I prefer ‘rules’ in positive language. Why say “Don’t Run!” when you really mean, “please walk”. In fact, saying “please walk” would encompass no cartwheels in the hall as well, which is what I encountered this afternoon as a six year old was leaving school with her mom.
Why not put the best spin on things possible? (Pun intended).
My students came up with a ‘Top Ten’ list of things I say. The complete list of sayings they brainstormed contained a mix of routines and reminders as well as peaks into my personality. To an outsider the list wouldn’t make much sense so here is the annotated version.
#10 “Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen!”
OK. That one is pretty obvious. I great each student, by name, as they enter my room. When the bell rings I enter the room while saying this.
#9 “Please finish the sentence you are on, put a bookmark in your book, and be ready to correct your DLR.”
Our first morning transition. They read, silently, after completing their Daily Language Review (DLR). This is the second thing they hear me say every. single. day.
#8 “Would you like to hear a G story?”
Having a toddler is amusing, but I don’t want to force her stories on them so I always ask first.
#7 “This is an independent activity.”
This statement is a simple way to get the volume turned off when they are getting too chatty. (I have also started making quips about their pencils, books, etc., being voice activated and asking where they have found such amazing technology.)
#6 “You or your chair?”
This is a choice I give my students. They can either keep their chair, all four legs, on the floor OR they can sit on the floor.
#5 “No elephants.”
It turns out that I talk about elephants in two, completely unrelated areas. We talk about labeling our ‘elephants’ in math. I have never had a math problem that the answer was ________ elephants. (It is possible, just doesn’t seem to come up in the problems we do.) So, as an attempt to remind them to label their work we talk about ‘elephants’. If someone gives an answer without the label I will ask “elephants?” Which they clue into pretty fast after the first couple of days of school.
This spot on the ‘Top Ten’ list has nothing to do with math. It is actually my way of reminding them to tread quietly on the stairs. Yes, this is ironic as elephants do walk rather quietly, but a herd of elephants is what was brought to mind as they take off up or down the stairs without thinking about how they are stepping.
#4 “Go away.”
I start out the year saying ‘You may go’, but somewhere along the way it turns to this – always delivered with a smile and used as they, happily, head to recess and lunch.
#3 “Go!”
This is my ‘word’. Instructions are given that can be completed once I say ‘the word’. Once everyone is on board with what is happening I say (or write) ‘Go!’
#2 “Bless you.”
If someone sneezes, and I hear it, these words come out of my mouth. It is absolute habit.
#1 “Bummer!”
Ah, ‘bummer’. The simplest explanation would be to have you read about Love and Logic. It boils down to choices and the consequences for poor choices. Sometimes the consequence is known and all I need to say is, “bummer”. Sometimes the consequence is yet to be decided and “bummer” is the place holder until we have time for the next step. If they are unsure of what will happen I reassure them not to worry. They know the consequence will come and they will get to have their say in it, sometimes more say than they want. “Bummer!”
“It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. It is a chance for book lovers to share their reading accomplishments as well as what is on the proverbial nightstand. She even does a giveaway. Subsequently Jen and Kellee at Teach Mentor Texts added an opportunity for those reading kidlit to join the fun. Since I read both I will post to both. Check them out, join the conversations, and discover more great books.
Here is what I have read in the past month. I enjoyed many of these books for a variety of reasons. In fact, there is not a dud in the bunch.
Those with an # I would highly recommend.
An * indicates my ‘must own’ list, either for myself or my classroom library.
What was the book I was only 43% through last month? Here is it is. (When I went to post the link I found out it was originally published as three books. No wonder it is well over 900 pages!)1Q84 by Haruki Murakami
One Amazing Thing by Chitra Divakaruni
The Green House by Audur Ava Olafsdottir
State of Wonder by Ann Patchett #
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern #
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Wonder by R.J. Palacio *
(Will be the assigned summer reading for my 6th graders)
Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer L. Holm
Just two links this week…
This is an interesting study about the correlation between obesity and C-sections.
TED Talks to Inspire Conversation
"Especially the Talks In Under 6 Minutes series. These are great, snapshots of what could be longer conversations in short bursts. They come in loads of topics that could start a class discussion or kick off a meeting."
My Little Girl
My Big Girl
You left babyhood long ago
toddling and talking your way into girlhood
A little girl who loves
to sing
to read
to dance
to giggle
And is drawn to Jesus
You play with your dolls or ‘cook’
build block towers or piece together puzzles
color or draw
snap pictures or jump
and then clean it all up
You are a natural encourager and nurturer
– always helping your friends and your dolls
Observantly, you notice how others are feeling
You breathe a sigh of relief when everyone’s OK
Glad when smiles are restored
“Good job!” is quick to come out of your mouth
You literally stop to smell the roses
or watch the ants
or search the sky for a plane or the moon
The breeze in the leaves or the lapping of waves
are caught by your gaze
You are a little girl - full of life and love, giggles and thought. Your imagination is becoming more and more active. I love listening to you tell me about the the things you think up.
You are not really a big girl yet.
There are so many years of childhood still before you. I don’t want you to rush through any of it. Though you may not be a big girl yet, there are so many things you can do now, that you couldn’t do before. Mastering these new things feels big.
You can…
set the table
talk in complex sentences
remember so much
get dressed
go potty and wash your hands
climb just about anything
help anyone who will let you
put your dishes in the sink
use a ‘big girl’ spoon and fork
fold laundry
open and put on a band-aid
buckle your booster and car seats
put your backpack on
open and close doors
use a stool to reach something (like light switches and faucets)
choose your own outfits (and you really like to match)
remember loads of names and ask if you don’t know – names matter to you
talk on the phone
hug on Skype
Take pictures with your ‘cam-ee-ra’
hold passports
operate your ‘Pink’
put your dolls down for naps
play teacher with lots of Circle Time and “Who is here today?”
undress (though taking shirts off is still not easy)
tackle any stairs
change your dolls’ diapers
snuff out candles (change the light)
’read’
wash yourself
towel off
brush your teeth
The list will continue to grow as you do.
Happy 3rd Birthday to my Little Girl!
My general attitude is that it is better not to look. I don't check weather reports (it is going to be sunny) and I have a thermometer at home. It is hot. I don't want to know exactly how hot.
And then there was yesterday. I walked outside about 11:15 a.m. and it was like having a hot hair dryer pointed right at me. The breeze kept blowing and it was hot. I had to look.
Generally our hot is in the upper 30s. Yesterday was 45 (plus 90% humidity). Oh my! That is more than hot.
Kids weren't allowed outside for recess and the two grades that had outside activities planned (field trip to the beach and Greek Field Day) couldn't believe their 'luck' to pick the one day with a spike in the temperature.
Today it is back to the upper 30s. In three weeks I will be happy for the 'hot' 20s in the Pacific Northwest. (Or even better, the teens and rain.)
It's all a matter of perspective.
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