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.
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.
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.
10.26.2009
BOO!
I still have a slight cold, but I'm doing much better.
I just got home from school, Parent/Teacher conferences all dang day long, and 36 of my 40 parents showed up. Long day. But I'm full of fry-bread and chili thanks to RVE.
Today I saw one of my 3rd grade after school boys and I just love him so much. He's one of my most favorite human beings in the world. When I saw him I asked him what he did with the haunted house we made last week out of milk cartons and he said "I put a candle in it" and I replied "Oh how creative of you!" and then he said "yeah, and then I gave it to my auntie." What a cutie.
My kids are doing so well, I love them so much and they are all learning so much. I loved hearing all of the positive things their parents had to say and how much they love school. I enjoyed doing report cards (even though it took for stinkin' ever) because I was able to really reflect and see how far the little critters have come in just 9 weeks. And how much more well behaved Larry is. How kick butt Kodi is at knowing his letter and letter sounds. How Oliverio and Nayeli speak so much English. They really all are such amazingly intelligent little beings.
This week:
-Pumpkin disecting
-Pumpkin bingo
-Pumpkin Town, The Ugly Pumpkin, Pumpkin Soup, The Haunted Ghoul House, 16 Runaway Pumpkins and several other delightfully festive books!
-Green Monster Gack
-Dancing to The Monster Mash, Thriller, Shake Your Bones, and other totally awesome spooky jams.
Snow on Wednesday.... oh crud.
Ta ta.
I just got home from school, Parent/Teacher conferences all dang day long, and 36 of my 40 parents showed up. Long day. But I'm full of fry-bread and chili thanks to RVE.
Today I saw one of my 3rd grade after school boys and I just love him so much. He's one of my most favorite human beings in the world. When I saw him I asked him what he did with the haunted house we made last week out of milk cartons and he said "I put a candle in it" and I replied "Oh how creative of you!" and then he said "yeah, and then I gave it to my auntie." What a cutie.
My kids are doing so well, I love them so much and they are all learning so much. I loved hearing all of the positive things their parents had to say and how much they love school. I enjoyed doing report cards (even though it took for stinkin' ever) because I was able to really reflect and see how far the little critters have come in just 9 weeks. And how much more well behaved Larry is. How kick butt Kodi is at knowing his letter and letter sounds. How Oliverio and Nayeli speak so much English. They really all are such amazingly intelligent little beings.
This week:
-Pumpkin disecting
-Pumpkin bingo
-Pumpkin Town, The Ugly Pumpkin, Pumpkin Soup, The Haunted Ghoul House, 16 Runaway Pumpkins and several other delightfully festive books!
-Green Monster Gack
-Dancing to The Monster Mash, Thriller, Shake Your Bones, and other totally awesome spooky jams.
Snow on Wednesday.... oh crud.
Ta ta.
10.19.2009
ill.
...and yes, the sick kind.
Today when I was reading to my afternoon class Danielle barked at me "Ms. Toll, stop talking like that! Talk normal!" as she was refering to my scratchy squeeky voice that by the end of a day full of calendar math, centers rotations and two read alouds was on it's peak of awefulness.
I politely smiled at her and said "I'm sorry, I can't talk normal, I'm sick."
"Ohp." she replied.
But what I really wanted to say was "Remember last week when you sneezed in my face, and Konnor coughed in my ear and down my neck, and Angel spit toothpaste all over my arm as I reached to turn off the faucet? That is why I can't talk normal. That is why my body is a swimming pool for germs."
Today when I was reading to my afternoon class Danielle barked at me "Ms. Toll, stop talking like that! Talk normal!" as she was refering to my scratchy squeeky voice that by the end of a day full of calendar math, centers rotations and two read alouds was on it's peak of awefulness.
I politely smiled at her and said "I'm sorry, I can't talk normal, I'm sick."
"Ohp." she replied.
But what I really wanted to say was "Remember last week when you sneezed in my face, and Konnor coughed in my ear and down my neck, and Angel spit toothpaste all over my arm as I reached to turn off the faucet? That is why I can't talk normal. That is why my body is a swimming pool for germs."
10.16.2009
New Student.
I figured it would be no time before my school filled my one extra spot left vacant after Jessica moved away.... however I really did not prepare myself.... but maybe that is also because I had not been given even a minute warning.
Logan. Logan showed up at my door in his crisp khakis and Hawaiian style button down shirt. This kid was not afraid of the first day of school, or any of the 19 unfamiliar faces glaring back at him. He sat right down in the empty chair and immediately started talking to the other students. My assistants and I were really nervous. We have created such a great class culture and my students are learning so much, we figured it would take a lot of work to get Logan up to the same level as the other students. But he's a little angel. Full of character and jumped right into routine with no problem! He even knows most of the rules already! He also picked a good 1st day to come.... since it is Friday FUNday! We put shaving cream all over the tables to practice writing our letters and I read a Ms. Toll Favorite Friday book. I am really excited to have Logan in my class!
Oh the shaving cream. I don't think I have laughed so hard in quite a while. The students were dying of laughter as I shot shaving cream all over the tables. They loved it. Then when we had a race to see which table could make the shaving cream disappear by rubbing it in the fastest the roar of laughter began again. And now I have learned a valuable life tool..... you can wear a 4-year-old out by asking them to rapidly rub shaving cream into a table. Exhausting!
Favorite quote today comes from Donald. As we walked down the hall he looked up at me and said "Ms. Toll, I really like holding your hand."
I enjoyed a great ending to the day as Ms. Britney, Ms. Shelly (my assistants) and I cut out construction paper leaves for a project and talked about how we are all freakishly obsessed with scary movies. I love them both.
I get to see "Where the Wild Things Are" tonight and it has been months since I have gone to the movies.
Good day. Good night.
Logan. Logan showed up at my door in his crisp khakis and Hawaiian style button down shirt. This kid was not afraid of the first day of school, or any of the 19 unfamiliar faces glaring back at him. He sat right down in the empty chair and immediately started talking to the other students. My assistants and I were really nervous. We have created such a great class culture and my students are learning so much, we figured it would take a lot of work to get Logan up to the same level as the other students. But he's a little angel. Full of character and jumped right into routine with no problem! He even knows most of the rules already! He also picked a good 1st day to come.... since it is Friday FUNday! We put shaving cream all over the tables to practice writing our letters and I read a Ms. Toll Favorite Friday book. I am really excited to have Logan in my class!
Oh the shaving cream. I don't think I have laughed so hard in quite a while. The students were dying of laughter as I shot shaving cream all over the tables. They loved it. Then when we had a race to see which table could make the shaving cream disappear by rubbing it in the fastest the roar of laughter began again. And now I have learned a valuable life tool..... you can wear a 4-year-old out by asking them to rapidly rub shaving cream into a table. Exhausting!
Favorite quote today comes from Donald. As we walked down the hall he looked up at me and said "Ms. Toll, I really like holding your hand."
I enjoyed a great ending to the day as Ms. Britney, Ms. Shelly (my assistants) and I cut out construction paper leaves for a project and talked about how we are all freakishly obsessed with scary movies. I love them both.
I get to see "Where the Wild Things Are" tonight and it has been months since I have gone to the movies.
Good day. Good night.
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