1.29.2010

quotables

things that happened today worth blogging about:

As we were getting ready for centers Seferino came over and said "hang on Ms. Toll" and then he wrapped his arms around my legs and gave me a long hug. From a boy who is never like this it made my day.

When we were naming words that begin with the letter "N" Shobi raised his hand and said "noss." I asked him what that was an he said "the stuff you put in cars to go fast!" He was talking about the stuff from the movie "Fast and the Furious".... it was awesome.

When I told the class to turn their brains on all of them did the gesture and made the noise and then Adam said "I didn't turn mine on." When I asked why he replied "because it was already on!" What a little smarty. :)

TGIF.

1.28.2010

H1N1 shot.

Today was H1N1 vaccinate day at Rocky View Elementary. Just the thought of needles being poked into kids arm all day long at my school made me cringe.

Since today SHOULD have been a snow day most of my students were absent, so only two got the vaccination. Donald got the shot and Danielle got the nose puff deal. When the nurse came down to get them I sent Ms. Shelly and Ms. Brittney with them to also get their shots. I was not looking forward to getting mine. When the four of them came back Donald was such a champ. He showed off his sticker and he was proud of how brave he was. I was jealous.

It finally came time for me to get my shot... ug. I had Ms. Shelly read and take over the class and made Ms. Brittney come with me to get my shot so that I had someone to hold my hand (although I did not make her do that since I didn't want to make her feel awkward). Ms. Brittney told me that when she brought Donald over to get his shot he was so good about it and so brave so she had to toughen-up and do the same. I knew I also had to do the same. There was a 2nd grader in front of me (who was one of my after-school art students) in the line who was very frightened. I helped her calm down and I think that made me a feel a little better. Well my turn came, and Ms. Brittney was a wonderful supporter.... it didn't hurt so bad. [They offered the nose puff deal to me but I declined. That sounded quite uncomfortable.] And the sweet nurse gave me a pink band-aid with hearts.... although what I really wanted was a cool sticker like Donald's.....

But ask me if my arm is sore now? Yep. It is.

1.27.2010

just one of those days

I don't know if I was just extremely irritable today of if my kids were just wild frenzied jungle creatures but it was a rough day. I don't think I have ever had to tell so many kids to "move your apple." I do have to feel for them though because they don't have specials (p.e., library, art) for the next 2 weeks and since the playground is covered in snow they can't go outside either. That has got to be enough to drive a 4-year-old mad I suppose. I guess that is why I let them all move their apples back up to the green part of the tree at the end of the day...

But the end of the day made things better when Dominique came up to me and said (in her oh so sweet and delicate little voice) "Ms. Toll, when I grow-up, I want to be a teacher." It was right at the end of the day and Isaiah's mom and grandma were in the classroom picking him up and they both let out a long "awwww!" It was indeed an "awww!" moment. Then she practiced teaching as she wrote letters all across the white board. When I told her she could use the "pointer" her face lit up like a Chrsitmas tree and I don't think I have ever seen a smile so big.

:)

1.20.2010

sleep in.

2 hour snow delay was much needed while I slept in. Too bad sleeping was nearly impossible with a stuffed-up nose and a scratchy throat and a 2am sweat-fest that forced me out of bed to turn off my space heater. Being sick sucksssss.

It's impossible to control a group of 4-year-olds with a raspy voice that squeals when you try to increase your volume. What really sucked was every time I blew my nose the kids nearly fell over in laughter. This happened about every 4-7 minutes. Although, it does manage to sound like a clown horn when I blow my nose so I guess I really can't blame them.

A "no-school snow day" would really come in handy tomorrow.

I do love the snow clouds also.

1.15.2010

looong with 3 os.

Wow, it was a long week.

Yesterday was rather entertaining. The pm kids were lining up for the bathroom after lunch when Lily started ralphing all over. I had the rest of the class go on to the bathroom while I stayed behind to help Lily get cleaned up. Two minutes later Miss Shelly (one of my assistants) came in to tell me that Angelina had just thrown up all over the bathroom floor! It was unbelievable. Lily said she had a tummy ache so I called her mom so that she could be picked up. Then I asked Angelina if she had a tummy ache and she said "no" so I asked her why she threw up and this was what she said- "Because somebody didn't flush the toilet.... there was poop." So Angelina threw up because she saw poop in the toilet.... I felt terrible for her, but my assistants and I were nearly rolling on the ground laughing so hard.

On a more serious note, today I taught the class about Martin Luther King Jr. We read a story called "Happy Birthday Martin Luther King" and I was so impressed with the kids. When we discussed segregation they said things like "That's not fair!" and "Everybody should get to eat at the same restaurant!" Then we talked about the assassination, Kiera-Rae kept wanting to know who did it and Larry said "Was it because the man who shot him wanted people to still be mean to each other Ms. Toll?" I am just so impressed with them. While at times they can be a tad naughty they really have the most pure and wonderful spirits. They are all so loving and they understand the concept of being fair and kind to one another. I think the world will be in great hands when they grow up.

1.13.2010

good stuff.



Here are some highlights of a long week.... wait- it's only Wednesday?

"Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" the best and easiest way to entertain a heard of 4 and 5-year-olds. And when you read it a second time to them, they will have most of it memorized.... it's a beautiful thing.

Thank the Lord for "Alvin and the Chipmunks" and thank him twice for creating a book about "Alvin and the Chipmunks" which created a wonderful chain of effects: 1st- the class looked at the Scholastic book order catalog I sent home in their folders, 2nd- one students saw the "Alvin and the Chipmunks" book and made it known to the other children, 3rd- the children went home to their parents and begged for the book and 4th- the parents ordered the books.... which means..... so many kids now have books to read at home, and books they will WANT to read. Ah, I can see the joy now.

Angel invited me over to his house to watch a scary movie, that was cute.


Elijah (a 3rd grader in my after-school art class) had terribly dry skin, so I gave him lotion and put some in a Dixie cup for him to have for the rest of the day. The next day during school he came to my class (with permission from his teacher) to get some more lotion. Yes, I know- judging by the paint all over my sweater I may only look like a PreK teacher, but I betcha didn't know I was also a medicine woman. Yes, I am a master at healing dry hands (it's a gift).

Organizing my desk. Enough said.

Larry's inspirational quote: "I'm gonna be a firefighter so I can save people's lives."

"The Very Hungry Caterpillar" for it's ability to also entertian a flock of crazy kids.

Painting clouds on a cloudy day with the 2nd graders in the after-school program while listening to classical music.

Sleeping-in until 7:09am (accidentally) and still making it to school by 7:30am (with a 6 minute drive).

The pure joy that the new 4-person art easel has brought to my classroom.

Snow tonight. Snow tomorrow. Snow tomorrow night. Any fortunetellers predict a snow day.... not that I want one or anything.

Meeting my new "little sister" through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. Best thing ever was when I asked her what her favorite music was and she replied "rap" and then I asked who her favorite artist was (like I know ANY rap artists that well) and she replied "Taylor Swift" Bwahahah!!! This is wonderful, a new little sister after my own heart.... now if I could only get her to like folk music.

And last but most certainly not least: my little (but bigger than me) brother Hunter getting his license and a new car (wait, is this a good thing?). He's so grown up. But I am a very proud sister indeed.



Sending you all love from PreK.
 

1.10.2010

1 month later

It has been 1 month and 2 days since I last blogged about life in a PreK classroom. December got pretty hectic. I moved into a new place and my students were finishing up their second quarter. Not to mention Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas, and all  the Christmas shopping I had to do. Oh, and the preparation of the class Christmas party was draining also.

Moving was the largest burden, but I am oh-so-happy now! Not that I wasn't happy before, just MUCH happier now. I have a roommate which has changed everything. I initially thought living alone was something I wanted to do so badly. After living in a sorority house full of girls I thought living alone would be splendid. Well, I learned that I'm just not the sort of person who should EVER live alone. I think I might have experiences a slight sliver of depression from the loneliness, the cold, the darkness and the lack of $$.  But all that has changed, I'm saving money, paying off my debt, carpooling to school, carpooling to the gym at 5am and living with one of the friendliest most positive people I have aver known. I finally do not feel like the only person who is exhausted at the end of the day, I now have someone to share that feeling with!

2010 brings so much to the table. It's so interesting how wonderful the start of a new year can be isn't it?? An opportunity to change and hit the "reset" button. I have so many big goals and I am so eager to make them happen! I must say that I will miss 2009 nevertheless. The year I learned so much, and grew immensely. Also the year I graduated from college, and the year I was accepted into Teach For America. To sum it up, 2009 changed my life. But I think 2010 will be just as wonderful- heck, maybe even better (is that possible??).

Ah, being back in the classroom was a little manic, but I managed to survive the 1st week back. The Prekinders were a  little naughty (maybe fueled up on treats from their stockings?) but they eased right back into it like champs and by Wednesday we were back to normal. It amazes me how smart the little boogers are, and how much they grow. I swear, in 2 weeks they grew so much. After seeing them I was happy to be back (not sure why I was dreading it on Sunday night). I was delighted to have them again, they make me laugh so much- crazy how I get paid to do this.

I can't wait to start blogging again and make record of all the cute, funny, clever, and just plain crazy things the Prekinders will do and say. Like this week when we finished reading Pinkalicious (the story of a girl who ate too many pink cupcakes and turned pink) and Madison said "Last night I turned pink!" and Shobi replied "Last night I turned brown!" Ha ha ha.

Ta ta for now.