Happy Weekend! I slept for almost eleven hours last night. That about sums up the week I had. Now you know.
Yesterday was an amazing day with my kids, though. New boy was absent so I got to relax a little. Sad, but true. You don’t want to know how new boy’s first math test went on Thursday.
You do? Really? Okay, picture this. We’ve got our privacy folders out, we’re as quiet as can be (minus the tapping of pencils, coughing, sneezing, “What number are we on?” and “I don’t understand the question.” and “He’s looking at my paper!”) and everyone is accomplishing the task at hand.
New boy shouted out “I need help!” a million more than a few times and also shouted out the answers a million more than a few times, as well. I repeatedly said, “We don’t shout out the WRONG answers during a test only the right answers.”
It was EXHAUSTING. I ended up taking his test from him and I am apparently going to give it to him one-on-one when I have all the time in the world to do so.
We have been studying mammals in Science with a special focus on bears. This is completely supplemental and has nothing to do with our Science textbooks. But we teach Science in the afternoon so I have complete authority a little bit more freedom during that time.
I use nonfiction books from our library and we study Black, Grizzly, Brown, Polar, Panda, and Sun bears. I’ve taught more bears in the past but I’m running out of time this year because of pesky things called standards, assessments, curriculum cops, and other such killjoys.
The hardest part for my kids is the fact that Polar bears hunt seals. They quickly got over it when I broke out into song.
“THE CIRCLE OF LIFEEEEEEEEEE!”
I think they laughed because it was so unexpected. I really doubt it had anything to do with my voice. They all think I should try out for American Idol and believe that I would win. It’s either that show or they think I could win So You Think You Can Dance (they are amazed at my choreography to YMCA).
We will be painting teddy bear t-shirts this week and it’s a big deal in first grade. Almost like a rite of passage, if you will. Then we’ll have a big Teddy Bear Day. We used to have a picnic but for several years in a row, the picnic was cancelled due to rainy weather, ashes from fires, or wind. Seriously. So I’ve stopped trying to have a picnic. But we do other stuff. I’ll tell you all about it. Obviously.
Here’s a little worksheet we completed about mammals at the very beginning of the unit:
Bears as Mammals
(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 hope someone can use it.
As for now, I am off to church. And then out to dinner. And then stopping by a friend’s house after that. That’s how I roll.
Tomorrow I have to work on my report cards. Grrrrr. Luckily, I have until Friday so it’s like I have loads of time if I get buried in blogs. Or books. I’m currently reading three. I’ve never done that before. I attribute this new found super power ability to blog stalking.
I hear it’s the Super Bowl, too. I have no idea who is playing. Is that anti-American? I’m sure we’ll turn it on but I will be otherwise occupied.
Enjoy the rest of your day!
Thank you for the freebie! It will be a grat review with the kids. Hope you are feeling better.
Sorry for the typo… Great
I have one student who acts like that during tests too. Completely frustrating! I just started putting him on the computer so the rest of the class could concentrate and, then, give it to him weeks later when I remembered that he hadn't taken the test. Oh well! Enjoy your weekend!
Swimming into Second
Glad I wasn't the only one who had one of those weeks (or two)! Here's to next week being better for us both!
2B Honey Bunch
The Best Endings
I got 11 hours as well last night!!! My week sounds the same. My new kid…well he came on Halloween but he was sent from first down to me …and lets just say he ruined the climate of the class big time…and I struggle with him ALL DAY LONG…he had a bad week this week so needless to say so did I. Ugh. Glad the bachelor is in two days. I need some other drama to fill my life. I am very happy for the freebie! I will use it in our next unit! Thank you!!!
I have a new boy who acts like that before, during and after the tests, classwork, or just attendance! And I have no idea who is in the super bowl either if I have a super bowl in front of me it'd better have soup in it. snort snort I crack myself up!
lol
Have a great weekend.
Tammy
Yuck report cards!!! That is one of my least favorite things about teaching. I will be doing homework tomorrow for my masters classes. Probably my second least favorite thing to do! ๐
Well, that was great for you that New Boy was absent. Because usually "they" are NEVER absent!!! We are coming up on 100 days on Monday and my super Child from Day 1 has been to school every day, rain or shine, front and center!! 81 more days to go!!
I wanna hear you sing!!!!!!!!!!! I have a new student too and our first state writing test in in a few weeks!!!! Freaking out…then boss said not to worry sooooo much about her because her score won't count towards me because she just started….I'm not as worried about her score as I am her blurting out in the middle of the test which will void everyones!!!! She does that alot….she's polite about it…she says "UM excuse me but I don't get it" the only prob. is it's like super loud…really loud…oh my….we have been learning about animals and how they affect the environment…I have to email you something one of my peeps said…I don't have the guts to put it on a blog or comment…chow:)
4th Grade Frolics
Hello BlogFriend:
This is a slight detour comment:
Once (okay, ten years ago) I went to meet the bus to pick up a rather "difficult" student. When I found out he was absent, I apparently broke into an impromptu happy dance.
I was significantly less happy an hour later when I found out that the bus driver had reported my "inappropriate happiness" to the principal!
I am giving a loud cheer this very moment (Can you hear me?) for the day long ago when that kid was absent. (No one is here to tattle on me at the moment.) Despite my lecture, I recall that the day went smoothly and the stress level was markedly reduced.
Ahhhh…. the joys of being a teacher!
Enjoy your day!
Kim
Finding JOY in 6th Grade
PS LOVED your comment the other day, comma conjunction, and I think you are a BRILLIANT author! <3
So what books are you reading? I hope they are books for fun and not books for school! The last book I heard you mention was _The Secret Live of Cee Cee Wilkes_ so of course I went to the library and got it. It was really good!
Love your blog!
I feel ya on the new kid…Soooo tough sometimes.
Jennifer
First Grade Blue Skies
Love the freebie!! Thanks!!
แฆDeAnne
First Grade and Fabulous
11 hours sounds heavenly!
and I don't know who is playing in that crazy football game tomorrow either…
I always identify with your posts! This one for sure in so many ways. Glad to hear you could care less about the superbowl too. HAAHAA!
Enjoy your blog stalking!
Marybeth
http://www.nicolecrafts.com
I copied and pasted the wrong thing above….duh! I was trying to find that nicolecrafts link….I meant to copy and paste my blog link. I guess I should try the 13 hours of sleep now.
Marybeth (again)
http://cialinichat-mbcialini.blogspot.com/
I remember a college professor once said the day you gladly welcome the absence of a student is the day you need to switch professions…seriously?!?!?! Obviously, said professor had not been in the classroom for many moons {if ever}…because I,myself, have breathed a HUGE sigh of relief when a certain student was absent. Who doesn't need a breather…and I'm speaking for the student too. What I hate more, is when they arrive late…what a tease.
Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade
Have you ever read Teddy Bear by David McFail? It's a great heart warming story about a little boy who loses his teddy bear, but a homeless man finds him. . . I won't tell you the rest, you'll have to read it to find out. . . I sure hope that's how you spell the author's name. I know your kids would love it. Also my kids have been following the polar bears, panda, and apes on a web cam from the San Diego Zoo ap for our ipad. . . we're in Michigan, so this is cool for our kids to watch from long distance.
Patty
It's incredible the difference the absence of one child makes in a room of 30 kiddos. Some days you really need that *break*. It was so much easier to deal with all their little, more specific needs when we had fewer kiddos.
Wow…3 books? I am big on multi-tasking – but I don't think I could do that. ๐ Impressive.
โค Dragonflies in First โค
I love the extra sleep time on the weekends, the BEST ! My report cards went home on Thursday, huge sigh of relief followed by immediate due date for all DRA testing scores (placed in an academic warehouse watched by big brother, really, I have received emails about late/missing scores within hours of due dates) AND a big family of schools TLCP on Tuesday. Never stops !! But reports are done. Went shopping with my best friend today and bought some new clothes for Florida holiday in March. Also bought the bucket filler picture book, sooooo cute. I have a few bucket dippers this year so eager to try this….Happy Sunday !! No Super Bowl here, only sports allowed in our house must involve 4 wheels ๐
I was home sick from school yesterday and I slept FOREVER!!!! It was amazing but I felt so groggy!!
Go you on your 3 books. I'm reading two!
Marvelous Multiagers!
Cute, cute, cute!!!!
What a great pre and post assessment!! Thanks for sharing.
Barbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com
So funny! My kids too could NOT get over that polar bears eat seals. It was tragic!
Stumbled upon your great blog and just wanted to leave a comment to invite you to visit my blog and enter my GIVEAWAY! Hope to see you soon =)
Just Tututiny
I have three "new boys" in my class who really aren't so new. I feel your pain. Love your teddy bear day idea. I look forward to reading your blogs.
Loved reading about your luck with getting 11 hours of sleep- how did you get so lucky? One on one tests are a breeze (sarcastic giggle). Hope your little joy makes it to the end of the next week with few battle scars- oh, and hope your student does okay when he is redoing the test later too.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful life as a teacher!
Don't you just LOVE giving tests to first graders?? Yeesh! Friday Spelling test time is PAINFUL, truly hellish!
Happy Sunday!
Kerri B
teacherbitsandbobs
Thanks for the freebie! I have gotten two new kids this year and it is sooo hard. It really takes time for your classroom to be the same again…. we are still adjusting.
Your blog is super cute! I would love for you to come check out my blog when you get the chance!
Jennifer
The First Grade Dream
Love it… THANKS!
I have a new one joining me on Monday… I'm hoping for better luck than you! ๐
Christina
Mrs. Bainbridge's Blog
Hehe, I think you have my new boy's twin! But really, mine isn't that bad…it's our new GIRL that is giving me fits! She's "Little Miss Doesn't Listen to Directions Even When The Teacher Says Them 5 Hundred Times" and she just can't understand why I won't just DO THE WORK FOR HER! Whoa.. deep breath time!
Anyways, thanks for the freebie – we don't even have a science textbook and there's no set time for science, just whenever I decide to stick it into our day, thank goodness! But, this will definitely come in handy!
Jennifer @ Herding Kats In Kindergarten
I thought several weeks ago I was getting a belated Christmas present…one of my kiddos was moving. Several days later he was back because his new school told them they "were closed"! Seriously??!!!??? My room was "closed" too but he's baaaaacckkkkk! We had a "Come to Jesus" talk and he has been better.
Thank you for the *freebie*!
BTW…you are silly to think I am scared of you! I love, love, love you! I am a little jealous that your blog is a secret and mine is read DAILY by my principal and I would probably get in trouble for this post!
I am getting paranoid because we have had a teacher get fired because of something they said on Facebook!
Heather
Heather's Heart
This is awesome. Thank you for the free worksheet!!