End of the Year Craziness = More Than Five for Friday!

Hey there! 

How are you holding up? Are you done yet? Still plugging along?

I have 8 more days...which is especially painful after my FB memory this morning was from the last day of school last year! Now don't misunderstand, I love my kiddos, but this teacher is completely past end of the year teacher tired. ;-)

So tired, apparently, that I completely spaced the Wisdom post on Wednesday. Sorry about that. It did not even cross my mind until last night! Kristi says that I have to make up for it by posting for the next six months. LOL! 

Anyway, all this end of the year craziness that is wearing me out has at least given me PLENTY of pictures for Five for Friday.

Let's get started, shall we?

1

Prairie Day!

Our little rural school is in the heart of the Flint Hills, and we received this map exhibit as part of an effort to give students a deeper understanding of the place where they live. 

The Flint Hills Map & Education Center gave a presentation earlier in the year at an inservice and encouraged teachers to try more place-based learning. As the K-2 science teacher, I felt like I needed to give it a try.

Fortunately, one of the teachers with many of the lessons on the website is one of our own former teachers. She agreed to come out of retirement for the day and help with Prairie Day! We had six rotations throughout the day where students learned about the Flint Hills, prairie grasses and plants, old sod houses, and prairie wildlife. Next week, we will visit the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve for our field trip.

2

Balloon Countdown

Yes, I do a countdown.

No, I am not a bad teacher.

Sorry, I get tired of some of the "articles" I see floating around on social media.

Every year, I do a balloon countdown. Inside each balloon is a special activity or treat for my kiddos to enjoy. It makes the last 10 days a fun way to celebrate a great year together (it also could be considered bribery for good behavior). 

I had to miss our first balloon this year for a teacher training. :-(

But I prepped the kids and they handled it well. So far, we have had Bubble Gum Day and Art Day.

3

Mother's Day

We baked muffins for our moms and made these cute paintings.

4

Team Builder

I organized a painting party for our staff. Due to busy schedules this time of year, I included some other people too (i.e. my daughter on the left). We had a fun time and I liked my painting until I say hers... ;-)

5

Farm Day

Our FFA teacher and members put together a great Farm Day where we got to learn about farm equipment and animals. We also made ice cream (baggie method) and planted flowers. 

  

Bonus

Date Night

Nice weather means we get the hotrod out for date night...only this time we had a little trouble. Thankfully, this guy knows his engines. We coasted to the parts' store. He bought a new alternator, put it on, and away we went. My daughter has decided she should marry a mechanic too. :-)

That about covers it! 

Hope you have a wonderful, rest-filled weekend!

Wisdom for Wednesday - End of the Year Style

Good morning!

 

I know most of you are still plugging along, pushing through the end of the year craziness so I'm hoping this post will give you some giggles and encouragement.

I thought I'd share a couple of things I recently shared on our Facebook page. They have had thousands of views and plenty of teacher shares so I know it is something you all need to hear right now!

First, here is a link to 14 End of the Year Memes from Education to the Core. I think #1 and #2 are my favorite. :-)

 Second, an open letter  to the Dear Worn-Out, Run-Down, Absolutely Exhausted Teacher from Grace4Teachers.

 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Matthew 11:28-30 

  

Press on, teacher friend. 

You are not alone! 

He is ready, willing, and able to help you through!

Balloon Countdown (5, 4, 3, 2, 1...I'm done!)

I have to apologize for not posting earlier. I think I was just too exhausted and excited!

In case you've been following my balloon countdown, I thought I'd tell you what my final days looked like.

For days 10-6, click here.

Day 5 - Read-A-Thon

This is a keeper! The kids started out with read-to-self and took AR quizzes on their own. Every so often, I would announce give-a-way time and draw for prizes (little things I had accumulated throughout the year--bookmarks, stickers, books, etc.). After recess, we switched to read-to-someone and kept on reading! Then after lunch, I gave them some reader's theater plays I have and let them work with a group to prepare and perform their plays for us. 

 Day 4 - Mystery Readers

I have been doing this one for years. When Kristi and I worked together, we would let the two 1st grade classes read together. Since I moved to a smaller school (one class per grade level), I have been getting more creative. This year I had two mystery readers from our school pop in and the Kindergarten class come read with us. I think next year, I might try asking parents to surprise their kids by coming to read.

Our principal reading The Sneetches to us.

Day 3 - Ice Cream Floats

Sorry, no pictures. 

I was probably too busy enjoying my float to remember to take pictures. ;-) 

Day 2 - Movie Day

I always put the kids to work "cleaning" our room on this morning. They work hard to clean out their desks, lockers, book boxes, etc. Then I give them jobs to clean areas around the room. 

They love cleaning day! 

Really. 

As I explained what we were doing, one of my kiddos said, "My cousin (who I had the year before) said cleaning day was fun!"  

After lunch we watched Runaway Ralph because I had read the book to them. They loved those books this year, and the movies were just the right length (only 40 minutes). Kids these days just can't sit through a full-length movie!  

Day 1 - Surprise from Mrs. R  

This changes from year to year. This year it was a large stick of bubbles. We have "Rodeo Day" on the last day of school and the kids are with me for only a few minutes while we wait our turn to eat lunch. We went outside and played with our bubbles!

Final Thoughts

Posted this on our FB page Friday evening:

Notes like this make my teacher heart happy on this bittersweet day! 

I'm not sure many people understand the 'job' of a teacher... 

All my students become my kids! For nine months I get to teach them, to love them, to pray for them, to stretch them and watch them grow. I try to teach them to have good manners, to show good character and to demonstrate integrity. I want them to see God's love through me. I'm concerned for them and their future. Did I do enough? Will they be ready for third grade? 

It's not always easy. Just like a parent, there are times when I'm disappointed and discouraged. Times when discipline and consequences are necessary. But they are still my kids...right up to the end.

Then I have to say goodbye and let them go, hoping I've made a lasting impact on their lives. And hoping they will say hello when they see me again--even if they have a new favorite teacher. ☺️

That's a wrap! 

Summer projects...here I come!

Final Days and Balloon Activities (10, 9, 8, 7, 6...)

What a crazy, busy week!

You may remember that we are in the midst of our 10 day balloon countdown!

We started off the week with "ink pen day." The kids were able to use a pen on all of their work for the day. Then we ended with our music program on Monday evening. 

Tuesday was "bubble gum day." I bought a huge bag of bubble gum and gave them pieces throughout the day.

The second graders also traveled to our Intermediate school so they could tour the building they will be in next year. It is always a fun day. The different things on the playground are always the most popular--rings and climbing spider!

 

On Wednesday we were back in the classroom, so it was perfect for our balloon to be "rearrange the room day." I always get a kick out of how they choose to do it.

This time of year, I love to throw in some fun problem solving math. Each group gets a bag of color tiles with 16 problem cards. The problems are designed to really make them think--which I love! This class did AMAZING and they had no problems with my three rules for this activity. 

#1 No whining! 

#2 No asking for help!

#3 No saying, "I don't get it." 

This rule was added this year because I'm pretty sure that is their favorite phrase. Ha! But seriously, they often say this before even trying. It is maddening, so I had to outlaw it in my classroom! We've talked about alternatives to this phrase ALL year long.

I've been working all week trying to prep things for next year. I'm so thankful that our building paras are so willing to help!

Math Helpers - Check!

This class loves to create! I knew they would love my "art surprise" balloon activity on Thursday. As I built up the suspense of popping the balloon, I told them it was something they loved to do. One of my students yelled, "Talk!" Um...so true, but no! LOL!

I laid out lots of craft supplies (many found in the cleaning out of those workroom cabinets) and just let them go for it. I told them I had planned to let them do it for 1 hour, but their volume level would determine how long we continued. Surprisingly, this talkative bunch made it the entire time!

We finished the week by baking muffins for our moms Friday morning. I'm so thankful to be at a small school where we are able to do things like this.

Our balloon on Friday was a kickball game. 

The boys quickly asked if we could do boys versus girls, and I agreed. They talked smack all day, even going so far as to ask, "Can you even kick the ball?" 

I decided that even after spending the year with me, they didn't know me very well! Ha!

All that talk just made me even more competitive, and I'm happy to report that the girls won. :-)

Five more balloons..I cannot believe it.

Don't Hate Me...But I'm Done!

Happy Friday, friends!

Yes, it is true. 

Today was my last day.

We use a condensed calendar which means we have longer days (than most schools), and we are able to start in late August and dismiss in mid-May.

Kristi is very jealous of this condensed calendar thing.

Here's proof:

Some could argue that I was rubbing it in. 

But her response... LOL!

And just so we are clear...the condensed calendar results in less days without kids, and Kristi has sent me many e-mails/texts about her relaxing work days while I was teaching. So I think it all evens out.

Anyway, I've seen the countdowns. 

I know some of you still have a few days left while others have A LOT. Yikes!

I thought this picture was appropriate for ALL of us--no matter where we are in the countdown.

Today was (thankfully) a half day. 

It was Rodeo Day (think western themed Field Day because, well, we are a country school). I said good-bye to the best class I have ever had. 

I cried. 

A lot.

And then I came home and took a two hour nap.

P.S. Some thought I cried knowing the kind of class I will have next year. I promise that was not the case. Even though this week as I dealt with one student about having good manners, the first grade teacher was dealing with four students doing some not so nice talking with their fingers. (insert scared emoji face here)

2 more days!

Well, we are down to the last 2 days with kids.  I'm like Crystal, as the kids are leaving, I will have tears.  I am always ready for summer break just because I am so exhausted and ready to have some time to rest.  But, as those kids walk out of your room for the last time, I get teary eyed because they have become such a part of me.  :-(

 

We have been doing the balloon motivation (Crystal blogged about it earlier) the last 10 days.  The idea came from Erin over at First with Franklin.  It is amazing how excited the kids get over the littlest things.  This is what we have done so far:

1.  Ink Pen day-they got to write with an ink pen all day

2.  Extra Recess

3.  Nature Walk-we gave them some magnifying glasses and let them find stuff in nature

4.  Bubble gum day-they got to chew bubble gum

5.  Art day-we did art for about 1 hour

6.  Mystery Reader-they got to get with the other first grade class and read with them

7.  Rearrange the room with your desks any way that you want for the day

8.  First graders are so bright, they have to wear shades (we did this one on the day we went to the zoo for our field trip).  We bought them some sunglasses from the Dollar General and gave them to them to wear that day.

 

The last 2 this week:

9.  Eat lunch with the teacher

10.  Movie Day

 

Here are some photos of our nature walk:

 

This week we are going to do our end of the year book:

What all do you do on the last couple of days of school?  I have always wondered what others do the last couple of days.

 

Hope you have a great week!