This week has been a busy week and the last week of school.
Monday, was exhausting because the kids were crazy and ready to be done with school. They got to meet my parents on Skype and student J kept thinking we were going to Maryland. "We're going to Maryland today to meet Ms. Andrea's parents and play with her toys!" "No J, we're not going to Maryland. We are meeting them on the computer like a movie. It's called a video chat. We're skyping them." "Nooo! We're going to Maryland!" "Ok, Josh. But only if my magic works!" When it came time to skype them. He says, when are we leaving for Maryland Ms. Andrea?" "Sorry J, my magic isn't working right now." Regardless of the sad fact that they did not get to go to Maryland to meet my mom and dad, they were more than a little excited. Due to protection laws, I can't actually post the video. But just know they did a great job and were really excited and shy all at the same time. Needless to say, I had a serious headache afterward. Then, that afternoon after school we had a teacher appreciation early dinner. We said our goodbyes and thank yous to each other and got to eat subway that was flown in from Bethel! I packed my Rubbermaid totes to mail home that night.
Tuesday, we had a rummage sale after school. I sold off a lot of my stuff to the villagers and made some money for the return home.
Wednesday, I was awakened 5 minutes before my alarm sounded by an "Unknown" number. It was Harbour School in Annapolis calling to inform me that they were interested in hiring me for the Instructional Assistant position. Yeah, it's not my own classroom, but it definitely brightened my day that I have an interview next Wednesday, the day after my return to Maryland, and a possible job! My class had their movie and a snack party for their graduation. We watched the newest Karate Kid. It was enjoyable, and I cried before I started handing out their goodies (book packs for every student, a Kindergarten Graduation Certificate, my address, and 2 pencils). Some of them said "Cry again Ms. Andrea, your face got all red!" And I couldn't mail any of my totes because the P.O. is full and she won't be taking any more shipments till next week! Grant said he would mail the stuff for us. Best principal ever! And Marshall seniors graduated that night. The graduation was 2 hours long for only 11 students graduating. Started packing my suitcases when I got home at 10:00.
Today, we had our normal morning with Journals and Math Meeting. Then, we finished Karate Kid, packed up, and went to the gym for the awards ceremony. Wanted to scream at a few of my students for acting like fools. Helped handout food at our picnic. And I'm relaxing and reflecting now because I'm tired and have nothing to do.
I'm tired. I'm stressed. I'm excited. I'm sad.
This is quite possibly the best and worst week of the school year.
Missing you all! Love you, and sorry if there are any spelling errors (no sleep since 2 weeks ago).
Edah
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
14 Days Left!
Ok...I'm in the home stretch with exactly 14 days till I'm back in Maryland! I'm so excited to be warm--Oh yeah and see my family and friends and Nathan of course! It's 39 degrees now...clouds covered up the sun so it got chilly.
As for my report on my life as a teacher, it starts with a tooth story. The 5th and 6th graders came down today from 12:30-1:00pm to read a folk story and talk about the lesson that the story taught. My students were angels on the carpet. It might have been due to the fact that I gave a long "reminder" about expected behavior when the big kids came in. It could also have to do with the fact that I sat behind them with my "no nonsense" face on glaring into their souls so that they didn't have a temptation left in them. Or, it could be because they are just amazing because I'm such an awesome teacher that my aura of awesomeness and angelic nature passes on to them through the air. Either way. I was impressed.
Now, enough background knowledge, let me tell you the tooth story. They were sitting nicely giving their best listening behavior when in the middle of one story student J (of course! I should just make a blog all about student J) blurts out as he turns around to my glare "Another tooth came out". He holds it between pointer and thumb and gives me a smile that shows his tongue sticking out of the empty spot. I give him an envelope for the lost tooth and tape it up. Then, I give him the "I lost a tooth" sticker. He puts his tooth envelope away and comes back to the carpet. The "big kids" go on trying to finish the story and my students are not looking at the pictures but closed in on J. Staring like he's a live heart exhibit. I say "Ok. Let's pause the story for a second. I'm going to give everyone 1 minute," (it turned into 10 seconds), "to look at Josh's missing tooth." I gave the 10 second countdown and they went back to looking at the pictures and being angelic. Too funny. Later at the end of the day during snack, I said that I haven't lost any teeth so they all must be old people loosing all their teeth like that. They giggled and J says with his top lip covering his top teeth, "Some old people talk like this." Linda and I couldn't help but crack up.
Other than my cute stories about lost teeth, nothing special has happened this week so far. I only have 5 report cards to finish. With the exception of two students, all my students have passed their Kindergarten standards! It really is the home stretch. I can't wait to watch the new Karate Kid movie, eat junk, and pass out Kindergarten "diplomas" with my students next Wednesday. Hopefully sometime this week or next we can squeeze in a Skype visit with my family. My students are all really curious about my mom and dad and siblings and Nate. I showed two of my students, one day after school, (using google earth) how to get from Marshall, Alaska, to my house in Maryland. I said, "Yeah, I mean I have to walk all the way there too! It's going to take me a couple months!" Student K said "Nooo...you'll fly there in a plane Ms. Andrea! It will only take a day." Then, I said, "Ok...fine you're right. I'll take a plane home. But it actually takes 2 whole days for me to get home!" They just starred at me mouths open in awe.
Happy Tuesday!
Love,
Edah
As for my report on my life as a teacher, it starts with a tooth story. The 5th and 6th graders came down today from 12:30-1:00pm to read a folk story and talk about the lesson that the story taught. My students were angels on the carpet. It might have been due to the fact that I gave a long "reminder" about expected behavior when the big kids came in. It could also have to do with the fact that I sat behind them with my "no nonsense" face on glaring into their souls so that they didn't have a temptation left in them. Or, it could be because they are just amazing because I'm such an awesome teacher that my aura of awesomeness and angelic nature passes on to them through the air. Either way. I was impressed.
Now, enough background knowledge, let me tell you the tooth story. They were sitting nicely giving their best listening behavior when in the middle of one story student J (of course! I should just make a blog all about student J) blurts out as he turns around to my glare "Another tooth came out". He holds it between pointer and thumb and gives me a smile that shows his tongue sticking out of the empty spot. I give him an envelope for the lost tooth and tape it up. Then, I give him the "I lost a tooth" sticker. He puts his tooth envelope away and comes back to the carpet. The "big kids" go on trying to finish the story and my students are not looking at the pictures but closed in on J. Staring like he's a live heart exhibit. I say "Ok. Let's pause the story for a second. I'm going to give everyone 1 minute," (it turned into 10 seconds), "to look at Josh's missing tooth." I gave the 10 second countdown and they went back to looking at the pictures and being angelic. Too funny. Later at the end of the day during snack, I said that I haven't lost any teeth so they all must be old people loosing all their teeth like that. They giggled and J says with his top lip covering his top teeth, "Some old people talk like this." Linda and I couldn't help but crack up.
Other than my cute stories about lost teeth, nothing special has happened this week so far. I only have 5 report cards to finish. With the exception of two students, all my students have passed their Kindergarten standards! It really is the home stretch. I can't wait to watch the new Karate Kid movie, eat junk, and pass out Kindergarten "diplomas" with my students next Wednesday. Hopefully sometime this week or next we can squeeze in a Skype visit with my family. My students are all really curious about my mom and dad and siblings and Nate. I showed two of my students, one day after school, (using google earth) how to get from Marshall, Alaska, to my house in Maryland. I said, "Yeah, I mean I have to walk all the way there too! It's going to take me a couple months!" Student K said "Nooo...you'll fly there in a plane Ms. Andrea! It will only take a day." Then, I said, "Ok...fine you're right. I'll take a plane home. But it actually takes 2 whole days for me to get home!" They just starred at me mouths open in awe.
Happy Tuesday!
Love,
Edah
Friday, May 6, 2011
Rough Week?
Well it's sunny and we'll have a high of about 43 degrees Fahrenheit. I love this Alaskan weather. It's not too cold, and it's not too hot. Less cold winds. Sunny. It's lovely.
School News: Well I was out of work Tuesday with a cold and I lost my voice! I just now finally feel back to normal (as normal as I can feel). Then, Wednesday we had two head start kids visiting to get a feel for kindergarten. On Thursday, we had four head start kids visiting...That was a crazy day. It was so busy Wednesday and Thursday that I just went home after hanging out at my teacher friend Mary and was a zombie. We've made butterflies all week. My classroom looks like a Smithsonian Butterfly exhibit! It was great fun! They all are so beautiful. They also got to play on the playground yesterday during school as a reward for their hard work and good behavior...and they needed a break (more like I needed a break). Today is an early out day. My students get out at 12:30! They got their new hoodies and t-shirts today! We took pictures! We've had an exciting day so far.
Almost forgot to tell yall. Student J lost a tooth this morning during journal time. "Ms. Andrea I lost my tooth." Beings that he said it like he was talking about the weather I figured he meant last night and so I responded, "NO WAY! k, get back to work!" Then, I look over cause I was thinking, this is student J, he could have just pulled it out...sure enough, I look over and there he is sitting there starring at his tooth that he is holding between his pointer and thumb. "OH MY Gosh, J! I didn't know you lost it right now! Is it bleeding?!" "No, It's not bleeding Ms. Andrea. It feels soooo cooool!" "OK. Let me get you a little teeny baggy for your tooth and an 'I lost a tooth' sticker you can wear." That little moment ended up being a whole class moment where students were in awe that J lost his tooth at school...and didn't cry...and was just holding it like a pencil in between his fingers. It was cute how excited and curious they were over a lost tooth. I forget about those kind of childhood moments when loosing a tooth is just as important (if not more) than something like political news or Osama Bin Laden's death. They remind me of how important documenting these little moments are.
I'm certainly going to miss these kids. It was a reminder yesterday and Wednesday of where these kids started (because the head start kids were crazy behind). They've come so far! I'm so proud of each and every one. Behavior has improved. They have listening skills. They passed level K of their standards! I mean...it's amazing what happens when you use positive reinforcement and set high expectations.
Hope all is well. And I hope my updates include the information you want to know.
Love,
Edah
P.S. It was Mac-n-Cheese Day!!
NEW HOODIES AND TEES!!!
School News: Well I was out of work Tuesday with a cold and I lost my voice! I just now finally feel back to normal (as normal as I can feel). Then, Wednesday we had two head start kids visiting to get a feel for kindergarten. On Thursday, we had four head start kids visiting...That was a crazy day. It was so busy Wednesday and Thursday that I just went home after hanging out at my teacher friend Mary and was a zombie. We've made butterflies all week. My classroom looks like a Smithsonian Butterfly exhibit! It was great fun! They all are so beautiful. They also got to play on the playground yesterday during school as a reward for their hard work and good behavior...and they needed a break (more like I needed a break). Today is an early out day. My students get out at 12:30! They got their new hoodies and t-shirts today! We took pictures! We've had an exciting day so far.
Almost forgot to tell yall. Student J lost a tooth this morning during journal time. "Ms. Andrea I lost my tooth." Beings that he said it like he was talking about the weather I figured he meant last night and so I responded, "NO WAY! k, get back to work!" Then, I look over cause I was thinking, this is student J, he could have just pulled it out...sure enough, I look over and there he is sitting there starring at his tooth that he is holding between his pointer and thumb. "OH MY Gosh, J! I didn't know you lost it right now! Is it bleeding?!" "No, It's not bleeding Ms. Andrea. It feels soooo cooool!" "OK. Let me get you a little teeny baggy for your tooth and an 'I lost a tooth' sticker you can wear." That little moment ended up being a whole class moment where students were in awe that J lost his tooth at school...and didn't cry...and was just holding it like a pencil in between his fingers. It was cute how excited and curious they were over a lost tooth. I forget about those kind of childhood moments when loosing a tooth is just as important (if not more) than something like political news or Osama Bin Laden's death. They remind me of how important documenting these little moments are.
I'm certainly going to miss these kids. It was a reminder yesterday and Wednesday of where these kids started (because the head start kids were crazy behind). They've come so far! I'm so proud of each and every one. Behavior has improved. They have listening skills. They passed level K of their standards! I mean...it's amazing what happens when you use positive reinforcement and set high expectations.
Hope all is well. And I hope my updates include the information you want to know.
Love,
Edah
P.S. It was Mac-n-Cheese Day!!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Symmetrical Designs
Well today it is sunny and 37 degrees Fahrenheit out! I have a little cold that is just hanging out having a party in my throat like in those Mucinex commercials with the phlegm families. So, I'm taking Mucinex to get rid of it and I'm hoping I'm like the people who cough it up and make the phlegm homeless in the blink of an eye. We'll see...
So far the kids are pretty mindful that I'm loosing my voice and that I don't want to have to tell them something eight times. And we only had seven kids this morning, so, that helps! :) Two more came in since the morning.
We worked on symmetrical designs today, hence the title of this little rant. I took pictures of their work. We made butterflies. You know, the typical fold a piece of paper, cut a butterfly, open it, paint a design on one side, fold it together, smoosh it, open it, and WALLAH! You have a magnificently, beautiful SYMMETRICAL butterfly! They don't know it yet, but I'm going to hang them as decorations...I know, I know! I'm brilliant! haha. Yeah, so we had a lot of fun bonding over our butterflies this morning. I'm only going to post those who got theirs done. Two students came in late and so I only have a total of nine students' butterflies.
Only 18 more sleeps till the last day for students. 19 till the last day for teachers! WOOT! I'm going to try not to take a sick day over this--what should I call it?--"cold".
I don't have any funny quotes yet...OH...wait! YES I DO! Student J (who else?) was watching, like the other good students, me make my butterfly as a model for them to go by (good teachers always model the assignment!), and I was using the sqeeze 'n' brush elmers paints that they would be using. It made a "squirt noise" and J tells me "Ms. Andrea, do they fart? I just heard it fart." He says this like "Is it sunny out today? I saw the sun." I say "No, they squirt, and when they squirt they make that noise." J says "No, Ms. Andrea that is not a squirt noise, that is a fart noise." I try to say this loud with my broken voice over the little giggles that make me want to giggle (but I have to be the teacher) "No J. When these make that noise we call it a squirt. When you make that noise...well, you know what that is called." Sure enough that's all I needed to explain and he was like "Oh! OK!" and the giggles lasted only a few more moments.
The joys of being a Kindergarten teacher!
Love,
Edah
So far the kids are pretty mindful that I'm loosing my voice and that I don't want to have to tell them something eight times. And we only had seven kids this morning, so, that helps! :) Two more came in since the morning.
We worked on symmetrical designs today, hence the title of this little rant. I took pictures of their work. We made butterflies. You know, the typical fold a piece of paper, cut a butterfly, open it, paint a design on one side, fold it together, smoosh it, open it, and WALLAH! You have a magnificently, beautiful SYMMETRICAL butterfly! They don't know it yet, but I'm going to hang them as decorations...I know, I know! I'm brilliant! haha. Yeah, so we had a lot of fun bonding over our butterflies this morning. I'm only going to post those who got theirs done. Two students came in late and so I only have a total of nine students' butterflies.
Only 18 more sleeps till the last day for students. 19 till the last day for teachers! WOOT! I'm going to try not to take a sick day over this--what should I call it?--"cold".
I don't have any funny quotes yet...OH...wait! YES I DO! Student J (who else?) was watching, like the other good students, me make my butterfly as a model for them to go by (good teachers always model the assignment!), and I was using the sqeeze 'n' brush elmers paints that they would be using. It made a "squirt noise" and J tells me "Ms. Andrea, do they fart? I just heard it fart." He says this like "Is it sunny out today? I saw the sun." I say "No, they squirt, and when they squirt they make that noise." J says "No, Ms. Andrea that is not a squirt noise, that is a fart noise." I try to say this loud with my broken voice over the little giggles that make me want to giggle (but I have to be the teacher) "No J. When these make that noise we call it a squirt. When you make that noise...well, you know what that is called." Sure enough that's all I needed to explain and he was like "Oh! OK!" and the giggles lasted only a few more moments.
The joys of being a Kindergarten teacher!
Love,
Edah
Friday, April 29, 2011
Sad Day
The weather seems to be reflecting that today is a sad day in Marshall Alaska. Marshall School's secretary Theresa Shorty passed away yesterday. I want to take this moment to remember her and her family. Theresa was a friendly, warm person. She was hardworking and one of those many people that keeps this place running smooth. Please take some time during your prayers to pray for Theresa, her family, her friends, and the staff, and students here at Marshall School.
I want to end this post with some prayers.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--The Book of Common Prayer 1979
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
--Psalm 23
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--The Book of Common Prayer 1979
I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord.
--Psalm 121
I want to end this post with some prayers.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--The Book of Common Prayer 1979
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
--Psalm 23
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: Deal graciously, we pray thee, with those who mourn, that casting every care on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
--The Book of Common Prayer 1979
I lift up my eyes to the hills--from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord.
--Psalm 121
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
TGIW
When you get towards the end of the year...you have "Thank God it's Wednesday" along with "Thank God it's Friday." This is something I did not realize before today. Today after lunch and playtime is Science for a half hour. Then, Buddy Reading for a half hour...both in the place of Stations. If today was a Stations day, I would cry. I need a break from reading the decodable readers with the kids. It's hard to read the same 9 books over and over... Wednesday is my break from repetitive reading--I mean stations.
Tomorrow, we have AIMSWEB testing (don't ask ME what it stands for!). I'm excited because it's another break from routine...except that now I have one more student to test...a student that left for exactly two weeks and two and a quarter days and showed up this morning. GREAT! SUPER! She just walked in this morning and stood just inside my room and stared at me. And I just stared right back with thoughts like "Is she supposed to be in my room right now? Is it a joke? Is this a figment of my imagination? Am I starring at her? Stop starring and do something!" Finally, I said "Are you enrolled in my room? Go ask Andy and get a late pass, please," and went back to measuring with paper feet...(measuring using non-standard units).
Five minutes later her dad walks by, peeks his head in, and says "She's re-enrolled. Just did it!" I respond with as much of a smile as I could give in the shock, "Ok, wasn't sure what was going on...Thanks!" P.S. Angela was not with him...he came back another five minutes later with her in toe.
So far, it's all good in the hood. We'll see how long it lasts. Already my students are different (not worse, not better, not normal) because of this one kid back in the room. Any teacher can tell you, one kid can either make the class heaven or hell. So far, we're in purgatory. I'm not Catholic, but if my understanding is correct, that is exactly where we are. Any teacher can also tell you that one day you'll be in hell, next you'll be in heaven, then you'll be in hell for a week, back to heaven and somehow on your way down to purgatory. Teacher's are the closest thing to God because the move through those terminals almost as frequently as God himself...except when God goes to hell I'm sure it's just to see how everything is going and I bet he just pops right back up to Heaven like "Jeesie Creasy, glad I don't have to hangout in that joint for more than three earthly seconds." Teachers on the other hand don't just visit and see how the devil's holding down the fort and go home...we are actually hanging out there, being punished because we didn't let a student pick his nose, or eat his booger, or let him cry because I told him to stop both.
Sorry for the "enlightening rant", but that's my teaching life right now. As for the weather, it's snowing and 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I opened the door to walk out of my cabin this morning and was speechless and sure that I wasn't awake yet because there was snow on my steps. At least the snow didn't stick. This weather is so unpredictable that even the weather people can't figure it out. It's unnatural for it to be snowing and 32 in April. It's UNNATURAL for this Marylander to still have a winter coat on in April. Well, what was I expecting? I mean really, I moved to Alaska...
Love,
Edah
P.S. It doesn't hit dusk until 11:00ish-11:30ish. Sorry, if you want an exact time Google it!
View of my house on Monday, April 25, 2011.
View of the river from outside my house on Monday, April 25, 2011.
One of the school cooks gave me these yesterday. She got them while she was in Anchorage. She got a pair for all the ladies working at Marshall School. I felt honored that she thought to get me a pair! They are hand made by her sister! Pretty impressive!
Tomorrow, we have AIMSWEB testing (don't ask ME what it stands for!). I'm excited because it's another break from routine...except that now I have one more student to test...a student that left for exactly two weeks and two and a quarter days and showed up this morning. GREAT! SUPER! She just walked in this morning and stood just inside my room and stared at me. And I just stared right back with thoughts like "Is she supposed to be in my room right now? Is it a joke? Is this a figment of my imagination? Am I starring at her? Stop starring and do something!" Finally, I said "Are you enrolled in my room? Go ask Andy and get a late pass, please," and went back to measuring with paper feet...(measuring using non-standard units).
Five minutes later her dad walks by, peeks his head in, and says "She's re-enrolled. Just did it!" I respond with as much of a smile as I could give in the shock, "Ok, wasn't sure what was going on...Thanks!" P.S. Angela was not with him...he came back another five minutes later with her in toe.
So far, it's all good in the hood. We'll see how long it lasts. Already my students are different (not worse, not better, not normal) because of this one kid back in the room. Any teacher can tell you, one kid can either make the class heaven or hell. So far, we're in purgatory. I'm not Catholic, but if my understanding is correct, that is exactly where we are. Any teacher can also tell you that one day you'll be in hell, next you'll be in heaven, then you'll be in hell for a week, back to heaven and somehow on your way down to purgatory. Teacher's are the closest thing to God because the move through those terminals almost as frequently as God himself...except when God goes to hell I'm sure it's just to see how everything is going and I bet he just pops right back up to Heaven like "Jeesie Creasy, glad I don't have to hangout in that joint for more than three earthly seconds." Teachers on the other hand don't just visit and see how the devil's holding down the fort and go home...we are actually hanging out there, being punished because we didn't let a student pick his nose, or eat his booger, or let him cry because I told him to stop both.
Sorry for the "enlightening rant", but that's my teaching life right now. As for the weather, it's snowing and 32 degrees Fahrenheit. I opened the door to walk out of my cabin this morning and was speechless and sure that I wasn't awake yet because there was snow on my steps. At least the snow didn't stick. This weather is so unpredictable that even the weather people can't figure it out. It's unnatural for it to be snowing and 32 in April. It's UNNATURAL for this Marylander to still have a winter coat on in April. Well, what was I expecting? I mean really, I moved to Alaska...
Love,
Edah
P.S. It doesn't hit dusk until 11:00ish-11:30ish. Sorry, if you want an exact time Google it!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Another Week Down!
Well, it's snowy and 28 degrees Fahrenheit out. We don't see a sunset up here until 11:00pm! As you can imagine I don't have a very consistent sleep schedule. That will be one good thing about coming home!
The week went by fairly fast with the kids. We had less kids misbehaving this week. I have it down to 2 kids (not listening and following directions). One student has decided that it is completely appropriate to cry at the drop of a lego. I give him a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 countdown and if he doesn't stop crying before zero he gets a check, which is the way we keep track of bad behavior. They get stars for good behavior. He's quite impressive he usually stops his crying before I get to 2! But his is that pout crying not the hysterics that I used to do when I got in deep trouble. I think mom should have given me countdowns. "You can have a 20 second cry." or "This is not worth your crying. 3 seconds to knock it off!"
I know that sounds mean. But if you work around kids you understand that half the time they don't really understand why they are crying. I'm trying to teach them that there are appropriate times to cry, if you are hurt (mentally or physically) and if someone is dying. It's not ok to cry when you have hurt someone else (physically or mentally)! Agree/Disagree if you want but I know I had that I'm a big cry baby (crying over everything and anything)...I don't want kids to grow up crying over everything.
Anyways, bush living is nice...and weird. Nice because it's warming up and weird because the sun doesn't go down until 11pm. I really need to motivate myself to do some workouts!! Keep me in your prayers for that motivation, please!
Lastly, quote of the day! This quote was taken from yesterday. It was the end of the day and one student, I'll call them student J, wanted to do his show and tell. He goes and gets his toy power ranger and come running out from behind the cubbies and around the room.
"J, you need to stand in front of the class. This is show and tell, not pretend you are your power ranger."
"Oh, ok." He comes over and stands by me and says "This is my power ranger. He has powers. He is a jungle fairy power ranger." he said this in a way that you would have to hear, but it basically soundly like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. It was hilarious and I did all I could not to laugh.
"Thank you, J! I didn't know that there was a Jungle Fairy Power Ranger!"
His friends gave him clam claps and he went and finally got ready to go home.
That's my life as a kindergarten teacher.
Love,
Ms. Andrea
aka Edah
The week went by fairly fast with the kids. We had less kids misbehaving this week. I have it down to 2 kids (not listening and following directions). One student has decided that it is completely appropriate to cry at the drop of a lego. I give him a 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0 countdown and if he doesn't stop crying before zero he gets a check, which is the way we keep track of bad behavior. They get stars for good behavior. He's quite impressive he usually stops his crying before I get to 2! But his is that pout crying not the hysterics that I used to do when I got in deep trouble. I think mom should have given me countdowns. "You can have a 20 second cry." or "This is not worth your crying. 3 seconds to knock it off!"
I know that sounds mean. But if you work around kids you understand that half the time they don't really understand why they are crying. I'm trying to teach them that there are appropriate times to cry, if you are hurt (mentally or physically) and if someone is dying. It's not ok to cry when you have hurt someone else (physically or mentally)! Agree/Disagree if you want but I know I had that I'm a big cry baby (crying over everything and anything)...I don't want kids to grow up crying over everything.
Anyways, bush living is nice...and weird. Nice because it's warming up and weird because the sun doesn't go down until 11pm. I really need to motivate myself to do some workouts!! Keep me in your prayers for that motivation, please!
Lastly, quote of the day! This quote was taken from yesterday. It was the end of the day and one student, I'll call them student J, wanted to do his show and tell. He goes and gets his toy power ranger and come running out from behind the cubbies and around the room.
"J, you need to stand in front of the class. This is show and tell, not pretend you are your power ranger."
"Oh, ok." He comes over and stands by me and says "This is my power ranger. He has powers. He is a jungle fairy power ranger." he said this in a way that you would have to hear, but it basically soundly like Kip from Napoleon Dynamite. It was hilarious and I did all I could not to laugh.
"Thank you, J! I didn't know that there was a Jungle Fairy Power Ranger!"
His friends gave him clam claps and he went and finally got ready to go home.
That's my life as a kindergarten teacher.
Love,
Ms. Andrea
aka Edah
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
My Alaska Mentor's Last Visit
It is sunny. It is 38 degrees Fahrenheit. It is my Alaska Mentor's last visit to see me. :( I'm siked that the year is almost over, but I will miss seeing her once a month and talking to her every week on the phone about my job. We talk about things that are working, things that are challenging, and things I need help on.
I came into teaching pretty prepared. Towson University did a wonderful job preparing me, because they set their standards high. This year was all about finding my style, and perfecting my art. This is something I'll work on every year, which is why I love my career so much.
Today when my students did their district wide write I realized I've accomplished a lot this year. Rather, they have accomplished a lot this year. They can draw with details and write whole sentences using phonemic spelling. As I walked around the room I realized I had set the standard high for my students. I realized that because of that, they've surpassed my expectations.
Things have gone well this year. Things have been challenging, and I needed help on occasion. Most importantly, I realized today that I'm the real deal. I'm a teacher that will make differences.
Quote of the day
"I can't write anything, my hand hurts." student said.
"Why does your hand hurt?" I said.
He said, "I drew lots of details."
I came into teaching pretty prepared. Towson University did a wonderful job preparing me, because they set their standards high. This year was all about finding my style, and perfecting my art. This is something I'll work on every year, which is why I love my career so much.
Today when my students did their district wide write I realized I've accomplished a lot this year. Rather, they have accomplished a lot this year. They can draw with details and write whole sentences using phonemic spelling. As I walked around the room I realized I had set the standard high for my students. I realized that because of that, they've surpassed my expectations.
Things have gone well this year. Things have been challenging, and I needed help on occasion. Most importantly, I realized today that I'm the real deal. I'm a teacher that will make differences.
Quote of the day
"I can't write anything, my hand hurts." student said.
"Why does your hand hurt?" I said.
He said, "I drew lots of details."
Friday, April 15, 2011
TGIF
Well it is 32 degrees Fahrenheit and super sunny. I have a feeling I'll walk out and get blasted by the wind though. It's always windy up on the school hill.
Today I had my old T.A. as my sub T.A. How ironic. Overall, my students were a little better today. Their Journals were amazing today. I saw adjectives in their writing and a better variety of types of sentences. One of my students wrote 13 sentences!! All my Kindergartners got free slushies for being here on time and here every day this week. There excitement and cheers made me smile.
I think it will be a weekend of Medieval Sims and watching movies with my teacher friends. I don't really have much to say. I didn't have any funny quotes today either. It was a boring Friday for sure.
Have a good weekend.
Much love!
Edah
View from my desk window. My students playing on the playground after school.
Today I had my old T.A. as my sub T.A. How ironic. Overall, my students were a little better today. Their Journals were amazing today. I saw adjectives in their writing and a better variety of types of sentences. One of my students wrote 13 sentences!! All my Kindergartners got free slushies for being here on time and here every day this week. There excitement and cheers made me smile.
I think it will be a weekend of Medieval Sims and watching movies with my teacher friends. I don't really have much to say. I didn't have any funny quotes today either. It was a boring Friday for sure.
Have a good weekend.
Much love!
Edah
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Thankful for Teacher's Aides
The weather for today has been sunny. It was 5 degrees Fahrenheit this morning and it is 19 degrees Fahrenheit now. Pretty beautiful out.
I've got water, I've got heat, I've got food, I'm all good in the bush living department. I'm probably going to go home to veg in front of my Medieval Sims and possibly a movie. It was a rough day, because I had no T.A. (teacher's aide)!
I've been waking up every morning with a giant ache in my stomach. I realized after calling my dad in tears it is because of one reason. I am stressed, because I never know who I'll have in the room with me or if, like today, I won't have one at all. I had a great T.A. up until the end of January. Ever since she left my stomach has been aching a little bit more every day. Today made it even more volcanic because, well, I didn't have a T.A. at all! 11 kindergartners and me. You try teaching Math and Phonics to 11 kids. I tried to keep it routine. I split them for Math, but that didn't work because I had Specialists in during the morning to observe some students being referred for special education. Strike Two on the keeping it routine. The second half of the day went a little better. THANK YOU JESUS for answering my prayers!! Anyways it was rough as a whole. I cried three times. If you are a kindergarten teacher you know what it's like not having help, multiply that by 10 because we're in the village.
Somehow I still managed to get a few laughs in. Which brings me to quotes of the day:
1. One of my students comes up for me to star his homework and says, "My baby Kristin ate my homework Ms. Andrea." He sounded so devastated, and sure enough there was a little chunk missing, bite marks and all, from his homework.
2. Play time has just ended. They are cleaned up and in their seats, actually quiet. It's time for story. I walk over to the carpet, grab my chair, move it to the middle and see two toy bread sticks sitting right in the middle. "Why do I have two bread sticks in my seat?" I asked the class. That wouldn't make sense anywhere else...but they just got up and put them away, knowing exactly what I was talking about. It made me laugh.
Well, hope your day was great! Much love and see you at eight! It rhymed,
I won't really be seeing you at eight...sorry :(
Love,
Edah
Student's eaten homework.
I've got water, I've got heat, I've got food, I'm all good in the bush living department. I'm probably going to go home to veg in front of my Medieval Sims and possibly a movie. It was a rough day, because I had no T.A. (teacher's aide)!
I've been waking up every morning with a giant ache in my stomach. I realized after calling my dad in tears it is because of one reason. I am stressed, because I never know who I'll have in the room with me or if, like today, I won't have one at all. I had a great T.A. up until the end of January. Ever since she left my stomach has been aching a little bit more every day. Today made it even more volcanic because, well, I didn't have a T.A. at all! 11 kindergartners and me. You try teaching Math and Phonics to 11 kids. I tried to keep it routine. I split them for Math, but that didn't work because I had Specialists in during the morning to observe some students being referred for special education. Strike Two on the keeping it routine. The second half of the day went a little better. THANK YOU JESUS for answering my prayers!! Anyways it was rough as a whole. I cried three times. If you are a kindergarten teacher you know what it's like not having help, multiply that by 10 because we're in the village.
Somehow I still managed to get a few laughs in. Which brings me to quotes of the day:
1. One of my students comes up for me to star his homework and says, "My baby Kristin ate my homework Ms. Andrea." He sounded so devastated, and sure enough there was a little chunk missing, bite marks and all, from his homework.
2. Play time has just ended. They are cleaned up and in their seats, actually quiet. It's time for story. I walk over to the carpet, grab my chair, move it to the middle and see two toy bread sticks sitting right in the middle. "Why do I have two bread sticks in my seat?" I asked the class. That wouldn't make sense anywhere else...but they just got up and put them away, knowing exactly what I was talking about. It made me laugh.
Well, hope your day was great! Much love and see you at eight! It rhymed,
I won't really be seeing you at eight...sorry :(
Love,
Edah
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Thankful for Water
It is currently 18 degrees Fahrenheit and sunny. Yay it's warm out! Woot! No really, it will feel warm out. It's been clear all day so that sun has just been beating down on this frozen tundra.
Weather Update, Check. Bush living update. Last night was nice until I was mid conversation with Nathan (the boyfriend) and hear my pipes grunting and moaning. I said something along the lines of "OH F@*$! I think I just lost water, and I haven't filled anything up in preparation!!!!" After my exclamation, Nate responded like he always does when I update him on news like this, "Oh." "Well Nate, remember how I was going to work out after I got of the phone? NOW I CAN'T! So much for getting back into that routine!" I wouldn't be able to hydrate after, or take a shower. Lesson Learned? Always keep pitchers, and spare milk containers full! Though I don't really have spare milk gallon jugs because well, I don't get fresh milk at the Co-Op. I have to buy this super pasteurized milk that you don't have to refrigerate for up to 6 months. That's high class milk! You can't just get that stuff anywhere!
That leads me to my other update on bush living. I got three food orders yesterday. The first was my very last Nutrisystem order! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for 30 days. (I've lost 33 pounds since August!) The second was my Nuts Online order. I purchased pistachios, cashews, dark chocolate covered almonds, cinnamon roasted almonds, dried strawberries, and TURKISH DELIGHT (glad I finally get to try the dessert mentioned in Narnia)! Nuts Online got to me in 3 business days! Normally stuff takes 7-14 business days. Note I said BUSINESS days! Letters can take SEVERAL weeks! The last food order was my order from Bethel, AK (the closest hub). I purchased milk (fresh!!) and packaged fresh spinach. It will be the first time I have an extra gallon milk jug to fill with water!
Bush Living update? Check! Lastly, my students and my j.o.b. I now only have 11 students. One of them moved :( I was sad to find that out this morning in an email from the teacher at Russian Mission who now has her! The rest are driving me crazy with all their chatting, so I devised a wonderful, inspirational plan; seat change! I took off their name tags and today after school I shook things up and rearranged where they sit! I'm amazing, I know...(teehee).
Student quote of the day: During phonics we were reviewing our letters. We always say the name of the letter, the sound of the letter, and the animal on the letter card. One of my students must have watched a lot of Star Trek, and must be an aspiring Trekkie (spelling?). We got to V and as the rest of the class says "V, /v/, vulture," He says, "V, /v/, Vulcan" He does this quite often, and it's so cute I stopped correcting him.
Love you all,
Edah
P.S. Water came back on sometime before this morning. YAY!
Weather Update, Check. Bush living update. Last night was nice until I was mid conversation with Nathan (the boyfriend) and hear my pipes grunting and moaning. I said something along the lines of "OH F@*$! I think I just lost water, and I haven't filled anything up in preparation!!!!" After my exclamation, Nate responded like he always does when I update him on news like this, "Oh." "Well Nate, remember how I was going to work out after I got of the phone? NOW I CAN'T! So much for getting back into that routine!" I wouldn't be able to hydrate after, or take a shower. Lesson Learned? Always keep pitchers, and spare milk containers full! Though I don't really have spare milk gallon jugs because well, I don't get fresh milk at the Co-Op. I have to buy this super pasteurized milk that you don't have to refrigerate for up to 6 months. That's high class milk! You can't just get that stuff anywhere!
That leads me to my other update on bush living. I got three food orders yesterday. The first was my very last Nutrisystem order! Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert for 30 days. (I've lost 33 pounds since August!) The second was my Nuts Online order. I purchased pistachios, cashews, dark chocolate covered almonds, cinnamon roasted almonds, dried strawberries, and TURKISH DELIGHT (glad I finally get to try the dessert mentioned in Narnia)! Nuts Online got to me in 3 business days! Normally stuff takes 7-14 business days. Note I said BUSINESS days! Letters can take SEVERAL weeks! The last food order was my order from Bethel, AK (the closest hub). I purchased milk (fresh!!) and packaged fresh spinach. It will be the first time I have an extra gallon milk jug to fill with water!
Bush Living update? Check! Lastly, my students and my j.o.b. I now only have 11 students. One of them moved :( I was sad to find that out this morning in an email from the teacher at Russian Mission who now has her! The rest are driving me crazy with all their chatting, so I devised a wonderful, inspirational plan; seat change! I took off their name tags and today after school I shook things up and rearranged where they sit! I'm amazing, I know...(teehee).
Student quote of the day: During phonics we were reviewing our letters. We always say the name of the letter, the sound of the letter, and the animal on the letter card. One of my students must have watched a lot of Star Trek, and must be an aspiring Trekkie (spelling?). We got to V and as the rest of the class says "V, /v/, vulture," He says, "V, /v/, Vulcan" He does this quite often, and it's so cute I stopped correcting him.
Love you all,
Edah
P.S. Water came back on sometime before this morning. YAY!
Monday, April 11, 2011
It's April and It's Snowing
Well, it is April and it is snowing. Last week we had a blizzard Friday - Saturday. It's currently 9 degrees Fahrenheit. We don't get a sunset till about 10:00pm now...but honestly I stopped checking. It's funny we went from sunset at 4:30pm till the now 10:00pm. Living up here you can actually visualize how the earth rotates around the sun. However, I do get my east, west, north, south mixed up out here because we're closer to the axis. If that even made sense? If it did I should win a medal or something.
Ok, enough about earth space science, let's talk about the progress my kids are making! Today we learned our last letter Qq and Combination qu in phonics! They can now code all the short vowels, extra consonants, and combination qu. I've got my kids reading!! Also, they are writing 4-10 sentences. One of my students wrote 10 sentences today (she's a kindergartner!). My student with special needs is even writing 5 sentences! MATH=learning coins! We talked about quarters for the second time today. They can count by 1's, 5's, and 10's. They can tell me how they solved the problem (I solved the problem by...)! Basically my kids are awesome!
Here's something new as of two months ago; we now have a special system in my class when they are done their work. No more, "What to do, Teacher?" They don't ask me that anymore because they know! First, they do their Must Do Work (Mustard). Then, they do their Catch Up Work (Ketchup). Then, they can do their May Do Work (Mayo). I love, love, love this system. It's a system you can truly implement with every grade level! What else...?
As you can see I love my students...and I love my job. I'm really going to miss this school and my students next year. This has been a year to find my own style. And I've found it!
Sorry again it took so long to update yall! I didn't know that anyone was reading it until my mom told me a bunch of peeps (hehe like easter) were reading. I love you all and miss you bunches.
Love,
Edah
Ok, enough about earth space science, let's talk about the progress my kids are making! Today we learned our last letter Qq and Combination qu in phonics! They can now code all the short vowels, extra consonants, and combination qu. I've got my kids reading!! Also, they are writing 4-10 sentences. One of my students wrote 10 sentences today (she's a kindergartner!). My student with special needs is even writing 5 sentences! MATH=learning coins! We talked about quarters for the second time today. They can count by 1's, 5's, and 10's. They can tell me how they solved the problem (I solved the problem by...)! Basically my kids are awesome!
Here's something new as of two months ago; we now have a special system in my class when they are done their work. No more, "What to do, Teacher?" They don't ask me that anymore because they know! First, they do their Must Do Work (Mustard). Then, they do their Catch Up Work (Ketchup). Then, they can do their May Do Work (Mayo). I love, love, love this system. It's a system you can truly implement with every grade level! What else...?
As you can see I love my students...and I love my job. I'm really going to miss this school and my students next year. This has been a year to find my own style. And I've found it!
Sorry again it took so long to update yall! I didn't know that anyone was reading it until my mom told me a bunch of peeps (hehe like easter) were reading. I love you all and miss you bunches.
Love,
Edah
I didn't realize...
...that people were actually reading this. Hence why there has not been a post in 4 months. Sorry about that! I will try to take time at the end of everyday to write something from now until May 20th. That's my last day of work with the Lower Yukon School District :(
Again, sorry I didn't keep everyone updated. Missing home, family, friends, and Nathan!
Tootles for now. :)
Again, sorry I didn't keep everyone updated. Missing home, family, friends, and Nathan!
Tootles for now. :)
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