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.

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.

Lucky Lady

I subbed for a third grade class today at my former elementary school. I had a great group of students, but nothing too exciting occurred. I can say, though, that I felt much more aware of my surroundings today, constantly looking out the window and keeping even closer tabs on my students than usual. I suppose you can say that recent events have caused me to care even more about each little one that crosses my path and appreciate each of them more.

Tonight I went to dinner with my friend Letty. Her son also came. It is always really nice to meet with her and catch up. We have a great time together. I have learned so much from her and always look forward to hearing what she has to say. I know that a lot of people do their student teaching and then never talk to their master teacher again- I have remained close with both my master teachers. Letty has already taught me so much and I know she is a big reason why I have grown to love kindergarten. She also gave me a dynamite goody bag with my favorite- nail polish, birds nest treats, and pretzels with chocolate and m&m's. I am so thankful to have a friend like Letty. =)

One of Letty's students bought me a Christmas gift! So precious. I had her brother in my kinder class last year during student teaching, but receiving a gift was totally unexpected. It is hot chocolate and chocolate... Obviously the family has learned the way to my heart. I love it.


Picture of the Day:

I'm so spoiled =)

CT

I am still processing what happened in Newtown yesterday and I still feel sick every time I think about it.

When I first heard the news about what was going on my mind went to my students at Solorio.

I can't imagine having something like that happen to my students or to my friends. When I heard that a kinder class was missing, I thought about what I would be feeling if Letty's class went missing. Words can't even describe what I would have felt if a class I have grown to care so much about was hurt or harmed. I have grown to love the students I work with so much that the thought of anyone harming them makes me angry and I ache.

I know I am not a parent, and I am completely aware of the fact that I have very little teaching experience, but I can also tell you that I have always been a person who loves others unconditionally (sometimes far too much). I feel for the families and children that have lost their lives and have been stricken of their innocence. I pray for the families and the children. I know that God is with them during this time. I am disgusted that people can act out in such a horrific way, but I also pray that in the future we will be able to help those with mental illnesses prior to something so awful occurring.

1st Grade

My brain is on excitement overload right now. My long term sub job has officially been put in the system and today I shadowed Danielle to get ready to take over after break on January 7th!

I was able to finish the prep work for my first two weeks there and I taught the math lesson. Students were a little chatty while I was teaching so I am going to have to be stern when I go in next month. I am so stinkin excited. I am already in love with my class.

I have a little bit of jitters, but who wouldn't, right? I am confident that I will work well with students and know that I have support at Solorio, which is always reassuring.

After lunch today the students in first grade practiced for their performance later in the year. I thought it was hilarious. There was a little boy who dozed off like twelve times when he should have been singing, two of my kinders from last year stared off into outer space the whole time, and the hand movements were precious.

Quote of the Day:

Me: Did anything happen at lunch today?
Student: Yeah.
Me: What happened?
Student: Well, at lunch, this boy screamed the word "NUTS!" and I said don't say that word because it is a bad word because it is your private parts (takes hands and covers his privates)! So I said to the lunch lady that he said nuts and she made me change my seat!

Whine Wednesday

Today was far too intense for me. I subbed half day kinder and half day for my third graders. PHEW.

Today I had to test the kinders on their numbers. The first small group I tested was just dandy, but the other group made me want to crawl over and poke my eyes out. Getting them to write a number was like pulling teeth. It just wasn't my day. Oh, and let us not forget about the kid that asked if I was having a baby. Apparently I am becoming a fatso.

Then my third graders were a little out of control. They were great when I first got there, but after lunch students attitudes shifted. By the end of the day I was so over the tattling, calling out, and whining that I didn't let them do their art activity and instead made them clean their desks and the floor for 30 minutes. I can guarantee they will believe me the next time I tell them to listen to directions or they won't be participating in activities.

Quote of the Day:

Student: Miss Hobbs, are you single?
Me: Nope.
Student: Whaaaaat? Oh heckkk no.
Me: Why?
Student: Oh uhhh, I'm workin for someone and he's gotta know.
Me: Uhh ok.
(about an hour later)
Student: Miss. Hobbs, you gotta break up with your man, Matt.
Me: How do you know his name?
Student: I work for the big guy.
(A few minutes later I was walking around the room and I noticed that my student had made a Naughty and Nice List for Santa. See who is on it below...)

Picture of the Day:

Yes, Matt is on the naughty list. It was pretty funny. My student thought he was the funniest kid on the planet ;)... He is totally one of my favorite kids.

Bucket Fillers

There is a book for kids called Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by Carol McCloud. Aside from Love You Forever, it is totally my favorite children's book. The book talks about how everyone has an invisible bucket. The goal is to fill each others bucket with kind words and happy thoughts. People who fill their neighbor's buckets are called "bucket fillers". There are also people who are "bucket dippers"- or people who take from other people's bucket by giving negative comments to others. Although this book is aimed at kids, I urge you to always remember to at least attempt to be a bucket filler.

I subbed for Letty again today. There were 6 kids absent today! I think the flu is going around- hopefully they are back tomorrow.

I can't believe there are only 7 days left of school before break! Wahoo.

Tomorrow I am subbing half day for Letty, Wednesday is half day for Letty and my third graders, Thursday is my first graders, Friday I don't have anything yet =(. Then next week I have two half days and am visiting my first graders Wednesday. I can't believe in less than a month I will be long terming! I am so excited (but a little nervous too)!

Quote of the Day:

(If I had money, a house, and if the parent's were willing, I would totally adopt this child... his personality is hilarious!)

Me: Do you need help opening that?
Student: Miss. Hobbs, if you were my girlfriend I'd never let you go!