....would you believe my lunch aide didn't even recognize me on Halloween? She thought I looked was a teenager from the high school! The kids got a kick out of my costume, especially because I read Miss Nelson is Missing in the morning and came back to class after lunch totally in character. They were partly scared by their mean "substitute teacher," partly freaked out, partly confused, and totally amused. I think some of them started to forget it was me.
Have you ever noticed that kids also act out a lot right around the holidays? Can't blame it on the full moon this year, gotta blame it on the candy... I was ready to pull my hair out on Friday, but really tried to keep my cool. Here's how most of my day went:
Student: "Miss Battista!!! I need help!"
Me: "Please sit down and raise your hand. But first, did you ask three before me? Do you really need to ask that question? Look around at what your classmates have on their desk. Look at the board. You can find out what you're supposed to be doing without even talking. DID YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS?!?"
Student: "No...."
Me: "Which question did you answer?"
Student: "None, I didn't know what I was supposed to do."
Me: "I meant which question of mine did you answer? Did you ask three people....oh forget it!"
(Random wrong answer shouted out)
Student: "Can I go to the bathroom?!"
Me: "Is it an emergency? I'm teaching, you know the rule..." OR "You don't have to ask me, I'm not teaching. If there isn't another boy / girl out, please sign out and go!" OR "How many times have you gone today? We've been learning about cause and effect, what did I say? BECAUSE you were at the closet chugging your water five times this morning, THE EFFECT was you'd have to go to the bathroom again!"
(Random wrong answer shouted out)
Me: "Excuse me, girls! What is the whispering about? Please stop talking. It's distracting others."
Student: "BUT... she was talking to me FIRST!"
Me: "Please put that note on my desk. This is your last warning!" (Oh Ron Clark, why weren't you sitting on my shoulder reminding me to stop giving warnings?!)
I printed out this sign and kept pointing to it ALL DAY long.
I wasn't mean at all, and I never raised my voice, but I sure felt like a wicked witch. I even cackled like one. The kids just laughed. I'm thinking I might come in to school dressed as Miss Nelson's replacement Miss Viola Swamp ALL DAY for Halloween. I don't even want to know the next week will be like with all of the chocolate and candy floating around. I'm going to make it very clear that if I see a piece of candy, I get to eat it!!!
So I've had the craziest week...and today it gets capped off with 4-12 inches of snow and a wedding to attempt to get to tonight. This is my view out of one of the library windows.
Most of this week centered around testing....YUCK!
First, I found out the I passed the Middle School Language Arts Praxis in addition to passing the MS Science and Social Studies tests last month!!! I am so relieved to have it done with! Now I want to get one more science credit for certification (stinks that most science classes are 4 credits though), 6 more for language arts, and I just have to send in paperwork for social studies. Then I'll have 5 certifications! You never know just what our governor might do to cause more job losses, so you can never be too "certified" or pay for enough pieces of paper.... On a bright note, at least he's not running for President!
Between the Praxis and grading, I am all tested out right now. Our reading and math series required us to complete diagnostic tests at the beginning of the year. We have 3 separate sheets to keep track of scores on - 2 for the whole class and one for each individual child. We also had to give a writing assessment last week. I have to give a math test every three weeks, but a quiz just about once a week. We have to give reading and spelling tests every week, and a unit test every 5 weeks. I'm not even going to talk about the science and social studies tests or homework.
Don't get me wrong, I can tell a lot about what my students learned (at least in the short term) by giving tests, it's just that I spend so much time giving them and grading them that it affects my planning time! I feel bad enough for the kids (who are used to it by now), but is even harder to keep up with grading 22 of everything!
Anyway, I have to celebrate finishing MY testing...so I added a sweet $15 Target gift card to my 200 Followers Giveaway...not many entries yet so you have a great chance of winning!
Here's one of my many fall / Halloween bulletin boards. Students had to choose a compound word to break into pieces. The first part was written on the top, the second part was on the middle, and the complete compound was written on the bottom. Example: scare + crow = scarecrow
You can find the candy corn clip art here or click the picture to download.
We did "how to" writing using transition / sequence words. Here's our bulletin board strip on how to carve a pumpkin.
My students made these jack'o "lanterns" and LOVED them. We used a full sized piece of orange construction paper, however, so I decided to scrap my original plan of using toilet paper rolls covered in yellow construction paper for the middle. Next year I'll try it with a half piece of paper instead!
I've really been trying to encourage our students and class parents to make good food choices, but I fell in love with these pumpkin rice krispie treats!
I asked our room parents to use an all-orange food theme and to keep it healthy every day and for our party, so these other ideas are great too!
I found this idea for a school Halloween costume on Pinterest (definitely needs a little modification to be a little more school and weather appropriate!) We'll see if I can get a couple of other teachers to join in!
Have you entered my giveaway yet? It's another reason to celebrate! :)
I am linking up with one of my favorite blogs, Swimming into Second, to share some of my new favorite read aloud books. They mostly center around anti-bullying and character education because that is a focus for our school right now during Anti Violence Week across the state and the new NJ Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying (HIB) laws. I have been spending wayyyy to much money at Scholastic, Barnes and Noble, and Amazon, but I just loooove these books!
Mr. Peabody's Apples is a book written by Madonna. Yes, the singer. I didn't believe it either... but it is a great book that teaches children about spreading rumors and how they can create or damage a reputation for themselves or others.
How Full is Your Bucket? For Kidsis a great story for teaching students to think before they act. Ever since I read this book to my students, they have wanted to find ways to make sure everyone has a good day. They especially look for other students or teachers who need a pick me up and make sure to fill their buckets!
I'm Gonna Like Me: Letting Off a Little Self Esteem is a story cowritten by Jamie Lee Curtis. It seems like actresses and celebrities are writing books all the time now! It teaches kids to accept themselves and helps them to understand that everyone makes mistakes. Kids really enjoy the rhythmic rhyming too!
Don't Laugh at Me teaches kids to accept others, regardless of their differences. It also includes a cd with lyrics about tolerance.
