Missing the Kids

I was at meetings all last week so I wasn't in the classroom. I was actually just across the hall but didn't get to see the kids much. I HATED being away from them. I really missed them during the week. I tried to sneak hugs in the hallway when I could and let them all know that I love them and missed them.

I learned a lot of great things in the meetings and can't wait to start using them in the classroom. Hopefully the weather will cooperate next week and I'll get to spend time with the class again.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

This morning I told the class there would be some new rules in the classroom. I first started by saying that only girls could sit in chairs. Boys had to stand.

Then I posted signs around the room. Only kids with brown hair could use the smartboard, only kids with blue eyes could read the books in the reading center, and only girls could use the computer.

As we were playing smartboard games I pulled sticks and called names, however, if they didn't have brown hair they weren't allowed to play.

Then I told them we were going to read and take AR tests on the computer. Many of them, still stunned, said things like, "I have brown eyes so I can't read the books" or "I'm a boy so I can't take an AR test on the computer". When I wouldn't change the rules, Kennedy said, "But God made us this way".

They were even sad for their friends who were left out. I looked around the room and saw them putting their arms around each other. Their little faces looked confused.

I said, "I notice some of you are having trouble with some of the new rules." I pulled them back together as a group and they explained how they felt about the signs. Then I showed them this sign on the smartboard:

I explained that this was one of many signs that used to hang in some places in the United States.

I was in tears looking at their little faces. They were so saddened and surprised by this. I really didn't expect them to feel so compassionate about this topic, but they really got it!

I told them more about Martin Luther King, Jr. and his life. I also read them a story called "Martin's BIG Words" by Doreen Rappaport.

He said, "Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that."

Tristen said this means "Don't fight with fists, fight with love" and Zane said, "Love is more powerful than hate."

I said, "When people are mean to you it doesn't help to be mean back", Wilson added, "No, it usually just makes them meaner."

We also looked at 2 eggs. One was white and one was green. We talked about the similarities and differences. The only difference they could see was the color. We cracked them open and learned that they were the same on the inside.

Regan said, "Even if the outside doesn't look the same the inside still does." We learned that we should judge people, not on the color of their skin, but the content of their character.

I asked some of the kids their thoughts about what they've learned.

Mallorie said, "It was mean that the white people could do everything that the black people couldn't do." She also added, "It would be sad if my baby sister got treated different than us and didn't get treated normal."

Tristen said, "I feel sad about his (Martin) childship and how he got treated as a kid, but I'm happy now that blacks aren't treated that way."

Tanner said, "I felt sad about the new rules in the classroom, like A.R. I felt sad that my buddies couldn't get better." Then he said, "I think the black people felt mad when they saw those signs and wished they could do what white people do."

Kennedy said, "I was sad when only blue eyes could get books because I have brown eyes. It made me feel sad about the white only signs because they couldn't use the same bathrooms and girls probably had to go in the bathroom with the boys."

In a confident voice Zane said, "If Martin Luther King, Jr. hadn't changed the laws I would have. He was a good man. He did things in a kind way with no war."

All of the kids talked about how they could treat others nicely at recess, or anywhere, no matter what their color, handicap, or personality! We should be kind to everyone.

This group of kids is so kind-hearted. They totally got the message of this lesson. These young people will change the world and make it a better place. I have no doubt about that!

Math Fun

Yesterday in math we used pattern blocks to cover a design. Then we sorted and charted the pattern blocks. They did a great job!

Drawing Conclusions

Second grade teacher, Mrs. Hanes, helped me out today to teach "drawing conclusions". I told the class that I needed to step out for a minute. A few seconds later Mrs. Hanes barged into the room. She yelled, "Where is Mrs. Ward, I need to talk to her!" When the class told her I wasn't here she grabbed her hair and growled. She stomped her feet and slammed the door on the way out.

She must be quite the actress because when I came back in the kids looked scared. They all started panicking and telling me that Mrs. Hanes needed to talk to me immediately. They said she was really mad! I asked, "Did she tell you she was mad?" They answered, "No, but we could tell." When I asked how they could tell they all started describing her actions. Just what I wanted them to do!

After that, I had them write about Mrs. Hanes. They couldn't use the word "mad". They could only describe what it looked like to be mad.

Thanks Mrs. Hanes! I don't think the kids will be forgetting this lesson!

Ward's Wrestlers

Steve and Trent came to read to our class today. They are State Champion wrestlers, but more importantly to me, they're my babies! I had both of these boys when they were in Kindergarten and now, 12 years later, they are seniors. I am so proud of the men they have become. Before they read I had to embarrass them a little with some kindergarten memories. I pulled out a class book we made. Trent had said, "I wish I had wings like a butterfly". The illustration with his little face was at the bottom.Steve said, "I wish I had udders like a cow". HILARIOUS! We agreed that neither was very "manly"!

They were good sports about it and they read "The Wide-Mouthed Frog" to our class.

I even talked Trent into talking like the frog during part of it. He's so cute!

The kids liked the story and asked them unusual questions (as always) like, "Do you like shrimp?" and "Do you like crab?" Not really a lot of questions about wrestling.

We posed for some pictures before they signed our autograph books.

Many of the girls drew them pictures and a couple of them even held up their marker boards as they were leaving that said things like, "I like you!"

We wished them good luck at their match tonight against Carl Junction and said good-bye.

Thanks boys for visiting our class!

Tanner's Taking My Job

Tanner earned 100 Accelerated Reader points already, which is really amazing. As his reward he chose to be the teacher. Zane told me that I should take some time off and go to recess or spend time with my boyfriend.

I heard Tanner tell the class, "If you have to go to the bathroom ask me because Mrs. Ward will just be sitting at her desk doing whatever she wants to do besides yelling at us and getting us in trouble." Since I couldn't do my favorite things like "yelling at students" or "trying to get them in trouble" and I really didn't think Brad (my husband) would drive from Joplin to spend time with me at recess I was the "teacher helper" instead. Tanner was okay with that.

He had prepped the night before for his lesson and was very prepared. He played Smartboard games with the class and pulled sticks with the kids' names on them to make it fair. Sydney said he did a good job and told them how to do the games that they didn't know how to do.

Regan said "He's awesome because he lets us do what we like to do."

About 15 minutes into his lesson, and everyone calling him Mr. Nesvold, Angeline asked why they kept calling him Mr. Nesvold. Tanner tried to explain it to her. About 15 minutes after that I heard Tanner tell Angeline, "For the last time because that's my last name." Apparently she kept asking him!

After the Smartboard games he let them do reading centers. He was so cute walking around asking kids if they needed any help.

Tristen said he was an awesome teacher because, "He let us go to the center we wanted, let me go to the library, and go get a drink."

Tanner said, "This is so hard work, but it's fun.

Zane said, "I wish Tanner was always our teacher!"

Tristen said, "Tanner's the best teacher, but don't worry Mrs. Ward (as he's hugging me), you're second best."

Our own Emma earned an effort award and Mr. Nesvold was able to give her the award. The class cheered for Emma. We are so proud of her.

Also, great job Tanner. You really will make a great teacher one day if you decide to do so!