11.19.2009

Today's best quote:

Nico turns back to me as the other kids are rushing to their cubbies (to get their jackets so they can play outside) and says "Ms. Toll, you're a good teacher..." and as he turns to walk to his cubby he turns back and says "...in the whole wide world."

11.17.2009

From my PD's (Nicole) E-Blast :) :) :)

Inspirational Words from the Field

4-year olds in Brittany Toll’s classroom began their day with a reminder of their Big Goals. Before they went over the letters and letter sounds they were learning, they recited why they are learning their letters….

“Because if we can read, we can do ANYTHING!” Students then went on to name the myriad of things they wanted to be when they grew up:
A doctor, race car driver, teacher, astronaut, etc.!

It was a goal-driven classroom in action! Because of her ability to invest and motivate her students and the obvious goal-driven atmosphere in her classroom, Brittany has been nominated as a model Pre-K classroom in GMCS…way to go Ms. Toll!

11.12.2009

"Oh I'm so happy!"

On Tuesday I was observed in my class room. I introduced the observers as "Kindergarten Spys" who were coming to see if my class could really be smarter than kindergartners. The observers stayed for a bit and then left after the class went to recess. When my students came back in Danielle came up to me and asked "Ms. Toll where are those kindergarten people??" and I said "Danielle, they're gone. They found out that we are smarter than the kindergartners!" I have never seen a child's eyes get so big, I would have thought Santa and Hanna Montana just walked in behind me with a bag full of cookies. She then gave me the biggest hug EVER and said "Oh I'm so happy!"

11.09.2009

when words just aren't enough....


A random collection of pictures from pre-k.... and I love how Bria ( 3rd picture) is reading the "Pre-K Times" newsletter that I send home to the parents. :)

Gifted.

On Friday Izabell came in and said "Ms. Toll close your eyes and hold out your hands!" So I did as she requested. She came over and put something in my hand and said "Okay now open your eyes Ms. Toll." It was a cardboard cut out of a My Little Pony character. She also held two other cartoon cutouts in her hand and told me "This one's for Nico and this one is for Isaiah." Oh my gosh it was so aweeesome. I taped it up on my walls and my day had officially been made at 7:25am. I have no idea why this was so special but it really was.

Later, we were talking about the letter D and words that begin with it. I was trying my hardest to come up with as many words as possible off the top of my head- by the 7th word I was struggling and so I said "diary." All the kids said "eeeewwww..." and I said "No you guys, not that!" and Nico chimed in "Yeah guys, not diarrhea!"

After centers the kids were crrraazzy! None of them had cleaned up their area and they were running all over (and trust me they totally know better). I had to give them a "sad face" on the board and then I told them that their behavior was unacceptable and only babies act like that. later Dominique came up and hugged me and said "I'm sorry we're babies Ms. Toll." Aw man, I felt so bad. I didn't mean it like that. :( But it was pretty sweet that she apologized (essentially) for her and her classmates behavior.


11.03.2009

love love love.

I love, love, love my 3rd graders in the after school program. They are just awesome. I just felt the need to express that.

Last week Nico and Dominique were talking to each other about getting married. I asked Nico when him and Dominique were going to get married and he said "When we grow up!" I asked when that would be and he held up two little fingers and said "In two minutes." Ah, young love. Ha ha.

On Friday we had our Halloween party. I had covered up the board and the alphabet that we use to reveal a new letter every week so that we could have our "pin the nose on the pumpkin" game in that spot. Jonah walked in and was freaking out about the fact that the letters were gone, his mom had to assure him that it was okay, that the letters weren't really gone.

I love love love my job and hopefully can keep doing it for a looooong time.