Oh.my.gosh, is it really Thanksgiving already?? Hard to believe we have been in school for 16 weeks...that is FOUR months...good lord I hope they have learned something in that time. Anyway, this week was filled with anticipation of my trip home, duh, how could it not? However, I am probably lucky that my kids are too young to comprehend the concept of not coming to school for a week because that might have made them even MORE crazy...sometimes I find it hard to believe that is even possible though.
One of my students, the infamous one who gets the majority of space in my posts, was sent to a facility on Monday to be tested mentally and behaviorally. This is so good for him, and me, but I'm trying hard not to be selfish. Not surprisingly, while he was gone I missed him. Actually, I feel really bad for him. He is six years old and was sent to a place for two weeks without anyone he knows or anything that is familiar to him....six years old. I have to remind myself that it will be good for him and his family and the school because now we have an outlet to go to so his problems don't continue.
We learned about Thanksgiving this week...pretty minimally because I'm a terrible teacher and my kids still think Americans were the first ones in America and that the Mayflower is just that, a flower. But...so be it. Social studies doesn't happen until the end of the day when our attention spans are at their witts end.
Interesting side one, the other day my favorite little boy says, "Ms. Ward, you look like Little Bo Peep." I was like, WHAT ON EARTH!?! But then he says, "with that thing in your hair (I was wearing a ribbon) and holding that stick (I had the behavior stick in my hand)." I was like, OMG this is ridic, but at the same time, he made a really great connection!
On Friday's I spend the hour of centers doing testing, checking to see if they learned the letters of the week and checking to see how many sight words they know. Well, I was doing the sight words test with a student and he only had two more flashcards to go before he would have had 100% and all of a sudden he was throwing up on the floor 8 inches from me. Ugh.....puke....can't handle it. I did what a normal person would do....I looked away with a horrific look on my face. WTF, I haven't been briefed in this...what do I do?!?!? Anyway, he kept throwing up, I got the garbage can and gave it to him and tried to get him out of the room. The other kids are sitting on the rug mouths agape. At least they weren't screaming (like I wanted to). I don't know why but loose teeth are not that gross to me...but the smell of puke is really what sends me overboard. Anywho, the janitor came in and cleaned it up before I got back in the room, THANK GOODNESS. But then I realized that two days prior his older sister threw up in line for the bathroom in the morning. Ugh...IF.I.GET.THE.FLU.24.HOURS.BEFORE.I.AM.FLYING.HOME........
Buttttttttt, my immune system is that of a rock and I haven't gotten sick all year, despite being sneezed on and coughed on more times than I could count. So....Friday after school my friend and I headed to Jackson to stay with Mike and Gretchen. Or, just Gretchen because Mike was off hunting. No worries, my car made it even with the "malfunction indicator" light on. However, I gave Lois my GPS for the week to maneuver around Memphis and I got myself incredibly lost in the backroads of Madison....UGH, my directionally over-confident self did not consider that fact that it would be dark and landmarks are damn near impossible to find in the dark. UGH...a detour through Jackson was all we needed I guess.
Okay, so since this is after the fact, I'll just say that my flights were good. In fact, I was in the Jackson airport at 7 a.m. only to find out that a friend of mine was on the same flight as I was to Detroit only to catch a connecting flight. So, at least I had someone to keep me occupied in the airport and on the plane (the 9th grader sitting next to me wasn't terribly talkative and when he was he would always call me ma'am)....we grabbed a quick lunch at Chili's in Detroit and got to our gates in time to board, it was perfect! AND, the guy that I was sitting next to on the flight to MSP showed me videos of the underwater dives he had done, oh.my.gosh they were amazing. I'm not sure I would be thrilled over the fact that three stingrays are brushing up against me on the bottom of the ocean, but the videos were amazing none the less. He makes me laugh because I felt like I was getting words of wisdom from a 75 year old man about how to 'go until the wheels fall off." I LOVE meeting fun people on planes!
Sara basically did a drive by and I jumped in the car with all of my stuff. We screamed, people stared, get over it, I haven't been back in 5 months! And now I'm in Winona with no snow but plenty of cold. Bahh. But, we celebrated Cassie's 21st birthday last night (only 4+ months later!!). Ask her how many miles she has run this week. It's like running from Amboy to Beauford. Fa real! Gotta jet...going to TARGETTTTTTTTT!!! Ah, lovin'.my.life.
Happy Turkey day, gobble, gobble!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bodily fluids
I know, I know...two times in three days...nothing to get too excited about.
It's Wednesday, I am procrastinating writing my lesson plans for next week and there is a lot on my mind...so here we go...
I have a little girl in my class whose adopted mother works at the school as sub sometimes. I didn't know the story about this family until a few weeks ago...the parents are 'grandparent age' but really, that doesn't mean anything around here. Plenty of my kids are raised by grandparents. However, this students' father wanted to come in and meet my assistant and I today after school. He hears about us so much at home and wanted to meet us. Well, this was more than just a typical "hi, nice to meet you." He ranted and raved about how wonderful we are doing with her and how amazing it is to see her progress. She is not your ordinary student. She is a special education student who is taken from my room during language and math time to work with the SPED teachers, but the majority of her day is with us. She is a crack baby. Her mother was so high on crack-cocaine when she was in labor that the doctor was FURIOUS with her. They told me he wasn't just mad, he was outraged. He told her that as soon as she delivered this baby, she was going straight to jail. This little girl lived with a grandmother until she passed away and was then adopted by her current parents, who are members of her extended family. They were told that she would never be able to talk. She would never be able to learn. Never say never. She passed first quarter, and although she is not passing this quarter...she has progressed tremendously. In fact, she is about in the middle of my class for knowing her letters and sounds and at the top of my class for sight words. Granted, little to none of this is from me. Her mother works with her each and everynight on ALL skills we are doing. How awful did I feel today after they left...I yelled at her more than once today about hitting other kids. She sees other kids do it, so she mocks them. This is a girl who is RARELY not smiling, even if she's being yelled at. She is adorable. She is smart. She says the greatest things that remind you how innocent little kids can be. She doesn't deserve this.
Okay, done being a sentimental sally. So far this week I have had throw up, a tooth pulled and a bloody nose in my class. Pretty good considering it is November and this was the first of all three in my room. You'd be surprised how many kids lost teeth after a sugar-filled halloween weekend. But I'm thankful that it took so long for each of those things to happen. My kids were pretty unruly today...however, my program director came in for a short observation and they actually calmed down for the time he was there, which is a definite first. He was in three weeks ago and each day since then we go over how to act when visitors are in our room....they seriously go out of control when other people are in the room. Ahhh...the joys of kindergarten.
I spent a couple of hours yesterday off campus (GASP) observing in the next town from us. It's another school in our district and everyone knows one another. Well, the two kindergarten teachers are both TFA. One is a 2rd year, one is a 3rd year. I have heard amazing things about both of them. It was good to go watch other classes...however, I'm pretty sure I could have spent the entire day there watching each subject. The only major differences are that their classes have 13-14 kids whereas my school has 22-23 in each class this year. That makes management MUCH different. Oh well....the more observations the better.
Better get back to work...10 days 'till departure!
It's Wednesday, I am procrastinating writing my lesson plans for next week and there is a lot on my mind...so here we go...
I have a little girl in my class whose adopted mother works at the school as sub sometimes. I didn't know the story about this family until a few weeks ago...the parents are 'grandparent age' but really, that doesn't mean anything around here. Plenty of my kids are raised by grandparents. However, this students' father wanted to come in and meet my assistant and I today after school. He hears about us so much at home and wanted to meet us. Well, this was more than just a typical "hi, nice to meet you." He ranted and raved about how wonderful we are doing with her and how amazing it is to see her progress. She is not your ordinary student. She is a special education student who is taken from my room during language and math time to work with the SPED teachers, but the majority of her day is with us. She is a crack baby. Her mother was so high on crack-cocaine when she was in labor that the doctor was FURIOUS with her. They told me he wasn't just mad, he was outraged. He told her that as soon as she delivered this baby, she was going straight to jail. This little girl lived with a grandmother until she passed away and was then adopted by her current parents, who are members of her extended family. They were told that she would never be able to talk. She would never be able to learn. Never say never. She passed first quarter, and although she is not passing this quarter...she has progressed tremendously. In fact, she is about in the middle of my class for knowing her letters and sounds and at the top of my class for sight words. Granted, little to none of this is from me. Her mother works with her each and everynight on ALL skills we are doing. How awful did I feel today after they left...I yelled at her more than once today about hitting other kids. She sees other kids do it, so she mocks them. This is a girl who is RARELY not smiling, even if she's being yelled at. She is adorable. She is smart. She says the greatest things that remind you how innocent little kids can be. She doesn't deserve this.
Okay, done being a sentimental sally. So far this week I have had throw up, a tooth pulled and a bloody nose in my class. Pretty good considering it is November and this was the first of all three in my room. You'd be surprised how many kids lost teeth after a sugar-filled halloween weekend. But I'm thankful that it took so long for each of those things to happen. My kids were pretty unruly today...however, my program director came in for a short observation and they actually calmed down for the time he was there, which is a definite first. He was in three weeks ago and each day since then we go over how to act when visitors are in our room....they seriously go out of control when other people are in the room. Ahhh...the joys of kindergarten.
I spent a couple of hours yesterday off campus (GASP) observing in the next town from us. It's another school in our district and everyone knows one another. Well, the two kindergarten teachers are both TFA. One is a 2rd year, one is a 3rd year. I have heard amazing things about both of them. It was good to go watch other classes...however, I'm pretty sure I could have spent the entire day there watching each subject. The only major differences are that their classes have 13-14 kids whereas my school has 22-23 in each class this year. That makes management MUCH different. Oh well....the more observations the better.
Better get back to work...10 days 'till departure!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Crack is whack
Take it how you want to. This morning I went to my car at 6:20 a.m. and realized I had a huge crack in my windshield. Like 8 inches huge...and it wasn't there two days ago when I drove up to Helena Ark. and back. wtf. So, I call dad and complain...I mean what else would I do when something is wrong with my car? Anyway, by the time I had gotten to school it had grown probably 4 inches...with promise by dad that it would probably go all the way across. BLAHHHHH.
Anyway, I don't know what else is new in my life. School is sort of exciting right now because the majority of my kids have caught on to both beginning sounds and ending sounds. So now I am giving them sounds and they are starting to blend them together. We have JUST started to take a word and segment each of its sounds. It's exciting to think that they are starting to catch on to a crucial aspect necessary for reading.
I had to send home mid-quarter progress reports today. Some parents should be REAL mad. But I doubt I will hear any reaction from those parents. I have one student who has a 14% in reading, 17% in language, and like a 50% in math. He RARELY speaks. He knows 4 of 15 letters. He knows 3 of 25 sight words. Even without knowing our letters, we can still attempt to learn beginning/ending sounds...the kicker, is that when asked to identify a beginning or ending sounds, he refuses to talk. And sometimes cries. Arg...I have to admit, he's the littlest, cutest one...he was still 4 when we started school so he really is baby-baby. Anywho....he makes school difficult because he just doesn't catch on to anything. He goes for tutoring in the afternoons. During centers he works with an adult who comes in my room to do interventions with kids who are behind. And yet, I still run out of ideas to help him catch on to learn even a single letter a week. But boyyyy is he cuteeeee. One warning, don't move his clip or he'll throw a temper tantrum. He is so used to being on blue and silver and one day at the end of the day I had to take him out to his waiting aunt while he wanted with his face covered by his backpack because he was on blue. She's like, "I thought blue was good?" I'm like, "yeah, it is!" Oh kindergarten.
I'm trying to do a ton of observations this week to make myself better. My principal was in watching me last Friday...she watched a pretty typical class and by typical I mean most of them were out of control. Sweet, thanks guys. Everyday for the last two weeks we have talked about how we act when we have "guests" in our room. I don't care if these are people who work at school and are in our room everyday, if it's the principal, if it's someones momma, or especially if it is my program director....if we have guests in our room we need to cut the crap and do what we are supposed to! I don't even beg them to behave when it's just me....but I really NEED them to behave when other people are in the room...trying to make baby steps.
Speaking of baby steps....we have given up our mid-morning playtime to practice walking in the hallways everyday for the last two weeks or so. It's November and they still don't know how to stand in a line or walk in the hallway the way we are supposed to...so instead of playing with blocks on the rug, we practice walking. Trust me, this usually makes at least one of them cry each day because they don't want to, but tough...I'm tired of having the worst line in the ENTIRE school. And don't even think I'm exaggerating about that, it's fa real.
Have you heard the news? There will be no Ward-family Christmas letter this year. Jeannie begged but I told her I'm too busy widening the achievement gap to write one and should not be expected to make it a priority when the academic success of 22 students depends solely on me.
....okay, okay, just kidding mom. I guess I'll need something to do sitting in the airport.
Oh, breaking news....last week, Monday, November 3 was the first day in many, MANY weeks that my little lovely stayed in school ALLLLLL day. I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. My assistant was gone that day, I had no idea who I was going to have watch my class when he started acting out (because to be honest, he did it each and everyday, so you can't help but expect it). But, to my astonished surprise...he made it the entire day. I gave him more praise that you would training a dog...but he did it. The mystery has to be that he is on medicine. There is no way he could have gone from being kicked out of class and school each day for WEEKS and then suddenly make it all day with no problems....PLUS this was after a weekend of halloween candy = sugar. And at this point, the only time since then that he has been sent home was one day last week his momma was called because he had a nasty cold and probably shouldn't be around other kids. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't act perfect...but he is NOTHING like he used to be...I mean, he actually sits in his chair instead of throwing it. Today however, he went into the other kindergarten room for a little while (he had that teacher last year so she took him for a bit) and while he was there he found a staple on the floor and shoved it into the pad of his finger so far that he was turning his finger white. Then I had to pull it out which obviously hurt and it was bleeding. Good grief, was that a good choice?
So, it is week 14 and I just got a new student. She started last Thursday...only missing 1.5 quarters of school. Don't worry, she was going to school elsewhere, but I think it must have been more of a pre-K class because she didn't learn anything there. Her vocabulary test was the lowest of all kids in kindergarten. She is severely "at-risk" which means drastic interventions need to be done with her and she is tested monthly whereas the other kids are tested annually. I don't really get it either, because she is bright, she always has a TON to say and she pays attention. I guess it's another child who cuts my work out for me.
Minnesota in 12 days, WHAT?!?!??!! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKK! I REFUSE to let myself get too excited because there are still 9 days of school to get through and a lot of work will have to happen in those 9 days. But you better believe that Friday I'll be as giddy as the kids for a long break :) K, gotta get some work done...I love how these posts end up the longest when I feel like I've got nothing to say. Don't expect much for the rest of the week, I've exhausted my stories. Have a great week...and if you don't...just think of what life is like in Kindergarten, that should make you feel better! Safe travels Erik...thanks for leaving forever, ya punk ;) Just kidding. Peace, love and germ-x.
Anyway, I don't know what else is new in my life. School is sort of exciting right now because the majority of my kids have caught on to both beginning sounds and ending sounds. So now I am giving them sounds and they are starting to blend them together. We have JUST started to take a word and segment each of its sounds. It's exciting to think that they are starting to catch on to a crucial aspect necessary for reading.
I had to send home mid-quarter progress reports today. Some parents should be REAL mad. But I doubt I will hear any reaction from those parents. I have one student who has a 14% in reading, 17% in language, and like a 50% in math. He RARELY speaks. He knows 4 of 15 letters. He knows 3 of 25 sight words. Even without knowing our letters, we can still attempt to learn beginning/ending sounds...the kicker, is that when asked to identify a beginning or ending sounds, he refuses to talk. And sometimes cries. Arg...I have to admit, he's the littlest, cutest one...he was still 4 when we started school so he really is baby-baby. Anywho....he makes school difficult because he just doesn't catch on to anything. He goes for tutoring in the afternoons. During centers he works with an adult who comes in my room to do interventions with kids who are behind. And yet, I still run out of ideas to help him catch on to learn even a single letter a week. But boyyyy is he cuteeeee. One warning, don't move his clip or he'll throw a temper tantrum. He is so used to being on blue and silver and one day at the end of the day I had to take him out to his waiting aunt while he wanted with his face covered by his backpack because he was on blue. She's like, "I thought blue was good?" I'm like, "yeah, it is!" Oh kindergarten.
I'm trying to do a ton of observations this week to make myself better. My principal was in watching me last Friday...she watched a pretty typical class and by typical I mean most of them were out of control. Sweet, thanks guys. Everyday for the last two weeks we have talked about how we act when we have "guests" in our room. I don't care if these are people who work at school and are in our room everyday, if it's the principal, if it's someones momma, or especially if it is my program director....if we have guests in our room we need to cut the crap and do what we are supposed to! I don't even beg them to behave when it's just me....but I really NEED them to behave when other people are in the room...trying to make baby steps.
Speaking of baby steps....we have given up our mid-morning playtime to practice walking in the hallways everyday for the last two weeks or so. It's November and they still don't know how to stand in a line or walk in the hallway the way we are supposed to...so instead of playing with blocks on the rug, we practice walking. Trust me, this usually makes at least one of them cry each day because they don't want to, but tough...I'm tired of having the worst line in the ENTIRE school. And don't even think I'm exaggerating about that, it's fa real.
Have you heard the news? There will be no Ward-family Christmas letter this year. Jeannie begged but I told her I'm too busy widening the achievement gap to write one and should not be expected to make it a priority when the academic success of 22 students depends solely on me.
....okay, okay, just kidding mom. I guess I'll need something to do sitting in the airport.
Oh, breaking news....last week, Monday, November 3 was the first day in many, MANY weeks that my little lovely stayed in school ALLLLLL day. I didn't know what I was going to do with myself. My assistant was gone that day, I had no idea who I was going to have watch my class when he started acting out (because to be honest, he did it each and everyday, so you can't help but expect it). But, to my astonished surprise...he made it the entire day. I gave him more praise that you would training a dog...but he did it. The mystery has to be that he is on medicine. There is no way he could have gone from being kicked out of class and school each day for WEEKS and then suddenly make it all day with no problems....PLUS this was after a weekend of halloween candy = sugar. And at this point, the only time since then that he has been sent home was one day last week his momma was called because he had a nasty cold and probably shouldn't be around other kids. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't act perfect...but he is NOTHING like he used to be...I mean, he actually sits in his chair instead of throwing it. Today however, he went into the other kindergarten room for a little while (he had that teacher last year so she took him for a bit) and while he was there he found a staple on the floor and shoved it into the pad of his finger so far that he was turning his finger white. Then I had to pull it out which obviously hurt and it was bleeding. Good grief, was that a good choice?
So, it is week 14 and I just got a new student. She started last Thursday...only missing 1.5 quarters of school. Don't worry, she was going to school elsewhere, but I think it must have been more of a pre-K class because she didn't learn anything there. Her vocabulary test was the lowest of all kids in kindergarten. She is severely "at-risk" which means drastic interventions need to be done with her and she is tested monthly whereas the other kids are tested annually. I don't really get it either, because she is bright, she always has a TON to say and she pays attention. I guess it's another child who cuts my work out for me.
Minnesota in 12 days, WHAT?!?!??!! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKK! I REFUSE to let myself get too excited because there are still 9 days of school to get through and a lot of work will have to happen in those 9 days. But you better believe that Friday I'll be as giddy as the kids for a long break :) K, gotta get some work done...I love how these posts end up the longest when I feel like I've got nothing to say. Don't expect much for the rest of the week, I've exhausted my stories. Have a great week...and if you don't...just think of what life is like in Kindergarten, that should make you feel better! Safe travels Erik...thanks for leaving forever, ya punk ;) Just kidding. Peace, love and germ-x.
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