Holiday Crafts

It is my first day of winter break and I am enjoying every lazy minute of it!  I left the house only to walk the dogs.  I, of course, am still in my PJ's because with this rainy cold weather, I simply layer all of my rain gear on top of my PJ's and nobody knows (except you) that I haven't gotten dressed for the day! :)  It really is a win-win situation!

Anyhow, we spent the last two days of school finishing up our Christmas ornaments for our parents.  It was a lot of fun and the kids really enjoyed themselves!  One student continually came up to give me a hug and say "Thank you for letting us make...."  He did this for each project, including decorating cookies.  The funny thing about this is he is one of my littlest kids and if I am standing, he often grabs my butt as he hugs me because his arms don't make it around me.  He has NO idea this happens, but I think it is kind of funny.

The first project we made were photo puzzle wreaths.  We simply used all of the puzzles we have missing pieces and then hit up the Goodwill for additional puzzles.  The kids glued the puzzle pieces in a circle then painted them green.  Once they were dry, we added their photo, a bow and some little pom poms for berries.  They turned out quite cute in the end!

Just imagine a cute little face in the middle of that wreath!

Next up was our candy cane ornament.  The students used their patterning skills to create an AABB (red, red, white, white) candy cane for their parents to hang on the tree!  Here is what it looks like.

Our final ornament was a snowflake.  The kids love this one because it includes glitter - LOTS of it!  They simply start by making a blob of glue on a piece of wax paper and then using q-tips that have been cut in half to make the 6 points of a snowflake, making sure to role the cotton end in the glue too!  Once it is all laid out, they sprinkle away!  It takes quite a bit of time to dry, but once it is dry you simply peel it off and then add a paper clip and your done.  We add an additional piece of paper so the kids can write their name and the year on it for their parents.  It also provides extra support!  Here is what the finished product looks like...

The final job is for the students to write a card to their parents.  We talked about how cards are personal and should be meaningful.  Therefore, I do not dictate what they should write.  I simply tell them to start with "Dear."  We talked about how we all have different names (mama, mommy, mother, mom, etc) for our parents and you should use what is appropriate.  In the past my students have kept things very simple - Merry Christmas or I love you's.  This year, I was SOOO impressed with my students.  Here are a few samples of what they wrote to their parents.  

Dear Mom and Dad,  This Christmas is going to be the best Christmas ever and ...

Dear Mommy & Daddy, Merry Christmas.  I hope you have a great time.  I  am having a great time.  I am too...

Dear Mommy and Daddy, I am so happy to spend the day with you.  From L

 We also decorated the front of the card with a cute little tree and then stapled them to the front of their bag for their parents.  Here is what one of the final present looked like.

To say the least, the students and I had tons of fun! 

However, it wasn't just the students that were in the Christmas spirit this year!  Every year a talented 5th grade and Kindergarten teacher create an amazing holiday video that no other school comes close to creating!  I hope you enjoy!

 Merry Christmas to everyone!!

Heavy Heart

Looking back on the past few weeks, I am not really sure how we have stayed so positive.  I am sure it comes down to family and friends.  We are all so blessed to have such loving people in our lives!

For those of us at Sacajawea, it all started a week ago from last Thursday.  During lunch, we went into lockdown.  It was precautionary, but there was a very angry parent trying to get in our school.  It was a long 2 hours with very little information.  Looking back on it, the kids and staff handled it with grace!  My first graders were split between the cafeteria and playground when I heard an announcement to secure the playground.  Of course, we all jumped up from our lunches and quickly ran to our kids and shuffled them into the cafeteria!  Once everyone was off the playground, we had 8 classes in the cafeteria! We were there on secure lock down for about forty-five minutes. We then moved into modified lockdown which means you can now move throughout the building, but no one is allowed to come or go. It is amazing how well teachers and staff can pull it together and keep it calm when in crisis!

A few short days later, the shooting at Clackamas took place. It's just crazy how close to home this is. I typically meet a friend for lunch here and will occasionally stroll through the mall. It's not very often, but often enough!

Then the Sandy Hook Elementary shooting took place. I found out about this while I was with my students in library. I immediately thought of my cousins in Connecticut. Fortunately, it was not their school. However, they know families that have been impacted. It just saddens and shocks me that this could happen in what we strive to keep as one of the safest places for children!!

My prayers and thoughts go out to those families in Newtown, CT.

Being Silly

This year has been great!  My students are wonderful! They all get along for the most part and actually work together!  I know this sounds like a dream, but I have felt a lack of fun silly engaging times with my students.  In the past, I have sung and danced, joined in games, gone to recess, colored and had individualized time with my students allowing me to really understand and connect with them.  Don't get me wrong, I have personal relationships with my students, but it is just not as fun and goofy.  

Last night, I was talking with Nate about this and he basically said he thinks I still have my guard up from last year.  It was my hardest year of teaching yet!  I had 29 students who kicked, punched, choked, threatened and any other negative interactions possible.  One student was suspended 4 times prior to winter break.  It was tough.  I was never able to let down my guard and be silly with my students.  Nate thinks I am still in that mentality.  So, my goal for today was to be silly!

I made it!  Throughout the entire day, we had a blast!  It started off with a wonderful self manager assembly including music and great energy.  Later, my students and I danced around the classroom to the doubles song.  We laughed and tried to be as goofy as possible.  We continued to work on our holiday presents while listening to Christmas music.  One student was so pumped on his dance moves, he was telling everyone how he is the best breakdancer out there.  He told me that if I am lucky he might teach me a move some day.  HAHA!  I can't wait for that day to come. It was a great day and I look forward to more like these!

Now, I am off to finish report cards!