Don't have much to say

I guess blogging's not really my thing. I don't have very much to write about. I suppose I can give a bit of info about my day in the classroom.
Most days begin pretty hectic. The kids all want to share things with me, at the same time I have to take attendance, check in homework, and get them started on their morning work. They write in a journal. I am trying to get them to write three sentences, but that's like pulling teeth sometimes! Then I play "Good Morning" by the Beatles and it's time to meet at the carpet. We talk a bit, draw tickets (that they earn throughout the day for various things) and they choose a prize. Then we usually read a story. Lately we've been reading about Thanksgiving, for obvious reasons. Then it's time for centers. Recently (as in this week only) I've begun letting them choose their centers. We have five centers (read to self, read with partner, listen to reading, word work, and writing). I've modeled the centers after the book "The Daily 5". The choosing business went very well. They really like to choose. Centers are a good time in the morning. They work so quietly (because we've had lots and lots and lots of practice!) and they actually do some quality work. Since we practice reading so much, I've noticed increases in their reading skills. Yay! Then while they are in their centers, I meet with small groups and we work on reading skills together. When the centers are over, we begin either reading workshop or writing workshop. Both begin with a short lesson on a skill followed by lots of practice time. I also meet with individual students at the time to help them with skills they are lacking in. I really like the mornings. The kids are very good at following the routine and we do lots of good, meaningful work. Then it's lunch time, and after that they go to a special (gym, art, or music). I get a 70 minute break from them which is pretty nice to have. During that time I get things ready for the afternoon. (After eating lunch of course). Math is after their special. We start with a problem of the day and then begin our lesson. I have such a wide variety of skills in math. I have some students working on third grade skills, a few that can barely count, and then the middle of the road students that know what they are doing for the most part. It's been a struggle to figure out how to structure math time. Usually I meet with the high group for about 5 minutes to teach them a skill and then they practice it together. That seems to work pretty well for the time being. Then I can focus on the ones that can't count! After math we have our timed math test (remember mad minute??) and then snack. After that is BEAR time (Be Enthusiastic About Reading) where sometimes we read, sometimes we write, and sometimes they do a third center for the day. Starting Monday, I will be working with a small group of super-low readers at this time. After BEAR is recess. After recess is Social Studies or Science. Right now we are learning how to read a map. Then it's about time to pack up and go home. Every day isn't exactly like this, we go to library once a week, we go to the computer lab twice, and you know, stuff comes up. This is a pretty typical schedule though. So there. Now you know what I do all day. What do you do all day?

Yikes!

I haven't written at all since school started. Let me say that I LOVE my kids! They are the cutest, sweetest kids ever! They are very well behaved. I really liked my kids last year, but they weren't very well behaved. This class is wonderful! If every year was like this I would teach until the day I die. That's all I have to say.

Classroom, Classroom, Pictures of my Classroom!

Make sure you sing that. Cause I did as I was writing it.
Please enjoy a select few pictures of my classroom.

A view of the front of the room.

A view of the back of the room.

I will post more later. They are loading super slowly and I cannot see my cursor.

Classroom

My classroom is slowly coming along. I don't have that much more to do in there, but I have been in there from 7:30 to 4:00 every day this week. I love being back! I love organizing my classroom and getting it ready. My kids are all in the computer program we use, and I was looking through and noticed that I can see their pictures. I looked through and I have such cute kids! Seeing all of them made me that much more excited to get started. I love 2nd grade!

Bat equals alarm clock

So Nate and I woke up this morning to a bat flying around our bedroom. Most disgusting thing ever. We got it removed and it will be tested for rabies. And we are supposed to call the doctor tomorrow to see if we need to get rabies shots. Yuck. Definitely not a fun way to wake up. I don't recommend it.

Here's our little uninvited guest being held by the scruff by an animal control specialist.

"It's okay, I was on my phone."

Okay, okay, she didn't say that it was okay, but she may as well have. I took a trip to Target today (as I do most days) and saw a lady trying to control her 3 or 4 year old son. She was losing. Anyway, a little later I was leaving the store and an older woman comes running out of the store. All of the sudden, that lady (with the kid) turned around rushing back into the store saying "Oops! I was on my phone! I didn't even notice!" Do you want to know what she didn't notice? Are you sure? HER CHILD! SHE LEFT HER CHILD IN THE STORE AND DIDN'T NOTICE BECAUSE SHE WAS ON HER PHONE!!! Oh. my. gosh.

In other news, I only have to wait 3 more days until I am back in my classroom!!! Yay! I just worked three days of registration at school and I saw a bunch of my oldies (miss them!!!) and lots of my newbies. I am super excited to really meet all these new kiddies! I even had a mom request me. That's another story. Heck, I've got time.
I was sitting at the end table for registration doing check out. This woman came up to check out, and her daughter would be new to **** (protect the id of our school) and she would be in 2nd grade. I told the woman that I am a 2nd grade teacher at ****. She said "Oh, will she be in your class?" And I said I didn't know, but I could ask. Then my mom (who's also the secretary) happened to be walking by and heard this. She told the woman that she could write a letter to request me. The woman got all excited and said "I've only talked to her for two minutes but I love her." Hopefully she isn't disappointed. And hopefully her little angel is really a little angel!

In dorky news: I got a new binder today that I LOVE! I will keep track of all my kids' assessment info. Yes ladies and gents, my goal this year is to become a super organized teacher. The binder is made of recycled something or other, and it has brown, turquoise, and lime green leaves on it. Good color combo. Okay, I'm done being a nerd. See ya in another life brotha! (okay, really done now.)

August 1st!

My birthday is in 15 days! The big 2-6. Yikes! That's all I have to say about that.

I am getting very excited for the school year. I was just thinking about my new kids, and thinking about what they would be like. I am very much looking forward to working with them. There are a few that I am a little iffy about, so I am trying to think which kid from last year they will be like. I think then I will have at least something to like about them. I don't know if that makes sense, but it does to me.

We've been watching the show Weeds. I really like it. It's funny. Yet it's about drug dealing. It's kind of disturbing too. But I still like it. Don't worry, I don't want to go into that business or anything. Teaching suits me just fine. I only have time for one addiction.

Going back to my birthday, I got a coupon from the thrift store. I get 25% off my entire purchase. So even though I have 1300 books in my classroom, I will go buy more. Because I cannot ignore 25% off! It'd be like throwing money away. AND, on my birthday is the Staples Teacher Appreciation Day. And the Home Depot Teacher's Appreciation Day. They must know me, because there is no greater gift than office supplies. And no, I'm not kidding. Last year my sister gave me the perfect gift. A 24 pack of colorful Sharpies and a few packs of decorative Post-It notes. Ahh, bliss.

In 24 days I go back to work. In 10 days I go to my classroom to make it a wonderful place for 23 7 year olds! Yay!