Adventures in Teaching...Year 2

So I have decided that for the most part, I am repurposing my blog. From this day forth, this will be a place for my crazy, fun, hilarious, and inspiring teaching stories...I'll try not to include much grief. It may happen, but I will try.

My new class is great, I don't know if I have warmed up to them all the way. I am trying, but I am attached to my old kids. I miss them, they already knew some stuff. They knew me and I knew them. However, I am better, so the kids seem better. The year has already produced some quality stories and moments.

Moment 1: My kids were asked to draw a picture that began with a certain letter. One friend did a great job on many letters, but on ones he didn't know he would just write the letter. I said, "I need you to make these all have pictures, not just letters. That L needs to be a picture." He insisted that he was going to do a better job. I come back to check 4 minutes later. Same drawing, but now the "L" is surroounded by a circle. Starting to get annoyed I say, that is still just an L, I need a picture. He looks up with the most hilarious face, and shakes his head, "Nope, I changed it!" Curiousity getting the best of me, I say, "Well, what is it now?" In complete earnest he replies, "I changed it; Its a lump!" I couldn't even stop myself from laughing, and I immediately retrieved a sticker for his desk.

Moment 2: On of my boys was being pestered all day by his seat buddy. By 10am he had had enough, and I overheard him tell her frankly, "Hey, I am trying to learn here!" Again, so pleased at his efforts....I went for my stickers.

Moment 3: My same friend from Moment 2 was clearly distracted earlier and had a few questions. He politely raised his hand and stated, "I need to clarify, what is the secret to those words. I need to know the secrets."....Some background: We have been working on defining our reading strategy words, like clarify (make sure it makes sense). So, victory Miss Wishon! I have taught this boy a brand new word and he is using it successfully and out of context. Also, it took a minute of conversation, but I finally realized that words secrets are the definitions. He had been looking to my "Our Definitions" anchor chart and the "hints/secrets" for the other words and couldn't wait for the new words to be up there. It was a very special moment, and really touched my heart.

Mostly, year 2 looks to be an exciting one. I can't wait to take you with me.