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!

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)

A Year of Many Firsts Complete...

Today is my first day of summer vacation! 

It hardly seems possible, but it is true. 

How did I celebrate?

I slept until 7:30, leisurely enjoyed my coffee, and then endured 45 minutes of Jillian Michaels' Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism. As I type, my pool is filling. After 50 degree weather last week, it is supposed to be 100 degrees tomorrow. That's Kansas for you!

Anyway, here's a picture I snapped on my way out the door Friday afternoon.

 This year was definitely a year of many firsts...

First year at a new school and district.

First year teaching second grade.

First year in a small district (explains some of the others).

First year teaching music (K-2).

First year not having a librarian.

First year not having plan time during the school day.

First year not having a team-teacher (one class per grade level).

First year teaching in my kids' district.

First year walking to/from school.

Overall, it was a wonderful and exhausting year! 

Here's some things I learned:

I truly was spoiled in a larger district (sorry, Kristi, but you know it's true). 

Those professors who said some schools don't have specials teachers were correct.

Technology is wonderful when it works, but don't count on it...especially when you don't have a tech person.

I love teaching 2nd grade.

I strongly dislike teaching music. Bless you specials teachers! 

The classroom management was the most challenging for me...so different from my 2nd grade classroom. Kids are in and out in 20 minutes, hardly enough time to establish relationships to encourage good behavior. How do you do it?

Okay, here's one change in my room for next year that I wanted to get done before I left:

My word wall was above my windows and required a ladder to add words. It was such a pain! So excited to have it here next year. It will be much easier to manage AND I think the kids will use it more.

Well, if you aren't done yet, hang in there. The end is in sight.

Oh, by the way, remembering the Dr. Seuss quote helped. I had very minimal tears on Friday. In fact, I held it together until the kids were waving goodbye from the bus. :-)

It's OVER!

No, not my school year.

 

Although I do only have 7 1/2 more days...we dismiss on the 16th at 1:00!

Yes, I know, it is early and you are jealous.

We do a condensend calendar so we start late August and get out mid-May, but we have longer days than you...

 

The spring program is over.

 

The kids did a wonderful job last night performing Squirm!

 

I woke up with a smile on my face knowing it was over!

 

Then my sweet coworker decided there should be no music classes today! Instead she bought Popsicles for the kiddos and took them outside for an extended recess while I got a little break during our normal specials rotation.

 

I'm telling you...this teaching music (in addition to 2nd grade) would have been much worse if I didn't have such supportive coworkers. They helped me pull together the details of the program and were always willing to help out and rearrange schedules for rehearsal.

 

As for 2nd grade, we started our 10 day balloon countdown yesterday!

 

I can't believe we are this close to the end of the year.

 

CRAZY!

Disclaimer: This is not my classroom. This picture is from Erin over at First with Franklin. Kristi and I took this idea and ran with it back when Erin first posted it. Check out her original blog post here. It includes a freebie of things to put in the balloons that I'm still using this year.

The kids were SOOOO excited. Yesterday was bubble gum day. I gave the kids a piece in the morning, after recess, and after lunch. Then today was ink pen day. Hubby did a great job picking up some cool ink pens the kids were excited to get and use. Tomorrow they will get to rearrange the room...that one always makes me a little nervous. Ha!

 

I'm using quite a few of Erin's ideas, but this year I'm going to have "Build a Fort and Read Day" and "Surprise!"

 

That surprise one is because I couldn't find any cheap-o sunglasses like I wanted, so now I'm on the hunt for something totally cool to give to my kiddos on the last day of school--which is Rodeo Day (western inspired field day). Ideas welcome! :-)

 

How to blow up a Balloon!!!????

 

So last year we found this cool idea from Erin at First From Franklin.

 

 

 

 

http://firstwithfranklin.blogspot.com/2012/05/10-day-countdown-baby.html

 

We came up with a list of fun things to do each day, typed them up, printed it and stuck it in the balloon.  If the student doesn't have to move his/her clip down throughout the day, then they get to participate in what it says in the balloon the next day.  The kids are so excited about popping a balloon every day and want to make sure that they are following our rules so that they can do whatever is inside the balloon.  The following is what we decided to put in our balloons:

 

May

9^th – Gum-we gave them gum to chew all day long

10^th – Sunglasses-this was the day that we went to the zoo for our field trip, so we gave them sunglasses to wear to the zoo

13^th – ink pens-they will get to write with pens all day

14^th – lunch in the room with the teacher

15^th – extra recess

16^th – move desks-they get to arrange the room the way they want to for the day

17^th – mystery readers (other 1^st grade class)-they get to read with the other 1st graders

20^th – kickball-we will have a kickball game between the 2 classes

21^st – nature walk-they will go outside and take a walk and do a scavenger hunt

22^nd – Movie Day

 

The best part about all of this is that I learned something about Crystal last year when we did this activity.  We were in my room after school and started to blow up the balloons.  I don't think I have ever laughed so hard in my life.  Crystal doesn't know how to blow a balloon up.  Bless her heart, she tries but it doesn't work!  LOL!

 

I was sitting there blowing up balloon after balloon and realized that she couldn't do it.  She was trying with all her might and blowing, making noises and turning red.  :-)  Needless to say, by the time I had all of my 10 balloons blown up, she had her one balloon halfway blown up.  I had to blow the other 9 up for her.

 

This year, I was so excited to do it again just so I could watch her try to blow a balloon up (I know it probably isn't very nice of me), but I have never seen anything like it before.  LOL!  She must have been practicing or something because she actually was able to blow up a few more balloons this year.  Although it took her 14  2 hours.  :-)  I only wish I could have a video of it for the full effect so you could hear the noises and see her face as she tries so hard to get 1 balloon blown up.  But, I did capture some of it with pictures.  Check it out! 

 

 

Taking in deep breaths before her attempt to blow up her first balloon!

 

 

After 15 minutes LOL!  Here is what she had on her first balloon!

 

 

 

 

WOW!  2 hours later!!!  :-)

 

 

 

 

 

SHE DID IT!!!  14 HOURS LATER!!!

 

 

It really didn't take that long, but I think I had about 4 balloons done by the time this first one was blown up! 

 

Needless to say, we had a fun time blowing up balloons and we did have a good laugh about it at Crystal's expense (Thanks Crystal). 

 

Hope all of you have a great week!  Kristi  

District Teacher of the Year!!!!

Okay, so Kristi will probably want to kill me when she sees this post, but I just have to brag on my teaching buddy. We had our district breakfast and awards ceremony yesterday to close out the year and guess who received the District Teacher of the Year award?

Kristi, that's who! :-)

There were several in our building that nominated her so we were waiting with anticipation yesterday morning to find out if she had been selected. I was getting stressed out because she kept having to go to the restroom (too much coffee, that is all I will say about that), and I was afraid she was going to miss the announcement. Then when they called her name, she says, "Do I have to go up there?" LOL!

Here's a few parts of the nomination letter I sent:

I will never forget the first time that I saw Kristi teaching. It was the spring of 2008, and I was observing various schools and classrooms in order to decide where I wanted to student teach. I watched that morning as students started filing into the classroom, each receiving a personal greeting and a hug. Then as Kristi began to teach with such animation and excitement, I knew that I wanted to learn from her.

As I think about what makes Kristi a great teacher, the first thing that comes to mind is her love for the kids. She takes the extra time necessary to truly foster a relationship with each of her students and bring out their best. Some in our building even call her “the child whisperer” because of her talent in the area of classroom management. Aside from that, Kristi works many extra hours searching for resources online that can make her lessons more exciting. She presents her lessons with such enthusiasm that the students are actively engaged – even during direct instruction.

Kristi would probably disagree with what I have written here. She is very humble and does not realize what a wonderful teacher she truly is – which makes her all the more deserving.

And I have to apologize for our lack of posts this last week. After the zoo trip, things just got a little crazy. I will say that I CRIED the last day of school as I was saying goodbye to the kiddos. I thought I could make it through the line, but then one of my sweeties told me a 5 minute story and I just couldn't hold on any longer! By the end of the line, I was crying so much I could barely talk. I really enjoyed this group and I'm going to miss them!

Today, I slept in until 8:00! My hubby and I do P90X every morning before work...last night, I told him he was on his own because I was sleeping in on my first day off. :-)

Have a great day!

Crystal

Field Trip to the Zoo = Sleeping Kids!

Whew! We are exhausted! Today was our big field trip to the zoo. We left at 8:30 this morning and headed to the zoo (about 45 minutes away). It was such a fun day. I had one in my group who wore a watch and decided to be the official "time-keeper" for us. He told me the time at least every two minutes - seriously! LOL! There was a few times when he would say, "It's 10:26" and a few seconds later, "It's still 10:26." Kristi and I had a lot of good laughs today!

Here's what some of the kids looked like on the way home... I had 6 go to sleep. Kristi had 0 go to sleep...our classes are so different! Glad no one snapped our picture because we probably looked just as tired, but I promise I did not fall asleep on the bus. :-)

Quite a difference from when we left... Our 10 day balloon countdown had "1st graders are so bright, we have to wear shades." Kristi and I bought them all sunglasses (party favor aisle) and gave them to wear on the field trip. They were so excited.

Oh, and here's one picture of fun at the zoo. You'll notice the timekeeper pointing to our twins. Kristi and I each have one of the twins so we teamed  up so they could walk together. They are such cuties!

TWO more days! Tomorrow we're cleaning in the morning, then having an AR party - watch a movie and floats. Friday is Field Day!

I know some of you have more days left, so hang in there!

Crystal

School Memory Book

So I have been missing my co-teacher the last couple days. Kristi had a little mishap this weekend that required her to be laid up for a couple of days. Praise the Lord she is coming back tomorrow - though I think her doctor would rather her continue to take it easy! Her kiddos have definitely been pushing things little angels in her absence. And I've been getting a ton of work done because we have not been running to the other's room to chat collaborate during our plan time. It is just not normal and I miss her! :-)

The good news is that while Kristi was laid up, she worked on a great School Memory Book and posted it on TPT. We do one of these every year and the kids just love them. Head on over there and check it out.

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/End-of-School-Year-Memory-Book-for-elementary

Counting down the days - 12 more to go (with kids - 14 total)!

Kristi and I are both trying to continue with as much normalcy as possible and plunge ahead in our lessons, but so many things are popping up to mess up our schedules. What about you? Still in the routine? Or busting out and letting loose? Ha ha!

Have a great evening!

Crystal