Day 157: Cinco de Mayo!

Day 157 was Cinco de Mayo.  We did a few things to learn about the day.  First, we viewed a short video on Brainpop Jr..  (For those of you not familiar, Brainpop Jr. is a website that provides short videos, quizzes, and activities on all topics for students in grades K-3.  Brainpop (without the junior) is for upper grades.  Check it out!)

Then we read a bit about Cinco de Mayo and made tissue paper flags. The flags are supposed to mimic the ones used in parades or fiesta celebrations.  Seeing as I work with second graders, more intricate designs could be a bit hard for most of them.  Anyhow, the students enjoy cutting the patterns (and it's a good review of symmetry as well!).

To make the flags, you take a sheet of tissue paper and fold it into quarters, lengthwise.  Then you fold that length in half so the free edges touch.  Then you cut the paper similar to the way you cut designs for a snowflake, being careful not to cut too close to the fold lines.  Otherwise the flag will fall apart once it's opened.  Open the flags and hang for decoration.

Day 156: Halfway Through

Sorry to report that there is nothing much to say about Wednesday, May 4.  The day went just as it should. Check back later! =)

Day 155: Inspiration

A few months ago (and sometime last year) I was sent an e-mail called "What Teachers Make."  I only recently found out the name of the author of this poem (which was actually published several years ago).  If you've read it, you know how funny it is.  If you've not, then you are in for a treat.

I was sent a link for a video of the author himself reading the poem at an inservice.  Reading it online is one thing, but hearing it said by the author himself takes it to a whole new level. The author, Taylor Mali, is not only a teacher, but a comedian, performer, and slam poetry artist.  That said...

Sit back and hold on to your hats. 

Enjoy and be inspired!

Day 154: Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

To all of my fellow educators,

Thank you for all that you do every day, for every child.  I know that sometimes it is a thankless job, that there are days you want to scream or cry (or have done both), your building may be run down, your administration may not seem to have a clue, your classroom is crammed tighter than a can of sardines, your team may be driving you crazy, you're on 15 committees on top of working 80 hours a week--and getting three hours of sleep, parents may be giving you a hard time, yet another test is taking you away from teaching the basics, budget cuts have left you with paperclips and two pencils, the class pet has died/had babies/escaped--again, and paperwork can look like Mount Everest.

But...

Little Johnny has finally mastered his addition and subtraction math facts, Sally has increased her reading fluency, someone has left you a hand-drawn picture that says "You're the Best Teacher Ever"--complete with hearts and smiley faces, your students are showing growth, everything you've taught all year is finally coming together, you get a good review from your principal, the class plants haven't died, one of your students gave you a high five/hug/ear-to-ear smile (because you are awesome)...

And you realize that you wouldn't have it any other way.

Enjoy your week!

Day 153: Half Days

Friday, April 29 was a half day--for me.  (My district doesn't do half days; the only exception being the last day of school.)  I took the morning so I could take my daughter to her follow up for her ankle.  (All clear, by the way.) 

I left my usual Friday routine out for the substitute.  As best as I can tell, everything was done.  There were Xs on the stuff I had marked, but no notes were left behind.  Nor was the sub there when I got to the building.  (On half days I come early so I can go over the morning, but no one was there.  Oh well.)

I also learned that there was no library on Friday.  Of course, that happened to be where my class was scheduled to be.  So that means I had no planning time.  So what do you do when you find out 20 minutes before you are to pick up the students from lunch that there is no special for them to go to after lunch?  Panic?  Cry?  Beat your fists and yell?  Noooooo.  (You might want to, but those won't solve your problem.)  

I decided to extend my insect unit in science by showing a 20-minute video on amazing insects and their life cycles, then have a discussion about it.  (We are in the middle of our milkweed bug colony right now, and we have learned the difference between complete and incomplete metamorphosis, so it fit.)  The students loved it, learned a few new things, and I got a chance to at least go over a few items for the afternoon.

Happy Friday!