100/180 A Different Kind of 100th Day

It was the 100th Day of School today.

No big 100th Day projects.

No Zero the Hero Assembly or visit.

No 100 snack baggies.

No day filled with rotations to visit other classrooms.

But we did celebrate our 100th Day.

We did sing 100th Day songs.

We did count, dance, and exercise to 100.

We did make silly 100th day hats.

We did listen to a 100th Day story.

We did laugh, sing, dance, create, and shared 100 things.

We did make it through 100 days of virtual instruction.

We did make friends,

learn our teachers' names,

and know what routines are.

We did have a nice day.

Happy 100th Day of School!

99/100 Plus + One

 It's the 99th day of school

things are coming along

and then you get the news that there will be 

a plus one next week.

We are not full this year so there's space for more students

but when you have been "prohibited" to enter your classroom

and your DonorsChoose grants have funded for 21

and now there is a plus one.

I look around my house and I am not sure I can gather all the materials my new student needs.

Furthermore,

I don't remember all the stuff I have given out this year to my students

so...

I  begged to go into my classroom for 5 minutes 

before class Friday morning

to gather all I can find

for him to feel welcome and included in our activities.

His parent is picking up his Chromebook,

so I hope to at least make contact and say hello,

from 6 feet apart of course.

Until then,

I guess I will have to make a playdough, slime, whiteboard run,

among other things.

98/180 Less is More, but Sometimes, it's More!

You can ask any of my students from White House Place and beyond

and they will concur that I like signing my classes up for presentations.

Whenever there was an opportunity to perform in front of an audience, 

I would sign up my class to participate.

I think deep down I am a director.

I love watching kids perform.

I love watching them overcome their fear of public speaking

because I had to overcome my fear of public speaking.

So maybe,

if they had the chance to feel successful

and comfortable performing in front of others,

they will feel confident enough to express their thoughts and feelings in other aspects of their lives.

I was a shy kid.

But I was thrust out on the stage to recite text for our Black History Program when I was 10.

I never forgot that experience.

So I want my students to have lots of experiences they won't forget either.

Our local district's art branch was looking for submissions for a virtual

Lunar New Year theme gallery.

Bringing Chinese New Year into the classroom has been one of the highlights 

of the year for me.

So to challenge myself,

I signed up,

for both visual and performing arts.

It's not that I couldn't teach students about CNY,

it was how to coordinate a performance when we are virtual.

I had grand visions,

like I do in the classroom,

but this year will be different.

So after stressing out the week as the deadline approached

I decided to just use what I had and do the best that I could

to put together something that would not only allow my students a chance to shine

but that would teach them and others

a little more about what CNY means to those that celebrate it.

Having students say a few words was not too bad,

but having an entire class

during zoom,

dance together

on camera

was another story.

In the end, 

it was adorable,

even with kids coming in and out,

little baby brothers dancing into the shot,

and empty tables and chairs.

It is what it is

and I am so very proud of them all.

They did what they could

and it was enough.

Once the link becomes live on the district

I'll post it.

It was quite an experience

but in the end,

it's something that my students and their families will have

to remind them about this very interesting

and different year of school.

97/180 Exhaustion

It was a busy day.

Lots of things to do.

Uploading art work for a district art show.

Creating and directing a short presentation.

I love when students perform

but virtually will be a whole new ball game!

We are going to celebrate Chinese New Year a week early.

So many traditions to carry out,

but it's important students know that people celebrate in different ways.

Made a resource slide deck.

So many more to add.

One day at a time.

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/e/2PACX-1vSAWpk3CGWg5xgP1DA87O6sIBWbVPNbEyq-rVIa_pVKOY_95AtBAiJAxA_LWLKGp5atuZbBMXUz9oBO/pub?start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000

CNY Resources for Teachers in PreK-2nd.
 

96/180 Paint Day in ETK

 For nearly a decade,  I have had my students paint on canvases.

I wanted them to have that experience of creating on something different.

I don't remember ever painting on a canvas until I went to a Paint Party,

There is just something special about it

and I want my students to have that same feeling

of creating something beautiful

on something special,

just like artists do.

It was a long process,

we painted a background,

we mixed colors,

we selected specific paintbrushes,

and we followed directions.

The results were worth the extra time put in,

even with a little help from mom.

Now if we were in class

none of the students' paintings would have been touched

with our hands,

it would have been all their work.

In virtual learning,

it sometimes becomes a collaborative process.

I don't mind it

because the students still learn elements of art

and although I stress that art is never "wrong,"

I'm sure some of the adults in the room still need it to look a specific way.

I'm just glad they are there to support

and students participate some way.

How bad can it be if your parents want to help?

Absolute highlight of my day,

A was able to find his supplies and paint!

He did a wonderful job on background

but then I think someone "helped" him draw the cherry blossoms.

You can't win them all.

I am just so glad he was here and got to participate today!

Slowly, but surely.

He's worth the wait.

95/180 Delivery Day

Today was another delivery day.

Backpacks full of art and sensory materials.

Things I KNOW my students will love and need.

It was a hot day.

We had had rain the past week

but today it was hot!

But still they came.

Walking after class

to pick up

and explore 

Chinese New Year props.

It was like an outdoor classroom.

Wish it were different.

G took home the Lion to video tape a segment for our class.

I can't wait to put it together.

Our first performance!

So proud of N.

She's been talking so much more.

She's also been demanding 

so much more.

I love it!

Today she asked me to bring her playdough.

Thank goodness playdough was part of the package!

Her great grandmother ran out after me to give me more homemade gifts.

Priceless.

20/21 today.

Was really aiming for 100%

But you can't win them all.

Some picked up.

Some I dropped off.

As I dropped off to A

I wonder if the materials will be there tomorrow for him to use.

I have dropped off before and never see the materials in class.

He shrugs his shoulders when we ask where his white board or playdough or

scissors, or... are.

Today when I approached,

a younger child came out to grab the playdough.

When I said it was for A, 

he bursted out in tears.

I talked A into sharing

so A gave him the white playdough.

Now I have a good idea of where A's white board or playdough or 

scissors, or... are.

It's not A's fault.

He shows up daily.

He doesn't have his materials most of the time

but I am happy he is there.

Tomorrow

we will paint

and explore the sensory presents I was able to give them today.

They are going to love it!

94/180 Busy Mondays...

Mondays are always busy,

Morning Assemblies,

Afternoon PDs,

Staff Meetings,

Family Therapy,

and today

packing up Chinese New Year baggies,

Paint Day baggies,

sensory and art materials

flash cards,

and lots of paper.

There wasn't any room for the playdough.

Grateful for donors.

Grateful I can give my students

a taste of what we would have done in school.

Then I filed my taxes after 1:00am.

It's been a long day.

Night.