Kids say the darnest (baby) things!

Since I told my students I was expecting I've heard some of the weirdest and funniest comments. I thought I'd take a blog post to write them all down so I never forget them. Remember, these kids are 10 and 11 years old. I love them dearly but sometimes they just need to think...or many they really do have their heads in the clouds. :o)

• One boy asked me if I had to be in the hospital for 9 months. He has four siblings. I told him I was pretty sure not many people would have kids if we had to be in the hospital that long.
  
  
• The same boy asked me if I had the baby yet (I was about 20 weeks). Did I miss school?
  
  
• A girl asked if I was going to be grumpy like her 4th grade teacher was last year when she was pregnant. I told her I only to her {the girl}. Sarcasm.
  
  
• One of the boys in my class asked if I was going to leave them. I told him no, I wouldn't have the baby until August. He told me that one of his 4th grade teachers left them last year. I told her it was because she had a baby in January. He swore up and down she did not have a baby and she just didn't like them. For real?
  
  
• I've had several comments, "your stomach/belly is growing". My comment back is usually, "yes, the baby is growing".
  
  
• A boy pointed to my stomach and asked, "is that the baby?" I said, "No, it's my puppy." Everyone in the class was silent. Finally one of the smarter girls said, "Yes! That's her baby! Duh!"
  
  
• Another boy asked if I was having a baby because he was getting worried my stomach was growing. Seriously? Your class talks about it weekly. We're on week 25 and you're just now asking?
  

What are some of the funniest/weirdest comments you have ever hear from kids or even adults while pregnant?

The Day I Told My Students...

The day I told my students I was pregnant is a day I will never forget. In fact, I could kick myself in the behind for not video recording it. Seriously, it would have been a YouTube hit!

I was beyond excited to tell my kiddos. Since I had all of them last year in 4th grade we know each other very well. They truly feel like my kids most of the time and I've seen them more in two years than some of their own families. As crazy as they may drive me, I love them so much! So I was pumped to tell them about the baby.

Just a few days before Valentine's Day, one of my students asked when I was going to have a baby. I immediately became worried. Did he hear me say something? Is he psychic? When I asked him why he wanted to know he informed me that a few of the kids were talking about it the other day and how I was getting old and probably should have a kid soon.

Because all students think about their teacher and when she should have a child.

Anyways, jump forward to Valentine's Day and I was a nervous wreck! I don't know why I was so nervous to tell them. I really thought they would be excited and clap a little but would be so focused on their Valentine's candy and cards that they wouldn't care too much.

Boy, was I wrong!

We played high/low at the end of the day, just like every Friday (Thursday), and we also added something we loved to our high and low list. When it was my turn I said, "I love something new today." Then I showed them my paper heart that said, "Baby G".

There were crickets. Nothing. No reactions. It took them about 20 seconds for it to click in. Finally one of the girls said, "Baby G, are you having a baby?"

Cue freaking out.

Gasps were heard all around the room. There was screaming. There was clapping. There was jumping up and down. One of the girls was crying. There were many questions including, "is it a boy or girl?", "what are you going to name it?", "when did you find out?". 

I slowly became overwhelmed and a little embarrassed  I know they mean well, trust me, but they were going crazy. A few of them ran to the other 5th grade rooms and shouted it out. They were yelling it up and down the hallway. Thankfully the bell rang and they were gone but I was told by my principal that if you were in the hall or outside in the front with the buses, you knew within about five seconds.

I love that they are so excited for me and my family. They almost had me in tears before they exploded. But I have a difficult time with having all the attention on me, so I'm not going to lie when I tell you it was a little much for me to handle. But I'm so thankful for how much they care and they were hysterically funny. And remember the only reason why I had this much reaction was because they know me so well and we're on year two together.

Now I can only hope they are able to lay low about it for the rest of the year. I know that they will be excited for a while. I definitely have to make them promise not to freak out this much when I tell them the gender!

High/Low Fridays

When we were in elementary and middle school my parents used to play a game with us every night at the dinner table called, high/low. We would have to tell the high of our day, or the best thing about it, and the low of our day, or the worst part about it. We could never have just a low but definitely could have just a high.This was one of our favorite things to do and really promoted sharing around the dinner table.

This year I decided to incorporate it into my classroom. This is the second year I've had this group of  kids and we already know each other pretty well. But it is nice to have more bonding time.

Every Friday the kids walk in excited to play high/low, even though we play it at the very end of the day. They think about their highs and lows all day and now are much better at knowing exactly what they want to say (unlike the beginning of the year when each kid took 10 minutes to think of something). We clear out the desks, sit in a circle, and go around saying our highs and lows. Sometimes we will even add in a "what we are looking forward to this weekend".

It's been such a wonderful bonding experience. We've had so many laughs and even some tears. But it just brings us closer together. We do have a few rules, which most follow.

Rule #1: Wait your turn
Rule #2: Do not comment on others high/low  {this is the hardest to follow but very important}
Rule #3: Be polite
Rule #4: Highs and lows must be appropriate  {we're talking 5th graders here- ya never know!}
Rule #5: You must say at least one high

I look forward to Fridays and sharing our highs and lows for the week. Some are as simple as, "I did well on my math test" or "we don't have school Monday". And others really touch you such as, "I got to see my mom for the first time in six months"...tears!!

I'm so thankful my kids are able to share their experiences with each other and with me. This class is very special to me since this is my second year with them. I know I'm going to be a hot mess saying goodbye to them but I'll always remember our high/low Fridays and I hope that they can remember the same.

For the southern ladies

If you didn't already know, I am a 5th grade teacher. We departmentalize (aka switch classes) so I teach Social Studies to all four 5th grade classes. In Social Studies, we learn all about the different regions of the United States. We are slowing "touring" them and  looking at important and/or interesting places in each region. Before we went on Thanksgiving break, we started the Southeast Region. We have visited Everglades National Park, Kennedy Space Center, and Disney World! We will finish up the region this week.

This is where I need your help...

I want to do a little presentation all about Southern dialect/sayings and traditions. I know some information--all of my dad's family {and J's family} are from the south but none of them are living there anymore--but I'd love to have more.

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Here are a few things I want to know from you...

1)  What are some daily words you use that are only heard of in the south? {"buggy", "picture made", "Don't be ugly", etc}

2)  What traditions do you have in the south that are not found anywhere else? {Pickle in the tree?}

3)  Best part about living in the south? {aside from the nice weather}


Thank you so much for your help! I will let you know how it goes!! :)

Friday Letters

Say what? Two posts in one week? What is going on?? I may or may not be putting off grading some papers.

Dear Oliver,

Must you chase Wembley around the house every night? What is the deal? As soon as I get home it starts. You're running all around the house chasing each other and acting like you have no manners. I know we taught you better than that! You also seriously have to stop getting stuck the cat house. What happens if you get stuck and I'm not home? Figure that one out!

Dear 5th grade,

I still feel like I'm living Groundhog Day. Some days are worse than others. My students are also getting to know me too well. Yesterday one of them figured out the enrollment key to my new website. Yes, it was 'oliver' but seriously? I also have another student who routinely calls me "mom". Yes, he did this a few times last year, but now we're on a daily basis. It definitely makes me laugh because he turns bright red! I do love looping with them and knowing them so well.


Dear J,

I am so excited that you will be graduating in May from grad school! I'm so proud of all the work that you have been doing in school, at home, and at work. I don't know how you are ready to start your doctorate degree but I know you will be amazing!


Dear JCPenny,

I never was a huge fan of yours but recently you have been my bff. I love your new prices and everything I try on seems to fit perfectly. I even managed to find jeans that fit my legs, behind, and were not huge in the waste. That is what I call a miracle! Keep up the great work!

Happy Friday! I'm super thankful that it's finally the weekend!!

Groundhog Day

Today, well this year, I'm calling Groundhog Day.

Source: imdb.com via Nadia on Pinterest

Last year I taught 4th grade and then moved up to 5th grade this year. This switch has given me year two with the same kiddos. Therefore groundhog day. Yes, I have a different homeroom class but I know every kid (except for the few new ones) because we departmentalize in 4th and 5th grade. I'm so excited to see the kids again and hope that my homeroom, especially those few who had me as a homeroom teacher last year, are excited to have me again!

As always I have first day of school jitters! This year I'm not worried about the kids but more of the new curriculum. I also have to make sure I have everything in order, outfit ironed and ready to wear, lunch packed, and breakfast easily accessible to grab and go!

Good luck to all the teachers who are starting school this in the upcoming weeks! Classroom pictures will be posted to my teacher blog very soon. Promise!!

Teacher Tuesday: Rewards

This week it's all about the rewards. I'm pretty sure this is every kids favorite part. Most of my students think they should be rewarded for everything. Not so fast there slick!

I've tried several different reward methods but only a few have actually stuck. I tried Beth Newingham's Classroom Economy for a year but it was a fail. It was just too much for me to keep up with, especially when I don't see my class all day. I still adore Beth Newingham!! {check her out if you haven't...she's seriously amazing}

When deciding how rewards go in the 4th grade we all used a clip chart.

My personal image made on Photoshop & printed out by Vista Print

How To Use: Each student starts their clip (clothespin) on "Keep up the great work" every day. Through out the day they can move it up or down. If they end up on "Noon detention" on Monday, then Tuesday morning they go back to purple. However, if a student moves their clip to "Wow" it can stay there until we ask them to move it, which it would go on to purple.

Reward: The only reward with this chart is that if a student is on "Wow" at the end of the week. If you land on "Wow" on Friday (not matter how many days you've been there), you will earn two tickets. I often do this more times than just Fridays for those kiddos who have a great day on Tuesday but maybe have to move their clip on Wednesday.

Overall: Even though all of the 4th grade teachers have a clip chart, we do not all do it the exact same way. Only two of us give out tickets and some don't even have "Wow". However, we all follow the same disciple format of "first warning", "noon", etc. While it works for our team it may not work for everyone.

**note: Noon detention is not the entire noon recess. We usually give them 10-15 minutes at the end so they can still run around and get out some of their energy**

Next year I am moving to 5th grade. They do not use they clip chart as a team; instead they "punch cards". I'm not quite sure how this all works yet, but I know rewards include a pizza party at the end of the year.

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How To Use: As I said above, I pass out tickets to those students who have moved their clips to "Wow". I also pass out tickets to students who come into the classroom and get to work right away. It's so easy for them to get off task or want to have social hour after coming back from recess. Tickets have been a great incentive for them. 

Tickets are also use as payment for their jobs. We switch jobs every two weeks and they earn four tickets (two per week) if they are diligent about completing their job. If they are constantly forgetting then sometimes they may loose a ticket or two.

Reward: When a student earns a ticket the can put it in one of four containers. I draw out of these containers every Friday as long as we haven't lost our minds for the day:   1) Treasure Chest  2) Comfy Chair  3) Bean Bag  4) Lunch with me

Treasure Chest

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Unfortunately, my treasure chest does not look like this. In fact, I just use a big plastic tub with a picture of a treasure chest. Works the same way and I can fit more junk in it...which is basically what the treasure chest consists of. Think the dollar Target isle and anything from the Dollar Store the 10-year-olds would just go crazy for. That's all in there!

Comfy Chair

I have an extra small teachers chair in my room that kids will take turns sitting in weekly if I draw their name. Hopefully I will still be able to use this but the more students I have the less space I have, which means it gets pretty tight for the comfy chair!

Bean Bag

Just like the comfy chair above, but instead with a bean bag! They may sit in this during read alouds, silent reading, or other appropriate times during the day.

Lunch with me

For the past four years my team and I have had a rotating duty schedule where there was one week a month we didn't have a duty. During that week I would pick four students to have lunch with me. They would get to choose lunch from Wendys, Subway, or Taco Bell. 99% of the time they would choose Subway {thank goodness!!} Yes, it did get expensive but they loved this and it gave them special time with me. I would make sure every kid in my class had this opportunity and no one could have it more than once...I'm not made of money!

 

The last big reward we have goes with our Missing Assignment Binder. This is somewhat difficult to explain {if you really want to know, shoot me an email}. I love how we have this set up! At the end of a semester the students will earn a movie. Depending on the amount of missing assignments they have had during that semester, some students may miss out on 10 to 30 minutes of the movie. They all know the rules up front when school starts so they get to set their own goals. This is something we did in the 4th grade. I think 5th grade does something similar.

It's so important for me that I reward every kid. When students have not missed any assignments, I send home a postcard via snail mail...because who doesn't like to get mail?!

Don't forget to link up with your Teacher Tuesday Rewards at Teaching in Heels!

There's still time to win 250 free business cards from VistaPrint! Click here!

Teacher Tuesday: Summer Goals

Two posts in one day?? Yes, I know...but I wanted to link up with some fabulous ladies! I figured it just makes up for the days when I don't blog :)

MJ at Teaching is Heels is a fabulous teacher with amazing ideas! No lie!! She is the bomb.com. Not only does she have great teaching ideas on Pinterest, but she is also on Teachers Pay Teachers.

Today is Teacher Tuesday on her blog and the topic is summer goals. I knew I had to participate in this because I have so many summer goals, especially since I'm switching grade levels. So, without further adieu...

1. My number one goal would be to start planning for next year. I taught 4th grade for four years and am moving up to 5th next year. With that comes all new lesson plans! I'm excited to be teaching new curriculum but I'm not going to lie and tell you it's easy. It's a lot of work. Thankfully at my school the 4th and 5th grade departmentalize (meaning we all teach different subjects). I will again be teaching all of the social studies and then reading/writing for my homeroom. I big puffy heart L-O-V-E this! I really don't think I could survive in a classroom all day with the same kids. Bless the hearts of all the elementary teachers who do!!

2. I am starting quite the collection of books to read this summer. 

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3. Finish moving in! I'm almost moved in (down the hall) to my new classroom. It's been a big process. I was packed and ready to go pretty early on but after the move realized how horrible unpacking is...just like when you move into a new home or unpack from vacation. It's terrible. But I'm super thankful that I have this position, so I can't complain too much!!

4. As always, find new ideas on Pinterest!!

If you're a teacher you should definitely link up! I'm always excited to see what others are doing while on summer "break"! 

Goodbyes and new beginnings

Today is my last day of school but it's not any ordinary last day. Today is my last day of teaching 4th grade.

In August 2008, I started my adventure as a first year teacher. I was welcomed into a wonderful school and an even more amazing team of teachers. I had never set foot into a 4th grade classroom, not even in my student teaching, so this was all crazy new for me! I was excited and ready to learn. My mentor, and now great friend, taught me so much during my first year along with the rest of my team. We truly became a family that first year and our passion for the kids and teaching aligned so well. We were/are unstoppable. Not to brag, but I'm certain that we have the best team dynamics in the school. ;o)

Four years later, I wouldn't take back any moment that has occurred while teaching in my school. My team and the staff I work with have supported me as we have all support each other. The kids I've had in my class all have special places in my heart and I'm so thankful to have been their teacher. I feel so incredibly blessed to be at such an amazing school.

Today is my last day of teaching 4th grade. As I think about it, I wonder if it will be the last day I ever teach 4th grade. In reality it could be! But while it's sad to leave my first classroom and teammates behind (well down the hall), I'm excited to start a new adventure in 5th grade!