Day 172: Less is More

I am a firm believer that dittos,

worksheets, practice pages, 

adult created,

close-ended,

fill in the blank sheets

don't belong in the early childhood classroom.

There.

I said it.

Here were my directions today:

*Draw 10 butterflies. Count them. Label them if you can.

Look at what happened:

I'm not saying I will never use a worksheet

or send them home for practice and homework,

I'm just saying you can get so much more information from not using one.

#nextyeargoals

Day 171: Farm Fresh Friday

When your 9th grader's last day of freshmen year 

is graduation morning for his high school,

and he's in band,

and band has a 5:30AM call time,

then your call time becomes 4:30AM.

Did I mention it was a field trip day for me too?

We are extremely lucky to have made it to 6.

Six experiences outside of our school.

Six learning opportunities that we didn't have last year.

Six amazing places that students won't soon forget.

Today it was Amy's Farm.

We got to see live farm animals,

turkeys, ducks, chickens, pigs, goats, sheep,

and pet a horse!

Each child got to milk a cow.

How cool is that?

Pretty darn cool!

Something I doubt they will forget.

We got to spend a beautiful day outdoors

in the sunshine,

taking in sights, sounds, touch,

and smells....

I got an added bonus for the day:

My former K-1 student Alexis stopped by

and gifted me fresh eggs from her chickens!

So I got to use my sense of taste as well!

It was a lovely day...

despite having an unexpected lockdown at the end of our school day.

Luckily,

our students were not too effected

but others were understandably.

It had been an emotional week

and the last thing staff, parents, and students needed was the fear of something harmful on campus.

False alarm,

but nevertheless,

not something you ever want to think about,

but we do.

Ten.... (Day 170)

Ten days left.

How can you eat healthy when people bring you treats.

You can't just NOT eat them,

it's a gift!

I'll start summer. 

One more 5 year old arrived today.

19 down, 2 to go.

And there were cupcakes.

It's probably my 15th batch.

I don't want to make anymore cupcakes for awhile!

You know what I love about assessments?

Not the ones mandated by the state,

or the ones where there are test questions on paper.

I love "Show Me, Tell Me" assessments.

Today L showed me he knew what number quantities were

by giving me the number of cubes I asked for.

He doesn't communicate verbally when requested,

but he was able to complete an action.

And today I learned that G could count to 20.

She has 1 to 1 correspondence,

and cardinality.

I was so proud of her

and know how hard she worked.

She only was able to count to 2 for the longest time,

but now,

I think she will be okay.

Tomorrow we go on our last field trip of the year.

It's been challenging,

but we will get in 6 this year.

Just received our class photo from the Skirball.

I can't tell you how many class photos I have just like this one

on the steps of the Skirball Cultural Center.

I've taken students here for over 15 years

and each time, 

just as magical.

Experiences Matter.

Day 169: Finding Joy in the Midst of Sorrow

Some questions are never going to be answered.

We began the day in such sorrow and tremendous loss,

again.

It was fitting that our day began with a school-wide, 

1K Walk 

to highlight

Mental Health Awareness Day.

May we remember to take care of ourselves,

the ones we love,

and the people around us.

It's been a tough year,

and a tough 24 hours,

but there is also joy around us too.

We just need to find it,

even in simple things...

Who would think a sorting tub of "STUFF" could bring excitement?

Apparently, old, used keys brings joy to those who discover them at the bottom.

You know what else brings joy?

Giving flowers

to those that don't expect anything

for showing kindness.

But I see them.

I appreciate them.

Joy is having someone you taught,

nearly 17 years ago,

complete their college degree.

Joy is something I know many families,

in a small town in Texas,

are not experiencing today.

I wish them strength.

I wish them peace.

I wish them love.

I wish them hope that their loss is not in vain.

We mourn too.

Day 168: How Long...

How long?

How long must we sing this song?

Teaching brings me such joy.

I bet it brought Eva joy too.

There has been school shootings for awhile now,

but the one I remember with vivid details 

was SandyHook.

My friend Claudia and I were taking our class on a walking trip to the park.

It was almost our winter break.

Claudia read about the shooting on her cell phone.

The details from that shooting were heartbreaking

and too close to home.

It has happened again,

and again,

and again.

I just don't know what to say.

My heart hurts for the families of the students.

Innocent lives taken

and for their teacher.

Please make it stop.

Just heartbreaking,

again.

This was going to be my post today.

It's the sounds of my kiddos eating breakfast.

I had to tape it because it brought me joy 

listening to them talk to each other.

Happy sounds on such a sad day in education.

#peace

Day 167: Let's Play with Playdough!

Playdough is essential in an early childhood classroom

We have been out for awhile,

so this weekend I remembered to buy the flour and salt.

Koolaid would have been perfect, 

but the 99Cent Store didn't have any, 

and I didn't want to make another stop

with gas being at nearly $6.00 a gallon!

The kids and I made three batches today

in three different colors.

Unfortunately,

two of the batches was too "slimy,"

but it didn't matter,

it's all about sensory play.

Why is sensory play important?

Just watch L explore using his senses.

He actually sat and engaged with the play dough for nearly 20 minutes.

That may not seem long to you,

but for L, who doesn't sit with the group unless he is "forced" to

and usually next to a teacher, 

it was huge!

He smelled, rolled, cut, squished, patted, cut, and snuck a taste too!

Sensory play matters!

Day 166: Friday Thank You Notes

Thank you Mr. Pedroza...

for coming to our rescue and finding our unexpected visitor a new home this morning.

Thank you Gator Skin Foam Balls...

for being strong, soft and safe for students to use to learn ball handling skills and play games with;

even the ones that are afraid to get hit.

Thank you families of J, J, M, D, and L...

for donating more than your share for our field trip to Amy's Farm.

Your generosity and kindness will help fund other students' field trip

and save me for more out of pocket field trip expenses this year.

I am truly grateful!

Thank you San Gabriel Valley Humane Society...

for taking care of "Baby" Burger until I could find him 8years ago.

He's my best buddy and the only one that actually seeks to spend time with me these days!

#NationalRescueDogDay

Day 165: Pomp and Pizza

It has been a tradition that students in PreK and K

have some kind of culmination.

It can be a simple performance of class songs

or an entire program with performances

and costumes.

Then certificates of completion are passed out.

For the past 2 years,

culmination has been different.

Two years ago,

we drove to each students' home

and presented certificates and gifts;

all four teachers.

Last year,

we passed out certificates in front of the school.

This year we will do the same.

Parents are disappointed.

It's been a tough two years,

and although it's not the same,

I still want to make it special...

so today we had a photo shoot for a surprise collage for parents.

My how my kiddos have grown!

We celebrated our classified staff today.

It truly takes a village to raise and educate our kids.

It also takes a village to balance my life as a mom and teacher.

My TA's are truly my heroes.

They keep me focused and sane.

Truly appreciate them.

Part of the celebration of classified staff today

included a yummy brunch.

My TAs brought back a lunch plate for me.

There was a slice of pepperoni pizza on the plate.

M (who rarely eats the school lunch) sees my plate.

M: Miss Fung, what's that?

Me: It's pizza.

M: I like pizza.

Me: Would you like some of my pizza?

M: Yes.

Me: I will cut you 1/2. Don't tell anyone.

The REST of the story:

He had both halves of the pizza.

I ate chilaquiles instead.

#feedingmatthew

Day 164: What's in YOUR Head?

It's Wednesday.
I get to listen and write with kids.
It's one of my favorite things to do.

Today, I wrote about taking Bryce to Urgent Care last night.
Today, Matthew wrote about his head.

There's a lot going on in there.

I love how kids think.
So creative and limitless.

I wish they hold on to that for a long time.

In the meantime,

I'll just enjoy it.

Day 163: Unplugged and Unscripted

My announcement today that there would be NO tablet/laptop station during centers,
was met with gasps of disbelief, groaning, and "WHY?!"

Instead of plugging in, I filled the tech table with paper, scissors, and glue.
No directions,
unscripted.

I had no expectations.
I left the canvas blank.

What I got, was just what I had hoped for...

original, creative, imaginative, works of art!
It was a good day.

Day 162: Manic Mondays

I can't believe I survived the last 72 hours,
but here it is Monday.
Some weekends are just busier than others.

Thanks to proactive customer service at Donorschoose,
I finally got the potting soil I had been waiting for.
We had the planter,
we had the sprouts,
and I had a special helper today.

"A" came to school this morning with a chip on his shoulder already.
He has his moments, 

but today it started the minute he got off the bus.

We have a "I love you Miss Fung"/"I don't like you," kind of relationship.

I don't mind. 

I get him.

I have one of him at home.

Today, I won him over by selling the position of Master Gardener.

And he took the position seriously.

He took pride in digging holes for our sunflower sprouts.

He proudly showed off his watering skills to others nearby.

And for a short period,

he was happy.

I am not one that is eager to engage in gardening,

that was left to my mom.
She could plant anything

and it would grow.

But as I get older...

and nearer to when I won't have a daily schedule,

my imagination seems to create visions for the space in back of my house.

Hmmmmm? Maybe I will be a gardener someday?

Maybe...

I have been collecting class photos for 35 years.
Year 33 and 34 were missing.

So, I paid someone on Etsy to create a Year 34 for me,

and I created my own Year 33 from photos I had before Covid shut us down.

*Mind you Year 33 was paid for and should have been completed, but we never got them.

This year when the new photo company sent us the proofs,

I noticed 2 of my students were missing.

I had made sure that they took their make up photos,

but was told they would not be included.

Then we got two new students,

and our photos came out really dark,

so on Day 162/180,

I decided to try to create Year 35 on my own.

It took awhile.

I should have gone to bed,

but I can be obsessive.

Not professional or perfect,

but good enough for me

and the 21 copies I made and laminated on Day 163.

Day 161: Riding on the Metro-o-o-o-o... and Shuttle

I've been lucky enough to take my students on field trips using public transportation before.

We are close enough to the Metro Gold Line to utilize it to get us to interesting places.

This year, 

all our students were given free passes.

Free field trip!

Usually, 

we would have taken 3 or 4 field trips on Metro,

but this hasn't been a regular year.

What did remain the same was the support we had to make it happen.

I wouldn't be able to take 4-5 year olds on public transportation

around the city without the help of lots of chaperones.

Every child had an adult hand to hold.

We were lucky to get an escort from Metro to help guide us.

I usually would take the lead, 

but there was a change of route this year,

and it was going to be more interesting getting us there,

but after 3 transfers

on 4 different trains/shuttle,

we arrive just in time.

How cool is it when you get a free visit included on your field trip

and it's to the Butterfly Pavilion!?

Pretty cool!

Guess what we are studying in class?

Guess what students got to observe go through a lifecycle in class?

Guess what kind of garden I have in my own home?

It was magical!

For most of the students and adults...

except for maybe 3,

who would rather not be surrounded by flying insects,

even if they were butterflies.

Like all museums and gardens,

there won't be enough time to see everything in a day.

I miss teaching in Exposition Park,

where I could visit the Natural History Museum

and California Science Center

weekly.

But we had a few hours,

and too much to see,

so we went on warp speed!

I missed taking my kiddos to my favorite Edible Garden.

Maybe next year,

we can go twice?

We didn't beat our record of 5 miles, 

but we did complete 4.6 miles,

8 different transfers,

visited the Dinosaur Hall,

Butterfly Pavilion,

Gem and Mineral Room,

Mammals of Africa Hall,

Natural Lab,

Pond and Garden,

and Rotunda,

saw the Megamouth fish,

Endeavour's external tank,

and ate lunch in the Rose Garden,

and got back to school

in time to see the school buses make
the right hand turn into our school.

2:30PM sharp.

How's that for good timing?

Day 160: Freebies

 It's the 160th Day of School,
which means there are 20 days left of this year.
Time flies,
although it seems like this year was longer than usual.
Different,
but the same.

Grateful for support from our community
near and far.
Got some wonderful free books in the mail today...

and the Metro is giving out TAP passes to all the students at our school.
Passes will be good for Metro rides until June 2023

which means...

Field Trip # 5 tomorrow!

Day 159: Sometimes Moms Get Mad

I know this one does. (ME)

S shared today that on Mother's Day,

someone stayed at the park too late.

Day 158: Fly, Fly Butterfly

Yesterday, our butterfly emerged from it's chrysalis
and we sent it off into the world.

Today, we painted butterfly wings.
It will be a quick lesson in symmetry
and will make a colorful final Art Bulletin Board.

Day 157: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,

I love our Home-Family Projects.

It gives families a chance to work on things together.

We have one at the end of each unit.
This year we never quite got it going,

but next year,

I'd like to have them return even stronger.

It's always optional,

and I was thrilled to get these day as we end our RRR unit.

On to Ball Study and the last leg of what seems to be a longer than usual year.

 

152 - 156

Day 152

There is nothing I enjoy more than taking my students to places I love 

and exposing them to the beauty in our world.

Today, I got to take them to the Huntington Library and Gardens.

We didn't get through all the gardens,

but we saw at least 6,

and walked over 3.5 miles.

It was a good day.

Grateful for bus funding from generous organizations.

Day 153

One of the Skirball Build a Better World activity is Cards of Kindness,

showing those around us how we appreciate what they do.

We shared our cards today with the school nurse, office staff, bus driver, and food workers.

It's always a good day to show kindness and appreciation,

not just during Teacher Appreciation or Nurse Week.

Other follow up activities included:

directed drawing and retelling Dena's flood story.

I always feel so rushed after field trips and wanted some follow up connections this time,

and made time.

Interactive storytelling is one of my favorite things,

and one thing that I have not done very often these past years.

I have to make it a regular practice.

Thanks for reminding me Dena and Skirball. 

Day 154

May the Fourth...

It is also Teacher Appreciation Week...

and one of my favorite Tea spots had a BOGO deal for teachers,

ALL WEEK!

What could I do?

Lucky Bryce, lucky me,

Summer Mint Tea!

Day 155

Lets Get Cookin'

Last week,

I had another fabulous Skirball Teacher PD.

We made tostadas and told stories about food.

I knew I wanted to modify the lesson and cook with my students.

Today, I did.

It was Cinco de mayo and we made tostadas- ETK way!

Day 156

I don't want my students to be afraid to ask questions and explore the world around them.

When we study things that are not so "pleasant" we use the world INTERESTING instead of eeew!

I forgot to use that word today as we were examining the moths.

When I said, "Eeew," as I cleaned up the silkworms old poop,

Javier corrected me- "Miss Fung! We say interesting..."

I love when they correct me!

Alex wanted to know what was instead the cocoons,

so I told them to grab a pair of scissors and find out,

but just the ones that were emptied.