I now realize what all you bloggers mean when you say that once school starts you feel like you neglect your blog. I will definitely have to pencil in and organize my posting better so I can keep up with it all. I am going to count this list/post as my Five for Friday too, so I can say that I actually linked up with someone this week {oh, how I am missing linking up since school has started back}!!!
I am officially done with my second full week of school. I am not quite as exhausted as I was the first week and I am feeling pretty confident in what I am doing. If you have read any of my past post then you know that my state just adopted Common Core and my parish just adopted new reading and math series to meet the Common Core Standard. So it is a whole new learning experience for all of us at my school.
I wanted to share with you a few things about my week. First, I have the sweetest little student who just came to school this week. She and her brother were in a major accident over the summer. They spent most of the summer in the hospital. Upon returning to school my sweet student is wearing a full length cast on her leg and is having to use a wheel chair. Even when the cast comes off her leg she will still have to use a wheelchair or a walker until she build her leg strength and muscles back up through therapy. They were accidentally hit by a car while riding their scooter in their neighborhood and it shattered her leg. The poor thing has had to have numerous surgeries. I think she is such a brave little girl. On her first day she whispered in my ear that she was scared. I asked her what was she scared of. Her response was that her classmates and other kids may make fun of her for being in a wheelchair. She said they remember her from last year and she didn’t have a wheelchair then. I gave her a big squeeze and told her that that would not happen. I told her that most of the class had already heard about her accident and had been praying for a speedy recovery. As she sat in the class that day I could tell the poor thing was so nervous. But I was so proud of my class. They were so sweet to her and wanted to help her out anyway they could. I never heard one negative remark. If anything I think they thought her wheelchair was cool. They are all way too eager to want to help push her around. Two of my other students came up to me at recess when no one was around and wanted to show me what they had started making her during their free time. It was such a cute drawing that wished her a speedy recovery. In that moment I was reminded how sweet and innocent children can be and that they two can have compassion and a huge heart. Take a look at the sweet picture below. The picture with the kids on it has my student in the wheelchair in the middle. It was such a sweet gesture. When they gave her the picture she smiled from ear to ear. By the second day, I felt like she was really excited to come back to school. She realized all the kids were just as happy to see her. I can’t wait to see her get so much better as the year moves on.
The second thing I did this week was work on communities. I think the kids really enjoyed learning about communities. This week we learned all about urban, suburban, and rural areas. On Friday, I had them to fold a huge piece of manila paper into three sections. In each section they had to draw a urban, suburban, and rural area. I have some really talented kids in my class this year. They love to draw. This was a simple activity I did to wind down the week, but they loved doing it.
Ok, for number three! Have you ever read, “Me on the Map”? I love this book. I have used this book for about 4 years now to introduce maps. It has such simple text, but really drives the point home. After we read the book we made our own versions of “Me on the Map”. This kids really enjoyed this activity too. Plus I think they really turned out cute.
On the final note one of my fellow team teacher’s husband brought us all cupcakes today with our names on it . How sweet is that? And get this, earlier in the weeks another brought us chocolate peanut butter pie {yum}! I am seriously thinking my hubs may need to get the lead out and bring us something too {yeah, right -ha}!
Well, I guess that is technically four things, instead of five but who is counting – right!!! As always thanks for stopping by and taking a peek!
Deb Hanson says
#1 warmed my heart! Thanks for sharing.
~Deb
Crafting Connections
admin says
I know right – kids can be so sweet sometimes. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
Jamie
teachingtidbit.blogspot.com
Lindsey Johnston says
Kiddos are just too sweet! Your Me on the Map projects turned out great! I can't wait to hear more! 🙂
Lindsey
The Journey of a Beginning Teacher
admin says
Thanks for stopping by. I love reading comments.
Jamie
Brittany Leathers says
Loved number one! The kids are just darling. 🙂
Brittany
tractorstoteaching.blogspot.com
admin says
Thanks for stopping by!
Jamie
Natalie Melton says
Hey Jamie! It's me, Natalie from The Polka Dotted Chirp! Your blog is ADORABLE! I completely understand when you say that our blogs may get neglected when school starts! It is so hectic at the beginning of every year! I must say, your blog is so cute and I love THE POLKA DOTS! I am your newest follower!
~Natalie
http://www.thepolkadottedchirp.blogspot.com
admin says
Thanks for stopping by, I can't wait to read more of your post as well.
Jamie
Growing a Teacher says
I'm getting ready to do a unit on maps and map skills this week. I think I need to find the book Me on the Map and try out your activity! Great idea!!
admin says
It turns out really cute and the kids had fun drawing it out and putting it together.
Jamie