I had today off! I had today off! I had today off! ๐ ๐ ๐
I have to say that after reading your comments about when/if/can you have parties, I have mixed emotions. It sounds like some of you are in my boat. The boat with no engines. Or oars. Or beverages. Or food. It just has a captain and YOU ARE NOT IT. On the other hand, it sounds like some of you are in a much better boat. Possibly a yacht. Because it sounds like you have all kinds of amenities. Like food and beverages, limitless port stops, friendly staff, and a captain that is really easy going. A captain that lets you take the wheel every once in awhile, too. I was wondering if there were any available tickets for that cruise. Or if your captain could maybe talk to my captain . . . please?
In other news, I have received a couple of emails asking if I had any more Theme tests.
Why, yes I do! So here’s Theme 7, Weeks 1 -3.
Theme 7, Week 1
(function() { var scribd = document.createElement(“script”); scribd.type = “text/javascript”; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = “http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js”; var s = document.getElementsByTagName(“script”)[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();
I cry at the beginning of the following year when I realized how much I did like that group! Actually, I'm usually blessed with the challenging students so I'm pretty burnt out by the end of the year. I've had 2 years (just 2) where I literally would have been their teacher through high school. But that's it… For now.
Happy days off!!
Andi
Oh girl!! That is why I have taught K-4 in 5 years……the Captain moves and shakes things….rumor around the crew is there will be more but he told me first hand that this year I am safe…like my boat can sit in the same dock and not have to sail off for another year:) Yeah, relief!!!!
I'm freaking out too because of allllllllll the state testing coming up….state tests and then it's over!!! STRESS!!!
4th Grade Frolics
Oh no it is defiantly not just your school! The rumors are flying already – it's kinda early – but they fly every year and it's always stressful because everyone is wondering who is displacing who and they start taking it all personal even though you have no say in weather you displace them or not! The worst part is that people have gotten pink slipped every year since I started 4 years ago. This makes everyone worry, who will get the pink slip, this is the first year our laws have changed and seniority does not play a role, it goes by observation – if you have a bad observation you get the pink slip even if you've been teaching 30+ years! Yep everyone's looking at each other sideways and I try to get out of the staff lounge as quick as possible. Last year I cried – I loop up with my kiddos and this was a group I'd had for 3 years, I was displaced and moving to an elementary/middle school special education combo, so I had a couple reasons to cry, this year I think I'll dance, and since I don't have a classroom I'll be dancing while everyone else packs up their rooms for the summer ๐
Hi!!! First of all, I cry all year long, doesn't matter the day, I cry. Secondly, there is always always always talk about that kinda stuff at all my schools {since I've worked at so many lately haha}. I think it makes people happy. They like drama. Obvi! We need a reality tv show for teachers. Thirdly, I LOVE that you figured out how to add the "you might also like" because I am so intrigued with that huge platform shoe and can't wait to read what you wrote! Even though I probably already read it and now I'm going to be disappointed. THANKS Kristin, thanks!
I think most schools are rocky, especially now. Next year, I'm supposed to loop up with my kids. It's a little scary to see the future right in front of me every day.
Buzzing with Ms. B
I like the captain of my ship…and fortunately, we don't have any curriculum cops.
Talks of next year are at an all time high…with the new laws that Amy was talking about, people are wondering who is going to get laid off. In the past it was solely based on seniority…this year it's based on a whole slew of things, one being your evaluation {highly effective, effective, ineffective…}. Of course, as I understand the law, those who are deemed ineffective at the end of this school year are supposed to receive some sort of additional staff development to help improve their skills. After two years of being ineffective the district has to report that to the parents. BUT….our district lays off each year…so word has it, they'll be laying off ineffective teachers…so, in essence..you've just "reported" to the parents who your ineffective teachers are. Can you imagine being "called back"..which happens every year {they lay off and call most people back} with everyone knowing you're "ineffective"?!?!?! Talk about a scarlet letter. I'm all for letting teachers go who aren't doing their job…if only it were black and white…
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
I think I'll be feeling like you at the end of this year. Joyful and like a huge burden has been lifted. Last year, I did cry some because I had several of my sweeties for 2 years and they go to a different school in third grade. That's the worst part because we don't ever see them again. However, I will be okay if I don't see most of this group again. I am completely emotionally exhausted! And, no, I think all schools are discussing who is teaching what next year, who may have to move, and so on. I can just say..it's not me. I moved last year!
Hmmm … sometimes I cry, sometimes I don't. Whether or how much I cry isn't always related to the class, sometimes it is related to how hectic things are on the last day and how I am running late (as usual) and there is just NO TIME for tears. This year I will probably cry because I have had some of these kiddos for two years and they have been with me through the hardest time in my life. For several of my beloved families, this is their last child. (…and yes, I have begged them to have more children, but they have told me NO! even though they say they love me.)
So sometimes I cry,sometimes I don't.
Camille
An Open Door
I totally understand about the crying and/or dancing at the end of the year. Last year was my first year and lets just said I learned A LOT and got a little bit cultured along the way…..student got hit by a car (alive still thank GOD!), student breaking her arm, student going to the hospital, parent committed suicide, parent giving child sleep pills (SCARY!!), my first of many SRS calls, student who ate EVERYTHING in his site, student who had major anger issues, and umm did I say it was my first year teaching!!!! I think I can get through anything now! ๐
phew! You guys are busy! We don't really talk too much about next year at this point, but I always find myself thinking about it a lot. When do you guys get out of school? Maybe you're closer to the end than us…our 100s day is tomorrow. Now the time will start flying by!
As for crying, I'm kinda with you. I love my classes each year, even the most challenging groups, but I am not a very teary person (by the way, I was totally thinking about that movie when you said the non-crying thing–too funny!). So I don't think your cold-hearted. Or maybe we just both are! :/
Kristen
oh it is just like this at my school. There are phone calls being made after school hours even to discuss the happenings and who said what about what…to me it is all so much what if…I would rather just wait and see. Teach, cry, wait, and see.
I cry. Usually tears of joy for SUMMER! But last year I bawled because my class was AWESOME! These little stinkers this year are totally getting to my heart strings though. Whew…I feel like we are almost getting trained. I mean why not? Have we not exhausted every trick and sneak? Can we just sit down and learn now boys and girls?
I don't know because I've never taught anything but middle school before this year, but I don't usually cry about things that most people cry over. I cry if a kid suddenly says something like, "look Mrs. Moran, i did what you said and I'm reading better!"
Everyone in the school is talking about who will go where right now. I think I'm safe, unless I move closer to my house.
Oh my goodness. I'm so with you. This talk goes on ALL year at my school. We are always looking at the numbers – I think because we are so small. The 1st 2 years I was here, I was the only K teacher… now there's 2 of us. So, it's always a waiting game to see if she gets to stay in Kinder.
As for crying… I am sob story. I cry EVERY year at K graduation. It's actually kind of pathetic. HOWEVER… this year has been extremely rough, so I'm not sure I'll be turning on the water works. This certain combination hasn't been to stellar. Teary-eyed maybe. But I'll have to let y'all know. ๐
I don't cry…I still miss last year's class badly, but I did not cry- perhaps it is the impending summer break that eases the pain each year! lol
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies
Funny how schools can be the same in so many ways….I teach very far away (Canada) and the talk is starting about next year. Our school is shrinking and we lose teachers each year but I am very senior (haha) so I am safe. Our rendundancies are based on seniority. Of course many staff members THRIVE on gossip and turmoil and they love to stir the pot about what if, who will change grades, classrooms, schools…..I just want to enjoy my kids and live in the moment of THIS YEAR, we are only at the half way point for heavens sake. We had 100's Day today, Valentine's next, busy fun !
We have very strict new rules about food and snacks at school so only special days now (Math pills would be very frowned upon ๐ Nice to know we all deal with many of the same challenges…..no matter where we teach !
I love your theme tests ( comp tests ) I made an entire set for 2nd grade HM on my website http://www.vickymoore2.com
and I have some for first that I totally need to get on my blog asap. I love poking my head in on your blog..great stuff. Come visit me sometime. :o) I have a newbie blog…~ Vicky
http://www.traditionslaughterandhappilyeverafter.blogspot.com
Things definitely start to get crazy around my school this time of year. Info is coming out on the budget for next year, we have to sign "intent to return letters", and people are starting to wonder about next year. Sounds like the same as your school. It gets a bit tiresome, to be honest. I try not to be too concerned until things are firmed up more.
AS for crying at the end of the year, sometimes I do, sometimes I don't. One year I had a class that just got along incredibly well and were just fantastic! I loved them and we all cried on the last day. But most of the time I just know I'll miss some of them and hope they'll come see me a lot the next year.
Love your HM stuff, by the way. Do you give those in place of the Theme Skills test that come with the program? We have to give 4 of the ones that come with HM and they're monstrous! The last one was a summative test and was 100 questions. Whew! I think I was as happy as my students when it was over.
Hope you have a nice Valentine's Day!
๏ฃฟ Chrissy
First Grade Found Me
My class this year is A-MAZ-ING and I will probably definitely cry at the end of year! But like Jennifer said, summer break eases the pain ๐
โคTeri
A Cupcake for the Teacher
Well my last two years I didn't cry because my teammate was busy boohooing it up even though every other day of the year she was complaining and talking about how she hated this child or that. When it came time for our little kindergarten graduation though she was all tears and I looked like the cold-hearted one as I tried to keep it together so we could keep the program moving along.
Also, I'm not into upsetting my kinders by letting them see me get upset. I always think they need to be excited about moving on, not worried about little old me stuck in kinder another year!
I tried to float the rumor that I was putting in for a transfer if I didn't get moved back to kinder next year, but unfortunately my captain knows I won't follow through, I just love the school/staff/families/kiddos too much to leave voluntarily. But good graciousness, please don't let me be moved to 2nd! One, these kids are going to be totally codependent on me after 2 years together as it is – they definitely don't need me for a 3rd year! And two, I don't think I could handle mastering a whole new curriculum again!
We gave the unit test that came with our Scott Foresman series just for "fun" and I still haven't graded the written portion. It was such a headache trying to keep everyone on the same item number and page. I am glad that I only have to do our Literacy 1st and Title I Math assessments!
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
I was wondering how you could leave me a comment in the middle of the day today!!!!!!!! Now it all makes sense. I know our time zones are a little off but I knew something was not right…. haha!
This is only my first year BUT I know I won't cry since I will have half of my class again next year in second grade! And it's the better half of the class so I am happy about that. But I don't know about these Kindergartners coming up…. sigh. We'll see what next year brings I guess!
And I laughed when you mentioned the combo. I am seriously excited for the day when I don't have a combo!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvelous Multiagers!
Yahhooooo having today off was so fantastic, wasn't it!?!
I love the captain of my ship. I followed him to this school. HOWEVER, there are days when I want to throw him overboard! {I'm sure the feeling is mutual… so it's ok!}
I USUALLY cry at the end of the year… but there have been a couple years when that was not the case. I don't know about this year, yet. I am definitely NOT like Cameron Diaz in The Holiday – I am emotional. It's annoying. ๐
Numbers are always changing dramatically around us. A very hostile start-up of a charter school drove numbers in our district into a tizzy… students were lost, teachers were lost. 30:1, more teachers lost. We ALWAYS have combos. 6 years ago we had 6 first grade teachers. We now have 2 1/2. So sad. The 3 of us have been teaching 1st grade together now for 15+ years. Each year there is a risk that one of us will have to completely leave the grade level. Lately, we've been switching combo class responsibilities each year. Our K numbers right now do not look good for us in 1st grade next year. ๐
Have a great NON-valentines day tomorrow.
โค Dragonflies in First โค
Sometimes I cry at the end of the school year. Usually though, I try to force out a tear or two, but it never really works.
I totally understand the fear of the "teacher shuffle." Four years ago, I was teaching third grade. I was very happy in my third grade life because it was all that I knew. My principal at the time, decided she was going to move people around from EVERY SINGLE grade level. She called everyone in and asked if they would be willing to change grades. I told her that I would prefer not to because I felt that I FINALLY had gotten the curriculum down pat. She PROMISED me that I wouldn't be one of the ones moved.
Flash forward a few months. I'm home on maternity leave, happy as can be, when the phone rang. It was my principal. Informing me that I was moving to first grade.
I. Was. Crushed. Did I mention that I am not originally from the area where I teach and felt that my third grade peeps were like my family?
In the end, it was the best move I ever made, well, was forced to make.
-Megan
First Grade Magic
ha! I was wondering why you were commenting in the middle of your day!
I like my ship's captain…and we don't have any curriculum cops either…thank goodness!
And no, I don't cry at the end of the year..I'm like "have a great summer!! see you next year!" lol
โฅ Jen
The Teachers' Cauldron
New follower! Hi there!
I cried like a baby my first year, trickled a bit the second, and stayed dry the third. This year (and while I'm a newish teacher I'm no spring chicken), I burst into tears every time I think about June. I have been urging my principal to let me loop to 2nd with them, but I just may start begging. I have to make the case that they need me! If not, watch out water-works. I may just buy stock in Kleenex.
I need to read the posts about parties. We do party, like rockstars. But there are lots of other responsibilities we HAVE to adhere to, so in some respects we have little creativity (unless we are really creative enough to think about the bun).
Oh Yes! These conversations have started extra early this year at my school. They are changing how they staff elementary schools so people will be moved all around the district. It happens every year though. It's interesting to hear that you go through the same thing. I don't think people realize what a hardship it is to move grade levels.
Sometimes I feel like the two of us are clones. Except that I am so incredibly tall. That's a lie.
This whole "If Principal moves so-and-so to such-and-such-grade, does that mean that so-and-so will move to so-and-so's spot?" line was so typical of my school for the last 10+ years. That is until this year. We have a new captain. So far, none of that. That's not to say it's not coming, because it totally could. Like tomorrow. In the past 10 years, I've moved every three years. And I'm one of the lucky ones.
I'll keep you posted in the next month or so to let you know if getting a new captain made any difference.
Hang in there!
Elizabeth
Fun in Room 4B
Nope, definitely not just at your school. There hasn't been much talk yet, but it's coming. Oh and the moving rooms…ugh! The prinicipal we had last year surprised me with that, but it's all good…I like my room now.
Bonnie
Living A Wonderful Life
We have never had a grade level switcheroo. The BIG and SCARY talk at the end of last year was about moving classrooms. I have been in the same classroom for 12 years…it is my home and I love where it is located. It was all going to be decided based on the number of portable buildings we were getting. I was seriously about to write a grant for a portable building so I could stay in my room!
Heather
Heather's Heart
Thanks for the Theme 7 tests. My kids will be so happy that we have them!
My district, just down the road, is in a big pile of poo right about now! We will be taking 12, yes 12 furlough days between the end of this year and going into next year. Talk about a major pay cut! And our commodant is retiring, so that leaves the think-tanks to hire someone new to fill his place and then who knows what will happen then! I just worry about havint to change grade levels…I love 1st grade and it's my home and I don't ever want to "graduate" and move to another grade level. I don't like change so that would freak me out!