Terrible Tuesdays!

One of my babies didn't have his best day on Tuesday.  I spent all of yesterday wondering what was going on.  He is pretty much always on green, but yesterday was a red day.  That's a big deal people.  I wanted to get to the bottom of this big difference so on the way to lunch I asked him what was going on.....his response...."Sometimes on Tuesdays.....my brain gets terrible confused!"  There you have it!!  It was just a Terrible Tuesday!

The Knight and Shining Armor

Ok this was just too cute not to share.  We were outside on the playground and one of my little boys comes running up to me with a "this is an emergency" kind of face.  Of course I stop what I'm doing and ask him if everything is ok.  He then goes on to tell me that one of the girls in our class is stuck on the top of one of the monkey bars. 

Now there are a few things you need to know:
1. The monkey bars are small.  She was not very high and could have very easily jumped down. 
2.  Girl stuck on the monkey bars....tallest girl in my class, by far.  I mean tall people....easily in the 95% of the charts.
3.  Boy who comes to the rescue....smallest child in my class (not just smallest boy, but smallest child). 

Now that you have all the info, I will continue.  So once I find out the big emergency I look over to make sure that she is ok.  Once I see that she is fine,  I tell him to go and show her how to get down.  Now here is the cute part...his response...."I already told her to jump and I would catch her."  It was SOOOOOOO FUNNY!!!  It didn't matter that this girl was a foot (maybe even two) taller than him....if she jumps...he will catch her...and they say there is no such thing as a knight and shining armor!  Well I'll tell you something, there definitely was one in my class today....and they lived Happily Ever After!

Sometimes We Need Cake....Sometimes We Don't!

Well....if there is one thing I've learned about teaching those little ones, it's that they will keep you in check.   Today we read a book called "I love you."  There was a picture of a mom (who just happened to be a giant....really....she was a real giant) and a picture of a dad (who just happened to be an elf).  I asked them how the mom and the dad were different.....here was ones  answer:  "The mom is huge....like YOU!"  Yes.....you read correctly....."The mom is huge....like you.  "I know that in my blog I have mentioned several times that sometimes we just need to eat a little cake....well....apparently....I have done enought of that!  Now it's time to give away those M&Ms and go for a walk!    

2 for 1 Special!

It is your lucky day.  I'm running a 2 for 1 Special. 

Story 1:
Today is Groundhog Day....aka....big deal in Kindergarten!  Before I started teaching, I never paid any attention to this Holiay.  Now....well it's almost as big as Valentines Day or Christmas!  My kids will tell you that my 3 favorite things to do with them is read, sing, and dance!   A holiday like this (and really any holiday in kindergarten) just opens up the door to do all three of these things. Thanks to my good friends Scholastic, I have some really good stories on Groundhog Day.  We've been reading the stories all week and talking about it.  They just couldn't wait to find out if he sees his shadow.  On Tuesday, I told them that when we get to school tomorrow we will find out if we have 6 more weeks of winter or if spring is coming.  One of them said, "how will we find out?"  I responded, "well I'm going to watch the news and then I'll tell you."  Well, one of my parents came in this morning with a cute story.  She said that every morning her child watches Disney before school on the couch.  Well this morning she wanted to watch something different....the news.  Her mom said "Why do you want to watch the news," and you know what her response was...."to see if the groundhog sees his shadow or not".  hahahha.  I love it!  Sometimes you wonder if you class is actually listening to what you say and taking it all in.  It just made my heart smile to know that this little one did! 

Story 2:
This one is short and sweet, but it is too cute not to share!  One of my little darlings threw one of the books in the library.  We talked a lot about it and I asked him how he would feel if I did that to one of his toys.  I then went on to tell him if he threw anything else, he would move his clip to yellow.  His response:  "But today is a special day.  You can't move my clip on a special day."  So there you have it.  This is how I run my class.  If there is a special Holiday my children can throw things, bite, kick, hit, etc.  Happy Groundhog Day!

Happy Birthday Martin!

Well as most of you know Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday is coming up.  I had a really cute song that I learned when I taught in Tallahassee and I wanted to teach them.  The song talks about Martin Luther King  Jr and some of the things he has done (ex: Martin Luther King was a teacher and a preacher) plus it's really fun to sing.  Before I taught it to them we read a book about all the wonderful things he had done.  The kids thought it was so neat.  It was really cute to see how into it they were.  The book showed pictures of kids drinking water with a "white only" sign and schools back then.  They think that Martin Luther King is the coolest!  Well I told them that on Monday we would be celebrating his birthday and that's why we don't come to school.  One of my kids asked if he was coming to our class.  I told them no, that he isn't alive anymore.  One of my little ones raises his hand and says, "Yeah....either is Michael Jackson." (Again...another reason I love my job!).  So on Monday when you are celebrating Martin Luther King Jr's Birthday, I hope you take a little bit of time and also remember the King of Pop, who has said time and time again, "If You're Thinkin' Of Being My Baby
It Don't Matter If You're Black Or White." (Michael Jackson)

P is for Po Po

I read a book this week that reminded me of one of my precious ones from kindergarten a couple years ago.  I didn't blog then so I will share it with you now.  This book is about a snowman deciding what he wants to be when he grows up.  The book shows a picture of an apple, chalkboard, and a pencil.  They then have to predict what the snowman will be.  "A teacher" they shout.  Well this snowman has many jobs and the kids LOVE guessing what they will be.  It is such a fun story and I make sure I read it every year.  We get to my favorite part.  The book shows a badge, a stop sign, and one more thing (I think handcuffs maybe).  Anyways, they all start shouting.  "Cop...Cop.  He's going to be a Cop" they say.   The book actually calls it a police officer, so I ask them if they can think of another word for cop.  One of my sweetest little girls raises her hand.  She was being such a good listener and sitting so nicely so naturally I'm going to call on her.  She responds as serious as can be..... "Po Po".  hahahhahahhahahahahha......What does one say after that.....and this is why I teach kindergarten!

B.....U......T

Every Friday we have an assessment.  I pull each student one at a time to my table and ask them certain things like what sound does this letter make, how many syllable are in this word, etc.  On the bottom of the assessment there is always a few words for them to try and read.  Today the word was but.  To you and me this word is no big deal.  But to a kindergartner.....HILARIOUS!!  I loved watching each of them as they sounded each letter out.  Some of them (you know the sweet and innocent ones of the group), started reading it out loud in a normal voice.  Once they figured out the word, they would look around to make sure no one was watching and as soft as they could, tell me the word.  Others just started dying laughing and I mean the kind of laughing where they just couldn't stop.  I guess this might be one of those stories that isn't really funny unless you are there, but it sure made my day.  Don't worry....I did explain to them the correct meaning....what kind of teacher do you think I am??  I hope this makes you smile, because it sure made for a good laugh for us!