7 more wake ups

That's it! Seven more wake ups with children and two after that without children. This year has been extremely difficult; physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Summer, where are you?

Saying Goodbye

One of the hardest parts about teaching is telling the students goodbye. At the end of the year you expect it to happen. But on a random Wednesday when you are out at recess after a morning of testing, it hits you like a ton of bricks. 

Every teacher has that one student that is there when you need them. That student for me withdrew today because of a family emergency. She was the one that always offered to help me with things. She wanted to file and grade papers, she wanted to wipe desks, clean my table, organize the books, run errands for me....everything. She had made so much progress this year and it broke my heart to see her leave. 

Moments like today made me stop and realize that these students are just simple kids. They are use to their schedule everyday. The classroom is their second home, their second family. And when one student unexpectedly leaves they are numb. When I made the announcement to my kids at the end of the day they were silent. No one said anything for a solid two minutes (which is a long time for 8 and 9 year olds). 

Once the hustle and bustle of dismissal slowed down the realization that today was her last day hit my sweet girl and she broke down. Friends.... this broke my heart into a million pieces (she actually asked me to message her mom on Class Dojo because she didn't believe me). 

After I walked her to her bus and gave her one last hug and pep talk I had to walk away. Teachers have tough jobs. Not only do we have to teach the kids the curriculum, but we have to love them, even on the hard days. 

Teachers: Tomorrow hug your kids. 

Measurement in Third Grade

Measurement is difficult for kids, especially when the fractions unit goes slower and is more stressful than anticipated. This year I had to reconsider all of my resources for fractions (another post for another day) and measurement and start fresh. I found an AMAZING unit on TpT by True Life I'm a Teacher. 

This is 100% my complete honest opinion of the Line Plot Mini-Unit. This mini-unit was amazing. My kids loved collecting the data and creating the line plots. It's been a tough year for my class and math, but this unit had them cheering for math class. [every teacher's dream, right?]

Below are pictures of the kids measuring 5 different crayons. They were so interested and focusing so hard on measuring their crayons. Students that have struggled all year in math and were feeling defeated were asking me if they could measure more crayons. :) 

There are plenty of other fun activities in this mini-unit, but this one was my students favorite!

If you haven't taught measurement or need something for next year, I suggest you take a look at Line Plot Mini-Unit

"Student Teachers"

-------Ever start a post and never click publish? Here's something from a couple weeks ago-------

In math we have spent the past two or three weeks working on area and perimeter and then area of an irregular figure. This was very difficult for my kids. 

I had them take a quiz on Wednesday and after grading them I felt so mixed and confused. The scores were all over the place. I decided to give some that did every well the chance to become the teacher. I paired them up with a friend that needed a little more help. They became the "student teacher." 

While they helped the other friend I worked one on one with a low baby on something else. I was listening to my "student teachers" and hearing the vocabulary they used and the math strategies they were reminding their partner of and it made my teacher heart so happy. 

But then I heard one of them reteaching the entire unit in Spanish to a student. This "student teacher" wanted to teach him in a way that he could get. This made me so happy. I stopped what I was doing and for the longest time just listened. 

After a very rough week I was reminded that this is why I do what I do. 

Currently

Linking up with Farley

It's already February! I can't believe it! This is going to be a short post. I'm exhausted!

Who else needs a personal grocery shopper? I will give you my list and the money, I just need someone to go, bring the groceries in and put them away. Any takers? 

Also getting gifted endorsed at the same time as teaching during a very difficult school year is draining me! 

Happy Friday!

100th Day of School

Today I challenged my students to read 100 books AND take the AR tests. They thought I was crazy. After about 30 minutes I posted that we had taken 33 tests. They were so excited. I have never seen them so excited to meet a goal. (They didn't even realize they were reading and building their vocabulary). 

They did it! They read 115 books today and took 115 AR tests!

It was awesome sending the parents this message on Class Dojo!

Currently January 2016

Linking up with Farley for this currently post!

How adorable is this currently post? I'm loving this silver and gold we have going on.  :)

Listening: I got back into About a Boy since I was home sick last week. I love this show. It's hilarious and I now find myself talking in a British accent, thanks to Toni Collette. 

Loving: UMM.... what teacher doesn't love pens? I thought nothing could top my Flair pens, but goodness gracious! These bad boys are my absolute favorite. I haven't mustered up the courage to take them to work yet, I don't want them lost or stolen! 

Thinking: I have always thought there was too much testing, but tonight while grading writing assessments from December I wanted to cry. 

Wanting: ....is it spring break yet? 

Needing: Doc said I was on the verge of laryngitis.... 

One little word: listen. I'm focusing on just listening to my kids talk. Even if it's about some weird story about why they must take home their leftover celery for their pet guinea pig. 

Happy almost Tuesday friends!