Happy Earth Day

I forgot to share that my kinder bunnies and I were waiting for our five butterflies to hatch and they did this past week. Two on Tuesday, two on Wednesday and the last little one was on Earth Day. We were so excited that all five hatched. They drink watermelon juice, and carnations before they were released Friday afternoon. My first grader was very upset that he didn't get to see them before they left, but they had to go. Next, come the ladybugs and praying mantis eggs. Insects are very cool.

Happy Earth Day!!!!

New thoughts

I was reading a rather interesting blog today, I can't find it now, but this lady rocks and she just tells the truth about teaching. I think that we get used to "watching" what we say as teachers so we don't offend anyone. Having manners is of course important, but sometimes the truth needs to be stated so here it goes. I would like my fellow teachers, you know who you are, to just do your job please. I would like you to teach the subjects that are in the curriculum and do it to the best of your ability. I would like you to try new things and be brave. If you don't know how or what to do go on the Internet and google it. I have found more support and wonderful teaching ideas and some not so good teaching ideas on the Internet. I applaud the many, many teachers who are so willing to share their craft with the rest of us teaching pirates out here. You can also ask a colleague, they will be flattered and you might just learn something new too. Teachers are supposed to model learning and growing to their students so why not just give it a try. Your students will grow and your colleagues will stop talking about you.

I also came across another great quote today/pledge which is that I pledge to read the printed word and to read real books, visit libraries and cherish the printed word in read books. I love books, we have over two thousand in our house alone and I personally have about a thousand in my classroom. I can't resist buying them at yard sales, thrift stores and even the library, yes the library. My boys love books and the printed word because my husband and I love reading. My first grader is now loving the fact that he can read to his brother. Little brother is now trying to read too. I love the computer but a real book is a treasure.

Go Teach!!!!

Memory Books

My class is going to spend the last few weeks creating their kindergarten memory books. All the students at my school were given these great hard covered blank books for Read Across America day. We wrote our own stories for that day on different paper to save these special books for the end of the year. Each month we've made calendar pieces and a poem along with a cooking project. I've also saved a writing story we've done as a class to put into their books. We will also draw each one of our alphabet animals that goes with our reading program. At the end of the book, each student will have a picture of them at the beginning, middle and the end of the year. I will also include their favorite memory of the year. The parents love this great little keepsake.

Happy Teaching!

End of the year

Well, I have about forty days left of the school year and way too much to do with my students. We are turning our room into the ocean for our open house in May. I can't wait. I planned out our work during our break.
I will also be posting new books to teacherspayteachers soon and to another group if they take me.

On a happy note and hard to believe, I was named teacher of the year in my school district. I have been working on my application for the county over break too and wow the questions they ask are really deep and take time to think about. It's made me really focus on my job even more than before.

I have written two more ebooks and thanks to a good friend I'm going to take my poems and turn those into little books. I have so much stuff to do it's crazy but really fun.