Finishing up 2010

Once again, I've put off updating my blog.  There's lots of catching up to do before I dive into teaching in 2011 on Monday. (Which, by the way, I am so not prepared for!)  Now, if I could just remember some of the exciting things that happened with my sweet kiddos in the last month.

Multiplication-
Multiplication has taken over my life.  I eat, sleep, breathe, and sing multiplication.  I bought an awesome rap CD that the kids are in love with and created a multiplication wall where the kids get to build ice cream sundaes as they progress through their times tables.  Most of the kids are really into it and are anxious to take their daily timed tests.  I am excited to say that ALL of my homeroom students are passed their 3's and I have just one student working on 3's in my other class.  I am also excited to say that I have 4 students who have completed all 13 tests (0-12)!

(They have more stickers and lots of ice cream on their pages now. Updated picture soon!)

Picture Day-
Pictures happened earlier, but we got them back from the company, and I was just so excited to have my first "grown-up" picture.  Hopefully my first of many teacher pictures to come!

Door Decorating-
Ms. Lackey LIVES for competitions.  When my team and I found out that there was going to be a holiday door decorating competition, they all agreed that they would just "let me win."  My team saw how competitive I got with the can competition, and they were afraid to challenge me for the door decorating.  When we found out about it, we were told we couldn't decorate until the next week, but of course, I had my kids get started immediately.  We didn't actually decorate the door until the next Monday, but the kids were very into it.  Some of the teachers on my team did end up decorating their doors, but on party day, they announced that my class won. :) (Like anyone was surprised?)

(The tree is made of my kid's hands and the star is made of my hands.  The tree skirt is made of their feet, and the tree stump is my feet.  We added a tag that we all signed our names on above the door handle.)

Nutcracker-
The Grand Prairie Education Foundation provided us (as well as all of the other third graders in the district) with the opportunity to go see The Nutcracker at UTA.  While I knew that it would be difficult for some of my kids to sit still and be attentive during a ballet, it was an experience that some of my kids really needed.  Some of these boys and girls have never been anywhere like this and may not get the opportunity to do something like this again.  We all got dressed up and headed to UTA.  The bus ride was miserable.  I don't enjoy bus rides anyways, but when we got to UTA, we sat on the bus in the parking lot for a good 30 minutes while they were unloading other schools.  When we finally got to the very top of the theater, the kids really did enjoy the ballet.  It was so funny to watch them watch the dancers.  The students next to me were so amazed that every applause starts with just one single person clapping.  They were determined to "start" applause's.  (They were, in fact, successful!) What a great experience!

Appraisal-
Although new teachers are supposed to be appraised before November, mine didn't happen until December 14th.  The last Tuesday before the holiday break.  Things like that don't usually make me nervous, and I actually had fun figuring out what exciting things I could plan for that day.  I'm usually a nut with my kids anyway, so I didn't do anything differently! While the principal was in my room, I did my usual singing and dancing and silly things and had a good time with it.  The lesson was on fractions and so I got to use lots of fun materials!  I even painted my nails to use as an example.  The lesson went well!  I got my appraisal back today and am pleased with everything my principal had to say about me and the lesson!

PTA-
The December PTA meeting featured the third graders doing a holiday program.  I talked my mom into coming and seeing my dears sing and dance their little hearts out.  It didn't surprise me when I found out that many of my students had been given speaking parts.  They have so much energy and absolutely ZERO stage fright! I was so proud of them!

Polar Express-
I am in LOVE with Polar Express day! We got to wear our pajamas to school and teach lessons that involved the book.  My kids were so precious in their pj's! After lunch, my class and Mrs.Saldivar's class got together and watched the movie.  Mrs. Saldivar and I bought them popcorn and juice boxes so they had a great time!

(my class!)

(most of my team!)

Gifts-
My kids are too good to me.  I was showered with gifts and goodies and notes from my precious boys and girls.  They sure know how to make my day. :)

Challenges-
I dealt with my fair share of challenges in the past month, too.  As I listened to my kids talk to me about what they aren't going to get to do for Christmas, how someone broke into their house and stole their Christmas things, and how their parents are getting a divorce and their dad walked out, all I can do is keep it together, think of something encouraging to say, and pray.  Their struggles are my struggles and that was the toughest part of this two week break.  These kids don't have what other kids have.  They don't have the support systems at home that other kids have.  This breaks my heart and it's all I can do to step into the hallway before I let tears fall.  I count my blessings daily, and I can't wait to give each one of those kids a big 'ol hug when they walk in the door Monday morning. 

I'm anxious to see what all 2011 will have in store for me in my classroom.  There's never a dull moment!

Stronger than Yesterday

I am beginning to feel stronger in every aspect of my life.  Well, minus physically. Hah.  Even though I am stronger than my students, so I guess that works, too. 

My classroom is really coming together, and it feels like home.  We are a family, and I really do love them to pieces.  Don't get me wrong, we still have our daily battles and struggles.  They challenge me constantly, but that is exactly what makes me stronger.  I have already accepted that I'm not going to have it ALL figured out for the first few years, but as long as I wake up in the morning excited about going to work, I'll be alright. 

Last week, my teacher coach set up an observation for me at another elementary school in the district.  It was my first day to be away from my students.  As crazy as it seems, when I told the teacher I was observing about how it was the first day for me to miss, tears filled my eyes.  My boys and girls are the reason I enjoy walking into that building at 6:30 every morning.

Speaking of walking into that building at 6:30 every morning, I really need to get myself together so that I can not spend 12-14 hours of every day in my classroom.  I'm pretty clean and organized, but I always find another project or something to do, and I can't seem to get out of there in a timely fashion.  Hopefully this is just a first year thing. 




My friends have been so wonderful through these first few months of teaching and the break up.  I love spending time with them.  Thank you, ladies.




I'm also feeling much stronger emotionally.  This break up is what was best for both of us.  Honestly, one of the hardest parts of it all is making sure that everyone knows that it's not anybody's fault.  I know that he's not what I need, but I also know that I'm not mad at him for that.  I don't want anyone else to be mad at him either.  He's happier, I'm happier, and no one is to blame.  No matter how our lives change now that it's over and no matter how quickly either one of us move on, he was/is a good friend and doesn't deserve any grief.  It was fun while it lasted and the best first relationship a girl could ask for.  I sincerely wish him all the best. 

WORLD SERIES!

My kids have been nuts this week, but the Rangers are going to the World Series so I'm over it. :)

ESL Certified!

With the arrival of the wonderful Mrs.Saldivar came a mad dash to get me ESL certified. 

We taught three classes of 25 3rd graders (maybe 5 or 6ish being ELL's) for three weeks without an ESL certified teacher on the team, and while I knew that this was a problem that needed to be addressed, nobody (administration wise) seemed to be in any hurry to make sure that one of us take the steps to get certified. 

Mrs. Saldivar was assigned to join our team and already was (thank goodness) ESL certified.  I thought this would put everyone at ease, BUT I was mistaken.  In order for my class to switch with hers and viceversa, our adminstration panicked about me being certified as well. They immediately got me registered for an ESL review course with Region 10 that would take place in Richardson 3 different nights for 4 hours a session. Rouuuugh.

I took the test this past Saturday and found out today that I passed. :) One or two more steps and I will be OFFICIALLY certified with a few more bucks added to my paycheck.

Time Flies

Time's got the best of me.  I honestly can't believe that it's been over a month since I've updated this. SO much has happened since I told my little ones goodbye.

Mrs. Saldivar
Lisa Saldivar is an absolute BLESSING. The poor thing was pulled from her 2nd grade class at Whitt Elementary and given 48 hours to get her 3rd grade room at Eisenhower ready for a class of 16. She did. Not only has she been just what those precious children need during a transition like this, but she has been just what I need to survive the struggles that come with the first year. It turns out that she knows my mother and that her son was good friends with my sister growing up. Her homeroom switches with my homeroom and she teaches ELA while I teach Math and Science.  Lisa is extremely helpful and is constantly looking out for me. PLUS, the kids absolutely adore her. :)

1st Six Weeks
The first six weeks came and left so very quickly.  Getting classes settled into their new homerooms created some trouble when transferring and entering grades online, but after everything was sorted out, grades were done.  My sweet boys and girls had a difficult first six weeks in dealing with a huge transition from 2nd to 3rd and a shuffling of homeroom/math/ELA teachers within our own 3rd grade team.  I don't know how we expect them to be at the top of their academic game when they have so many things on their plate. Nonetheless, I'm proud of them. I can not wait to see how much they grow this year.

They also took Six Weeks Tests provided by the district for Math, ELA, and Science.  Oh boy. Once again, had these boys and girls had a consistent schedule the first six weeks, the same teacher for the same subject the first six weeks, and ample time to receive every lesson that was supposed to be taught the first six weeks, I'm sure they would have done great. BUT, that just wasn't the case. I just about fell over dead when I saw the results for the grade level, but there's not much we could do. Lucky for us, the test results don't have to be recorded. So, we used the data that was beneficial to us and set the tests in a big 'ol pile to worry about another day. There's always next six weeks...

Field Trip
The first Friday of the second six weeks found us at the Grand Prairie Nature Center for our first field trip.  A few interesting tidbits from this adventure:
- It makes for an uncomfortable journey when 136 third graders, 7 teachers, and 2 parents have to ride on just 2 buses.  Try sharing a seat with 2 of your students.
- I learned that our 3rd grade team is the LARGEST elementary grade level at any of the campuses in the district. Great.
- Two of my students have severe allergies and had to stay with me all day which forced a change of (already complicated) plans.
- If you don't let students go to the restroom when they say it's an emergency, they'll pull down their pants and pee on the nearest tree.  
- Yes, you read that last one right. He peed on a tree.

Lifted Spirits
Just when I thought I was never going to get the hang of anything, I found my inbox flooded with emails from other people I know and my parents know throughout the district.  Every day, there is a "Today in GPISD" email sent out to the district full of news and updates and announcements and shout outs.  In the "Today in GPISD" email last Tuesday, there was a shout out for me.  (This is the part when I brag on myself a little.) :)  After I realized that all of the emails from people I know on my campus, around the district, and people that know my parents were responses to the daily email to the district, I went to the "Today in GPISD" email that I normally just quickly scan, and read down to find this encouraging note.

I would like to acknowledge a special  teacher:

First year teacher, Miss Aren Lackey, is Capturing Kids Hearts even on the weekends. This Saturday, to my surprise, Miss Lackey approached me while I was sitting on the sidelines of the GP Dolphins Pee-Wee football game at Parkhill Park. She had made a promise to my son and another student that she would come watch them play football. The boys were celebrating homecoming, and at the end of the game she stayed to congratulate them on a job well done. Kudos to our new teacher for being FABULOUS! I think Miss Lackey has exactly what it takes to make a GREAT teacher here in GPISD! Sent in by Ashley Logan, 8th Grade ELA and Pre-AP Reading Enrichment teacher at Fannin Middle School.

I felt like a celebrity and it felt absolutely wonderful. I was so glad that I got to see two of my boys play in that game, and I didn't even realize the impact I was making. I must be doing something right. I guess?

Ms. Turner

Emily Turner is also a first year teacher and has been such a good friend as we tackle this crazy little thing called teaching. She is our P.E. teacher and has an enormous amount of challenges she faces on a day to day basis as well.  They cram as many kiddos into that gym as possible each period and leave her with an unteachable amount of students. Despite all that, she comes and says hi to me every morning and every afternoon and has a great listening ear. :) And we all know I have plenty to talk about.

Personal struggles

My students have had so many challenges, but I, too, have struggled to find happiness.  I lost the one I loved and thought would be mine forever, and I've never experienced anything so tough. I just take on one day at a time and hope that something with someone will work out somehow someday. All of my time and attention and energy is being spent on my third graders, and I work very hard to stay positive when I'm around them. They deserve it. 

I'll do my best to NOT wait another month before I blog again, but I'm a busy girl. :)

Losing my Little Ones

This week has been rough, but today was especially difficult.  We had to set up the new class lists for our new homerooms now that we have the new teacher.  As much as some of my kiddos drive me absolutely bonkers on a daily basis, it was so hard to choose the ones that needed to be put in the new class.  And, of course, we didn't want to just dump on the new teacher, so some of the super sweet ones had to go, too. Even though I'll still get to see the kids that are in the new homeroom every morning for math and science, it's so tough to have to get rid of them. 

This will make for smaller classes, though. It will definitely be a good thing once we can finally get into our routines and such.  I'll figure it all out one day...

Exhausted.

I am exhausted.  Thank goodness for 3 days weekends, but this 4 day week has been quite a challenge.  I haven't been in a very good mood for a number of reasons and as much as I try to leave that out of the classroom, it doesn't make for very positive days.  My kids are super funny and sweet, but they LOVE to talk.  I've done a lot of "warning," but we're about to have to get serious.  I probably should have already gotten serious, but that's just not my personality.  Off with the silly/playful face, on with serious/mean face. :/

The powers that be keep changing their mind (or at least telling us different stories) about whether the new teacher is coming or not.  We have our team meetings with the principal every Thursday during conference, so HOPEFULLY we find something out then.  At this point, I don't even really care whether we get another teacher or not.  There's positives and negatives about every situation.  I just NEED to know what's happening so that I can move on with my procedures and schedules and such. 


On a lighter note, my Godson, Jaxon Kane Miller, was born yesterday at 12:36pm.  I got to hold him in my arms yesterday afternoon, and he is absolutely precious. :)