SEVEN

 7...

Something I WON'T miss...

trying to explain and comfort 5-year-olds on
why big brothers won't play with them,
why adults fights and yell at each other,
why beloved pets runaway,
why they are not allowed to see a parent,
why mommy can't go on a field trip because she has to work,
why people you love never come back,
why you can't have the tablet all day.

Something I WILL miss...

listening to them talk about their lives,

reassuring them that they are loved, valued, and welcomed,

creating an environment where they feel safe to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs,

establishing a class community where friends support each other without judgment,

finding ways to bring joy, curiosity, and love when there is sadness and fear,

EIGHT

8...

Something I WON'T miss...

those very, very special friends that need your constant attention, 

destroys your classroom materials,

slaps and hurts their friends,

cries, screams, and yells until they get their way.

Something I WILL miss...

spending the time to get to know each of those special friends,

making connections when you can,

learning what triggers strong emotions,

and what lowers affective filters,

so that you can build a relationship,

where they feel safe and secure

to make friends,

feel successful,

and show their strengths.

NINE

9....

Something I WON'T miss:

Receiving questions from parents, during class and after hours, asking about information that I had already shared for the past few weeks in our Weekly Newsletter and had sent out several times via ClassDojo.

Something I WILL miss:

Establishing new relationships each year with students and families that will last way beyond the year they are in my classroom.

Countdown...

It's been a hectic year 36.

I went from having 3 other adults with me in a classroom,
to just one most of the time,

and many times, just me.

Not much time to blog,

but that will change soon.

There's an ending in sight,

so I thought I'd start a countdown.

10....

Something I WON'T miss:
Mandated standardize testing 4-year-olds the first month of their school experience.

Something I WILL miss:

Getting to witness those same 4-year-olds master the skills and concepts needed to be successful in Kindergarten, while becoming more caring and kind individuals.

October Problem Solving

Problem Solving in April

Using sounds, letters, and words to write.