Preschool

Last week, I was a little frazzled on Camden's first day with Ms. Ronda. There were so many parents dropping off kids and it was crazy busy. I was also in a hurry to get to my classroom. So, I only got one picture. Today, we had more time and we were both more relaxed. He insisted on wearing his new turtle backpack from Aunt Mickie and Uncle Adrian (even though it was empty) and I was NOT fighting that battle. :)

When he woke up this morning, he said I get to stay on green card today. Well, that got my teacher brain working overtime. He had turned his card last week for not sitting in his own spot at the carpet and for not having his back on the wall at the bathrooms. 

So, when we got to his classroom, I asked him to show me his spot on the carpet. I made a big deal of how I liked the number six and used some of the knowledge I have learned in PBIS training with my own child. I retaught the expectation for sitting in your spot at the carpet. When we walked by the bathrooms, I reminded him that his back was to be against the wall like the teacher asks. 

Well, today he was on green. So maybe it worked! Here he is at "his spot" this morning. 

Back to the pool

Celebrating the last of summer 

Yellow Card drama

Here is my post from Thursday night on Facebook:
So, this momma is having a bit of a hard time. My sweet boy doesn't get to choose out of the treasure chest tomorrow because he changed his card to yellow on Wednesday and he's upset. That's pretty intense for the first week of pre-K! I know this is just the beginning, but wow, this is tough! 

Well, I ended up leaving a note for Ms. Ronda and she called and left me a message. They do get to still choose if they get a yellow card-they only don't if they get a red card. I do feel better, but I am still not thrilled about the card system. I have spend the past year being trained on PBIS-Positive Behavior Intervention and Support and now realize how ineffective card systems are. So, I am sure this year will be a test on my patience in dealing with Camden and yellow cards.

(P.S. he got another yellow card on Friday) 

This terpie was worn on by Friday afternoon. Pre-K is hard work! I thought he was awful quiet on the way home and this is what I saw when I looked back at him. 

Teachable Moment

Moments like this are the reason I love doing what I do:
Our first unit in science is matter. We were talking this week about elements and that all matter is made up of elements. The science book showed them pictures of neon, gold, iron, silver, carbon and aluminum. We then read that water is made up of the elements hydrogen and oxygen. I walked over to the white board and wrote H2O. I asked the class how many of them had seen this before or heard of H2O. Many of them raised their hand. I asked what is H2O and they answered water. I explained that this was the scientific name for water. Then, I asked them to tell me what elements make up water and why would we use an H and O to name water. You should have seen their excitement as the "light bulbs" went off! I couldn't contain the grin on my face! My favorite part of teaching is seeing students make a connection between what they already know and the information we are learning. I believe that then is when the most meaningful instruction happens!

My First Day in Pre-K

First day of pre-K in Ms. Ronda's class
(Can someone please tell me where 4 1/2 years went?)

Back to school time

It's surprises like these that make my day! Todd had left this message for me hidden behind a poster while he was helping me in my room and I found it a few days later when I moved the poster. Then, Mom brought me this plant on our first work day this year. I am blessed to be loved by these two! 

Goodbye Saturn

After 11 years, we said goodbye to the Saturn and hello to a new Chevy Captiva. It's hard to believe that I bought the Saturn my very first year of teaching. It has been a great car and has been paid off since 2006! It was still running, but we didn't want to put new tires on it or wait for it to break down. Since we made our last payment on the G6 in June-it was perfect timing! The Chevy Captiva was just the right price and size for our little family. We hope this car lasts us as long as the Saturn did!