Goals

We had to submit goals today for our school year. My goals are as follows: strengthening oral language skills, creating independent learners, and this blog! My goal is to post at least twice a week for the rest of the school year. My worry is not that I can't come up with enough to talk about (let's face it, I can talk forever and like my dad always says "you're mouth moves faster than a bird's "beep" during berry season...wow, thanks.). My worry is that I am not going to have the time to post twice a week. Time flies and I'm nervous that I will put my blog on the back burner. However, hopefully now it is an actual real goal, I will commit to it. We all know my commitment skills aren't that great (i.e. gym memberships I like to pay for on a monthly basis and not go, budgeting plans, etc). Here goes nothing! Week 5, ready or not, here I come!

Today was Picture Day. YIKES.

My students looked absolutely adorable today. The little girls had not a hair out of place. Perfect curls, perfect frills, and perfect bows ( one had a yellow flower in her hair twice the size of her head..SO CUTE!. The boys were so handsome in their collared shirts and gelled hair. I had my day planned pretty loosely since I didn't know how it was going to go. However, if someone told me ahead of time what was actually going to happen, I wouldn't have believed them. I'll do my best to explain this unexplainable day in DK. Let's face it that K and DK could get themselves dirty playing with a roll of paper towel. It is just their nature and they can't help themselves. I assumed that we would all go right in the morning, to avoid spills, slips, bumps, bruises, etc. The morning quickly flew by and before I knew it, it was 10:30 and we hadn't gone yet. No problem except that we have Music from 11-11:45 and then lunch from 12-12:45. So I sent my kids to music and lunch and they still didn't get their pictures taken. Well, as one can imagine, I picked them up from recess at 12:45 and some friends played in the "Gaga Pit" (picture a large, large bull pen filled with dirt...they play a dodge ball like game there), some friends sprinted their hearts out, and some stood facing the opposite direction of the wind. Needless to say, they were a little disheveled. I tried my best to clean them up and then we headed down to pictures. Well, at this point in the day, I have no aid, and sometimes getting these friends to do something together while out of our classroom is like herding cats. So I stopped in the office and asked them to send my aid, who spends the afternoon in 5th grade, down to not only assist me, but get her picture taken. I owe this woman my left leg. She's a life saver. But,HOLY MOLY. Things were still insane. Three photographers at a time and all of the kids have they order forms that during their wait time have turned into fans, airplanes, trucks, kleenex, and who knows what else!! So once that torture was over,they decided we needed a class picture. GREAT. I can do group picture. I can. Just not when it's on the playground equipment. During big kid playground time. In the afternoon. I mean I could have put puppies in front of them and there would still be NO WAY they were going to pay attention. God bless the photographer who probably said "hands at your sides" about 2874592803470 times. She was patient but I literally almost shouted "JUST TAKE A PICTURE. IT DOESN'T MATTER. THEY ARE FIVE!! They are never all going to be just the way they should!" She was cracking me up. My poor children. I had no choice, we weren't called down until 2pm. I couldn't be mad or anything because they are five and can't help all of the wigglies they have. And it wasn't their fault they went so late. The whole process was literally 45 minutes. And it was chaos. Next year, I call dibs on being one of the first to go, since I was one of the last to go. Eh, you live and learn right!? Next time, I'm bring activities!

Team Work

There are 8 developmental kindergarten teachers at my school. This is because DK for my district is centrally located at my school. I have to admit that although a team of 8 is very huge with all different ideas, opinions, and personalities, I do not know how I could possibly start and survive this year without all of the support. I often wonder what my year would be like if I was the only DK teacher at one school...let's just say the thought never ends well. We talk as a team about what we are doing now that makes DK being together beneficial. I think the benefits are almost limitless. I have 7 other people to laugh and cry with. I have enough lesson plans, ideas, books, and crafts within my fingertips to fill the Library of Congress. I have 7 other people that can play "good cop" and "bad cop" at any given time. I have 160 other students in my grade level to have fun with. We started a new thing this year called "Move, Groove, and Learn". My class calls it "Together Time". Every day at 1pm, whoever wants to join comes to my room (or Molly's or Lisa's..just depends on the day) for educational songs, rhymes, dancing and videos for about 30-40 minutes. THE STUDENTS LOVE IT. LITERALLY BEG FOR IT. I love it too. It gives me a chance to get to know the other kids and basically just be downright silly! We have only been doing it for 3 weeks, but I already see a world of difference in my students. It's expanding their frame of reference a little more every single day. If you have the chance or the time, you need to do it in your classroom too. It doesn't matter how long or what you cover. Just do it. The kids need the social exposure. They need the movement. They need each other. However, I do have to say that not everything is rainbows and butterflies, but that's my job. My career is not easy, but every day, no matter how challenging, it is worth it. I always say "If you aren't laughing, you're crying so you might as well laugh" and that is the honest to God truth. So thank you to my team for your constant support and guidance. I appreciate it more than you even know!

What do you make?

I saw this viedo last week at a staff meeting and wanted to shout "YES!! ROCK ON!!" at the top of my lungs....but I'm the newbie...so I didn't...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xkk71rhQpo&feature=player_detailpage

Self Portrait

"Miss Sinnott? I drew this picture of myself for you so incase you miss me the days I do not come to school tomorrow you can look at it, see me and be happy again." (FYI, "the days I do not come to school tomorrow" translates to: Saturday and Sunday)

Is it bad that all I see is Sid the sloth from the movie Ice Age!? :)

Our Classroom!

Two reasons (excuses?) these pictures are so blurry: 1. It was 7:50 AM!!!!! 2. I was in a hurry. Go figure!

The tree on the wall is made entirely with paper. My pride and joy!

Be a rule follower!

I tend to be a rule follower in my everyday life. I feel guilty about crossing the street if it is not at a designated crosswalk, I 've never ever missed a due date, and I always follow IKEA furniture instructions verbatim (if you have never seen IKEA furniture before, you basically can skip to the last page of the manual and assemble). I'm not sure what made me be this way. Perhaps my Catholic school background or the fear of disappointing. Basically, I like boundaries and I think that it is part of my job to set up limits, boundaries, and rules for my students. At the tender age of 4 or 5, kiddos do not understand where their body stops and another person's starts. I frequently watched these future leaders of our world literally get tangled in another's arms or legs simply on the way to the drinking fountain. I talk about one of the most important rules of school.. "DO NOT TOUCH OTHER PEOPLE!!" I literally have sang this phrase, danced this phrase, clapped this phrase, and rapped this phrase (my inspiration comes from "ABC RAP" on YouTube...) numerous times every single day. While waiting for all of my students to come in line I asked in my most excited teacher voice, "What is the most important rule at school?" One student raised his/her hand and started to literally twitch with excitement! "Yes! ______! Tell me!" He/she replied, "Well, Miss Sinnott, the most important rule at school is to not open your lunch before you get to the lunch table because Miss Sinnott will eat it." Just when you think you are all on the same page, they throw a curveball at 'cha!

How could I resist?

My aunt was a first grade teacher for years and wanted to help me out in my classroom. I would love for her to be there but unfortunately, she lives about 275 miles away so a visit wouldn't be easy. She extended the offer to make activities and such for my students and OF COURSE, I agreed. She created little people and all types of clothing. Yesterday, I let my kiddos go to town and make themselves with the cut outs! SERIOUSLY HOW PRECIOUS. If you don't think this is adorable....this blog is NOT for you :)

And yes, one of my students does indeed have blue hair from time to time (see yellow shirt/ blue pants combo)...

Can you tell that I have some sets of twins? Matching clothes? Too cute.

Is it playdough or play-doh?

So, I decided that every Kindergarten teacher needs to make playdough. What I didn't realize was that it was EXTREMELY messing and very time consuming. You have to mix together all kinds of ingredients on the stove and then pour to on the counter to knead it. But it was so hot. What a hoot this was! My mom helped me and all she wanted to do what throw it away and go buy play-doh. I somehow convinced her to keep going and now my kiddos have homemade playdough ! Our first batch turned out HORRIBLE...so we had to throw it away and start over!

Here is the mixing process...

Poured it out...

...and started the kneading process! GROSS!

Dad needed to put some finishing touches and...PRESTO! Instant homemade play dough.

My first week as a REAL LIFE teacher!

Wowza. Wowza. Wowza. I am exhausted! What a crazy, exciting, eventful, tiring week. My students are absolutely great. We have some work ahead of ourselves, but that's why they are in my class! I had a few criers in the morning for the first couple of days, but I think we have all gotten over that! I have a few who miss mom &/or dad during the day, but they are learning. At first, I felt like it was my fault they were so upset. I felt like I should be doing something. However, I realized that it is a slow process. Every day was better than the one before. My teaching team is absolutely incredible. I couldn't imagine a better, more supportive group. They are fabulous. My principal is FABULOUS. More to come!... P.S. I posted this way late! Time sure does get away from ya!

School Starts TOMORROW!

Tomorrow is my first day of school. I repeat..tomorrow is my first day of school. It sounds so strange, but it is entirely true! I start my first teaching job tomorrow. I will be teaching Developmental Kindergarten (Pre-K or Young 5's) in . This is my dream job. Absolutely my dream job. I have a fabulous team (of 8!), a great principal, and a beautiful school in one of the best districts in Michigan! Much to my surprise, I am hardly nervous. We had Open House last week where I had the chance to meet my students and parents. I was more nervous for that night than tomorrow! I think the reason I am so relaxed about the whole day is because I have been so budy attending Professional Developments, meetings with my team, and celebratory parties for the last 4 weeks! I could probably spend more time in my room, but the truth is, it is not worth all of the stress! I am so excited for my classroom and I am proud of the way it looks and all of the work I put into it, and that is what matters. . I can't wait to be with my 22 little friends! :)