Sunday Scoop...One day late!!!

One of the things that I love to do is follow, read and enjoy other blogs about teaching (and other things). I especially love linky parties. 

Every Friday on my bloglovin feed I get all the Five for Friday link ups with Doodle Bugs Teaching and, each and every week, I think "I wish I did that!" But, who am I kidding? Get a post about the week done by Friday of the same week? I know me and I know that isn't going to happen any day soon! (Fingers crossed that I will, one day, get it done!)

I had to stay home today because the ear ache I mentioned on Saturday finally beat me. I was so exhausted today that I literally slept the day away. Just got up a little while ago and it is 4:30!!!!! I am happy to report that the ear ache is 99% gone and I am ready to be back at school tomorrow. 

Anywho, because I stayed home today and had the last half hour lazing about on the couch, checking my emails and looking up blogs etc., I had the good fortune to come across a new (well, new to me!) linky party that happens on Sundays. Yes, Sundays! Can I get a hallelujah? Sundays I can do. In fact, most weeks I write all of my posts on Sundays and set them to publish during the week. So, yay for Sunday linky parties!

So, here I am, linking up a day late! It is done by Teaching Trio .(Sorry, will do it on Sunday next time. Pinky promise!!!!) Just click on the pic below to go straight to the linky party. If you click on the site name above it'll take you to their home page.

The 3 things I HAVE to do...

These are pretty self explanatory. 

I have some very general reading groups created but I need to check on a few kids to be sure I have them in the right spots. 

And the exercise one is pretty basic. Even before the ear ache I wasn't doing very well keeping up my routine (which is probably part of the reason I got sick!) and know that I need to get my *$%# together and get back to the gym and yoga. If not for me, then for the mental health of all those who have to deal with me every day!!!!!

Probably, the most difficult one there is the Social Studies. We are trying to use the new draft curriculum (which is significantly different from the old curriculum) as much as possible this year and it means starting from scratch in a lot of cases. It seems that learning outcomes have shifted down a grade so now there are all these things the grade 2's have to learn that they didn't before. Can't they ever just keep it simple, people?!?! 

As for the 2 things I HOPE to do...

I haven't seen my mum in a couple of weeks (since Thanksgiving actually) and I am feeling bad about it. Not that she knows I haven't been there. Her Alzheimer's is bad enough now that she doesn't remember if I was there 5 minutes ago, 5 hours ago or 5 months ago. But I know. And it is a tradition (since we had my daughter 18 years ago) to go to her house for Halloween, order in dinner and hand out the candy with her. And, although my daughter will not be there for Halloween (she'll be in Montreal) and even though Halloween is my least favourite holiday by far, I still plan to go up.

And the Whole Brain Teaching (WBT for short) is something I have been doing on and off over the years and just started again in class with our smilies/frownies board. This class is responding really well to it so I am going to do more. Want to know more about it? I've been watching a bunch of YouTube videos of WBT in action and also relearning all the things on their site. Some I know works for me, some I need to adjust a bit and some I just want to try for the first time! Check out their website at WBT! And check out this lesson below done by one of my favourite WBT teachers on the web!

And, last but not least, as for my 1 thing I am HAPPY to do...

I love to read. Enough said.

Catch you later, I've got a book calling my name!!!! (And a hubby making dinner. Is there any better way to end a sick day? Well, except for not feeling sick anymore!?!?!)

Cheers!

Olwyn

One of the best parts of teaching is how open and loving the children are each day.

They want to share themselves, their ideas, their energy, everything with me.

I love this!

But...

I don't love it so much when they share their germs with me, too!!!

This past Saturday, I succumbed (after not getting sick for over two weeks of watching students drop like flies for 2-3 days at a time!!!) to the bug going around the class. 

YUCK!

Can you say not fun?

Go on!

Say it!

I know you can!!!

So, I am just now getting to all the blog posts I usually write on Sunday mornings (whilst listening to my fave music!) and schedule for the week. (instead, I slept ALL of Sunday away with only occasional forays to the kitchen for crackers and ginger ale.) 

Back to the joyful (no germs allowed) part of all the sharing my lovelies do each day...

On Friday we had a lovely Valentine's Day in our community. Each teacher took a turn teaching an activity to the whole community (yep! You heard me right! Teaching to all 70+ kids at once!) and then students worked anywhere in the community with any friends they wanted. It was a great day all around! So calm, so fun and so filled with love!

My activity was (surprise! surprise!) an art one.

With a twist. 

Each child decorated a simple heart with lots of bright colours and designs. Easy peasy. Just good ol' fashioned colouring. 

Then, came the twist!...

they had to cut their heart into four pieces and share three pieces with three friends. 

In turn, they had to get three new pieces from three friends.

(I can't lie...this was a bit of a logistical nightmare for a few of them!) 

and eventually...

they ended up with a brand new heart made up of four pieces - one of theirs and three others from friends.

It makes a great visual statement but...more to the point... they were sharing their hearts.

Get it? 

"Sharing their hearts"?

Choosing three friends and sharing their heart with them?

Yep! This wasn't just an art lesson, it was a whole deep mushy-gushy lesson on friendship and being a part of each other's hearts.

I know. Sappy, right?

But I am so happy with how it turned out. And so pleased with the ease so many students had in sharing their hearts with anyone in the community. It was a lovely visual way to remind them that while we may be three separate divisions, we are all still one community.

And it is a community filled with lots of love!!!!!

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

This e-card pretty much sums it up! I have not had a Fall so full of illness in I don't know how long. First, a horrible head cold. Then the flu. And, now, strep throat. I think I'm due for some healthy days soon, don't you?

I suppose the only positive is that I'm down 7 pounds in about a week! Craaaaazy!!!! That'll happen when one lives on ginger ale and Popsicles! 

I have spent the better part of the last week sleeping. I couldn't even manage to stay awake long enough to watch a one hour tv show. Or read. Or go online. Or read. Or anything!

The flu symptoms finally pretty much left by yesterday but the fatigue just wouldn't give up. Then, today my doctor calls...strep throat. Yay me!

Now, two doses of penicillin later, I am starting to feel human again. I expect to be pretty much 100% by Monday and back at work raring to go!

Aaaah...work. How I have missed being at work (when I was awake enough to miss anything that is!) and being with all of my lovelies. I was so happy to hear from both my support worker and colleagues that my guest teacher was really great. Knowing that everything was under control made it much easier to just go back to sleep and concentrate on getting well.

But I am sooooo looking forward to being back at work next week. Beyond just simply missing my days with the lovelies, I also just love the three weeks before the holidays. We spend time talking about family traditions, learning about winter festivals of light and just plain having a good time. Report cards are done (well, that is the idea, though they are due next week and I haven't even started!), vacation is coming and there is a general feeling of excitement in the air!  

I love teaching the grades I teach. It is still the age of wonder and I really don't think there is more of a season of wonder than the winter holidays (although I suppose the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny come a close second!) The belief in miracles that is Hanukkah. The story of Christmas. The magic of Santa Claus. It all comes together to create a time of year when teaching 5-7 year olds really is the best job on Earth! 

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

Fall is Here

Just wanted to share some of the beautiful leaf art that the kids did while I was away sick a couple of weeks ago. I found it hidden under a pile of papers on my teaching table when I got back and just had to hang it up. It is so colourful and vivid. It makes the windows look so seasonal.

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

It really does not seem that long ago that I sat in the staff room at work talking about pregnancy and then about preschool before moving on to issues of childhood. We talked about date nights and breast feeding and how we never got any sleep with a baby/toddler in the house.

I am only a few years older than some of the teachers who are new parents and, yet, I feel worlds away from them in many ways. Where they are talking about pregnancy and newborns, I find myself talking about elderly parents and caregiving. 

I suppose in some ways I am fortunate that I had my daughter young. Unlike some of my peers who are going to be dealing with young children and elderly parents at the same time, I have only had to deal with one or the other. (Not that I am not still dealing with parenting issues - 17 year olds can be very emotionally demanding!)

Today I am off to the hospital with my siblings to attend a meeting about my Mum. She has been going for assessment two days a week for three months. Today we find out what the complete diagnosis is (I know it is dementia but am unsure how far along the continuum she is) and suggestions for future care etc.

I don't often talk about my personal life on here. There are so many other exciting things to talk about that are going on in the classroom! But, every once in awhile, I think it is valuable to be reminded (and remind others) that while I spend the majority of my time planning, teaching and caring for other people's children, I do have things going on in my own life that occasionally take precedence. 

And, while parents of the students in my class are primarily concerned with how their child is doing (as they should be), I hope that they understand that in and amongst all of the lessons and teaching and everything, their children bring me joy and take me to my happy place. 

When I feel overwhelmed by my mother's decline in mental health, when I miss my father desperately or when my heart is breaking for my 17 year old (who has had her heart broken), I know that I can walk into my classroom and be filled instantly with joy and love and caring. I feel so blessed to have the job that I have. I know, I know, I've said that before but I really mean it. How many people go to work each day and get hugs and smiles and laughs? Not many, I would guess. 

And so, while I am not really looking forward to this morning's meeting at the hospital, I know that no matter what happens, I can walk into my class this afternoon and feel happy. Thank you for that, my lovelies!

Ms. Hughes

A Walk in the Sunshine

Progress on the sick front!

I had to walk the dog today and went for a 20 minute walk (thank goodness it wasn't raining!) and came home still feeling human. Yay!!!!

Prior to today, if I tried to do anything (like walk the dog) I came home and needed to take a nap. So...progress!!!!

And, as it is such a beautiful, sunny day, I couldn't help but snap a few pics. This is my very favourite time of year. Trees in rich colours, a nip in the air and the sun shining. (It's not my favourite time of the year so much when it is raining!!!)

Enjoy!

And my wonderful hubby cut A LOT of wood while I was home sick. This is just the tip of the wood pile! We have a working fireplace for the first time EVER and it is already getting quite a work out. I am loving it!

I am actually feeling like doing something other than sleeping! Maybe some school planning?!?! It feels like I have been away forever!!!! 

Looking forward to seeing all my lovelies tomorrow, giving (and getting) lots of hugs and feeling that sense of place I get in my classroom. Everyone should love their job as much as I do. Being sick and forced to stay away from work only makes me that much more grateful for all that I have in my job. I am truly blessed!

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

Currently....November

It's that time again!

Time to link up with Farley over at Oh Boy Fourth Grade for this month's Currently!

listening....I am not usually a Castle viewer. I used to watch it all the time in the first two seasons or so but not much since then...

however, being bored out of my mind has made me into someone who watches pretty much anything! Though I have not yet succumbed to daytime tv. Currently (get the pun!), Beckett is standing on a bomb that is set to go off in 10 minutes. Oh the suspense!!!!!

loving...okay, okay, I know that this sort of thing really annoys some people (I'm pretty sure it only annoys the unorganized ones out there!) but I am one of  those people who finishes ALL of my Christmas shopping, baking, card writing etc before December 1st. I want to enjoy December. NOT be exhausted! The last couple of years I have used a site called Organized Christmas that has helped me tremendously. It wouldn't work for everyone but it sure works for me!!!!

thinking...that I am so, so, so sick of being sick. I have been home from school sleeping, coughing, sleeping, coughing, you get the idea...since Wednesday! Yep! That's right...four days. Four. Very. Long. Days! I am back on Monday (no matter what!) but won't be there until the afternoon as I have a scheduled appointment in the morning. Not the best timing for the appointment but, what can I do?, I've been waiting awhile for it and I'm not going to miss it.

wanting...okay, this one goes with the loving one. I want the other 50% done. Finished. Complete. Nuff said.

needing...I am kind of like a skipping record today, huh? I can live with some of the cold symptoms but the laryngitis has got to go. I have spent 4 days not talking and still I have a scratchy, rough voice. One that I know will be completely gone again once I teach for a day or so. Maybe what I am really needing is a plethora of silent signals to use when teaching in order to save my voice!

a yummy pin...as some of you know, I am gluten free. I haven't bothered trying to bake much the last few years since finding really good cookie and cake recipes that are also gluten free has been somewhat of a challenge! However, I found this site Gluten Free on a Shoestring and I have decided to give it a try. I mean, how can you look at this picture and not want to try it out?!?!

And there you go....another Currently done!

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

I hate being sick!!!!!!

So, I went back to work on Monday after sleeping my weekend away. And two days later...I am home with laryngitis. Ugh!!!!

I hate, hate, hate feeling well enough to teach but having no voice to do it with! It totally sucks! 

So, in an attempt to make myself feel better, I have been surfing youtube finding videos that make me happy and fill my heart. Consider yourself warned...I will undoubtedly jump on my soap box a time or two today!!!!!

I like to think that my being forced to sit at home and get better might result in your enjoying a big smile!

The first one is the Gratitude Dance video that I am planning to show on Friday when we do our Gratitude journals.

This one I love because it proves so clearly that appearances can be totally deceiving.

Here's a video by my favourite band, The Script. This song always makes me think of  my Dad. FYI, there is one swear word in this video (just in case you watch with children nearby!)

And another video that makes my heart full. Anyone who know me, knows that I am fully supportive of inclusion for all regardless of any differences, be they race, gender, sexual orientation or anything else. In my eyes and in my heart, we are all equal and deserve to be treated with the same love.

My brother-in-law and his husband celebrated one of the very first marriages in Ontario, over a decade ago, when same-sex marriage became legal. After many, many years together they were finally able to be legally recognized. How wonderful!

Soon after their marriage, at the young age of 5, my daughter experienced her first run in with homophobia when a parent in her kindergarten refused to let her play any longer with her daughter once she learned that my good egg has two married uncles. 

Today, I look at my beautiful, strong, 17 year old daughter, who sees no difference between gay and straight and feel proud to have raised her to look with her heart. This song gives me hope that, one day, the whole issue of marriage being straight or gay will be a long distant memory. That one day marriage will just be that...a marriage of two people who love each other.

Okay, stepping off my soapbox, now!

And, last but not least, a flash mob that brings a great, big smile to my face! And (to your relief) doesn't send me to the top of another soapbox!!!!!

Cheers!

Ms. Hughes

Sleeping the Sickies Away

Hello Friends!

I have been in absentia from the blogosphere the last couple of days. 

I went to a wonderful workshop on Friday (more to come on that at a later date!) and then came home feeling like death warmed over (or, at least, what I think death warmed over must feel like!).

Went to bed at 8:45 Friday night and didn't get up again (other than to go to the bathroom and get drinks) until today (yep, Sunday!) a little after 10:00 a.m. 

Wowzer!!!! I slept over 36 hours!!!!

Still not feeling great but have been out of bed for over an hour and so far am not feeling the huge need to nap. So, thought I'd get in a post while I am still awake!

Not a lot of talk today. Just some photos of life in Lucky Division 13 this past week!

Made "Mummy Dogs" with the class on Wednesday. Well, in reality, Miss Vanessa made the mummy dogs. I just brought in the supplies. 

There are no words to describe how grateful I am to have Miss Vanessa working in our class this year. Beyond the fact that she is an amazing cook (these mummy dogs soooo didn't make use of her considerable talent!) but because she just makes life better. Always positive, never complaining, a beautiful quiet energy and a great heart. How could I ever want anything more?

Some photos of our Math Stations this week. One was pattern blocks (we have begun learning/reviewing what we know about 2 dimensional shapes), another was at the tub station (a roll the dice game that works on addition facts) and the last was our seat work ( a book about shapes.)

And last, but most definitely not least, a page from a student's Gratitude Journal. I had this student last year and, I have to tell you, my heart just about burst when I read what she had written! Her current teacher sent her over to me during Community Centres and I almost cried reading her wonderful words about me. 

And I love how she is so honest saying that I am optimistic most of the time! So true! I pride myself on always trying to see situations and people from a positive perspective. I succeed more often than not, I am glad to say!

This, to me, is what community is all about. Building relationships that last and are meaningful with the students! It helps me to remember why I am a teacher and what I believe in. The bottom line is always about relationships. Math, Writing, Reading, Science, Social Studies, Gym...all are important but, without relationship, are really meaningless as far as I am concerned. I could go on but, since you all know by now that this is one of my soapbox topics, I won't!

Instead, I will bid you adieu and head back to bed. Not feeling too bad still but could probably use a nap (after all, I have been out of bed now for over 2 hours!!!!!) Crossing my fingers that I am well enough to come to school tomorrow!

Ms. Hughes

I may be sick but I still have school on the brain. After sleeping the day away I needed to be out of bed for a little while. So, I downloaded the photos from yesterday to show you.

And, now, I am going back to bed!

Ms. Hughes

Health update and Christmas catch up

Well, being hit by a nasty stomach bug the first week back at school was certainly NOT one of my New Year's Resolutions!!! It hit me right before school ended on Thursday and I had to send one of the student's running for our principal. Thank heavens the principal was in her office! She came and took my class out for home time dismissal and then I headed home and to bed. I felt awful!!!!

I spent all day Friday sleeping, eating Saltines and drinking Gingerale (thank goodness for good ol' Gingerale!) Luckily, it seems to have been of the 24 hour variety and I am now feeling human again! I should be back at work and raring to go by Monday.

Given that I have energy again, I finally dug out my camera (which I haven't even looked at since Christmas) and downloaded the photos.  Most were before photos of the new house that I will post on my house blog when I get the chance to do some after shots. But I also found the one of the gifts I got from my Holly Bloggy Secret Santa that I had forgotten to download and post at Christmas time. So here is a little Christmas catch up a few weeks late! 

This past Christmas I participated in a teacher gift exchange that was created by Caitlin and Sarah. It was called the Holly Bloggy Christmas Gift Exchange and you can find all the link ups here for the participants. I got a lovely package in the mail all the way from Florida!

Thank you to my Holly Bloggy friend, Jessica! I love the notepad (in turquoise, my new favourite colour!), the book and the note cards. So nice to open on Christmas morning!

I forgot to take a photo of what I sent to my holly bloggy friend in Washington state. It had lots of pink in it since that is her favourite colour! I had fun doing this exchange and look forward to the one next Christmas!

It's official...

I have bronchitis. Sigh.... After 6 days of sleeping, coughing, sleeping, coughing, sleeping (you get the idea!) I got into the doctor today. I spent a goodly part of the afternoon sitting (exhausted) in a clinic waiting for an x-ray so that my doctor can confirm that it is only bronchitis and not pneumonia. I am crossing my fingers that his initial diagnosis is the right one! I am starting antibiotics today and (knock wood) they will start to kick in within a day or two. If my breathing does not improve by Thursday I will have to go back to my doctor and take stronger meds.

I can't remember ever feeling so weak. I don't even have the energy to take the dog around the block without needing a nap after!!!!! Being so exhausted is soooo boring. I am not the kind of person who takes well to doing nothing. Even reading or working at the computer can only be done in short stints since I tire so easily.

I really miss the energy and action of the classroom. I miss the kids, seeing my colleagues, all of it. Sigh... I will be home for at least this week and I am hopeful that the antibiotics will kick in and I will be well enough to come back to work (with energy) by next Monday. Crossing my fingers and toes!!!!!

Exercises in Frustration

This past week was a long one. Too many long hours at work, not enough sleep and a migraine sandwiched in the middle. It was one of those weeks when the activities that usually run smoothly felt like they were covered in speed bumps. Everything seemed to take longer, the kids seemed to talk more, nothing seemed to get done quite the way I intended or envisioned.

This was especially true with two of the lessons we did. One was an art lesson on illusion that all of the students in Divisions 13, 14 and 15 did. The task was to draw 7 pumpkins so that they look like they are sitting in a v shape. Sounds easy enough, right?

We had the lesson together as one big group and then went off to our individual rooms to do the actual art. It quickly became apparent that this lesson would have turned out better (for my sanity!) if I had done it as a teacher directed step by step activity. The class had a lot of trouble remembering all of the instructions and, while the samples did not look difficult, the actual creating of the illusion was tricky for a lot of them. I felt very frazzled by the end of the activity. Lesson learned. Even with all the frustration I was pleased with the finished results; the class should be proud of them, too. It was not an easy activity! Here are some examples:

The second activity that felt like it was not going AT ALL as I had anticipated was a math activity that involved following step by step instructions. The whole group was having some major issues with talking on the day that we did this. It was the morning after I had been away due to my migraine (note to self: never, ever, ever try to do a teacher directed lesson the day after having an EOC teaching my class). The lesson I thought would take about 25 minutes took nearly an hour. Can you say frustration?!?! However, the final result are some pretty cute shape monsters. Check them out...

And some close ups...

 I am hoping for a calmer week next week - although I am really not sure that calm and Halloween are possible!!!! Regardless of how the week rolls out, I know that I will be more rested with all the sleeping I am getting in this weekend!

An Apple a Day...

does NOT keep the doctor away! After coughing and sneezing my way through most of last week, my body has finally said "enough is enough!" I spent all night coughing and got zero sleep. I haven't been out of the house except to buy groceries since school ended Friday night. I am getting very, very tired of feeling lousy. And, to top it all off, I have given the cold to both my hubby and my daughter (who is too sick to go to school today).

Plus, today was a Professional Development day and I was looking forward to planning curriculum with the other two grade 1/2 teachers I work with. Sigh. I hate, hate, hate missing work and am praying that I will get enough rest today to go in tomorrow. Missing a pro d is bad enough but missing teaching time this early in the year is a nightmare!

Ms. Hughes