Spring Has Almost Sprung

Hi, friends. As I watched my kiddos (and 60+ other firsties, though not all by myself) at recess today, I realized how much I missed them over Spring Break. I started watching one of my students intently try to attempt crossing the monkey bars by skipping a bar in between. What is it about that task that makes it a coming-of-age experience for first graders?

I noticed slightly taller students (thus the advantage) skip bars easily and seemingly without effort. I continued to watch as my student tried over and over again. All at once she swung her little body back and forth until she skipped one bar and proceeded to skip every other bar to the end. I could see her grin from ear to ear and knew this would be the one thing she remembered from today and not the lesson in math on related facts.

Meanwhile, I had a short conversation with a student wearing a "Padre Island 2012" t-shirt. The interaction went like this:
Girl: Ms. Talley, look at my shirt!
Me: Cool! Did you go to Padre Island?
Girl: No, we went to the beach.
I had to laugh...and be slightly jealous that she went to Padre, and all I did was go to Houston :)

Later, during math partner games, two students were disagreeing about a game board. I gave one game board to each set of partners to practice with and then passed out an additional one to the pairs when it was time to clean up (so each student would have one to take home). I could hear one boy tell another boy that it was "his" game board. He proceeded to grab at the paper while the other student put it behind his back, all the while saying "nuh-uh". One of the boys approached me to tell me that the other boy had pulled the game board from the clipboard, thus tearing off a corner of the paper. The "tear-er" wanted the "new" game board.

I'm a big believer in having my kiddos solve their own problems / disagreements. I took a breath to gather my thoughts, when all of a sudden, one of my girls marched over to their area, picked up the torn game board, walked over to the complaining student, held out her hand and said, "It's the same thing and you can still play it - here". I stood there speechless. The boy took the game board and went about his way.

As I reflect on today, it made me realize that I need to step back and take in my students' accomplishments whether big or small. If they learn to keep putting effort towards a task that they find difficult and they learn to problem-solve on their own, then I have made a difference.

Although, I would really love it if they were all reading on soon-to-be second grade level and were fluent mathematicians.

Thanks for stopping by! What acts have you witnessed in your students that make you step back and feel proud to be their teacher?

Spring Break and Organizing

Please note: this post is unrelated to teaching, but more of a personal nature :)

Well, I was able to enjoy a three-day getaway to Houston for Spring Break. Why Houston? Well, it's a relatively short (4 hours) drive and is home to a plethora of antique malls and shops.

My boyfriend and I enjoy browsing (and buying), and have pretty much shopped out the few-and-far-between places near our home. We have amassed quite a collection of our own, so we are quite particular at this point. We visited Houston a couple of years ago and were pleasantly surprised at the number of antique shops and the kind of unique treasures we discovered. So, we decided to return.

Here's what I found on this trip:

Can you see a theme? Which leads me to my next point: home organization. A fellow blogger shared her love of IHeart Organizing and I quickly became a blog stalker. Jen has great tips for those on a budget (I am a teacher - hello!). I decided to finally act upon one of my New Year's resolutions to start organizing my house.

So, I began working on small projects - small space by small space. I purged, cleaned, and organized my hall closet first. I'm quite embarrassed to show the before pictures, but if it inspires someone then it will be worth it :)

before

after

I have to admit, I looked in the closet everyday for a week after I was done. It still brings a smile to my face :)

before

after

My next project was my kitchen pantry. It is still a work-in-progress, as I still need to label and get a few more storage containers, but I'll share it in its current state. We have sooo much more room now :)






I think I just might be ready to conquer the living room next.

What did you (or will you) do for spring break? What organizational projects have you conquered?

A Sub note, a Gift, and a Blog Award

Hi, friends. I don't know about you, but I have had good luck this year (not so much in the past) with securing great substitutes for my class when I have to be out (mostly for required training). Of course, when I come across a good sub that becomes a favorite, she usually is a favorite among others as well (and soon gets busy) or gets hired on as a teacher - yea for her, but not-so-yea for me. I like to know who to expect when I'm out, and I want consistency for my kiddos.

This year has been different; when I have been out, I have been pleasantly surprised that retired teachers or qualified subs are picking up the jobs. It's been a win-win for me (not returning to chaos) and my students (the regular schedule can be followed).

A Note from a Sub...

I always request that my sub leave me a note to let me know about the nuisances of the day (kiddo went home sick, H was a chatterbox, A didn't want to work, etc), but imagine my surprise when I returned to find the sweetest note about how they all did great because they were hard workers and big helpers to her. But, there's more to her note. This is the part that brought tears to my eyes, "I can tell you are a gifted teacher by how your classroom looked and how well your students followed directions!" I l-o-v-e Mrs. J!! I shared the note with my class, and they beamed. They were so proud of themselves, and it sure put a hop in my step for the rest of the week.

On to my gift...

One of my firsties brought this in for me one day. Now, I get coloring sheets, apples, letters, and other treats (that I display proudly on my cabinet doors), but my sweet, little N took the time to make this for me at home on her own time. It was a little moment of "aww - I am thought of outside the classroom" and it made my heart swell.

And the winner is...
A huge thank you to Dee from First Impressions and Ann Marie from Innovative Connections for sharing the One Lovely Blog Award with me.

The rules ask this:
1. Link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Pass the award on to 15 other lovely bloggers. (I am apologetic about breaking the "rules," but I am reducing the number to 5 - please forgive me :) )
3. Follow the person who sent it to you.

I am passing the award to:

Mrs. Daniel's First Grade Blog
First Grade Lyon's Den
Chalk Talk
Swamp Frog First Graders
Asprec's Apple

Check out these great blogs if you don't already. How do you prepare for a sub? What's the cutest surprise gift you have received from a student?

I am lovin' my spring break!!

Teachers Taking Care of Teachers

Hi, everyone. I am waaayyy overdue for a blog post. My classroom has been a busy whirlwind of testing, spring fever, more testing, report cards, and Open House. Not to mention a lil' bit of spring fever coming from the teacher...

In other news, sweet Crystal from Kreative in Kinder has a wonderful idea for helping teachers and students in towns that have been devastated by recent tornadoes. She thought we could come together to help other teacher families and kiddos whose schools have been destroyed. If you, your team, or your school is able to help with materials, books, supplies, or cards of encouragement, please click on the heart below and leave your contact information on her blog. If you have a TpT or TN account, you might offer some of your products from there.

I can't imagine having to start over to rebuild my classroom and second home. It makes me cherish my classroom, my students, and the community that we have built so much more.