Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kids. Show all posts

20 March 2012

One of my school favorites

This is my favorite part of the school day...
Working on counting money :)
I made a price tag game and use "spacers" (a.k.a. little strips of paper) to help him with transitioning from one coin to another. It works great!

This kiddo has the best attitude and loves to learn!

What is YOUR favorite part of day?

Enjoy your Tuesday!
xoxo.

17 December 2011

One door closed, another opened.

Wednesday, December 14th 2011.
My last day student teaching with first grade
Bittersweet.

A new chapter in my life is closed, leaving wonderful memories and a hopeful future.

Throughout the day, the kiddos were so sweet and loving saying things like 
"Miss Chase, please don't leave! Why do you have to go"
and the best one yet...
"Miss Chase, can I be your son?"
What do you say when a little first grade boy looks at you in all seriousness with big baby blues!?

Kids do say the darnest things. 
They were utterly convinced that I was not just leaving and moving on to different things, but that I was "retiring" 
The students would correct anyone who said different with 
{insert sassy first grade voice}"Um, NO. She is RETIRING!" {insert sassy first grade voice}
Too funny.

***
I was completely shocked at how well they kept a secret (for almost a MONTH) about my presents and surprises. They all put together a book of memories and brought in teacher goodies for me!
My handmade "Memory String Book"
(Based off the book "The Memory String")


 They all created a "bead" (circle) with their favorite memory of me 
and signed the hardback book of "The Memory String" for me to keep :)

Here are some of their memories...
She is a fabulous artist!!

I thought this one was SO cute!
It's always great to know they understand what you're teaching :)
I just bought the whole Junie B. Jones series for my future classroom!
:)
My Goodie Bin
This is the goodie bin I received that is full of gift cards, letters, drawings,
supplies and everything under the sun :)


I can't believe my time with all these lovely first graders has come to an end. This whole semester has made me realize that first grade is really where I want to be - I wouldn't mind a couple years older, but first grade is definitely my favorite! This coming January, I start my second semester of student teaching in a special education classroom at a local Middle School (talk about change!) I am looking forward to embracing this new opportunity and hope that I will enjoy it just as much :) 
You never know...

Until next semester, I am working hard applying for jobs and graduate school!
Eeeeek. 
Can you believe that applications need to be in THIS month for a job in AUGUST 2012?!
{insert jaw drop} I know, right? {insert jaw drop}

I will certainly be one busy bee this Christmas break!
What are your plans for the holiday season?
Any big events or things on the to-do list?

xoxo
-erin

05 November 2011

Funny Parent Prank

Late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, asked his viewers to tell their children...

"I ate all your Halloween candy"
...and record their reactions.

They are pretty priceless, check it out!


Cause' we all NEED a laugh sometimes...
What are some funny pranks you have pulled?

xoxo
-erinj0

01 November 2011

Happy Halloween :)

Happy Halloween 

here are some fun pictures that were taken during our first grade Halloween party 
:)

Making ghosts!
(white square felt, stuffing, string, and eyes)

Look how cute they turned out :)
They hung on a stick and they could bobble them around.
Really neat idea!


They had SO many activities that the parents brought!


Monster Match
(just like memory)

Candy necklaces
except this time... they had to make them!
Great fine motor practice and they loved making their own :)

Working with patterns
(orange, orange, purple, purple...)




It was such a fun and busy day!
The kids had some fabulous costumes.

My favorite: a handmade duck costume. Super cute!

What is/was YOUR favorite Halloween costume?
xoxo
erinj0
via: all pictures are property of My life as erinj0

06 October 2011

Thursday Thoughts

::Oh My::
.Things have changed recently.
.Stress has drastically increased.
.I'm feeling the pressure.
.We'll see how it plays out...

 Here's the quick run down of what's going on

  1. My cooperating teacher left on maternity leave
  2. I am now a student teacher under the wing of a "sub"
  3. This "sub" hasn't been in a classroom in eight years
    & has NEVER worked with the primary grades

 It makes sense that I am gaining a little bit of weight & that I am craving sweets!! ; )
I needed to make myself laugh somehow, right?!
 ********

In the mean time, these words of wisdom will get me through

"Good teaching is one-fourth preparation and three-fourths theater."

"It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference." 

See everything. Overlook a great deal. Improve a little.
-Pope John XXXIII

 How do you get through stressful times?
xoxo

03 October 2011

A week later

...but just as sweet!


As the first bell rings and the students start coming into the classroom, I presumed it would be another typical Monday in first grade. *wrong* Instead, I was greeted with a pleasant surprise!

A little first grader in my classroom (and her mom) came in the room carrying a tower of goodies proceeding to shout "Happy Birthday Miss C!"

Home-aide Carrot Cake Cupcakes
They were delicious and even nut-free for the allergies we have in the classroom so all the kiddos could enjoy them!


The mom said, I found out your birthday was last week and "G" was really bummed that she missed it and wanted to do something for you, so we made you some sweets and G made you a card!

The card reads "Happy Birthday - I relly relly wotid (wanted) to give you this card."


While the students indulged in their tasty treat, they began singing happy birthday :)

One of the best/funniest moments of the day: 
First graders perception on age. 

Student: "Miss C, Miss C, how old are you?!?!?"
My reply: "older than you ;)"

Student A: "I bet she is 35!"
Student B: "Are you in your forties?"

Student C: "Guys, she is in her twenties, duh! She's in college!"

Student D: "ugh, what is college?!" 
(yes. she was totally serious!)

...too funny! 
In first grade, they want to know everything and anything about you while craving any teacher attention they can get!


Regardless of whether it was my "real birthday" or not...it absolutely made my morning!

Usually I treasure my coffee fix, but today. Today was even better.
What makes your morning worthwhile?

xoxo
-erinj0

10 August 2011

Story Time.

Okay, so here is a funny story I thought I would share.

This happened last year in kindergarden...

♥ photo credit
Story: A little girl did her show and tell about "press-on tattoo's". She had a barbie doll that she was going to demonstrate on. First, she pulled down the shirt (so the barbie doll was now topless) then she got out her tattoos. She said she needed something cold to make the tattoo's stick, so out comes her mini cooler that she carried into class. She pulled out two Pepsi's and a Milwaukee's Best...of course she takes the Milwaukee's Best (not knowing what it is) and places the beer on the topless barbie doll. PRICELESS. The teacher couldn't resist and snapped a picture!

...innocence at its finest :)


22 July 2011

A Walk Down Memory Lane

For this weekends post, I decided that I would take you through a trip down memory lane.
Remember all the (nineties) fads that were ever so popular growing up!
...it's okay to think some are still cool, I do :)

*Note: all images are hosted through
my Pinterest board here


{Firby}
 These little creatures, are honestly freaky. I woke up one morning to this little things talking in my closet. I swear it was haunted and possessed and instantly threw it against the wall. They stare at you and babble nonsense while laughing at you. No thanks!


 {Giga Pet}
These virtual little animals could clip onto anything & you took them everywhere you went. Cleaning up after them, feeding them, and giving them love! Oh, I loved you dear giga pets :)


{Lite-Brite}
This wonderful fascination consisted of a bright light in the back of the stand, and contained pegs that you could strategically place around the board to make colorful figures that would light up the rooms and display your creative design!


{Hungry, Hungry, Hippos!}
Which hippo will be the first to munch all the white little circles?
All it takes is someone who can slam and hit the handle of the hippo the fastest... strategy? ha... 
Out of control, fun game? Yes :)


{Lisa Frank}
Oh, the school supply shopping.
It wasn't a success unless I was able to purchase the Lisa Frank collection of supplies!
I was only able to get designed folders and notebooks (the pens/pencils/etc... were too much my mom said) I do remember for many birthdays, I asked for Lisa Frank art kits and stationary so I could write my pen pals in "style"! Cool, huh? 


{Jelly Roll Pens}

In grade school, your papers weren't complete until they were graced by the lovely touch of Jelly-Roll Pens!! To top it off, you were extra cool if you have the matching black paper to make the eccentric colors stand out and pop :) They made our notes we passed in class even cooler and the caused the teachers great eye-strain until they were finally banned from homework assignments! 
These completed my grade school years. I loved you, jelly-roll pens!


{Butterfly Clips & Scrunchies}
No hair style was complete with out the added touch of those big bulky scrunchies (especially the kind that matched your uniform...you know, if you went to a private school!) and don't forget the butterfly clips! I remember using those little butterflies to part back little pieces of my hair! I also loved the colorful bands that you used to "web" your hair. Starting with like four rows in the front, then three, two, one, etc... 


{Jellies & Adidas Three Stripe Shoes}
These two pieces of footwear were staples to the 90's style. 
I remember never being allowed to purchased the Adidas three stripe shoes because "they were too expensive and I would just get them dirty & ruin them".  I tried so badly to fit in by wearing the four stripe off brand ones. Um, yeah, everyone knew the difference...it definitely was not cool :(



{Dawson's Creek}
This was my addiction and favorite show growing up. 
(Saved by the Bell was right up there, too!)
It is what made me get up early for school, because I couldn't miss the episodes that the played every morning! It was one of the few chances I was able to watch television and boy, I wanted to be Joey SO badly.



{TY Beanie Babies}
Oh.my.goodness.gracious.
These little guys were not only just popular with the kids, but adults as well.
People believed that if you collected all (or certain ones, I don't remember) they would be worth something someday! Of course, they just collected dust and proved to be another fad. I think it became quite interesting when McDonalds used to give beanie babies away in their kids meals and parents began rushing through the drive-thru's & making scenes if they didn't get the "toy of choice".



{Easy Bake Oven}
I think this was the most popular. 
I thought I would be a fabulous cook one day with the help of this potent little machine! (Little did I know, that was far from true...) While kids of all ages loved this oven (boys included!) it was quite the safety hazard :/ I remember making brownies and the next thing I knew, the oven was steamin'! I think that was my first hint that I would lack adequate cooking skills.


All of these little fads make for wonderful memories :)
While there were SO many more, this post can only be so long.

What were some of your favorite or most memorable things growing up?

xoxo
-erinj0

14 July 2011

Autism: The Musical

As many of you know, I love to share the wonderful things that I learn in my college classes. I am in my LAST class, (Social & Emotional Development of Youth) before I student teach this August. 

Tonight's class was very moving
We watched the movie "Autism: The Musical"

Now, whether you know someone with Autism or not, this movie is so inspirational.
It will make your cry.
It will definitely make you laugh.
You will smile
and best of all...
it will help you understand the life,
the life of Autism.

It is long, 90 minutes total
(15min per part)
Watch if you wish,
I just though I would share :)

P.S. The start of Henry's story in 
Part II is (one) of my favorite parts!
*and* 
the bully scene during the last
2-3 minutes of part II.
{Part I}

{Part II}

{Part III}

{Part IV}

{Part V}

{Part VI}

{Part VII}


"Children remind us to treasure the smallest of gifts,
even in the most difficult times." -Allen Klein
xoxo
-erinj0

04 June 2011

Do you ever wonder...

...What is happening with our culture/society?

It truly saddens me to see young people participating in such forward behavior. By forward behavior, I am referring to the way they dress, act, and how the morals of these individuals. Now, I am totally fine with self-expression and people's own personal beliefs (whatever they may be) - but there is line that shouldn't be crossed.

When you walk down the street or see kiddo's in shorts so short, that you can see things you shouldn't be seeing...that's a problem no matter what your beliefs are. I am sorry, but no one cares to see you flaunt your stuff (whether you have it or not) and it really sends the wrong message. It seems that people are so caught up in their physical appearance that they loose focus on "just being a kid".

As I am sitting here, looking towards the future - I wonder just how different the world will be when we have kids that are in the tween-age.  I remember when boys had cooties and make-up wasn't worn until freshman year of high school. I remember when long biker shorts were "in" and we had pants with stirrups(yeah, I was that cool)...I remember when I would play street hockey, stay out late to play outside, and not worry about what I looked like... (sigh)I remember...

It's funny - I just had a conversation with my mom not all that long ago about this topic. I asked her, so...when I am your age (she's around 55ish), what will be considered "oldies music?" She looked at me and laughed. Her response "I hope not all that rap-crap". Think about it. What will our generation of "oldies" really be like thirty or so years from now?

I just see kids growing up SO fast. The time you have as a kid should be treasured. It is the best time in your life, where everything is carefree, without a worry in the world. Nothing is holding you back and you are free to take on the world. I hate seeing these youngsters worry about things like their weight and being perfect...

No matter how hard you try, life is never perfect. The imperfections are what make life and YOU, unique. Don't fall in someone elses' shadow - Being you, your unique self is what makes the world special - And always remember, the hardships make us stronger - and the beauty lies within.
                 ♥ photo credit


Embrace your inner child!

xoxo,
-erinj0

27 March 2011

One Million Cards=ONE wish

YOU have the power to help someone's wish come true!


Max is a 12 year old cancer patient from Iowa. When he was in kindergarten, he was sadly diagnosed with Leukemia and has been struggling ever since. According to the DesMoinesRegister, Max now has a relapse of Leukemia in 85% of his Bone Marrow.

Photo Credit: http://act.mtv.com/tag/mighty-max-low/

His Wish?
To receive ONE MILLION get well cards. 
This young boy doesn't want money or expensive trips, just cards from people all over : )
As of 20 March 2011, Max has already received 19,966 cards and counting from people ALL OVER THE WORLD. 
He also has received a handwritten card from former president George W. Bush 

PLEASE - Be a part of this movement. You can help make a child's wish come true!
They can be handmade, they can be store bought...
whatever you would like!




WANT TO HELP?
HERE'S HOW!




Here is where to send you card to Max!
Mighty Max Low
PO Box 111
Neola, IA 51559 USA


or





Please note: This is not a scam - 
Max is currently receiving treatment in the city which I reside, at the local Children's Hospital
♥erinj0

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