Day 34

It was just another typical Friday afternoon.  We were working on habitats and getting ready to start a small-group sorting activity.  When all of a sudden, the fire alarm goes off.  My children made me the proudest I've felt in a long time.  They quickly and quietly lined up at our door and waited for me to give the signal to walk out.  I grabbed what I needed and gave them the signal.  Heading out of the door, I witnessed complete chaos.  Children were screaming, running, and not paying attention to or listening to their teachers.  My kids - walking in a beautiful straight line, watching the chaos, and looking at me like "what's wrong with all these people?!"  They followed me out to the grassy area in the front of the school and waited patiently for the signal to go back in.  Other children were talking and playing.  Other teachers were having to get on to their children.  Even the AP had to reprimand a class.  But not me.  Not my kids. 

I am by no means bragging.  But children need to hear this kind of praise and positive reinforcement.  I made sure to explain this amazing experience to my students once we returned to the classroom. 

This is another reason why I love teaching - you teach and model, hoping they will take responsibility and do what's right.  I love my kids!

Day 32

This morning was like every other morning: off to a busy start. I was getting DOL up, taking up lunch money, reminding the kids to unpack and order breakfast...we were all running around like little ants. The last student finally walked in the door around 8:40. Little did I know, she was about to make my morning a lot brighter. "Amy" tells me she finally brought back a specific info card that the office needed her parents to fill out. Here's how the conversation played out:

Amy: Mrs. R, I found that yellow sheet for the office.

Me: Ok. Great! Put it on the table.

Amy: Well, it's a little dirty.

Me: (puzzled) That's ok. Just put it on the table.

(Amy puts the info card on the table. It's completely soiled on both sides.)

Me: Amy, where did you and Mom find the card?

Amy: I can't tell you.

Me: (now completely puzzled) Did you find it in the trash???

Amy: Uh huh.


After this convo with Amy, I realized why there was a strong odor in the room. And it wasn't a stinky trash smell. It was perfume! Amy and her mom sprayed perfume on the card to make it smell better. Oh dear! Needless to say, I put it an a gallon-size baggie ASAP and saved it for the registrar who needed it back. She got a good laugh. :)


While the whole Amy scenario played out, the other kids were eating breakfast. When all of a sudden, one child comes up to me and says that another child has spilled juice all over herself. Sure enough...juice is everywhere. Not to fear - we have options:

1. The child can go to the clinic and get a change of clothes.

2. The child can try on the pants Amy brought back this morning (because she spilled milk on herself last week at lunch).


The child chose to try Amy's pants. They were clean (no perfume) and dry. So the child comes back from the bathroom and stands at the door, holding about 4 inches of waistband. She could barely keep the pants up! It was the cutest, funniest things I've seen in a while! Since the pants were a no-go, she wobbled down to the clinic to try a different outfit. About 15 minutes later, she shows up at the door again. This time she's wearing a knee-length, denim dress that looks like it's been Bedazzled. She stopped and stared at me. She had that "just shoot me" look. Bless her heart. At least she was dry!


So when you're having a boring day at the office, just remember I'm not only educating our future leaders, I'm dying of laughter from these silly, lovable kids!