A Word of Warning

I teach Kindergarten. Today I started teaching rhyming words, emphasizing words that sound alike, but may not necessarily be "real" words.  For example, "red" can rhyme with "zed", but "zed" isn't an actual word.  So I gave the class words like "table" and "chair" and "rug" to make rhyming words as I glanced around the room, looking for objects to name. 

A word of warning:  don't give them the word "bucket".

The Trials and Tribulations of Being a Kindergarten Teacher, Take 232

Ever try to teach a five-year-old to tie his shoes?
It's not much different than what you see below.

(Check out more hilarity at IHasaHotdog.com)

I Heart My Students

The mama of one of my students sent me this picture.  It's me, done in chalk on the sidewalk.

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

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From My Kindergarten Dictionary

School has started, and already my new class is giving me a reason to believe it's going to be a great year!





jumpoline

Today is the First Day of School

Lord, Give Me Strength.

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

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Depression Doesn't Begin To Explain It :~(

For the past year and a half I have been anxiously awaiting retirement. This year is my 31st year teaching. I am 54.

According to my calculations, I would be able to retire at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, and be able to devote full time to my writing. My house would be paid off by then, and my reduced retirement check would pretty much equal what I'm taking home now minus my house payment.

I received the news today that the Texas legislature has changed the rules. I must wait another 4.5 years before I can retire with full benefits.

Oh, yes, I can retire next year with partial benefits, but after 30 plus years teaching, I'm not going to settle for less than 40%.

FOUR AND A HALF MORE YEARS.

I'm not just upset. I'm devastated.

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

obo

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

beetsah

Why I Love Kids...One More Time!

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

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From My Kindergarten Dictionary

subbletoot

"Dat teacher dat comes in and yells at you when Mrs. Mooney can't come to school."

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

chicken pops

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

hebbie

Hooked On Phonics

My five-year old students are learning to read. Friday one of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said, "Look at this! It's a frickin' elephant!"

I took a deep breath, then asked..."What did you call it?"

"It's a frickin' elephant! It says so on the picture!"

And so it does... " A f r i c a n Elephant "

Hooked on phonics! Ain't it wonderful?

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

bump beds

Great Truths That Little Children Have Learned

GREAT TRUTHS THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED

1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.

2) When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair.

3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They always catch the second person.

4) Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.

5) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.

6) Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.

7) Never hold a dust-buster and a cat at the same time.

8) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.

9) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.

10) The best place to be when you're sad is Grandpa's lap.

My New Year's Resolution

Yes, I know I'm a bit late, but KEEPING this resolution won't begin until Monday when I go back to school.

I don't make a whole list of things I need to do. For one thing, I'm getting to the age where, if I don't write it down, I forget it. And even if I DO write it down, I forget where I put the list. *sigh*

Anyway, here's my New Year's Resolution:

Less Stress

Now, now. I can hear you laughing all the way down here in Podunk, Texas. Go ahead, but here's the thing. I have high blood pressure, and I've already survived one small stroke (in 2000). I'm on blood pressure med, but that doesn't mean my job isn't going to be less easy to deal with.

I love my babies that I teach (as of today, that's 19, with no assistant). But sometimes Administration and all the lah-dee-dah that comes down from the Crystal Palace gets to be a bit too much. And that's not mentioning some "other factors" which are best not singled out here.

I am 1 1/2 years away from Retirement. I'm also at the point where I am going to pick and choose my battles. If someone is having a tirade, let 'em. I'm walking away. If some diva administrator who has never taught, or has never taught Kindergarten, tries to tell me how to teach, I'll bobblehead them, then go do it the way that works best for my kids. (By the way, my two principals are WONDERFUL to work with!)

I refuse to "let them get to me". I will not be someone's doormat. And I will not let someone denegrade me any longer. Just because I teach Kinder does NOT mean I'm the low man on the totem pole. (Just as teaching high school does NOT mean you're a better teacher.) Teachers choose which grade level best suits them and their style of teaching, just like doctors choose which field of medicine they would like to study. One is not "demoted" to elementary school, or "promoted" to secondary.

Whew. Got a bit windy there for a moment. Sorry. But there you have it, take it or leave it. :)

Oh, and by the way, there hasn't been "3 months off for the summer" since the 1970s (I began teaching in '76, in case you're wondering.) Education has changed in ways you can not imagine.

Now...let's see how long I can keep this resolution. :D

From My Kindergarten Dictionary

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