Summer School

One of the many reasons I went into teaching was that I had the summers off. However, the last two years I have needed to work. Last year, I worked at the zoo which was fun but it was hot and the commute was a bear. So this year, I am trying something new and will be teaching Aquatic Science in summer school. Today was my first day. It was the usual first day today. We were given our class rosters, room keys, etc. And of course the rest of the time was spent getting our classrooms ready. I am extremely blessed and only have 11 students in my class. Tomorrow is my first day with students. I only teach M-Th with Fridays off. I get a short break between semesters (over the 4th of July weekend). And then I will be done the 2nd to last week in July. My summer vacation this year will be the last week in July and the first two weeks in August. I will let you know how things go. Here is crossing my fingers that my 11 students are great students, and I have a blast teaching them!!!

1st grade Wrap-up

Another school year has come to a close, and Naomi has now completed the 1st grade. Naomi had a wonderful year in 1st grade. She loved her teacher Mrs. Bray. It is shame that she is retiring because Kaylee will not have the opportunity to have her. Naomi did her very best in the 1st grade spelling bee but got so nervous after every round she finally sat down mid-way through the spelling bee. However, she is determined to get further next year. At her 1st grade awards ceremony, she received certificates for Homework Hero (she did her homework every day), Outstanding Citizenship Award (she never got a mark on her behavior card), Academic Acheivement (straight A's on her 1st grade report card), and 1st place class spelling bee champion. As you can tell, Naomi truly excelled this year. She is reading on a 4th/5th grade reading level and is still excited about learning. The only thing we are trying to work on with her is that it is okay to not get a 100 on her assignments. (Yes, I know the apple does not fall far from the tree!!! )

Naomi and Mrs. Bray
Naomi at her awards ceremony (I tried to take a picture of her getting her awards but she walked away too fast!!!)

Field Day 2011

Today Naomi had field day at her school. Since it was in the afternoon, I was able to go over and walk around with her. I really enjoyed spending time with Naomi. Here are a few pictures of Naomi doing various field day events.

Sack race
Hurdles

Golf

Stomp (?) race

One of the many things I don't like about teaching...

...is moving classrooms. After being in the same room for 7 years, my school has decided to relocate my classroom to be near the other teacher that is teaching Aquatics. Normally I enjoy moving because you can weed out things that you no longer use. However, moving a classroom is a totally different story. I am not looking forward to moving 20 fish tanks ranging between 30g- 5g. And then of course is my big monster tank of 150g. I tried to explain my hesitation with the principal but it was a no go. Well, there goes my dream of actually checking out early this year. I will definitely be spending the week after school gets out moving my classroom. I was offered the help of the custodians. If I boxed, they would move. However, knowing the history of breakage with the custodians. I don't trust them with my tanks!!

Oh, bother...

Today was an Eeyore kind of day. It all started off when I decided Naomi needed milk to drink this morning. When we got to my school, Naomi had placed the milk jug in the side pouch of her backpack and then laid it by my desk. Little did she know the lid was not on tight enough and so we ended up with milk spilling all over my floor and her backpack. So I had to rush to find a new bag of some sort for school. Luckily one of my good friends (the librarian) had a reusable bag for us to use. Once I obtained the new bag I hurried and moved her essentials to it. We just barely made her bus. Needless to say I started my 1st period of the day just a tad flustered. Things started to smooth out a little until my phone rang towards the end of 1st. I noticed via my email that it was the main number for Naomi's elementary school, which definitely could not be good. When I listened to the voicemail, I found out that in my haste to move things to the temporary bag I forgot to put in her homework. For most children this would not be a problem but for Naomi this was a crisis. To add insult to injury Naomi was doing video announcements this morning and I knew she was red faced and tear streaked. Luckily I can think on my feet and realized I could use the copier in the library and scan her homework to email and then email her homework to her teacher. So I called her teacher left a message and then called the front office. The front office ladies were wonderful and said they would tell Naomi right then. Whew diaster diverted. It would have be nice if my day had gotten better after this but alas things definitely got worse. At the end of my 2nd period, I tripped on my own feet (yes it happens) and one of my shoes broke. Argh!! I wish I could say I had a spare pair of shoes in my room but nope I do not. I even brought my rain boots home a couple weeks ago so I did not even have those. Therefore, I taught the rest of the day shoeless on hard concrete floor. Can you say aching feet? At this point, all I wanted to do was go home and go to bed. Too bad, I had to drive downtown for an interview at the zoo. Just got home a little before 9. I am ready to put this day behind me!!!!

I Give Up

Sometimes computers are wonderful. Then there are other days when you just want to do the above. Tonight is one of those nights. First blogger would not let me upload the girls cute dance videos. Now I am trying to diligently get my grades done before the last minute but of course the server for my gradebook is acting up and won't let me input grades. ARGHH!!! Just goes to show you sometimes it doesn't pay to try and be efficient.

Roses, Hearts and Hugs Day

Twice a year Naomi's elementary school has Roses, Hearts and Hugs day. Roses, Hearts, and Hugs day is where all the teachers/staff have bags up by the front office for students to put notes and other things for their teachers to show their appreciation. I forgot to take pictures of what we gave for the first time. Here is what we did this time around. I got the hang of making chocolate candies so we made more chocolate candies and lollipops and then we stuffed soda bottles with them. I hope her teachers like them.

The candies and lollipops
The finished project

School Carnival

Last Friday night Naomi's elementary school had their Carnival. Grandma Braithwaite came with us and we all had a blast. The girls wandered up and down the halls playing all the different games and earning prize coupons. They both got their face painted and their nails painted too. Naomi won a cake at the cake walk. And at the end they both got some really neat prizes with their coupons. Thanks Grandma for coming with us. Below is some pictures taken at the carnival.

The girls going down a slide
Kaylee and the tiger

Naomi doing the bean bag toss.

Kaylee's heart

The girls being Rice Farmers

Naomi bowling

100th day of School

Last week was Naomi's 100th day of school. Her elementary school had a huge 100 day celebration. The students had the option of making a 100 day shirt. And of course Naomi wanted to make one. She decorated her sweatshirt with 100 stick on hearts. Since Grandma Braithwaite was in town, Grandma went over to help with the 100 day activities. Some of the activities was making a 100 day mix and the 100 day parade. Naomi and Grandma had a wonderful time. Naomi told her teacher she can't wait for the next 100 day celebration. Since Grandma Brown was also there, she came over to have lunch with Naomi and Grandma Braithwaite. (Naomi has become quite spoiled with all of her grandparents in town. She has had visitors at lunch quite frequently these past two weeks.) Thanks both sets of grandparents for making Naomi feel special.

Naomi's 100 day shirt
Naomi and her friends lining up for the parade

Both grandmas and Naomi at lunch

My Day Off

Today I took an unexpected day off. Last night I could night sleep. I thought I just had too much to eat so close to bedtime. Alas, that was not the case. At 2:30 am my body decided to finally be sick. Around 4 this morning I was still awake and still sick. So my darling husband, who now subs, offered to go in to work for me. What a blessing that is for me to be able to tell my sub in person what to do!! At first I thought I could spend the time grading and catching up on school work. (I have gotten a little behind.) However, I spent the day sleeping which I needed since I finally fell asleep at 7:30 this morning. Oh well, hopefully I will be rested enough to go to school tomorrow.

My Bulletin Board

School started this past Monday for me. In getting my room ready for this coming school year, I decided that I needed to update my Me Bulletin Board. I have not updated it since I first put it up 6 years ago. In fact, Naomi was still a baby on it. Since I am teaching almost all Aquatics this year, I decided to change my theme from sunflowers to beach. What do you think?

Free at Last

I know most parent's right now are dreading the beginning of summer but I am looking forward to it. Summer is my time to spend with my girls and make memories. Even though, I have to work I am glad that I have a job that I can have two full months off during the summer to enjoy with my family. And let me tell you I earn my two months. Whoever said teaching is an easy job has never actually taught. In fact, during the school year it was not uncommon for me to show up to work at 6 in the morning and then leave school at 5 or 6 at night. Make dinner at home, take care of my girls and then stay up till midnight grading papers or planning activities for the next day at school. So I will spend my next week recuperating from my long school year and then plan to spend the rest of my summer making memories with my family and scrapbooking them.