Oh, Saturday . . . how I love you. 🙂
We started a new round of centers this week, but I kept our Back to School Reader’s Theater so we could practice some more before moving onto the Fall pack. I put all three sets (kinder, beginning, and advanced) in the tub and my kids are doing a great job finding the just right play for themselves.
For whatever reason, the play It’s Lunch Time! from the Beginning Reader’s pack is super popular and we have heard it over and over and over again, and the kids laugh over and over and over again, and so far no one has said AGAIN?!!! except for me. I’m thinking I’m going to hide it somewhere because I, for one, am sick to death of it already.
I am in the midst of trying to write some new partner plays in which one part is more of an advanced level and the other part is more simple. That way, two partners of different reading skills can still be together, and the struggling reader would have a great role model, as well.
I know my class could use them because I group my students heterogeneously, but I’m wondering if this is something that you might use, too?
I introduced Pin It! this week and you would have thought I was a super hero or something. My kids went nuts for this! I’ve blogged about these before but I am here to tell you again — THIS CENTER IS MAGICALLY QUIET.
It’s like the pin is a magic wand that makes kids stop talking. I’m not kidding. THE KIDS STOP TALKING.
FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME.
I’m telling you, it’s amazing.
We were working on short e this week so we pinned short e words from the -et family.
Steve and I went to Disneyland on Wednesday night. Because we’re two crazy kids with not a care in the world, that’s why.
We got there at about 5pm, bought some popcorn, walked around looking for a place to have dinner, had dinner, and then got a prime spot (right by It’s a Small World) to watch the electrical parade.
I LOVE THIS PARADE!
Steve did not love it as much as I thought he should.
Then we watched the fireworks.
INCREDIBLE does not do this show justice.
Steve said it was the best fireworks show he’d ever seen.
So there you go.
It’s been decided.
We were obviously all happy and sweet and holding hands and isn’t life great and isn’t life grand and we should do this more often and Disneyland IS the happiest place on Earth and then . . .
AND THEN.
We tried to leave.
With everyone else.
Which means we lost a bit of our isn’t life grand mojo.
Then we had to wait four turns just to get on the tram to take us back to the parking structure.
So we lost a little more of our isn’t life grand mojo.
We got in our car and then . . . TWO HOURS LATER . . . we made it out of the parking garage. TWO HOURS LATER.
Apparently, there was some sort of problem (ya think?) and so there was a back up of angry Disneyland go-ers who were honking their horns and ending their happiest place on Earth feelings in the dust.
We finally got home around midnight.
But at least we got to see the parade and the fireworks, I kept saying.
And all Steve kept saying was we are never doing this again.
But we will. Because that was a fluke.
Right?
On Thursday, I went to see a former student (who helped me with sight word and math facts testing as an upper grader and who still helps me cut out laminate and anything else I need now that she’s in junior high) in a play. Several other kids I knew were in the play, too, so my partner, Laurie, and I went together. First, we went to Macaroni Grill, pigged out, and had a glass of wine, and then we went to the play. Just to give you the specifics.
My student was adorable and I loved seeing her in her element.
All of the kids were just adorable.
I loved the kids. The kids were the best part. I loved the acting and the singing.
But when the grown-ups were singing, I was kind of over it. And, yes, I realize I am a grown-up.
At one point, some man started singing the longest song in the history of mankind.
He was just going on and on about I don’t know what. With lots of feeling and gusto. And I sat there listening to him, thinking what are you even talking about? And why is this song lasting for nine minutes? This is kind of a ridiculous song and I can’t even understand the words you’re belting out as if your life depended on it.
So I looked over at Laurie and she seemed to be listening very intently and very politely . . . which made me get the giggles.
I couldn’t help it.
I think it was because I was tired from being out the night before. I can’t handle two nights out in a row. I have a delicate constitution, don’t ya know.
When I got the giggles, Laurie got the giggles, and then we both had the giggles which was the wrong thing to do, especially during this song about praying for everyone or worrying about everyone or whatever the song was about. We knew it was the wrong thing to do which made us laugh even harder.
I’m sorry.
I really am.
But sometimes, musicals make me laugh in general. Because I don’t know about you, but I don’t tend to break out into a nine minute song when some words will do instead.
I do love to sing, don’t get me wrong, but I tend to only sing a few verses where warranted.
Such as The Sun’ll Come out Tomorrow! when a kid is sad and I’m trying to make him smile.
But a whole song? In the middle of a conversation? Just stop singing already and TALK TO ME!
*If you are a musical fanatic, that is fine. Do not be mad at me. We can still be friends.
We watched Cinderella last night and it was so good! I loved it! And . . . it’s NOT a musical! If you haven’t seen this yet, I highly recommend it.
The overall theme is to Have Courage and Be Kind.
I am thinking I should have seen this before I went to the play and maybe I wouldn’t have gotten the giggles.
😉
Probably not, though.
What is Pin it? Is that a big thumb tack? I haven't seen this before.
If you click on the picture or the link "Pin It", it will take you to my store where you can see a preview. Basically, the kids use a big pushpin to "pin" the dots of each letter. 🙂
Ha! I love musicals but I totally understand what you mean about the long random singing. I have been known to get the giggles at rather inappropriate times. Oops! I think it's so cool that you can go to Disneyland on a random Wednesday night. Please don't let parking issues keep you from it! Persevere for those of us way to far away to participate in such activities! Thanks for sharing your week! I love these posts!
I'm an odd person, because I do love musicals usually but I STILL think they're ridiculous. It's as if I have two minds. I'm about to go and see if we can stream Cinderella to our TV. We never go to the movie theater, but we like to watch them once they're available to watch in our living room. Have a great weekend!
Jan
Laughter and Consistency
Yup, I would love a differentiated/multi-level RT! 🙂
I think the light parade is the greatest too! I have not seen the fireworks from Main Street, but it is my goal before it is gone.
I saw Cinderella with my daughter. It ended up being awesome!! I didn't think I would like 'another Cinderella movie'!! But highly recommend as well!!
🙂 Aharwell
I took all three of my girls to see Cinderella and it was… amazing! I need to go buy it so we can have it forever and ever. 🙂
Love the Pin It idea!!! I wish I had longer for my firsties to do something like that. 🙂
I am so glad to hear (well in my own head) someone else say that they do not love musicals (just say it already!!). I always feel guilty when I have to admit this in public. The only musicals I attend are ones former students are in too!! Have a great week.