Success!

I received this note from a parent last week.  As I read it, and of course shed a few tears, I found myself looking at my Sprouts, and reflecting on all that they have achieved.  It seems as if just yesterday they were walking in to my classroom, bright eyed, curious, and full of wonder.  I can remember thinking, “This group is going to keep me on my toes!”  Oh my, I was so correct!

I have several Sprouts this year that had never attended any type of formal pre-k program.  I have two Sprouts that had no idea how to hold scissors, more less cut with them.  Oh, and the “drippy” glue as we call it!  What a mess we had the first several days!  How quickly they learn the “drippy” glue chat.  “When we use drippy glue, remember, a little dot will do!”  

I have two Sprouts who started the year never smiling, never saying a word, and always withdrawn.  They are both smiling, and laughing all day long now.  Success!  I have one little guy that cried every time he made even the smallest mistake.  He now understands that it is okay to make a mistake, as long as he is doing his best!  Success!  I have one Sprout that cried off and on all day.  Anytime she had to be separated from me, she would cry.  She still cries every once in a while, but usually, can now calm down with just a hug.  Again, success.  Two Sprouts came to me with no social skills what so ever, and because of this, no one wanted to play with them.  They were always the last two to be picked for anything.  Today, they were the first two to be chosen.  Success!  One Sprout had no idea how to play with others on the playground.  He was always pushing, shoving, and hitting at recess.  Thus, it seemed that he was in trouble at recess all the time.  All he wanted to do was play, but had to learn how to play, before he could play.  Now, he is never in trouble at recess and has many friends.  Success!

Yes, all my Sprouts know their ABC’s, their numbers, how to read, how to add, how to tell time, count money, and the list goes on.  I found that they were more curious about school life today than they were last week.  With that being said, I know I have done my job, I have helped them go from being Sprouts to being in Full Bloom!  I am so proud of each and every Sprout in my class this year, because yes, our year was a huge SUCCESS….in many ways!

D is for Dog

As I sit at my desk last Friday trying to think of a new and exciting way to introduce the letter "Dd," I thought of a book I received last year as an end of the year teacher gift.  I remembered reading the book to last year's sprouts, and how funny they thought it was.  So I begin to wonder how I could incorporate it in to my lesson by doing more than just reading it to them.  I always introduce the letter of the week with what my fellow kindergarten teachers and I call the "feelie" bag.  Today insteatd of introducing "Dd" with only the "feelie" bag, I told my sprouts that I wanted to read a funny book to them.  I also told them that I wanted them to listen very closely because they might be able to figure out our new letter for the week. They were to give me a thumbs up if/when they figured out what our new letter might be. As I read, I watched their faces for reaction, all the while wondering if they understood what I was wanting from them.  They laughed, the listened, and slowly thumbs started to lift!  I was excited and could hardly wait until I was finished reading.  They were getting it!  As I finished the story, I could tell it was all they could do to NOT blurt their answer out.  I called on a few with their thumbs up; they all said that they thought our new letter was "Dd!"  Before telling them they were correct, I passed the "feelie" bag around so all could feel.  Then as I slowly pulled my "Dd" items from the bag they all began to clap!  They were so excited that they had guessed correctly after listening to me read DOGGONE DOGS, written by Karen Beaumont.  In closing, I guess I have to say, I am glad I added a new element to my weekly letter introduction, but now the heat is on to find books for each new letter I introduce!

The Friendship Box

After Monday night’s Twitter topic with my #kinderchat PLN on bullying, I started thinking about ways I as a classroom teacher help my students learn the life skill of being a friend.  Wondering and questioning myself "Do I do enough to help develop this skill with my students?"

A few years ago when I made the move from teaching 1^st grade to teaching Kindergarten, I attended a Kindergarten conference hoping to gain a few ideas to use in my new adventure.  I walked away with many great ideas.  The Friendship Box being among one of my favorites.  I do not know the presenter’s name that shared this idea, but I am glad she/he did!  I use The Friendship Box daily during the first quarter of school.  After that I use it on Mondays during our morning meeting time (calendar) to start the week off on a positive note.  

The Friendship Box: Words and Deeds to Make Friends

·        Wrap a small box like a present, making sure the lid can come off. 

·        Attach a tag to the box that says “A friend is a present you give to yourself.”

·        Fill the box with laminated cards that have the following written on them.

Examples of things I write on the cards.  I am sure there are many more ideas to add to the box.

Ways to make a friend

·        Help a friend clean up.

·        Share a book, crayon, scissors, pencil, etc. with a friend.

·        Help a friend when they get hurt.

·        Help a friend find something.

·        Cheer up a sad friend.

·        Smile when you look at a friend.

·        Ask a friend to play with you at recess.

·        Help a friend with their back backpack.

Things to say to make a friend

·        Are you O.K.?

·        I like to sit by you.

·        Will you please be my partner?

·        I like what you made.

·        I like what you built.

·        I think you are really good at __________.

I have the Leader of the Day pull out a card.  I then read the card and role play what the card says with the leader. Then we discuss why this would be a good way to make a friend or be a friend.

I also have a friendship necklace that I let students wear when I see or someone tells me they have seen someone being a good friend.  We always try to make it a big deal when someone is being a good friend. 

One website that I have also found to have some great book selections and friendship poems is: http://web.archive.org/web/20080109151939/http://www.theteachersroom.com/friendship.htm

Learning to be a student at the age of 5 is not an easy job.  In my opinion, it is my job to make sure I do all I can to help each student develop the life skill of not only making new friends, but being a good friend as well.

Friends

Friends at school
Are big and small.
Friends at school
Are best of all!

 

  

I Love the Smiles, I Love the Hugs, I Love My Job

           I am dedicated to my students and to my profession.  I am in this profession because I truly love spending my days with my students.  I cherish the good days and the not so good days, I learn and have become a better person because of both. 

In my opinion I am a role model, a mother and father, a friend, nurse, counselor, and a teacher to my students.  My students need to be in a happy, healthy environment every day.  They must know above everything else, that I truly love and care for them.  They have been put in to my care for many hours out of their year.  It is important that I look for the positive in each and every one of my students.  Every child is unique and special, it is up to me to build upon that uniqueness. 

Many students come to school daily with a load of  “baggage.”  It  is up to me to take what has been given to me and love them for who they are.  It is important that I greet them with a smile and take them as far as I can each and every day. 

Haim Ginett said, “I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element in the classroom.  It is my personal approach that creates the climate.  It is my daily mood that makes the weather.  In this role, I possess tremendous power to make a child’s life miserable or joyous.  I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal.  In all situations, it is my responsibility that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and the child humanized or dehumanized.” 

I love the smiles, I love the hugs, I love my job and can not imagine doing anything thing else with my days!