Memorial Day Weekend

I hope you got to spend some time outside in the beautiful weather...maybe go to a BBQ or two...spent a minute reflecting on the real reason why we celebrate today.

We had a great weekend spent with our family and friends.

My sister and brother-in-law moved into their new house on Saturday. I'm really excited for them to start this new chapter in their lives. They're going to have so many great memories here. 

Sunday was spent at my good friend and co-workers graduation pool party!

...I don't think my skin had seen the sun since last summer when we went on our honeymoon.

And then today Martin ran the Bolder Boulder! Last night he had a special dinner to give him an extra boost of energy.  I passed on it though.

Yes, that would be chicken livers. 

The cashier at the supermarket gave us a questionable look, shook his head, and then made a gagging noise. I pretended to be looking at a magazine so I wouldn't be associated with the organs of a chicken.  

Then later last night I walked into the bathroom and Martin was shaving his already very short hair.  He said it would make him more aerodynamic.  It must have worked because he finished the race in under an hour and even beat Dr. Oz :) 

...nothing like a cold refreshing beer after you've just run 6 miles (and he may have been handed one at about mile 4 by a man on the side of the road and at the end of the race...but who's counting?)  We got to spend the afternoon with our good friends Ben and Libby which made the day extra special.  

I'm so proud of my husband. He set a goal and then did everything he could to accomplish it. I wish I was more like him.  If he says he's going to do something, he simply does it.  I'll talk about what I want to do for months and then sort of try it and then slowly start to forget about what I wanted to accomplish. I'm so glad to be married to someone who continually challenges me to be my best. 

Now I'm off to go give my husband a very well deserved foot massage :)  

Good Life

I think my cats have a pretty good life. 

Take a nap

Take a bath

Eat

Take a nap

Look out a window

Take a nap

Look out another window

It is such a beautiful day I wish they could spend some time outside...but no such luck. I have all the windows open so they can imagine what it might be like.  Sometimes I feel bad that our apartment is so small, but then I remember that we rescued them from a not so good life so that they can now have an amazing life with us. 

Tired Toes

Today we took the kids out to play kickball for their specials time.

Most of the girls were standing around screaming when the ball came whizzing passed their heads or looking at the butterflies flittering by.

Me: "GET THE BALL!"

Girl: "What?"

Me: "THE BALL! IT JUST ROLLED PASSED YOU...GET IT!"

Girl: slowly walking to get the ball

Me: jumping up and down "HURRY! TAG HIM TAG HIM!"

Girl: picks up the ball...saunters back.

Me: "Wow great hustle."

I don't want to brag or anything but I totally got like 15 kids out...and I was even wearing flip flops ;)

When we got back to class the boys asked if next time we could play boys vs. girls.  Then one of the little boys said, "No way! If Mrs. Wolfe is on their team they'd win!"

I guarantee your self-esteem is going to shoot through the roof if you play sports with little kids:)

I Actually Like Summer School?!

I remembered today why I love teaching.

Summer school doesn't allow any behavior kids and it makes such a difference in my day.

School is SO MUCH FUN! 

We can be silly and goofy and have such a good time together.  

My classes are so sweet and caring.  I literally almost face planted when I tripped on my computer cord and there were so many, "Are you okay Mrs. Wolfe!?" And when the Promethean Board wasn't going my way the kids sat so quietly and patiently while I tried to figure it out.  IT WAS AMAZING! 

Today we were playing Around the World addition and two boys tied on EVERY card...they were doing awesome!  My class was laughing hysterically because every time I flipped the card they shouted the answer in unison.  Even I couldn't help but laugh until my eyes watered.  

"Mrs. Wolfe! You're face is all red!!"

I love these moments.

I wish we had more moments like these. 

Today I am smiling....a lot

And So It Begins...

Today is the first day of summer school.

I'm teaching two half day sessions of math...my family is probably laughing right now because I may not be the greatest mathematician there ever was.. But I assure you I can teach elementary school math with no problem.

It's been a struggle to wrap my mind around the fact that my co-workers are currently still sleeping and I am getting ready for work like normal. 

Some moments I get really excited about the fact that we can get some of these kids on grade level and then some moments, well most moments I want to lay in the sun and not have a care in the world right now.  

Well there's no turning back now.

Here I go.

Wish me luck.

It will be good.

Empty

until next year...

well at least until Monday when I come back for summer school 

Schools Out For The Summer!

Hooray! We made it! 

Whew...it was a whirlwind of a day.

the things I do for my students...

 My girls from last year...graduating 5th grade

This time of year is always hard for me.

I feel sad, happy, nostalgic...

I don't think this time of year will ever get any easier.

It's part of being a teacher.  

Now the real fun begins tomorrow...taking apart my home away from home.  Putting things away...thinking about the next group of students who walk through our doors.

But right now...I'm going to go relax for the first time since August :)

Kindergarten Graduation

Today was a very special day.

My 23 little friends graduated into the big world of first grade.

There were lots of bows and ties. 

Fancy shoes.

Our graduation ceremony was a big hit.

We had a huge turnout of family.

My students sang I'm Gonna Miss You...which brought on some tears by both parents and students...and Dr. Jean's Cool Bear Hunt.  We ended our performance with Linger, an old camp favorite.

This year has been difficult. 

Our group of students has been challenging behaviorally...but as I was watching my students I couldn't help but feel proud and a little sad that tomorrow is our last day together.  They have grown so much from that first day.   Wow have they learned so much.

Please raise your juice boxes...Here's to you Kindergarten class of 2010! I know you will be successful.  Remember, everything you need to know you have learned here in Kindergarten. I know you will be good people, positive contributors to society...kind. I hope the next time you hear Pomp and Circumstance you are walking across the stage at your high school and college graduations. 

You have taught me more than you'll know.

I'm Gonna Miss You! 

I love Pianos

I finally got up the courage to ask my principal if I could have a piano in my classroom...it's taken me a while even though I knew the worst she would say was no.

A little more e-mailing and I definitely can get an electric keyboard and there may be an extra piano at one of the middle schools.  

(think good thoughts here!)

I can't tell you how excited I am! 

I miss playing the piano so much.

It is part of who I am.

I love how when I play the piano I escape to a different place for just a few minutes.

(Kate and I..or me and Kate...your guess is as good as mine)

I want to be able to share my love of music with my students.

I want them to be surrounded by music...it's such a powerful teaching tool.

Anyways...

Tomorrow is a big day in Kinderland.

It's our graduation day and we've been practicing ALL day!

Singing our Songs.

How to walk.

How to shake someone's hand.

How NOT to run across the stage (our carpet) in a giggling fit.

I even bought Pomp and Circumstance to play.

I think it's going to be pretty cute. 

I'll be sure to get lots of pictures.

Boogers Barfing and Done Testing!

Why do the grossest topics of conversation come up at lunch time?
Boogers and barfing? Seriously?
I almost threw up.
My lemon yogurt started to not look so appetizing if you know what I mean.
In fact, I'm not sure if I can ever eat lemon yogurt again...which is too bad because that's what I've eaten everyday for the past three years.


On another note...
I'm so excited!!! I'm DONE with my testing! I have the most amazing teammates who helped me get it all done today.


They are the best and I love them.


Now I can breathe.
I can enjoy the last few days with my students.
I can reflect.
I can start to think about next year.

Ahhhh...it feels good.

Sunny Day

Today was spent outside.

We took a long walk along the bike path.

We ate lunch outside.

We went to the park.

I don't want to go back inside.

Margo

I took Margo to the vet...just a normal check-up to make sure my little darling girl is healthy.

She is.

Wilson thought I was finally getting rid of his little sister,

but she came back

scared,

mad,

a little sore from her shots.

It was a pretty relaxing day. We had the day off from school.

I took a nap on the couch.

Listened to the rain.

Smelled the rain.

I really needed a moment to relax.

Four more days of school!

Oh wait...then I'm teaching summer school...not fun 1/2 day do whatever you want summer school. Full day, intense, get kids to proficiency summer school.

I can't even think about that now.

Right now I'm enjoying the rain

and Margo balancing her nap on my hip.

Alike

my mom in 1979...first grade teacher

me in 2010...kindergarten teacher

This day could have been better...

Dear Snow,

I really really really don't like you.

Maybe you're confused and didn't realize it was May 12?

You are making me grumpy and cold.

Please tell the sun to come back.

thank you.


Dear Wilson,
I'm sorry you threw up today while using the litter box.
That must have been really challenging (too much information? :)
I'm glad you're feeling better.

Dear testing,

I really really really hate you.

You are making my life very stressful.

I can't enjoy my last few days of school because of you.

You are making my students naughty.

Please go away.

thank you.

Dear Caesar Salad and Garlic Bread,

I love you.

Thank you for being my dinner.

....I think I'm literally going crazy and maybe might have an anxiety attack

Grown-UP

What makes someone a grown-up?

Sometimes I don't feel very grown-up and I'm even married.

My sister and her husband just bought their first house and I think they are now officially grown-ups 

I love their new house.

It's perfect.

It fits them.

It makes me want one...

sometimes...

maybe I'll just enjoy theirs for awhile

teachers have moms too?

We had a very special guest in Kindergarten today...

My mom!

...aka Mrs. Wolfe's mommy...aka Mrs. Redente

We got to do lots of fun crafts that we usually don't have time for so I could get some more testing, testing, testing, and more testing done.  My mom is a life saver.  

Here's one of the little projects she put together

cute huh?

I think I see a light at the end of the testing window...I'm tired of asking the same questions 24 times

Happy Weekend

Ahhhh! I love that it's Saturday!

Yesterday was a difficult day...we had a red lockdown at school which is a HIDE UNDER THE TABLES AND NOT TALK type of lockdown. It means there is someone dangerous in our school. We were eating lunch in the lounge and quickly shut all the blinds and closed the doors. I think we were all a little freaked out...not knowing what was going to happen next...and plus all our kids were in the lunchroom eating. It turns out no one was actually in our school...there was someone with a gun across the street at the supermarket. Haha I sound like a seasoned inner city school teacher.  "No big deal! There was just a gunman across the street...la de da."  

I think my students have realized that school will be ending soon.  WOA yesterday was CRAZY!  When we were doing calendar I pointed out the last day of Kindergarten.

"After this day you'll be FIRST GRADERS!"

*cheers! claps! hoorays!*

During station time one little boy walked up to the calendar and told his friend in a high excited squeal, "We're going to be first graders!" and then proceeded to do some very advanced dance moves across the classroom.

  

I'm looking forward to actually getting some things done for school this weekend...

i.e. organizing my 2 foot stack of testing papers.

Then of course tomorrow is Mother's Day! I can't wait to help celebrate with my mom and this year I have two moms to appreciate!

My two beautiful moms

(my mom and my mother-in-law Pam)

Teacher Appreciation

To all my amazing teachers I've had:

You have inspired me.

You have helped make me who I am today.

I am a teacher today because of you.

You are warriors.

...it's Teacher Appreciation Week if you haven't heard :)

On another note that's not exactly showing appreciation to teachers, things are getting a little hairy here at the state capitol.

The Senate just passed a bill that requires districts to fund a new evaluation system for teachers...yet the legislature just cut a quarter of a billion dollars for K-12 funding for next year.  

umm did you think that one through? 

Did I mention that we would be evaluated on student growth? 

Thanks to our wonderful union who fought hard to get the bill to be amended...the requirement that 50 percent of an evaluation be based on CSAP scores has changed to a requirement that 50 percent be based on multiple measures of student growth.

Here's an idea! Why don't a bunch of people who have NEVER taught a day in their life, been on the frontline of education, or even spent a day in one of their state's schools come up with a really awesome bill that is going to cause people to cheat and never go into education!  Oh waaait! They already did!

As our union said, "Teacher's don't fear accountability. They want a fair, credible evaluation." 

...this is messy and it could really impact my job if it passes with the House Education Committee today. 

:(

happy teacher appreciation week

Tattoo

I've got one.

When I was 19 and after trying my design on with permanent marker in my dorm room, I decided I really wanted to go through with it.  I wanted to get a cross to remind me of my faith everyday...it's nothing elaborate but I like how it makes me feel when I look at it. 

Yesterday my little friends discovered my tattoo. I had totally forgotten when I put on my capris today that it would be showing. 

"Mrs. Wolfe, what's that black thing on your leg?"

"Did you color on yourself with marker?"

"It's the letter t!"

"No! It's a tattoo and it's a cross," said one very street-wise little boy.

 oh geez

I just started in with my lesson hoping they would forget about that fact that their innocent kindergarten teacher had a permanent marking on her leg much like that of their older siblings and parents. 

I don't regret getting my tattoo...well actually I've regretted it maybe a few times. I'm just glad I didn't get the Broncos logo or Daffy Duck tattooed across my forehead...see mom?  Comparatively it could have been a lot worse :) 

Grumpy Pants

ummm...I think half of my class woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

Here's how the afternoon looked: 

"Areely's group, stand up!"

Areely stood up and proceeded to look for her math partner...

"MIGUEL? MIGUEL? Where's Miguel?"

"I think he's in the bathroom"

Miguel then proceeded to open the door of the bathroom where he currently was and yelled,

"HEY? HEY! HEY? I'M RIGHT HERE! I'M IN THE BATHROOM!!!!"

whoa

Then I had to talk to Miguel about using a kind voice to talk to our friends AND to please not open the bathroom door when you are using the bathroom.

One of my other students was so tired and grumpy that he literally stood, head drooped, not moving.

"What's wrong friend?"

"mumblejumblegrumble"

I had to pull out all the stops...it was time for Raffi.  Raffi can cure any bad mood with a little song about baluga whales :)  

Yellow

This afternoon with our calm music playing and the clouds rolling in I heard, "Mrs. Wolfe? My mom's yellow."

"Yellow?" I asked.

"Yeah, she's not the same color as me...she's yellow like you."
:)

I think it's amazing how five year olds aren't afraid to point out what's different about themselves compared to someone else they see. When do we lose that? Adults are so afraid that if they 'notice' what's different then they're being prejudiced.  If we pretend we don't notice then we're being ignorant. I think it's okay to notice the differences in ourselves...that's what makes us all who we are, so unique, so beautiful in our own way. My students are always telling each other what they see around them.

"His hair is really curly!"

"Her skin is darker than mine!" 

"His shirt has stripes on it!"
"Her eyes are a different shape than mine!"
"She doesn't hold her pencil like me!"

I love how innocent five year olds are...they're not being racist or putting anyone down because of what they look like, they're just curious and love to notice the world around them...they point it out and then move on with life. It's not a big deal. It's just who their friend is. 
And that's just the way it should be.

Big Helpers

We had an evening of helpers last night...

Wilson helped with dinner...

and Margo helped dye my hair. 

Yesterday was spent helping my sister with a few of her own projects and then cleaning the apartment until I was exhausted.  But now things are squeaky clean again and I'm ready to tackle the last three weeks of school...yes you heard me! Only THREE more weeks...thirteen days, 104 hours. But who's counting anyways?