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A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Fall Trees – Run!

If you didn’t already know, today was the first day of October.

It was 106 degrees here, and contrary to popular belief, I do not live in the Sahara Desert.

We got one recess today.  Guess which one?  

No.  Guess again.

Seriously?

No.

Never mind.  You’ll never get it.

We got the recess that said I was on duty.  In other words, the one recess we got was the one that I had to go outside and cover.  Supervise.  Walk around in the blazing heat.  This was according to the Duty Schedule.  

Man, did I want to complain and growl and bark, but I couldn’t.  

I wrote the dumb duty schedule.

And, people, it was hot.  H.O.T.  Hot.  I walked around among children and mirages of pools and air conditioning units.  When the bell rang, I didn’t even make sure my kids had lined up before I said, “Let’s get out of here!  Last one to a cold margarita the classroom is a rotten egg!”

I won.  And I did play fair and square no matter what my kids try to tell you.  I did not trip that boy, I swear.  His shoelaces were untied.

Later in the afternoon, I thought it was completely appropriate and acceptable to paint fall trees.  What with the weather being so . . . fall-ish and all.

I usually do “Tissue Paper Trees”, but I found this on Pinterest and decided to switch things up.

(source)
FYI:  This is from a blog that is written in Spanish.
I could read bits and pieces.
But I got it.
Si?
Que?
Si!
Q-tips!!
In Espanol, it’s . . . um, it’s . . . 
I forgot.
Adios.
I do think that my interpretation was spot on.
Really.
And my partner and I decided to have the students draw a background.
So we had our students use crayons to color the trunks, grass, and sky.  And we only used the paint to color the leaves.
The only thing that we may have forgotten was the pencil circle.  It’s very fine in the above pics.  You have to look closely.  But there’s a pencil circle so the kids have an idea of where their leaves should be.  
Yeah.  I forgot that.
So some of my kids have what resemble fall trees, and then my other kids have what could be called a very scary afternoon in which red, yellow, and orange globs are falling from the sky ready to splatter everything into smithereens.  It’s up for interpretation, clearly.  
Or it’s abstract.
Yes, let’s call it abstract.
That sounds artsy.
And I can also defend myself by saying that I never get to do art and so this project actually turned out quite good, if I do say so myself.  And I thoroughly enjoyed the peace and quiet that lasted for all of five whole minutes while they dabbed in paint with their Q-tips.  (I need bigger paper so the dabbing takes longer.)
Let’s peruse my gallery, shall we?
Love this one.  Especially because the boy has . . . I mean, he is . . . 
and then sometimes he . . . and so this is really great.
That’s all I’m saying.
I’ve said too much as it is.

Love it.
So organized.
You should see her desk.

Whoa.  A striped tree.
You don’t see this everyday.
You’re welcome.
Cross it off your bucket list.

Run for your lives!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I will definitely do this project again next year.
But I will make sure to add those little pencil circles.
And I’ll also know to tell my kids that when you’re painting with Q-tips, almost zero paint gets on you.  Because it’s just a little dab.  Dab, dab.
That’s all.
Dab, dab.
That way, one of my little stinkers won’t paint his entire hand red. And then say he doesn’t know how it happened.  
Oh, and that hand print on the soap dispenser?  Not his either.  Nope. 
I’m off to watch the New York Housewives.  Is Aviva bugging any of you?
I can’t believe part one of the New Jersey Housewives reunion.
Oh my word.
I have no words.
Except I just can’t believe it.
Nope.

Comments

  1. Traci says

    The heat was insane and exhausting! There is nothing more to say. 😀

  2. Amy Howbert says

    These are some of my favorite shows! I will stop everything to watch! Put the kids to bed, the husband can watch football in another room, but my housewives and I…we have our own time together! Was the reunion totally real? Too much drama, but nonetheless I was glued. Please visit me!
    Amy Howbert

    Little Miss Organized
    amyhowbert1@gmail.com

  3. vicky1970 says

    I feel ya Kristin – I had duty this am early so I lucked out. Although lunch well…enough said. It was 103 in Temecula. Short lunch – video till after the bell rang when lunch was over…wait what?!? am I admiting to that. Yep, I guess I am. Love the trees, especially the striped one. Hopefully we will cool down here sometime soon. :o)
    Vicky
    Traditions, Laughter and Happily Ever After

  4. Miss Squirrels says

    I would die! We can't go outside if it's under 40 or over 90! I think they think we will melt. I think they are right.
    Today was rainy and crappy- I would have loved to have cheered things up and painted those fall trees- definitely putting those on my list-
    Staci

    Going Nutty!

    misssquirrels@yahoo.com

    (p.s. accidentally leave yourself off of the duty list….I said duty) :0)

  5. Heather at Teach It Today! says

    I'm dying laughing right now! I used to live in an area that had 110 degree heat, too. It stinks and the kids just get on your nerves. I love your honesty about the art project. It's good to know I'm not the only one who has those issues after fifteen years of teaching! You can't think of everything!

    Heather at TeachItToday!

  6. Sandy says

    It was SSSOOOO hot today! Yikes! I had duty too and I thought I was going to pass out! Love the trees! And your humor! 🙂 Love it! Avila is really bugging me tool by the way!!

  8. MamaMunky says

    Love this project, definitely going to do it someday! (FYI, that site is in Italian, not Spanish.)

  9. Sharon says

    Super cute project! I used to live in Arizona and I miss the weather there sooooo much!!

    -Sharon

    The Tennessee Teacher

    I'm an education student and would love some encouraging followers to come visit me!

  11. Tonia says

    Boy, I can relate! 107 in Redlands,CA! I am soooooo tired of this miserable heat.
    Fall , where? Love your trees, nice to get a new fun idea.
    Tonia
    Mrsvento.blogspot

  14. CarolP says

    Very cute- I'm definitely going to try it! I live in California too & the thought of doing fall projects just seems kind of weird in this heat (but I've done them too). Maybe when it drops to the 90's I'll be ready for fall trees. LOL Carol

  15. diditeach says

    Well I had to wear a coat on duty and it is supposed to get very cool this weekend (and we are going camping). But I hear you about heat and trying to teach. I love the trees and I like yours better without the circle, really !

  16. Cindy Calenti says

    I get the heat thing… I live in Tucson, Arizona. Fall weather means our temps are below 102!

    I love Q-tip painting with the kiddos- the art work always turns out looking great and the mess is contained (:

    Hope you have a chance to stop by my blog sometime this week.

    Cindy
    Granny Goes to School

  18. Miss Cosby says

    ¡Muy Bien! 🙂 I saw that on Pinterest too! We're definitely having rainy fall weather here but I just feel like I don't have time for all the awesome Pinterest stuff!!

    New Mission–>Make time..q-tip painting is a CCS right?

    Brenda
    You Might Be a First Grader…

  19. Mrs. Taylor says

    I love these. I think yours are cuter (not using the circle) bc it makes it more theirs and you get a variety. Helps you see their little personalities too. Im definately doing these. And I must say I HATE recess on hot days!!! I'm quite thankful for our 76 degree day, and won't complain when the temp is back in the mid 80's tomorrow bc I will be reminded of your horrible 106!
    Thanks for sharing this activity!

  20. Deana says

    HAHA, I did this too! But my kids "art" looked like leaves of snow! They didn't get the whole tree shape at all.

    Primary Punch

  23. Heather's Heart says

    It was actually cooler in Texas???? WOWzers….I guess that is reason #106 on why you should move to Texas….and we can have cold margaritas….muchos margaritas. It will be muy bueno!

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

  24. Reagan Tunstall says

    I laughed I cried…you are fabulous. Loved the gallery with comments!

  27. Meredith Gilbert says

    I did this activity with my class last week. Spanish directions and all! I had to go back and erase the pencil circles I drew because mine painted INSIDE the circle and I just couldn't stand seeing the pencil circles! The teacher next door had her class paint on the circle, which kind of made them look like gum ball machines! Yours look better than both of ours! (We have the same "no fall" issue here in Florida! I am OVER the heat and humidity!)
    MissGilbert01@gmail.com
    Sunshine, Sand and Scissors

  28. Kiley says

    It's been soooo hot and dry this summer that all our trees lost their leaves before school started. But it is starting to feel like fall! 56 degrees for the high on Saturday!

    I think the last tree looks like a weeping willow. It's all up to interpretation. 🙂

  29. Amy J says

    Pretty trees! I love that they're all different. We made squirrels last week. Most of them have cute bushy tails, a few have inappropriate appendages instead of tails. It's called ART. 😉

    Don't forget…my giant giveaway ends Friday!!

    Amy
    What Happens in First Grade

  30. Pam and Jess says

    Love your trees, and I think I will try them too! I have a similar problem with the stamp pads. So this week I gave out prizes to the kids who looked like they didn't use ink. I only had one Smurfy looking girl and one who looked like he just assisted in a very bloody surgery.

  31. Cristy Wagner says

    I am so glad to know that other teachers find handprints with no apparent owner on the soap dispenser. Love the trees! I am going to try that with my kiddos. Also, as for Aviva…YES! She is driving me crazy! Her phobias are a bit much. Well, the New Jersey reunion…WOW! Does Teresa not see that she needs help! She is in such denial. As for 'Juicy Joe', she needs to dump his rear! I am a big fan of the Housewives too! 🙂
    Have a great week!
    Cristy
    http://www.krazy4kinders.blogspot.com

  32. gbdca says

    I'm never brave enough to paint…even after 20 years of teaching. This is a cute idea though. May have to give it a try. Our weather is getting rather "fallish". 40's in the morning and low 70's by dismissal. I love it. My toes are cold in the morning, but I just can't put the sandals away yet!

  33. Mrs. Phillips says

    I live and teach in Fullerton and it was 106 today and yesterday. I too had recess duty! But today I went to a Marzano training so I sat in an air conditioned banquet hall and ate candy all day!

  34. Mrs. Phillips says

    I live and teach in Fullerton and it was 106 today and yesterday. I too had recess duty! But today I went to a Marzano training so I sat in an air conditioned banquet hall and ate candy all day!

  35. Katie Knight says

    OK Aviva-freak-diva. Every House wife has a mother, they dont need her to mother them. (Although I can see where the question of mothering or lack there-of might come in question on some of the HWife behavior)

    RHW of Jersey: My heart is beating 500.
    Someone sign her up for ELD & get Rosie a Valium. Holy Moly. More like Holy Canoli!

    The heat….sunburn at dismissal duty…every day for 3 weeks straight!

    Fall trees: I know you have read the book Fall Is Not Easy because you do ELD every day… right…Just like me…. That last picture reminds me of it.

    You rock lady. Have a great week. Swing by my bloggy-blog for HM big book freebies. One each day this week. Today's is Minerva Louise.

  36. Mrs. Hall says

    I LOVE reading your blog! It always makes me smile & I will definitely be doing this project thank you for sharing!

  37. Cher Harrison says

    Imagine never having air con except for library and computer lab and you've got Hawaii public schools! We practically passed out from the heat and humidity today it was so bad.

  38. Tanya Solano says

    Oh my goodness, you crack me up! I love it! We tried these trees last week and they turned out so nice (our art teacher was quite impressed)! I love that you had them color the background. I initially wanted to have the kids cut them out and back them on another sheet, but I love them just as they are.
    Enjoy the rest of your week!
    P.S. you should come to Colorado, it's absolutely perfect weather here right now!

    Tanya
    mssolanoskindergarten.blogspot.com

  39. Mrs. Cockrell says

    LOL. Seriously. You crack me up. Love that art project! Maybe we'll do it in November since we just started our Halloween stories that we'll paint crayon resist paintings to illustrate. Good times. Oh! And I'm pretty sure that blog was in Italian, not Spanish. Because I speak some Spanish, but definitely not ANY Italian, though they seem very similar. LOL.

    -gayla
    Teach On.

  40. Jackie says

    You are so funny! I just found your blog and can't stop reading. Funny I say. You should write a book about being a teacher. It would be a best seller. OK…by the way the language of the blog is Italian…and there is a translate box on the right side…just sayin"! Thanks for the laugh.

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