So They Say

"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

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

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

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...

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

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!!

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.