Thursday, January 31, 2013

Cultural Performance

I got sick and I feel like a train ran me over. My throat is killin me and I have a stuffy head. Letty told me to try Zicam so I went and bought some after work. Hopefully it works quickly!

My kids had their cultural performance today. They all looked so cute! For the most part everything went well. One of the songs kept skipping which caused the kiddos to go a little nuts. The second time the music stopped two kids from MY class yelled something out after I had already had a conversation with them about waiting patiently. It was pretty embarrassing but what are you going to do? I am still proud of their performance so I told them I would bring them a treat tomorrow.

Today two of my students pulled their behavior clips to orange and lost recess, which is a first for me. Lordy, lord, lord. One of my students said "what the hell" on the playground, and if you read my quotes of the day, you will find a reason as to why my other student pulled his clip down after already running through the halls and talking alllll morning long.

My friend Kristine had an ice cream celebration for her kids today and she brought me some. Bless her soul! It was so stinkin' good.

I found a project having to do with Groundhog Day so tomorrow the kiddos and I are going to make it. I am pretty excited to try something new with them. We all need to have a little fun after Friday tests!


Quotes of the Day:


1.)
Me: Boys and girls it makes me sad when you don't say words that are allowed at school. Think about what you are saying before you say it.
(a few minutes pass)
Student: FART FART FART FART FART FART FART.
Me: Go pull your pin.

2.)
Student 1: Ms. Hobbs how come you get ice cream?
Student 2: I think I know why!
Me: Why?
Student 2: Because you are a rock-star!!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Monday and Tuesday

The flu is going around and I realllly hope that my flu shot is going to do its job! I CANNOT get sick. I was walking through the halls today and I saw a kid getting walked to the nurse with a barf bag-- I would have probably puked if I had to walk that kid to the office. Poor little fella =(

Yesterday a little boy cried all morning long. He is a serious kid and is super sweet but he also doesn't play with kids his age a lot, or so it seems. After recess, I asked my students to make him feel better by being sure to play with him and sit with him at lunch. One of my student's raised his hand and said "Ms. Hobbs, he can sit and play with me today! I am super nice and love making new friends." Then he walked up to my sad student and said, "You look like you could use a hug, come here." and proceeded to hug the little boy. Sweetest thing ever, right?!! Gosh I love my kids- they all have such big hearts.

I was feeling really off of my game today. This morning we had rehearsal for the first grade performance and I felt like I was messing everything up which kind of put me in a weird mood. I thought the door my students are supposed to enter through was closed, but it turned out that it wasn't, and then my students lined up backwards, which took up even more time, then I couldn't get the timing of the Powerpoint to work. THEN I remembered that I forgot to send my students to the library to return their books and pick up a new one for reading. I just felt like I was messing everything up. Anyway, Letty came into the lounge today and gave me a hug. I don't think she even realized that I needed a hug, but it totally made me feel 10x better. Thank you, Letty!

I love that the third graders I am supposed to start long terming for in March run up to me everyday and say hi. I don't even think they are aware that I am going to be long terming for them, but I am so glad that they come say hi to me whenever they see me. It makes me feel like a rockstar.

Quotes of the day:

1.)
Student: Um, excuse me? Those two boys (points to two kids in my class) were peeing in the same toilet bowl together...

2.)
(Two of the third graders I am supposed to be long terming for ran up to me)
Students: MISSSSSSSS. HOBBBBBBBS! (hugs me)
Me: Hi boys.
Student 1: Hey Ms. Hobbs, we have a question.
Me: Ok, what?
Student 2: Are you still dating Matt?
Me: Yep.
Students: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Me: Why?
Student 2: Because now we can't marry you!
Student 1: Do you have your phone?
Me: Who do you need to call?
Student 1: My future mother-in-law.
Me: Who?
Student 1: Your mom, DUHHHH!

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Busy Busy Week!

So sorry for not updating at all last week! By the time I got home every night I was pooped out and forgot to update this bad boy. Let me fill you in on the highlights...

I love my class, obviously. There is no question about that. I am becoming very attached to them and I know it is going to be realllly hard to give them back.

On Tuesday and Wednesday I taught my ELA common core lesson to students. The books that they had to make about wild cats were AMAZING! I was reading through them and they all did above and beyond what I had expected. I am so proud of them.

My students have a cultural performance on the 31st and I feel kind of bad because I still don't know all of the hand moves so I am always peeking over at the other teachers and following along with them. I am sure everything will run smoothly though.

There is a little girl in my class who loves to tell me stories. In the middle of a lesson she raised her hand and told me I'm invited to her tea party birthday party in a few months. Then she raised her hand in the middle of math and told me a story about her dad. I eventually had to tell her to tell me her stories during recess because she was getting me off track. I love hearing her stories though. Too cute.

I'm not sure if you have heard the "Gangnam Style" style song or watched the dance, but one of the little boys in my class does the dance every day! I don't even think he realizes that he is doing it, but it is seriously the cutest thing ever. I totally get that kids can't sit for all hours of the day so I let them stand behind their chairs if they are becoming restless. This boy was reading a story and he just started randomly doing the Gangnam Style dance. Lord it made me sad that I had to make him stop and read his book because it was hilarious.

I am getting nervous about having a job next year. I am praying something comes along. It is so stressful not knowing if I will still be subbing next year or if I will have my own classroom!

Still loving my time and thankful for this experience. I don't want it to end.

Pictures of the Week:

One of my students drew that for me and then requested that I take a picture of it so I don't forget about what it looks like. ;)

My friend Katie sent this to me in an email. She is so presh.


Quotes of the Week:

1.
Me: Zip those lips!
Student: And plant those hips?

2.
(Referring to a necklace that says M C on it)
Student: Miss. Hobbs what does your necklace mean?
Me: It means Matt loves Cassie. My boyfriend got it for me for Christmas. His name is Matt and my name is Cassie.
Student: Cassie Hobbs? That's weird. Are you and your boyfriend married?
Me: Nope.
Student: Why won't he marry you?
Me: You should write him a letter and ask him.
Student: That is a great idea!

3.
Student 1: Next Christmas I am going to bring you a present.
Student 2: Mrs. Wilson will be back by then.
Student 1: Well, Ms. Hobbs will be here too so I will bring them both a present.

4.
Me: I love all of my students because you're all rock stars.
Student: We love you too Miss. Hobbs, but only as a teacher or else that would just be weird.





Friday, January 18, 2013

Fun Friday

Today was a fast day! We had a morning flag ceremony and it seemed to throw the whole day off, but don't worry- we got through it with flying colors!

Friday's are testing day which can get a little crazy but I loveeee watching my students perform their weekly poem. It is seriously the cutest thing to watch them perform. Love it!

Next week I have to teach a common core lesson and I am feeling a little overwhelmed and nervous about it. My students have to watch a movie, read two stories, take notes on the movie and stories and then write a book on what we read. Oooof. I teach FIRST grade! Who had to write a book in first grade??? Today we practiced learning how to take notes and wrote a book about penguins to help them practice for next week. My students did a great job! I am so proud of them. Hopefully the lesson goes just as fab as our practice round did today.

Quote of the Day:

Student: "Miss. Hobbs, we have decided that we don't want you to leave us."

Pictures of the Day:


"Miss. Hobbs I drew this picture of us because you are my best friend." =)

I love that he wrote me as his teacher! And seriously-- "God Loves Me" --- so precious.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Tangerines

Days like today help remind me why I chose this profession. I love my kids. Love love love love love love love them! Even when they make me crazy and don't listen, or make me sad, they always find a way to make me happy.

This morning before school started I was on playground duty and three girls in my class ran up to me. They asked me a question that I didn't know the answer to and one of the girls said "Miss. Hobbs, are you losing your marbles again?" I always say that I am losing my marbles when I forget to do something or can't find something, so it was cute to hear my student ask me that today.

I had to write a note home to a parent today for a student's behavior. I absolutely love this student but sometimes he makes a poor decision. After school I talked to him and he was so sweet. "Miss. Hobbs, I am so sorry. Tomorrow will be a better day for me." Oh my gosh, so sweet.

I figured that due to the weather and the constant chatter, I would switch up the seating arrangement and see if that improved the talking situation. Luckily, it did! Woohoo.


My students took their comprehension test today and everyone got an A and almost everyone got an A on their math test too. I feel like a winner. Ding Ding!

Quote of the Day:

Me- We are getting new seats today.
Student- Yes!!! I hope I get to sit by my cutie-pa-tootie
Me- Oooooh. Do you have a crush on someone?
Student- YUCK Miss. Hobbs!!! I only call him a cutie-pa-tootie because he looks like a tangerine! Get it? Cutie....

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Wind

It is official, the wind makes students crazy-- and makes my backpack cart fall into a ditch. I am so not a fan. After school I went to Burlington Coat Factory and bought a wind breaker jacket for this weather.

Quote of the Day:

Me: Boys and Girls! I don't know who is screaming or why, but that is completely inappropriate.
(silence from my class)
Student: Miss. Hobbs, I will admit- I was one of the ones screaming. I promise to be better next time.

Even when they make me mad, they know how to make me happy.

Monday, January 14, 2013

Monday Funday!

Today was the coldest day in Los Angeles since 1990. Take the weather, add wind, and you've got yourself one heck of a miserably cold day. I was not a fan. I set my heater to 92 degrees in the classroom and my class and I were still freezing. I think we have problems. I have no idea how I have family living in snow. No thank you!

I have a new student! Phew- I was so nervous that my student would be out of control, but he seems to fit right on in with my class. Thank goodness!

I am getting more comfortable teaching the material to my class. In the morning I sit down and go over my day's lessons so that I know I have everything ready. I feel that I am making the phonics lessons more complicated than it needs to be, but I am getting there. Woo!

It is only day 5 of working with my students and I can already tell that I am going to have a hard time giving them back to Danielle when she returns.I am so glad that I have been able to work with these kids in kindergarten and now in first grade. I love watching them grow and transform from babies to little kids. If I could I would follow them all the way through 5th grade. Love em.

Pinterest is giving me lots of new ideas for little Friday art crafts for my students. Hopefully we will end up having time to do a couple before Valentine's Day. We shall see!



Quotes of the Day:


1.
Student: Ms. Hobbs, this weekend I went to Big Bear and my stepdad belted me in the face with a snowball!

2.
Student 1: Miss. Hobbs you are the best teacher ever!
Student 2: What about Mrs. Wilson?
Student 1: Mrs. Wilson and Miss. Hobbs are the same person practically so they are both the best!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Whine Wednesday

Still loving my students. Today my class was a little antsy and too talkative so tomorrow I am going to have to make sure that I am on top of my classroom management game.

I am becoming more familiar with the classroom and being able to find different things which is always nice. I have been able to finish little things that need to get done for next week, so tomorrow I will just need to grade tests and enter them into the system. Friday is a student-free day, and I have only been to one, so we shall see what it entails.

My students are practicing for their cultural performance. Today they had to practice with other classes. We have been practicing the poem together a little, but today was the first official day I worked with them and other classes on the music. I felt like such a weirdo staring at the other teachers doing the hand moves while I was trying to copy them and keep up. I need to tell my kids to look at Kristen instead of me so I don't mess us up! Good times.

Some of my third graders from last year came in and said hi to me. Their classroom is in the pod across from mine. They are so big and look so old now... my heart hurts. In the morning my favorite guy from last year came up and started talking to me. I just love him. He is the sweetest kid of all time. I still miss those kids and I haven't been their student teacher in over a year. Crazy how fast time flies.

My friend Kristine has a new student teacher. She is trying to become total bff's with this new gal, but we all know that Burkey-Burke and I have a special bond. Don't break the Burke-Hobbs BFF bond or else!!!

I am pooped out today!

Quote of the Day:

Student: Ms. Hobbs how long will you be our sub for?
Me: For a while buddy, why?
Student: Well, I was just wondering because I really like having you for a teacher.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Toothless Tuesday

I thought that this week I would be running around like a chicken with her head cut off because I'm still getting into the groove of things, but I haven't really felt like that at all. Between everything that Danielle left for me, how organized she is, and help from Kristen, things have been running extremely well! I am so grateful!

This morning we took a picture and sent it to Danielle to tell her congrats on her new baby boy. When I showed the kids pictures of the baby, all of the kids "oooohed" and "ahhhhed". In my head I was thinking about how people still probably "oooh" and "ahhh" at their own pictures, because let's face it, first graders are still practically little babies.

One of my students lost his tooth earlier this morning before school and another student lost hers after lunch. Yesterday two other students lost their teeth! The Tooth Fairy has sure been busy this week in my classroom! When my student lost her tooth at school she went to the nurse and received a little necklace to put her tooth in. At the end of the day her tooth was missing from her necklace and I swear she just about had a heart attack! Luckily after about ten minutes of her searching and me reassuring her that the Tooth Fairy would still come, we finally found it sitting on her desk. Oh my word. So much drama for a six year old. Then my other student walked up to me about four times while I was testing and asked me for a sticker for losing his tooth. Finally, after telling him about a thousand times that I would get him a sticker after I was finished testing, I realized we were all out of tooth stickers. Womp Womp Womppppp. Poor guy! Luckily Kristen had one for each of my two toothless kids today. Whew- Crisis averted.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Day 1

I have only been subbing for my long term class one day and I can already tell that I am going to love it!

I was nervous that I wasn't going to get everything done or be able to find anything, but today was a success. For things I wasn't sure of, I asked my kids or the teacher next door to me. My neighbor, Kristen, is a huge help. I can already tell that we are going to get along great and form a friendship. I am looking forward to getting to know her better.

Today the kids and I started to read a Junie B. Jones book. When I was a kid my parents bought me all of the Junie B. books, so it is super fun to read them to my class. The kids love it! I am so glad such a good book is still being read by little kiddos.

During my student teaching I played a Jeopardy review game with my third graders and kinders. The class and I sped through our language today, so tomorrow we are going to play a review jeopardy game of the material. It should be fun.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Lack of Wisdom

I hope everyone had a fabulous holiday season! Matt and I went to Las Vegas for two nights and came home on Christmas Eve. We had a great time! Here is a picture of us on Christmas Eve. I just love our shirts. It is going to become a tradition to wear ;)


Everyone makes the resolution to eat healthier for the New Year, but I have already done that in the past, so I am taking a different path. Here are my top 5 resolutions:

1. Become a better teacher (apply myself more and soak in what others have to offer)
2. Become a better partner to Matt
3. Be more understanding/patient of others
4. Go parasailing with my sister
5. Save more (I failed at this last year)

Two days after Christmas I had my wisdom teeth extracted. Most people don't have a problem getting their teeth taken out, but I was literally in bed in pain for a full week. On New Year's Eve I went to bed at 9:00. Today I was finally able to get out amongst them without taking a nap or taking seriously strong medication (I am still on a high dose of Motrin though... ugh). Matt and my family took great care of me. They constantly checked up on me and helped in any way I needed. I can honestly say, I never want to relive the experience of getting my teeth out again. So glad it is over!! I hope I am fully recovered by the time I go back to work on Monday. My bottom tooth is still in pain but not nearly as bad as it has been in the past. Please pray!

I start my long term sub job on Monday! I am so excited- I cannot even explain! I am a little nervous though too. I have a lot of experience working in the other grades at my school so I have been able to build relationships with a lot of other staff members, but I am not close to the staff in my grade and tend to be shy at first, so hopefully I won't have a hard time getting to know the other teachers in my pod. I have had several dreams about my class and I can vividly remember the one from last night. The kids in my dream were AWFUL but none of the students in my dream are in my class so hopefully this is not a sign of things to come. I think I am just excited-nervous and my mind is playing tricks on me. I still feel extremely blessed to have been given this opportunity, though. I probably won't be able to sleep Sunday because I will be so excited.