,3..." Charlie, her turn to count for hide and seek

"Miss D. I see you...Miss D, I see you!...I found your pants so don't think I can't see you!" Syd, during her turn as seeker

End of the Year Review

2011-05-23T15:41:00.001-04:00

This week is our last week of school at Lakeshore Christian Academy, and let me tell you we are all excited! The kids want to have a party week, but it ain't gonna happen, no siree. We are going to work work work til we absolutely have to quit and clean up. One day they'll thank me. Since we finished up our last vocab unit last week we have been reviewing the units we've covered this year. Today I printed Mad Libs for students to fill out using their vocab words. They loved it! Working in pairs they filled in four different stories and had a chance to share two with the rest of the class. The Mad Libs activity would mostly review the part of speech for their vocab words, but at least it's something. And, in the curriculum I use students have to know just about everything about each word so it works fine to just review part of speech. I think this activity would be good for any one unit, but it might be best with a whole bunch of units to choose from like we had. Either way, it's one more way to put into practice vocabulary words being learned.

If I could have my way...

2011-05-12T20:31:00.000-04:00

"One day I would have all the books in the world, shelves and shelves of them. I would live my life in a tower of books. I would read all day long and eat peaches. And if any young knights in armor dared to come calling on their white chargers and plead with me to let down my hair, I would pelt them with peach pits until they went home."

--The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly

Read Aloud

2011-04-26T14:26:00.006-04:00

As I wrap up this school year, I'm thinking back on the read-aloud books I've used this year and in years past. I thought I'd share some of the titles with you. These books would probably be best for 4th grade and up. This is by no means the entire list of books I've used in the last six years - just the ones that come to mind right now.

Bartlett and the Ice Voyage by Odo Hirsch
Airman by Eoin Colfer*
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall
The Voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting (1923 Newbery Medal)
Masterpiece by Elise Broach
Harry's Mad by Dick King-Smith
The Tale of Despereaux by Kate Di Camillo (2004 Newbery Medal)
Someone Named Eva by Joan M. Wolf
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke**
Fearless by Elvira Woodruff
Toliver's Secret by Esther Wood Brady
The Rise and Fall of Mount Majestic by Jennifer Trafton
Star in the Storm by Joan Hiatt Harlow
Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce
The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss

*Favorite of my 2010-2011 5th and 6th grade class. They loved this book more than any other class loved a book! It is also one of my top picks.

**My fifth grade class of 2009-2010 actually listened to Dragon Rider on disc, read by Brendan Frasier. I highly recommend the disc version, especially if you've never read the book!

Where can you find a brawl?

2011-04-14T20:00:00.003-04:00

Part of my students' assignment during each vocabulary unit is to find all twenty words somewhere in the world around them. (Billboards, TV shows, newspaper, people saying them, etc.) Looking through our new vocab unit, my students were dismayed to see twenty really unusual words. For instance, one student commented, "Like brawl Miss D., where are we going to find that?" Another student piped right up in reply, "At Victoria's Secret!" (Gotta love 6th graders=)

I Smile

2011-04-14T19:22:00.006-04:00

Though of no eternal value whatsoever, the following items are a few little luxuries I have been enjoying lately....maybe you will too! (I've added links to them all in case you want to check them out further.)

SHAPE magazine - full of helpful hints and real-life success stories, this magazine makes living a healthy life look like loads of fun!

Hayley Westenra, vocalist - think Charlotte Church, only way way better

Bolthouse Farms Vanilla Chai Tea - "100% Natural, Heart Healthy, Dairy Free"

Champion yoga pants from Target - long, semi-fitted, perfect for lunging or lounging

Udi's gluten-free bread - whole grain and cinnamon raisin; gluten free, dairy free, soy free, nut free yet tastes like real bread!

Suave Naturals apricot & orange blossom exfoliating body wash - who knew a $1.97 body wash could be the perfect fragrance, texture, everything?!

Spot It! - unique card game I was introduced to at Mackinaw Kite Co. recently. Fun for all ages!

Hold Me by Jamie Grace w/ Toby Mac - lighthearted and a bit shallow, but fun and perfect for a triple-step swing!

Cover Girl fresh complexion pocket powder foundation - finally, a foundation that feels good and lasts all day

North Ottawa Dunes trails - conveniently located in nearby Ferrysburg, Michigan, these trails are perfect for running, hiking, and getting away from it all.

Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - Tuesday nights at 8:00 on ABC; so good it's almost awe-inspiring

Read To Me

2011-04-07T15:50:00.001-04:00

Noteworthy

2011-03-11T16:46:00.001-05:00

My students did so exceedingly fantastic on their vocab quiz today that I wanted everyone who reads my blog to know about it!! Each month they have twenty vocabulary words to learn. They learn the spelling, meaning, antonyms, synonyms, part of speech, and placement of the accent mark. It's alot! And the words aren't easy....we're talking about inimitable, controversial, entrepreneur, firebrand, vengeance, adjacent and many others. Today the kids had a quiz over this unit's first ten words. I gave the definitions and they had to give the correct word. Not only that, they had to spell them accurately. For bonus points, students could list the part of speech for each word. Most students got an A+, but all of the grades were above average and absolutely acceptable. Let it be known that I am so proud of my students and thank God for their hard work in preparing for this quiz.

What Happened?

2011-03-01T17:24:00.001-05:00

It's 5:11 p.m. on a Tuesday afternoon. I'm still at school, and that's ok because I don't have anything I have to do later. I love these long evenings at school when I can relax and enjoy doing all those teachery things I usually have to rush through. So what did my day look like, you ask? And why am I still here after 5? Here's what happened....

7:30 arrive and prep for the day
8:00 meet students; collect homework, say pledges, pray
8:15 5th/6th off to morning classes,; 4th in for math
9:21 late for 2nd grade math cause I ran eggs from Hyinks out to my car; made kids sit in the hallway so Ashleigh and I could have a potty break
10:20 5th/6h Class B arrives for math, my signal to dismiss 2nd grade
11:10 Class B successfully through math test 12 and on their way to Social Studies, Class A in for math
11:47 Class A finished with math test and we're late for lunch cause I was working on my best bulletin board yet
12:25 in from a lovely recess out in the gorgeous sunshine (I could even smell the lake on the breeze! benefits of being so close to the water)
1:05 just finished two chapters in our read-aloud book, Landon Snow and the Auctor's Riddle
1:40 5th/6th off to typing after a great intro to our new vocab unit, they already can use some of the words in sentences!
2:28 finished up a meeting with PNB about youth group stuff and back to meet 5th/6th graders
3:06 wrapped up our Samson lesson with a fun crossword puzzle review (they've really enjoyed our study of the book of Judges!)
3:13 still coaxing students out the door..."I love you, but you need to go home now!" (besides, I needed another potty stop!=)
3:21 back to work on the new bulletin board; this one is super cool but it's taking enough work to justify leaving it up the rest of the year; pictures possibly to follow
5:00 had to stop with the bulletin board - hoping some time away will help me think of the last perfect detail I need to make it complete.
5:10 done grading Class A's math tests and vocab assignments; checking email; writing on blog

I'm sure there were a few more potty breaks in there, but pretty much that's it. I LOVE being a teacher and can't imagine doing anything else!

The Tongue

2011-01-15T17:56:00.002-05:00

"You did not know what you were saying because your tongue is out of control. It is always walking away on its own and leaving your head behind."
from The Full Cupboard of Life by Alexander McCall Smith

"But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the image of God...my brethren, these things ought not to be so." from James chapter 3, the Holy Bible

Multiplication Week, Days 3, 4, 5

2011-01-14T20:42:00.001-05:00

Ok so I got a little behind. Teaching is a busy profession! And mentally exhausting. But it's worth it. I would not ever want to do anything else. Anyway, let's get caught up with the events of the rest of our multiplication week.

Day 3 - We wrote some more facts and found some fun places to recite them. We went in a "secret" hallway in the building that is one of those places that kids just love because you don't really know it's there and there's this huge gorgeous window. Anyway, the kids were in awe! Next we did a fun worksheet called a Multiplication Mosaic (Google that and you'll see the book I use). The bottom half of the worksheet has multiplication facts with one factor missing; beside each fact is the name of a color in parentheses. For example: 8 x ___ = 72 (purple). The top half of the page is a blank coordinate plane. After filling in the missing factors at the bottom, students use the two factors as coordinates, and instead of plotting a point on the grid they color the corresponding square with the color listed beside the fact. When they are finished plotting and coloring in the squares they see a special design. Our design for the day was a beautiful blue, black, and purple butterfly. The kids asked to do more! This activity is great because it gives a little different multiplication practice than the usual, plus they get practice with the coordinate plane which is something they will be using all through high school even.

Day 4 - More writing and reciting facts. We said the tens and elevens times tables to Mrs. Norman, our church secretary. Our big game was "King/Queen of the Class." I made a super fun crown for the current King or Queen to wear. Each time they beat someone the current King or Queen received a point to represent one year of their reign. No points were given for winning the crown from someone; they had to win it then beat another person to get their first "year". The kids loved this method! It added to the imagination of the game, rather than just keeping "points." Points are boring. To say that "Kara won because she reigned for seven years!" is so much more fun. =)

Day 5 - We reviewed our tricks and reminders; fun to see the progress even from Monday. Worked on one multiplication table worksheet. They spent the last half of the class doing a scavenger hunt. They were all over the building with the rules to walk, whisper, and work together. They did it great. To figure out each clue they had to answer multiplication facts then match the answer to a letter on a list I had made. The last one was to find me, where I had a new pencil for each of them as a reward for all their hard work this week. Difficult, tedious work can be made funner than fun, you just have to know how!

2nd Grade Quote of the Day

2011-01-13T10:33:00.001-05:00

"If I win it, I'll be the Queen of Cute!"

When the second grade math class heard about the super fun game the fourth grade math class got to play, they begged to play it too. It's a simple "King/Queen of the Class" game. I made a crown out of some colorful, glittery paper I had; the winner got to keep the crown. One student wears the crown and sits on the "throne" (the stool I sit on to teach sometimes). I show a math flashcard - for second grade we did subtraction - and whoever says it first gets the crown. There's no points for winning the crown away from someone, but every time a student wins once they have the crown they get a point to represent one year of reigning as King or Queen. That point system I just thought of on the fly this morning and the kids liked it. My second graders thought if they won the crown the could be the boss of me too, so I had to remind them I was still in charge. I told them they could be King or Queen, but I was the High Supreme Ruler of the World. Can't beat that! Youngsters love to imagine, so why not incorporate it into things that can be terribly mundane...like math class?! Imagination makes everything much more fun and we're still accomplishing our goal. True, such activities are a bit more time consuming so we can't do them every day. Whenever we can, though, it's totally worth the time and effort. Seeing the kids' gigantic smiles and hearing their laughter during math class is the best thing ever!

Multiplication Week, Day 2

2011-01-11T15:43:00.001-05:00

Today for 4th grade multiplication week we wrote and recited our 6-9 times tables. First we wrote out the 9's then stood to recite them. We did the same, then, for the next three sets, facing a different direction each time we stood to recite. To liven things up we clapped twice after each of the 7's facts and stomped twice after each 6 fact. The last half of the class we played Go Fish, my own homemade version. A match consisted of a multiplication fact and an answer. For instance, if a student had a card that said "4x5 and 5x4" that student would ask for "20" on his or her turn. It was a super great game! The kids seemed to enjoy it. I let the winner choose out of my small-item goody box.

Multiplication Week, Day #1

2011-01-10T12:29:00.001-05:00

Since my fourth grade math class is struggling with multiplication facts, I decided to dedicate an entire week to just that. Each day we will practice saying and writing facts, as well as doing many fun activities. Today was our first day. To start with we worked on some tricks and reminders. Here are a few: "5,6,7,8.....56 is 7x8!" and "5x5 is 25, I just saw a big bee hive; 6x6 is 36, let's go stir the cookie mix; 7x7 is 49, don't sit on a porcupine" (the kids got to create the rhymes for those doubles facts). We also use "nines hands", a cool strategy for figuring out the 9 times table with your fingers. (Yes, it's ok to use fingers!) After going over the tricks and reminders students wrote out their own flashcards to add to the ones we made last week. On one side they put the fact and its twin (4x5 and 5x4) and on the other side they wrote the answer. Finally, I called out multiplication facts and students wrote the answers with dry-erase markers on a large, round, clear plastic table protector. We did this sitting in the middle of the church foyer, simply for a change of scenery (something simple as that can make an activity a hundred times more fun!)

All-Nighter Nonsense

2011-01-03T15:15:00.001-05:00

Kenzie and me being way too silly....and it was at the beginning of the night!

Success

2011-01-03T15:12:00.001-05:00

"If at first you do succeed, try not to look too surprised" (anonymous)

Instant Inspiration

2011-01-01T19:01:00.003-05:00

This is a quote from Audrey Hepburn. Not a person I usually attempt to emulate, but I thought her words were poignant. I think you can find some Scriptures similar to these words, and that's even better!

"For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone."

Pastor Muri's Suggested New Year's Resolutions for Christians

2011-01-01T18:57:00.002-05:00

These are sort of paraphrased. As I went through them I thought of a specific area in my life to which I can apply each resolution. That was exciting! Lots of cool stuff to work on this year.

1. Spend less; give more
2. Serve and make a difference in the church
3. Do a Red Book study with someone
4. Read through the entire Bible
5. Pray with more frequency and fervor
6. Reduce the amount of frenzy in my life
7. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude
8. Master a new skill
9. Expand my circle of friends
10.Read some good books and reduce use of electronics

Big Family Christmas

2010-12-24T23:03:00.003-05:00

Girls' Sleepover

2010-12-22T13:58:00.005-05:00

Pizza, puppy chow, Wii, and six senior high girls. Need I say more?!

Family Christmas

2010-12-22T13:52:00.002-05:00

We met at T & A's on the 18th for dinner and gifts. The house was cozy and the dog was crazy! (no picture of him, sorry)

Youth After Church (in other words, YAC)

2010-11-22T13:52:00.002-05:00

I've now been serving in my church youth group for a year and a half. The time has past quickly and I have been blessed beyond measure. Part of our youth ministry is what we call our yac's, or "youth after church". Different families in the church host the teens after Sunday night church and provide food for them. Sometimes, like last night, it's a bonfire with games in the dark scary woods (no thank you!). Other times it might be inside playing games or at someone's pool or singing with the guys' and their guitars or just a fun night of laughing and chatting with each other. Last night Eden was taking lots of pictures as usual, and Liz wanted one with me. She shouted, "Who wants a picture with Lindsey?!" And all these kids here...about half our group...came running over all excited to be in the picture. It was so sweet! My smile is so huge because it made my heart swell with the love they were showing for me, one of the bossy adults they have to put up with. =) Thank God for amazing teens and the privilege of being their friend and mentor!

Dig Pink

2010-10-21T10:06:00.001-04:00

To show our support for breast cancer awareness/research our school is having a Dig Pink day. Everyone is wearing pink! At the volleyball games tonight the girls will be wearing pink socks and jerseys, too. Admission fees will be donated to breast cancer research. Recently our 1st/2nd grade teacher was diagnosed with breast cancer. We are honored to support her by wearing pink today and giving money to help fund research. Dig Pink!

Math Rocks

2010-10-12T11:31:00.001-04:00

This school year I once again have the privilege of being the 2nd grade and 4th grade math teacher!! So far it has been just as good as or even better than last year, if that's possible. I have six second grade students and seven fourth grade students. Both classes are fun and bright. Within a week or so my second graders were writing "Math Rocks" all over their papers. My fourth graders leave with happy "Thank You!"'s and "That was fun!!" Phew, cause sometimes the lessons or activities seem to be a flop. If the kids are enjoying class and learning, then I am pleased. Today the second graders had a pattern to design and color after their test. I pulled out my bags and boxes of crayons....I have tons! Charlie (yes, my Charlie, as in Charlie and Sydney, they're in my math class this year=) was impressed with the amount and said to me, "You are a prepared woman!" That brought a smile to my face, for certain. If you check out our school's new website and find me under "Contact...Faculty" you will see that I have been given the title of "Math Specialist." I had to laugh when I first saw that. I'm not sure how special I am, but I sure think math is special! It seems that my young scholars agree with me. Let's hope I can keep that positive, excited attitude going through the next few years!

The Last Month or So

2010-08-05T19:00:00.001-04:00

July 1 - welcomed my newest nephew into the world, Miles James
July 4th weekend - spent it in Indiana with the Pattens
July 8 thru 17 - went to South Dakota with the senior high youth group from Lakeshore, saw things like Mt Rushmore, the Badlands, Needles Highway, Harney Peak, Wind Cave National Park
July 22 thru 25 - Julie Muse came from Wisconsin to visit and we went to the beach (swam in HUGE waves on a red flag day) and to Kirby Grill (for the first time!) plus other fun stuff
July 30 thru August 14 - Sadie sitting at the lake house while Anhalts are in Togo
August 1 thru 7 - Coast Guard week; danced in the street Tuesday night with Josh, parade and craft show with mom, fireworks with Kristin

And in between all those dates I've been babysitting the twins of course, hangin' out with Kristin alot, got to see Kristen McCracken (well, DeHaven now!) while she's home from Georgia, had a few of the senior high girls over for a sleepover, tested several new students for the upcoming school year, etc. Good times! Summer's been fantastic and I can't wait for school to start!

Have You Ever Seen....

2010-07-01T11:48:00.004-04:00

a pregnant rattlesnake having an ultrasound and surgery...LIVE?! We did, yesterday at Potter Park Zoo in Lansing, MI. What an unexpected treat! We got to watch outside through a big window; we were only about two feet away from the action. It was great. Charlie especially loved it, kept saying it was awesome and she wants to be a vet. You may hate snakes and think watching a snake surgery is disgusting, but seriously, how many people get to see such a thing?! I thought it was a really neat opportunity, not just for me but especially for the kiddos.

Here They Are, My Eight

2010-06-08T16:48:00.001-04:00

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=5499162&l=27a4d5b43c&id=739734275

My Eight

2010-06-08T16:39:00.003-04:00

I'd like to share with you some of the wonderful qualities that I observed in my eight students last year. Some students display similar qualities, but I hope mentioning them won't take away from the individuality of each young person. They are all wonderful people whom I love with all my heart!

Abbie - creative, hard-working, helpful, great with little kids, makes great posters

Alex - incredible artist, attentive to detail, great sense of humor, knows alot about history and wars

Christian - deep thinker, hard-worker, generous, great sense of humor, likes to help

Gillian - kind, diligent, sweet spirit, encourager, loves to have fun, has a great smile

Kaitlyn - fun, honest, helpful, patient with people, good basketball player

Keith - fun sense of humor, respectful, creative writer, unselfish, energetic

Macie - positive attitude, honest, hard-working, great at memory verses

Sarah - thoughtful and creative writer, easy-going, honest, strives to do right,

Camp Outta Here

2010-06-05T14:08:00.001-04:00

At the end of the school year, for the last two years, I have been in charge of an elementary event known as Camp Outta Here. It is two half-days of fun and games for the kids during the last two days of school. It is a big event and a stressful one for me to plan. This year especially, I saw God working to help me and calm my worries. Here are some lessons I learned about myself, about life, about people...

1. Though organizing big events like Camp does not come naturally to me, this has been a great experience to tuck away for future use in other schools, youth groups, etc. Another "card" to file away to be pulled out again someday if necessary.
2. I cannot do everything on my own.
3. It's okay to ask for help.
4. Other people have good ideas, too. In fact, most of them are better ideas than mine!
5. A little stress is okay because it motivates me to get things done.
6. Working ahead is a good thing - procrastinating is not, it just adds to the stress.
7. I can be organized if I really want to be.
8. It's okay to change plans if a better idea comes up. I need to be more flexible.
9. Most people will get involved in some way or another, I just might have to ask instead of wait for them to offer.
10. God knows what I need and He's going to help me.
11. I need to start trusting people and relying on their help more. Not everyone is going to let me down.
12. "Busy" is good, it keeps me from being lazy and wasteful of my time.
13. When it comes down to it, all that matters is that God is pleased with how I've conducted myself throughout the planning process and the event. Not everything will go perfectly, but God is always good and I can still respond in a way that honors Him.

Wyatt

2010-05-10T13:57:00.002-04:00

My second grade boys are too funny...Wyatt is a sweet kid who's always saying the cutest things...

"I was going to say something but Joshua erupted me."

"Woah, I got a little carried away!"

"Miss D., you look like a detective. Detective Miss. D.!" (my jacket made him think I looked like a detective..funny, Ryan thought I looked like a chef...???!!!)

New Class

2010-05-10T13:46:00.002-04:00

My students today thought it would be amusing to call everyone by their middle name. I am now Miss Lea, and my students are Mae, Sarah, Lynn, Jared, John, Dakota, Diana, and Marie. I guess tomorrow we're going by our last names...

Friday Afternoon

2010-05-07T14:13:00.001-04:00

It's 2:11 and all's well...

Abbie is working on her math lesson;

Sarah and Macie are reviewing vocab. on the chalkboard;

Keith, Alex, Christian, Kaitlyn, and Gillian are quietly reading in the comfy chairs;

I am grading a pile of math papers.

It's 2:11 and all's well.

Fourth Grade Math...A Look Back

2010-04-21T12:21:00.001-04:00

As the year is winding down, I am reminded more and more of the experiences I've had this year. Each of my classes has been a blessing - and a blast! Today I'd like to share some memories about my fourth grade math class.

I began the year with just one student, Emily. She is a sweet, bright girl. We had a great time doing lessons and playing math games. In October, Noah, a former third grade student, joined our class. He added a whole new dynamic to the class! This boy is sharp as a tack. He is witty, quick to pick up new concepts, and observant. He likes to talk, which is not always a good thing for class, but I have learned alot from him! At the beginning there was some competition between Noah and Emily, but they have learned to work together and help eachother. Here are some of the wonderful moments, experiences, jokes, we have shared in fourth grade math:

-"You forgot to turn off the gravity!" There is an invisible path in my room from the door to the table in which Noah and Emily are constantly dropping things. They blame it on the gravity and claim it is stronger some days than others. We joke that there is a switch with which I can turn the gravity off and on.

-Making division problems using bean bags and jump ropes was fun when Em and Noah were "too smart" for the work.

-Shooting rubber bands at a target I drew on the chalk board was the time I laughed the most. Poor Noah had a tough time getting his rubber band to fly forward. I suggested he turn around and then when the rubber band flew backwards it would hit the target. Wouldn't ya know it, the rubber band actually went forward that time and he still totally missed the target.

-Sometimes we play multiplication war. Once we had a three-way "war"!

-Once we ate donuts and played bingo in the kitchen as a reward for something (I think), or it was just for fun.

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What Do You Think I am Doing?!

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Busy, that is what I am. Good busy. Not bored. That is good! Here's what I am currently up to...

-planning Camp Outta Here an all-elementary end-of-the-year bash with tons of games and fun!

-tutoring a seventh grade girl in math definitely a challenge but I love math and I love the opportunity to be a blessing!

-making summer plans which include watching the twins Monday through Friday, going to South Dakota for ten days with the senior high youth group, spending as many days as possible at the beach, running in the North Ottawa Dunes trails several times a week, and housing several guests (Lord willing!) during the summer months.

-praying about my future considering if this is where God has me "for permanent" or if he has other plans for me.

Maybe it doesn't sound like a lot right now, but you know how the day-to-day stuff can get. Camp, and other school stuff, is taking up the most of my time right now and keeping me busy. It's a little crazy sometimes, but I truly enjoy it!! Praise the Lord for a life full of stuff I love to do!

Never a Dull Classroom

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The other day Keith asked me, "Does your mom let you watch videos on YouTube?"

Christian finished a recent journal entry, in which students had to choose one person and one item with which to be stranded on a deserted (not desserted) island, this way..."I would like to be on an island. I do like the tropics!" Way to be positive, Christian. =)

Yesterday morning I was testing white board markers on the large classroom white board. Markers that worked I tossed over by the cabinet to be put away with the small white boards in a drawer. The kids thought it was rather funny to see me chucking markers across the room. Later in the day, Macie was getting out her own white board markers to share with others as we prepared to use the small white boards for an activity. She started throwing the markers to the other student, and I said, "Hey, we do NOT through things in this classroom!!" Of course, I said it in jest, considering my own actions previously in the day. The whole class laughed loudly and gave me a hard time. It was all a bunch of fun and silliness. =)

Stand Up Straight

So They Say

Be KIND

Cube Control

Shout Out

Ten Things I've Had To Remember...

I am My Mother

Here We Go Again!!

rainy day funnies

End of the Year Review

If I could have my way...

Read Aloud

Where can you find a brawl?

I Smile

Read To Me

Noteworthy

What Happened?

The Tongue

Multiplication Week, Days 3, 4, 5

2nd Grade Quote of the Day

Multiplication Week, Day 2

Multiplication Week, Day #1

All-Nighter Nonsense

Success

Instant Inspiration

Pastor Muri's Suggested New Year's Resolutions for Christians

Big Family Christmas

Girls' Sleepover

Family Christmas

Youth After Church (in other words, YAC)

Dig Pink

Math Rocks

The Last Month or So

Have You Ever Seen....

Here They Are, My Eight

My Eight

Camp Outta Here

Wyatt

New Class

Friday Afternoon

Fourth Grade Math...A Look Back

What Do You Think I am Doing?!

Never a Dull Classroom

Consider My Medication

"How can you tell your parents love you?"

LACE

Serenity

Early Morning Funny

Fearless Feet - Beautiful Feet

Silliness

A "Must Read"

Do Over

Being Great

A conversation with a second grader...It went something like this...

What did you say?!

Studentisms

Best Lunch Ever

What I'm All About

"Ears like a hawk" and other stories

Writing Bugs

By and By

It's a Chore

Two Weeks In

Our Great God

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

The Beach on a Stormy Night

Senior High

TAD & Annie's wedding

Twin-sitting...our summer so far

Talents (according to the twins)

Kate's Wedding

Do You Know What Jesus Did?

Matthew 19:21 & 29

"My Rules" (a poem by Shel Silverstein)

Shutting Up

Teacherous

Literally

Everything is Perfect

Songs for Saturday

April Showers, May Flowers