SIX

 6...

Something I WON'T miss...

end-of-the-year bulletins,
report cards,
closing records,
missing a culmination certificate
on the morning of the culmination,
having a DIY moment 
because you're missing only 1 certificate,
audio difficulties in a roomful of family and friends,
having to replace your soloist during the actual performance
because she realizes how big the audience is,
and pure exhaustion at the end of culmination day.

Something I WILL miss...

watching something you have
planned, organized, and practiced, 
become reality,
the joy of watching 5-year-olds dance and sing,
the pride felt when shy kiddos grab the mic
and belt out solos,
being pleasantly surprised,
when the kid that cried the first 5 months of the year,
suddenly volunteers to recite the class mission statement
in front of a packed crowd,
and the special time after the culmination,
reconnecting with students and families.

 

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.

Day 30: Unexpected Beginnings

I'm not going to lie.
It's been a tough start.
I had been spoiled by being in a classroom with 4 adults
for the past 7 years,
and now,
I was alone
a lot of the time
with 24 4-year-olds.

It's Day 30 today.
I missed about 1/3 of those days.

Never been out that long,
but what can you do 
when you suddenly get a fever and body aches
and test positive at 4:00 in the morning on Monday.

I didn't expect things to be perfect when I got back,
after all, I only had 10 days to get 4 year olds into routines
and then I suddenly disappeared for two weeks.

But sometimes
things surprise you,
and they did.

It hasn't been a perfect 2 weeks since my return,
but it hasn't been too bad either.

Circle time can go for 30 minutes now.
I'm not the only one singing now.
More friends are dancing now.
There is less hitting, pushing, bumping, crying, screaming, and tattling now.
(Don't get me wrong, there is still hitting, pushing, bumping, crying, screaming, 
and plenty of tattling... just less of it).

They can recognize the first letter of their names now.
They follow routines, can put together compound words, and identify rhymes.
They are beginning to build relationships, show compassion, and be more independent.
And although we have a long way to go
I see us constantly in motion
and moving forward.
It's why I teach.
I crave learning and witnessing growth.

Two of my favorite classroom moments in September...

Tree Walk last Friday.
ME: "Look at this tree. What do you see? Look at the leaves."

E (one of my favorite nemesis) "It's a deciduous tree!" 

How can you not love when a 4 year old uses the word deciduous?!

We have been filling buckets each day.
We empty them too,
but we try to keep them full.
I say "I love you," a lot.

I just do.
I want them to hear that daily.

Today while E was working next to me,

she nonchalantly blurted out to me,

"Teacher, I love you more."

This school year may have started off with an unexpected glitch,
but it looks like everything will be alright.
My month long cough is finally gone,

A's cries and screams in the morning are now a few seconds of whimper,
we are going on our first field trip next week,

and E loves me more.

My bucket is full.

Day 1

There's no tired like preschool first day with students tired.

I guess I won't be going to Zumba today.

No breaks,

No lunch,

No potty accidents,

Lots of tears,

Nosebleeds,

Sweat and "Where's my mom?"

But all in all a good first day.

Preschool is no joke!

Have a great school year everyone!

Five years ago, I decided to wear the same dress the first day of school.

Different glasses, but same dress!