Umm...thanks? I think?

Last week one of my grade six boys randomly came up to me and said "I think you may have a few split ends in your hair." That is probably the most random/strange comment I've gotten from a student. I honestly did not know how to respond to that. Then, today I was helping out one of my other grade six students and all of a sudden she says to me "you have some gray hairs." I think I'm going to shave my head.

Snow pant adventures

Helping twenty 5-year olds get ready for home in winter is quite an adventure. There are so many articles of clothing! And if you're not watching, they will manage to put every single item on in the wrong order so that they have to get started again...from the beginning. Lessons learned today: A jacket will not fit and zip up over a backpack no matter how hard you try. And if you put your mittens on first, there is no way you will be able to put anything else on. I love my little kindergarten kids. They are full of personality and their enthusiasm always brings a smile to my face. But I will be so happy when winter is over and getting dressed takes less than half an hour.

I want to post this in my classroom

My students can always make me smile

This happened a couple of weeks ago but I had to share it. One of my students came into class with a Puss n Boots toy from McDonalds. Cutest little toy ever. I was sick for a few days and when I came back to school she told me that she had gone out and bought me one because she knows how much I love that cat.

How cute is this? Normal cat eyes and then when you push a little button on its back you get the sweet innocent eyes.

Math love

I showed this video to my students the other day and they absolutely loved it.

Oh, how I hate big empty classroom closets

I have 4 large closets in my classroom and they are all connected. Therefore, you can pretty much fit two classes into those closets. Today my worst fear was realized. During a drama lesson, one of the kids decided to hide in the closet and jump out and scare his fellow classmates. My goal for this week? To try to find a way to lock up those closets.

Yes, I will admit I have a fear of people hiding in closets and jumping out of them. I think it may have something to do with a childhood experience.

A pleasant surprise

I don't often get mail at school, which can be a good thing because mail at school typically involves paperwork. Today, however, I had a big envelope in my mailbox and inside was a bunch of candy and a very sweet card from a friend of mine I worked with last year. Totally made my day.

Good friends have a way of knowing how to put a smile on your face!

Lesson #1 for the new school year

Now that I am back to school, look for many of these "lesson" posts.

What not to do on your second day at a new school: spill your breakfast all over yourself.

I often wander around as I'm eating alone (bad habit, I know). Today I was walking around my classroom eating yogurt and somehow managed to tip the container. Not graceful at all. Luckily, I was alone and no one saw me. But it is still embarrassing none the less.

I did, however, manage to do jumping activities with the kids today and my knee is still in tact! Success!

Exciting news: I have my own classroom!

Last year was my first year teaching. I had a full year contract replacing someone on maternity leave and was placed at a wonderful school with an amazing staff. The one drawback? I had to try to fit all my stuff into a small office, which I shared with four other people. Luckily, since it was only my first year teaching, I didn't have too much stuff. But by the end of the year my drawers were packed, my shelf space was overflowing, and I couldn't see my desk. This year, although I wasn't expecting it, I have my own classroom (I only found out yesterday). I was super excited and then I realized that I had absolutely nothing to put up on the walls. So this morning I went out with a wonderful friend of mine and we bought a ton of stuff from the French teacher store. We then spent a few hours cleaning up the class and hanging everything. I still have a lot of space to hang things, but at least now my students won't be coming into an empty class. I cannot wait to make this place my own! I can already see myself staying late after school decorating.

Here are a few before and after pictures:

**note: the crooked screen that I cannot seem to pull up will drive me insane until I find a way to fix it!

Sorting part 2

The sorting process has become kind of crazy in the last few days. Remember the clean stacked up boxes? A few hours later this is what the room looked like:




And it only got worse. I will not post the disastrous mess that exploded out of the rest of my boxes. But I did get everything packed up to take to school. All that is left is the task of getting rid of all the garbage....and there is a lot of it!!

In my mailbox

The first part of my new school tour was a stop at my mailbox. There is something so satisfying about seeing your own mailbox labelled next to all the others. What is even better is that I had a little surprise waiting for me inside. Someone had sent me a copy of the book (pictured above). Being a total book nerd, I was very excited to receive this. It's funny because last night after finishing another fiction novel I was thinking that I would like to read a "teacher" book. I guess my wish was granted.

It's that time of the year again!

How did summer fly by so quickly? I was busy for most of the summer and barely noticed the time go by. It is now back to school time! Is it strange that I feel the same way I used to when I was a kid going back to school? I am excited but super nervous. I feel like the new kid at school not knowing anyone. I went in to visit my new school today and the nerves kicked in big time! I'm excited to meet my students but am also hoping I make a good impression. I guess no matter how old you get, those first-day-of-school nerves never disappear 100%.

Sorting time.

What is contained in the boxes pictured below is my life as a French teacher from last year. Unfortunately, when I packed up my office my goal was to get it done quickly and I didn't think too much about organization. I was even carrying all my books home in laundry baskets because I was not sure how many boxes I would need to pack away everything. So now I am left with the task of going through each and every box. Let the fun begin!

Cleaning up and moving out

Today I pack up my office and say goodbye to all the wonderful teachers I worked with this year. It is hard especially since I do not know where I will be next year. This is the time to "let go and let God"

I hate goodbyes

I have always had trouble saying goodbye. Sometimes I think it's just better to leave the word "goodbye" unsaid because it makes it a little easier. Today was my last day at school. I managed to make it through most of the day without crying (surprising, I know!). But it was hard after the final bell rang. I realized that this is really it. It hasn't really hit me that it's actually over. I will miss all my students very very much. I definitely feel lucky and blessed to have had such a wonderful group of students to teach. I will treasure the memories and all the wonderful gifts I received. Speaking of gifts (on a happier note). I managed to spend one of my gift cards today at Chapters. I took advantage of their "buy 3 get 1 free" sale and picked up some summer reading.

End of year trip

Today I went with my grade 6s to St. Brigid's camp. The last time I was there, I was in grade 6. The place still looked the same (from what I remember) but also felt so different. It was interesting to experience it as a teacher. Although it rained for a good chunk of the day, we got a few hours of sun and warmth. I did not bring my bathing suit (which may be a good thing because I could have ended up in the mud pit!) but I did get some tanning time. I am sure I will see and feel the burns tomorrow!

Talent Show!

Last month I decided to take on the role of coordinating this year's talent show at school. Being a first year teacher, I had no idea how much work it would be. Luckily I had a wonderful group of people who helped make the talent show possible. A few days ago I was unsure as to whether or not we could pull it off because of all the obstacles we faced in each rehearsal. Somehow everything fell into place and it turned out to be an amazing show. I am blessed to teach such talented and wonderful students.

The end is near

There are only 9 days of school left and still so much to do. It is a bittersweet time filled with stress, sadness, hope and relief. So many emotions all at once!! Each day I remind myself to take one moment at a time.

The countdown has begun!

Yesterday I went to the elementary school Athletic Banquet and I cannot believe that a whole year has gone by already! I feel as though last year's banquet was only a few months ago. It has finally hit me...there are only 5 weeks of school left! How did it go by so fast? I am looking forward to a break but at the same time I am sad that it is almost over. Not knowing whether I will be back at that school next year is tough. I hate goodbyes! I must enjoy every second I have left..the good, the bad, the stressful, the funny and everything in between.

A few kinds words make a big difference!

This is my first year teaching. If I were asked to define how I feel about my job I would say that I absolutely love what I do but there are many days I feel frustrated, discouraged, stressed, unsure, confused. I wonder if I am truly making a difference in the kids' lives. I wonder if I am getting through to any of them. I wonder if I am good at what I do. And every so often I will get a message that will remind me why I chose this career and makes everything I go through worth it 100%. I was told this week by a parent that I inspire her child. Those few kind words brought a smile to my face and made my whole week. If I know that I have touched even one person's life, then I know I have done something right.