What was that?

A few things happened yesterday, that I need to record. 

The first was the incident of the toot. A second grade boy yesterday got up to blow his nose, while we were in morning meeting. During morning meeting, we all sit in a large circle that includes everyone so that we can conduct any business for the day. On his way back to his seat next to me in the circle, he ripped a large fart, right behind my head. Let me tell you, it didn't smell all that good either. I look at the student and asked "Really, dude? Did you have to do that right behind my head?" He didn't have a response, he just shrugged his shoulders and sat down. I started to giggle and he did too! 

A little later that day, we were able to go visit the VA Home which is down the street a little ways from our school. My students go and play bingo with the residents. Well on this particular day, one of my students got a bingo. He was so excited he jumped up, tipped his chair back and yelled "Miss W., Miss W., Miss W." Instead of the most common yell of Bingo! You just have to love his enthusiasm. I think the best part of that trip, was delivering our Valentine's to the Veterans that were playing that day. The smiles lit up the room. I honestly don't know who was smiling more my students or the residents at the home. 

Yesterday, was one of those really great days!

Pep Talk from Kid President!

Do I need to say more? This video has gone viral and within days this young man has taken the country by storm. 

This young man has inspired me to try and experiment with my students at school. (My students have a dream for our community, our country to become better. Well, according to Kid President, we need to act now.) So here are my actions to help my classroom recognize their own dreams and to begin to change the world for better.

Step 1.  Show video
Step 2.  Show video one more time.
Step 3.  As the powerful question, "What are you going to do to make the world more awesome?"
Step 4.  Write them down and put them on display. 
Step 5.  Have students make an action plan. 
Step 6.  Implement action plan. 
Step 7.  Celebrate. 

I hope this will inspire and empower my students to understand that they can make a difference starting today and not "when I am older." Change can happen today, right this second. 

So it is time for us to get up and do something! Stop being boring. 

So I ask you what are you going to do to make the world more awesome today?

She's all about the fun....

A parent tracked me down at the end of the day... and instantly my thoughts streamed to what happened throughout the day to make sure they were approaching in a non-threatening, pointing fingers kind of way. If you are a teacher, I know you know what I mean. Teachers, out of habit of constantly self-reflecting, we tend to read into minor details and we know anything we say or do in class will get repeated at home (the good, the bad, and the ugly.) Luckily for me it was the good!

The parent comes into the classroom and begins by saying I don't know if I should tell you this but...

(At this point, I am so intrigued that of course I need to know what was said, and what incriminating evidence was shared at home that would warrant the parent coming to see me.) 

So the parent precedes to tell me how her daughter came home singing a song one of the other students shared during our closing crew circle. I need to mention this is song I wish they wouldn't ever sing and deserved a reprimand behind the scenes. (Closing crew is a time to share, remember about our day and to be just plain silly sometimes, it helps us become closer.) Apparently, her daughter was singing the song, over and over again at the top of her lungs. Finally, it started to get on the nerves of her family and her mom asked "where did you learn that song?"

      Student A responded nonchalantly,  "I learned it at school during closing crew." 

      "Oh, was Miss W. ok with that song? Did she say anything to the student who was singing it?"

      "No! Mom, Miss W. is all about the fun! She wouldn't want to hurt anyone's feelings."

I am so grateful that this parent shared this story with me. It was just a tad bit embarrassing, but it made my day to have one of my students know that school should be fun and most of all, I would never purposefully be mean to anyone. Sometimes as a teacher, you have to correct behavior and you always wonder how students are taking the corrections. Apparently, this student is taking it in stride!

Kids make my day!