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A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Quiet Creature

Hey peeps!

The hubs came home yesterday after a two week trip to Argentina.  Does it sound like he travels a lot?  Because he really doesn’t, but it sure seems like it.  Maybe it’s the TWO weeks part.  As in, FOURTEEN DAYS AND FOURTEEN NIGHTS in which I must defend myself against my run away imagination of scenarios ending in pain and death.  I know.  Dramatic.  But true.

Anywho, I’m happy.  Slept like a baby last night.  Except a baby that sleeps through the night and doesn’t wake up.  All because the hubby was home and my run away imagination actually ran away.

Today, I went to school.  AGAIN.

There was a bit of drama with our class lists, and some students in the wrong places, and the fact that I had too many kids and my teammates did not have enough.  It was a numbers thing.  So we fixed all that and now I have 30.  Hoping for it to stay that way, but I’m not holding my breath.  It’s hard to hold your breath and talk at the same time, don’t you know.

While I was running around my room like a chicken with its head cut off  a teacher two days before the first day of school, I ran across my Quiet Creature.

You have one, too.  It might just not be as fancy as mine until you fix it up.  I didn’t know I had one until my friends, Susan and Christina, told me about it.  So thanks, girls.

Here’s my Quiet Creature.

It’s a gardening glove.  With googly eyes, if you couldn’t tell.
The reason mine might be fancier than yours is because it’s a glove and not just my hand.  But you could just use your hand.  That’s what I did for awhile.  Just a naked hand.  
Take your hand and do this:
This is Quiet Creature in the correct position.
Ears listening.  Mouth closed.
Isn’t he cute?
Always with his mouth CLOSED.  Very important.  Obviously.  
I mean, he’s called the QUIET Creature.
So, instead of being a class that walks around school and sits at assemblies with the peace sign, we hold up our Quiet Creatures.  My kids just use their hands.  I use the glove until I get hot and then I stick it in my pocket.  And then by the third or fourth week of school, he pretty much disappears altogether and I just use my hand.
Don’t confuse Quiet Creature with Rock On, or Rock Out, or Devil This or That.  He’s not.  I mean, he’s with First Graders.  He’s innocent.
And if you decide to use him, don’t do what I do.  Because I ruin it every.single.year.  I told myself I won’t do it this year.  But I probably will.
The first day or two of school, I put the Quiet Creature glove on my hand, and I tell my kids that he’s always quiet.  And I make him nod.  Very theriouthly.
I tell my kids that they also have a Quiet Creature, and I teach them how to make it.  Some figure out that they have TWO Quiet Creatures, but not everyone.   Ho hum.
Then I ask Quiet Creature questions.  Such as, “Do you ever talk?”  And Quiet Creature shakes his head back and forth.  No.  I might say, “Are you ALWAYS quiet?”  And Quiet Creature will nod his head up and down.  Yes.  Of course.  And then I say, “Do you ever open your mouth?”  And Quiet Creature shakes his head.  Never.
Except then . . . I ruin it.
Because I turn toward my kids and I make Quiet Creature open his mouth.  
And the kids freak out, and point, and tell me to “Look!  Look!  His mouth is open!”
So I turn my head, and, of course, his mouth is closed.
I do this four or five times like an idiot.
The kids love it.
But in all honesty, what the heck is my problem?  
Sometimes, if I’m feeling really happy, and I really want to joke around, and we’ve been in school AT LEAST three weeks so we’re not strangers anymore, I’ll have my Quiet Creature give a quick kiss to a student’s Quiet Creature.  Muah.  
The boys can’t stand it so you better believe I’m all over that.
Really.  What is wrong with me?
Anyway, Quiet Creature will make his debut on Wednesday.
I can’t believe it.

Comments

  1. Laura says

    30 kids! Oh my! I will probably have 23 and that sounds like too many to me! Good luck! I am glad to know you are just as funny with your class as you are on your blog. I so look forward to your words of wisdom!

  2. Miss School Potato says

    I love your Quiet Creature!! I wish I could see you in the classroom because I bet you are so hilarious. 🙂

  3. JennyB says

    Yeah, where does that expression, Slept like a baby, come from anyway?!
    Cute idea!
    Thanks for that!!!
    JennyB
    One Berry Blog

  5. Kristen says

    30!!!! 30 first graders! Oh Kristin, I have no words. Of course they will adore you! And your quiet creature! Thanks for the laugh, as always!! Best of luck this week, not that you'll need it 🙂

  6. CarolP says

    You are hilarious. I laughed so hard about how every year you forget & have quiet creature open his mouth- I would so do that too. I was feeling sorry for myself today about a possible 27- guess I don't have room for a pity party! Oh- I have a run away imagination like you too- mine usually involves pain & death also. haha

  7. KinderKapers says

    I want a quiet creature…do you think kinders can make their hands move that way? I hope so.

    30…I feel your pain. Right now we have 92 Kinders registered and only 3 teachers (we can do the math) Two more weeks until we start…can we say 100??

    Terri Izatt
    KinderKapers

  8. Elizabeth says

    30! Wow. No wonder you need a fancy little Quiet Creature. I need one, too with fewer students! Bless you. Good luck on Wednesday!!!
    Elizabeth

  9. Allyce says

    I am still laughing. I think I will have to make myself my own quiet creature. Great idea! So glad I don't have as many first graders…yet.

  12. Kerri and Lindsay says

    This literally made me laugh out loud! You funny, girl! I'm getting one of those quiet creatures, fo shizzle my nizzle!
    Good luck in 2 days!
    Kerri B
    Teacherbitsandbobs

  14. Stephanie says

    Thank goodness you have a quiet creature with all those kiddos coming your way!! 30- Eek! But seriously, this really is a super clever idea! Also, thought I would share that my mom was actually born and raised in Argentina. She lived there until she was 30 when she moved to the US and married my dad who was born and raised in New York. My grandparents lived there their whole lives so I went to Argentina a lot as a kid. Hope your hubby enjoyed the trip! I'm with you on the husband-less house. If my hubs is ever away for the night, the dogs and I lock ourselves in my bedroom and I lie awake imagining everything under the sun that could go wrong. Happy your hubs is home again because you're going to need all the sleep you can get with 30 firsties!!

    ❤ -Stephanie
    Falling Into First

  15. Miss DeCarbo says

    Reading your blog always makes me want to grab a cup of coffee and come hang out with you in your classroom. I always crack up! I just showed this to my husband because I was laughing out loud and he was concerned what was going on in the next room. 🙂 Thanks for the cute idea!

    Sugar and Spice

  16. Mrs. Cockrell says

    BAHAHAHA! Your quiet creature antics had me cracking up. I can't believe you have 30 kids!!! I've never had more than 22, and we've been told we may get up to 24 this year, but THIRTY?! Wow. I'll say some prayers for ya. 🙂

    -Gayla
    Teach On.

  17. Reagan Tunstall says

    Yes I need pictures and now I need a quiet creature…and I also need to ruin it too! SO FUN! GREAT IDEAS!!!

  18. vicky1970 says

    Too funny…we r the Jackson coyotes so our whole school uses that sign all the time. But no one has made it into a cute quiet creature yet…but guess who will be now? ?
    Vicky
    Sorry whenever I'm on my iPad I never leave my link thingy…happy first day of school Kristin

  19. Heather's Heart says

    I love Quiet Creature…I would love to see the faces of ALL 30 of your kiddos as you kiss him. =)

    Right now I have 15 kiddos…maybe, if you moved to Texas you could too! =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

  20. Amber O. says

    Kristin, you are a certified genius. First the gold tags, now the quiet creature…I know I've already taught a year, but can I be your student-teacher? I'm sure you could use a hand with 30 KIDS! OMT…:)
    Synonym Rolls & Antonym Moments

  21. Mel says

    I have 32 first graders on my list (also in California)! I want to see pictures because I need ideas for seating arrangements! I love quiet creature and will be introducing him to my class. Thanks!

  24. jennk71 says

    Love this! Plan on using it this year with my 20 first graders. Which is better than 30 but I am at a private school and parents aren't going to be happy… Hope your first day of school goes well!

  25. Kimberley says

    Whenever I get teachers who complain about having 18 kids (and I do, really), I say, "I have this friend in California who has 30 first graders and no specials." I don't think they believe me, but they don't say much after that.

    ✰ Kimberley ✰
    First in Maine

  26. agirlandherhorses says

    Thanks for making me laugh this morning!!! I feel so much better about being such a scaredy-cat when my hubby is gone now, too! I always have to get my mom to come stay with me! (embarrassing) And I love Quiet Creature. I think I will adopt one for our class pet. Thanks for sharing!!

  27. Jeanne says

    30????Oh, my–I would need more than a Quiet Creature!!! Love it!–The Quiet Creature!

    Booky4first

  28. Allysong says

    Love this idea! I will definitely make one of these to use with my Kinders this year. And 30? I so feel your pain!!! I had 36 Kinders last year and of course no Aides. I am in CA too. What part of CA are you in? I'm in Orange County. Just found your blog a week or two ago via pinterest (love the gold tags idea), and I love your posts! You always have me cracking up! Thanks for keeping humor in things that can be so stressful!

  29. Mrs. Christiansen says

    I love reading your blog! You always make me smile. However, I frowned a bit when you said you had 30 kids! What?! Last year I 15! We even have three teachers per grade level and our highest was 16. This year it looks like we might have a whopping 18! Gasp! Good luck with your first day tomorrow!

  30. meadowt says

    Great idea! I want a "Quiet Creature"!!!
    Barbara
    happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

  31. Ms. Cummings says

    Great idea! I'm rummaging through my hubby's gardening table right now. And thanks for letting me know that I'm not alone. I goof with my kinders ALL the time. A sense of humor is essential especially for those of us with overflowing classrooms. Last year I had 34 students for almost a month (only 25 were on my list that first morning). I'm anxious to see how many show up today. I'd wish you luck but you make your own so instead…Have fun!
    Rachele
    marshallkindergarten.blogspot.com

  32. Mrs. McElveen says

    This is fabulous! I am going out to get my garden glove today. My kindergarten kids will LOVE this! (BTW – 30, I am gasping for you!)

  33. Jennifer says

    Oh, I am definitely incorporating Quiet Creature into my classroom! You have some of the most creative ideas!!

  34. Andrea says

    I'm loving the Quiet Creature. I had to giggle when I was reading your post, though, because it made me think of when Austin Powers tells people to be quiet. Hee hee.

    30 is too many! I feel for you.

    Tales from a Schoolyard

  35. Kelly says

    The Quiet Creature is such a great idea! Thanks for sharing:) I am so sorry to hear you have 30 1st graders.. right now, we're all sitting at 16 a piece and teachers are complaining about us probably hitting 20. Think I'll share a little story about you… and did someone say you DON'T have specials? Wow..blessings to you!

    Kelly
    First Grade Fairytales

  36. Diana says

    Well isn't that just the cutest darn thing? I am going to get me one of those. Keep sharing those great ideas. And good luck on your first day of school. I just can't get over the 30. I hope my district doesn't hear about that. They like to jump on every band wagon there is. Where do you put all of those little people?

  37. Patty says

    I just added a glove to my shopping list. I love it!

  38. 2nd Grade Teacher and Life Long Learner says

    You will be one busy teacher; but I predict a you will have a very successful and rewarding year! With a Quiet Creature at your finger tips and your enthusiasm, your bound to have a fantastic year! Stop by my blog anytime. SMILES!!!

  39. AlyssaP says

    Good luck tomorrow Kristin (not that you need it :))!!

  40. Fluttering Through First Grade says

    Oh we want to see pictures when Quiet Creature gets angry and other fingers start popping up 😉

    Best of luck with your new crop of {gulp} 30 Firsties. You will be fabulous and they are lucky to have landed in your class! Can't wait to hear about your first impressions!

    ~Christy & Tammy
    Fluttering Through First Grade

  41. Traci says

    Wednesday…yikes!

    I love it and am planning on making my own quiet creature tomorrow! Will I be able to resist ruining it in EXACTLY the same way? doubtful ;/

  42. Teacher Girl says

    Quiet creature is so cute, I am going out to get supplies to make one this weekend! As always, thanks for sharing, and I hope your first day went well!

  43. Jill says

    I like the quiet creature, found a cute glove for 50 cents. Thanks for the idea.

  44. edbteach says

    I LOVE the quiet creature. I pinned it and I think I am going to make some of these for door prizes when I do my very first training before school starts. (I am a new Literacy Coach and am a little nervous about doing a training. Door prizes always help right??)

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