Friday, October 31, 2008

More updates from first grade...

We've been having tons of fun in first grade this month. It seems like tons of fun=lots of work for me, but hey I love it so why not right?
First we had fire prevention week. We did all kinds of activities in class and also had the kids take things home to do with their families. The most exciting thing for the kids was getting to see the fire truck. They even got to go inside. They had a blast!

Next we had some nurses come in and teach the kids about germs and how to wash their hands correctly. One of the nurses was even the grandma of one of my students. We had a lot of fun and it is nice to hear the kids remind each other to "cover their mouths" and "wash their hands". It is great to not be the only one worried about germs any more.

Finally, we celebrated Red Ribbon Week last week. We did the Safety Kids Stay Safe from Drugs program and the kids LOVED it! My fellow first grade teacher and I really enjoyed it too. The songs are catchy and they teach a lot of good lessons. I'm still singing the songs. The picture here is of my class in front of our door that we decorated for the contest. The theme we picked was Our class "leaves" drugs alone. Each of the kids colored 5 or so leaves and Carolyn did the tree... she's amazing! Then I had the kids each write I will be rug free because... and we stuck those around the door. It was neat to see why they would choose to be drug free.

Of course today is Halloween, so Happy Halloween to all of you out there, and I'll make sure I take lots of pictures of the witches, ghosts, and goblins that come through my room.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

My First Quincinera

Our secretary at school's oldest daughter just turned 15. In Hispanic catholic culture tradition is to have a coming out party called a Quincinera. They have been planning this for over a year. They had so many complications and it was the source of a lot of stress. I missed the church service because I was trying to help decorate. The decorations were missing so I wasn't able to help, and I missed the church service. When it was all said and done Anna was gorgeous, the mariachi band was amazing, the food was great, the band was definitely TOO loud, but it was a lot of fun. I even got out on the dance floor and danced with one of my first graders that was in attendance. It was very interesting to see the Hispanic culture in the area and what a party is to them. Unfortunately, my camera doesn't like taking pictures under florescent lights so I don't have any pictures of Anna in her gorgeous dress. But, here is a picture of the mariachi band and the back of the center pieces that were on the tables.

More Local High School Football

Well, local high school football is over our team did quite well. We finished the season 6-2 (I think) which isn't too bad. Our last game we won 40-12 which was great! Here are some pictures of our fun. Included is a picture of my AMAZING co-worker and her kids. She was nice enough to come up and support the team. We had a great time! I can't wait for next season when there is a field FULL of grass.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

It's Up to Us

While trying to decide whom to vote for it is very apparent to me that whatever this country decides when we vote on November 4 will be said to have drastically change our way of life. Not necessarily because of whom or what we vote for, but because we are already headed down a path and we have defining decisions to make in the next 4 years. The choices of our society thus far, have led us to this point. Now is when we stand and have our voice heard. Now is when we change what our country is all about. Now is when we do whats best for us, our children, our families, and our friends. Now is when we come together for a common goal to have it accomplished. So when children in the future study history, it will be said that this election was a turning point in our society. I think we're finally ready for it. Not because of whom we elect, but because of our united goal to bring about change in America.

These are facts. We are in a down turning economy. We have a nation debt of 10 trillion dollars. We are fighting wars in at least two (depending on the day and whom you ask) foreign countries. We have members of our society fighting their own daily battles whether for their dinner, putting a roof over their heads, our country's freedom, making their life and their families lives better, or for their own lives while battling various diseases. We have moms and teachers struggling with a record number of children with autism, ADD, ADHD, and various other learning disabilities. We have schools trying to teach children with more children in any given class and less teachers because of "lack of funds". We have doctors and nurses in hospitals everywhere treating patients without insurance.


Isn't it time for a change. Isn't it time we stand up for something?


I personally haven't decided my vote on anything but my local school bond. I requested an early ballot, and that is the only thing I've filled in. Being so, I don't think you should vote for any particular person for any particular reason. I just think you need to know what you want to accomplish in your life, and decide which ballot items and candidates will help you accomplish it.

Otherwise, get involved! Go to your local school, city, and town, board meetings. Volunteer, go about doing good, make someones day better. The world changes for good, when good things are happening. My theory is, as a nation we've become obsessed with buying and having things, its why we're in debt. We can't take them with us. What we will have throughout eternity is our lives to look back on, and our families to love. Lets build them up, teach them to do good, treat them like we should, and all be better for it.

Let's make whomever is our next president look good, no matter who he is. Let us be the difference, not one man. Let's come together and make the best lemonade out of the lemons that we've been given!

It's up to us to decide our future, so make the best of it!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

First Grade Field Trip

Well, it's always fun in First Grade when we read Miss Jill's Ice Cream Shop. It means that our field trip is close at hand. This year for the second time in my teaching career, we went to Blue Bunny Ice Cream Parlor. There is a factory near by, but unfortunately, they won't let us in there. We didn't go last year because they went out of business a week before our field trip, but they're back open, and we were ready! We talked all week about ice cream. We did writing assignments on what kind of ice cream they wanted to get, what new flavor they thought would be yummy, and now we're writing thank you notes. It's been a great learning experience for them, and really gotten them involved in wanting to know more. When we found out how much it was per student, it hadn't changed, but it still seemed like a bit much (here's me wishing I was back at the Creamery where the kids scoop is 90 cents!). After we got there and the kids started making their cones, and they guy started filling them, I remembered why. They get a TON of ice cream! You can see from their faces how excited they are, and also why no one was very hungry for lunch when the time came.

Afterward we went to one of the new parks in town. I thought for sure since it had gotten so cold recently that they would have the fountains/water shut off, but they didn't. So the 38 kids and 10 parents got a very short lecture as follows. If you get wet, you go to "Think Time" (our schools discipline policy) as soon as we're back at school. They all understood, and miraculously, NO ONE got wet! However, I did have a parent ask me "If I get wet can I still ride the bus home?" I was shocked, annoyed, and in awe. I guess my question is what kind of parent would ask a question like that? But my response was, "You'll have to talk to the bus driver about that, but I suggest you set a good example for the kids." I really was speechless for a minute though. Meeting the kids parents, and hearing things about them, sure do give you a lot of insight into why the kids are the way they are! I definatly learned that lesson well this year. Overall, we had a FANTASTIC time on our field trip.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

I'm Back!

Well, thanks to our friend whom, I should add, works MIRACLES with computers, we practically have a new computer! He was also able to save most of the pictures and files I needed. I tell you, I literally started bawling when it wouldn't turn on and he thought there was no hope of getting anything off of it. I mean, I had 5 years of pictures on this thing! Needless to say, we're very grateful for his knowledge and willingness to help us. It has also taught us to back everything up OFTEN! I suggest getting all of your computer files, pictures, music, video and whatever else you may have on your computer backed up because one day when you hit the power button and it doesn't go on, you'll be wishing you had!

This week is Red Ribbon Week. That means lots of fun activities at school and talking about substance abuse and lots of the phrase "Just say no!". We also have parent/teacher conferences this week. That means report cards to do, positives and negatives to find for each child, and HOURS spent at school.

All of this means that my many many posts I have to share will have to wait until after Thursday, then hopefully things will settle down! But you have lots to look forward to: from when my family was in town, to all the amazing things my class has been doing like fun fall arts and crafts, halloween puppets my mom and Sam did with them, to our field trip last Friday. Then there's also the hilarious sign I can't wait to post about at the end of the street, not to mention pictures of the house all ready for fall. So stay tuned... I have a lot of catching up to do!

Friday, October 10, 2008

MIA

Just so you all know, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth... but my computer has. Last Friday it wouldn't turn on at all. We have a friend looking at it. We don't know what's wrong or how long it will take to fix. They've made it so I can't get on and post from school or see pictures on anyone else's blogs either, so I'll have to catch up once my computer is "back in action". I miss IT dearly! I miss you ALL dearly! I hope to b back soon!