Life Lessons from a Fifth Grade Boy

Theme: This is the topic that we have be focusing on during reading the past couple days.
What is the moral of the story?
What does this story teach us?
What is the life lesson the story tells us?

Today I read the story Sleeping Ugly. Think princess, fairy, evil sleeping spell, and a prince's kiss as the wake up call. Your typical fairy tale with a fun twist. Well after I read the story the students were supposed to respond in their RRJ (reading response journal) about what the theme of the story could be.


Here are a few examples:
"It's what is on the inside that counts."
"Don't judge a book by its cover."

But my personal favorite...
"Don't marry someone, if you don't know their name."

While this is a very true and wise statement, I don't think this was a main and hard core theme of the story. But yet, I can some how see his wisdom through the comment. Very wise.

Playground Bliss

When I was a young tot my favorite thing to play on was the see-saw (do you remember those!?!) and the swings. I remember having to always be the second person to get on the see-saw because I was a quite chunky child and no one could push it down themselves to get me up to get on... so I had to always get on second and push the first child up into the air and then get on...

But I also LOVED the swings. I would run to the swings and jump on them (stomach down) and pretend I was flying like superman. My sister and I used to chant " Wakka Wakka Wakka Fozzie Bear" when we would swing. Why? I have no idea what so ever...

Today my students went out to recess later then the rest of the 5th graders and they had the playground all to themselves. My kids know I LOVE the swings so they saved me one and let me swing. YAY!!!

Today, as I swung and watched my children, I was overcome with an overwhelming sense of happiness and peace. I loved watching my kids play with each other. They played tag and swung with me. Some stood around a chatted. Then toward the end of recess my class play cheese tag (will explain in an upcoming blog), boys vs. girls. It was so fun watching them. I loved seeing how they were getting along. I have told them since the beginning of the year that we, all 25 (including the teachers), are a family.

Today we felt like a family. I am so blessed to have this class in my life.

This Year: Last Year

I had two visitors in my room today. One was there to talk to me about reading workshop and the other was the guidance counselor. They both made mention as to how different my class this year is from my class last year.

Now don't get me wrong when I say this, but this class I have this year is just not like my kids from last year.

In true teacher style I would love to do a Venn Diagram to show you... but I am not sure how to get one in my blog, so I will just list the differences (the major ones at least)

Key: this year : last year

sweet: fun
quiet: voictrous
subdue: energetic
hard working: hard playing
friendly: social
loving: nurturing
creative: creators

As I said to the counselor today, my class last year fit MY personality. I guess God wants these current students to have me so I can break them from their shells. Here's to trying!!!

Gas

I was in the classroom on Monday when all of a sudden this horrific smell wafted my way. I am fairly certain that one of my boys let an SBD (silent by EXTREMELY deadly) poot!!! As the aroma filled my nostrils... I began to slowly walk away from the grotesque smell. For fear of passing out from disgust.
I joys of 10 year old boys.

Monday Mania

Today was an interesting day to say the very least.

I was out on Friday and came back to a note that was not on the good side. So the day started with me having to talk to a handful of children about their behavior.
Then it happened. I knew it would. In 4 years, I have not had it happen to me until today... One of the other 5th grade teachers walked in on me while I was using the restroom. Stupid woman that I am, I didn't lock the door. Well... I'm just glad that she did not see anything because I screamed and with cat like reflexes grabbed for the door as it was being opened. She did tell me at the end of the day that it made her laugh all day long when she thought about it. Hey at least I'm good for something... entertainment. Wonder what my act will be tomorrow... I'm looking for ideas.

The Cutie Copy Cat

They say the best form of flattery is to be copied. Well after last week I totally agree.

Last Thursday, at open house, one of my students from last year stopped by for a visit. Her little sister is going to be in kindergarten and big sis had to jump at the chance to come by and see me. When the three girls (mom included) stopped by my room, we chatted and hugged and reminisced. As they were getting ready to leave, I noticed that little kindergarten cutie had a tiger tail tucked into her pants. She had worn it because she had seen me wear one at collegiate field day when my class was Clemson. Personally, I thought it was the cutest and most flattering thing I have seen. Kids can make you feel so special.

First Day

Today we established our 4 classroom rules... What they are I have no idea because we wrote them at 9 am.
(After day 2 I know #3 is support and listen to eachother. I had to remind them to follow rule 3 today. One is about respecting people, their space and materials. There is one about working hard and trying your best on assignments. I am pretty sure the 4th one is follow directions. I added a 5th that says learn and have fun. Hey not bad. I guess once I got going they flooded my head.)

Then we spent almost 2 hours putting together binders... With 10 year olds, it takes 2 hours.
(On day 2 we organized our other supplies and got text books. OOOOOOOOOOO fun).

On the first day, I had a young lady who would not stop talking. I redirected her several and I mean SEVERAL times. Today I placed a note on her desk asking her to focus on controlling her talking and being nicer to the people at her group, because (did I mention) she bosses all the boys around.


Hey there is power in a Post-It!!! she was good today... I'm going to leave more Post-It "notes" for my students.

Tune in for more 5th grade fun.