5 1/2 days (but who's counting?)

5 1/2 days until I get to spend 10 summer filled weeks with my sweet girl! Eeek! I'm so excited I can barely stand it! 

wild wind

It's been windy for four days straight and it's making me grumpy.

It makes my students mean.

We began our day with our morning song, as we always do, clapping and singing joyfully, "Good morning Julie! Good morning Julie! Good morning Julie! We're glad that you are here!"  Suddenly a student meanly yelled, "STOP!!!!!"  

We all stopped.

I looked over and gave my best teacher look.  The student who had yelled looked down and said defensively, "Well he's breathing loudly!" I took a deep breath and counted to 10 in my head.  It's a good thing students can't hear what we teachers are really thinking sometimes...am I right?   

That was my day...all day long. With each gust of wind stronger then the next, the words became more hurtful and my students became more impatient.  Someone was sitting 2cm too close to another student or using the green crayon THEY WERE GOING TO USE! 

These days can be exhausting towards the end of the year.  Sometimes I feel like everything I've taught them about tolerance, patience, and understanding has vanished from their brains. All of our hard work gone.  Because when it comes down to it, I know my students who have taken away these life long lessons of kindness and empathy will most likely be more successful and happier in life. 

Tomorrow we will start again. Baby steps back to where we were.  One of the greatest moments of teaching comes when you see your students internalizing what you have taught them...helping to pick up a friend who has once again toppled out of their chair from the imaginary earthquakes that seem to plague a primary classroom...when I hear an unprompted, "It's Cool!" to a friend who didn't quite get the answer right...when you see the queen bee of the classroom invite one of the quiet girls to play at recess...

Tomorrow we will make sure that everyone knows breathing is an acceptable activity to do at school and I will quietly be counting down the days until summer vacation :)

Endings are the saddest part...

These last few days have been a whirlwind of emotions and things to do. My school year is over and with that came the ending of so many things.  Saying goodbye to your friends and a place you called your second home after six years is a difficult thing to do...but this year has been different.  I don't think I ever fully felt like I was back at school after I returned from my maternity leave.  Of course I put in 100% effort ever day, but my heart and mind were with my new daughter and learning how to be a mother. Those were the things that were most important to me this year...not test scores or learning one more new way to analyze a reading assessment. Maybe that has made it a little bit easier to say goodbye...

 We ended our school year with some fun activities- a walk to the neighborhood park.  I'm sure we were a sight to see.  All 100+ Kindergarten students holding hands, two by two, walking down a very busy street.  But we made it safely and enjoyed the hot sun beating down on us.  As we walked back we passed the Burger King across from our school. I heard a chorus of little voices begging me to stop.  "Are we going to Burger King now?"  "Mrs. Wolfe? Can we please stop and get a hamburger!?"  Haha :)

We began our last day of school with a lockdown, something that has unfortunately become very normal at my school.  I guess it was one last hurrah before sending us off into summer. My small friends came to school dressed in their Sunday best for their very much anticipated Kindergarten Graduation. We had been practicing and practicing for a couple of weeks so our songs would be perfect for our moms and dads...and they were. We always end with the song I'm Gonna Miss You and my classroom suddenly became filled with parents crying, wishing their little Kindergarteners would stay five for just a while longer. 

My students were high on sugar and the feeling that summer is coming so we spent our last day of school calmly cleaning up the classroom and saying goodbye. I didn't tell them that I was moving away...I wanted to, but I couldn't find the words.  Every year I give my cloud talk during the last few minutes of school. I told my students that I was proud of them and that they are going to do great things in first grade.  We sang our goodbye song and when we got to the part that says we are thankful for our teachers I was swarmed by my class.  We held each other in a great big hug and I smiled at each of them trying not to let the tears escape my eyes...they are going to do great things, I can feel it. 

The staff gathered outside as the buses drove off-it's tradition to wave goodbye to our students on the last day of school. Little arms poked out of the windows waving wildly at their teachers. And soon they were gone and it was quiet. 

* * *

I spent the next few days packing up my classroom which was quite the job.  I never thought I have accumulated very much stuff, but teachers are notorious for keeping everything...you never know if you'll need that half eaten pencil! But it's finished.  My classroom is now empty, waiting for the next group of students to make their mark. 

  I was one of the last to leave on the teacher workday.  I couldn't make myself walk out the door for the last time.  I just stood in the middle of my room. 

I finally walked over to my piano.  I placed my hands on the keys for the last time and played my clean up song, which is a pretty tune from the 1950's about why the birds are singing.  I thought about how many times I've played that song...

I closed the piano, picked up my last packed box, and quietly said goodbye. 

Smells Like Everything Is Going To Be Okay

It started to rain just as we were eating dinner.  I love the rain...maybe because here in Colorado we don't have rainy days very often.  I love the way it smells and how the earth feels fresh again.  I leaned my head against the partially open screen door and felt the cool breeze against my face as I breathed deeply in and out. I closed my eyes and for the first time in almost seven years I felt a calm wash over my body.  

We are moving home!

{it was thundering :)}

This morning I accepted a job offer to teach in my hometown!  It's been an overwhelming month of interviews and even a second job offer.  We have wanted this for so so long that I can't actually seem to wrap my mind around the fact that it is happening.  I know now that this is the right time.  I needed to work towards this moment...to earn it so that I could appreciate it every single day.   I wouldn't change the past six years for anything, especially if it meant I could have my dream job today.

I'm excited to document this time.  This will be an extra busy season in our lives- wrapping up the school year here, packing up my classroom and our apartment.  I know this can be a stressful time, but I'm trying to hold onto the fact that this is a good stress to have.

So for now, we are clinking our champagne glasses and celebrating!  Life is good!

Pink

I told Martin I needed to pick out a new shade of nail polish to celebrate the end of the school year.  He didn't understand.  I remember when we were little and my mom would let us pick something special out at the drug store when we were celebrating a special occasion, like not crying when we got our yearly shots at the doctors. I'd say surviving this school year allows me to pick out every shade of nail polish in the store...but I settled on neon pink.  

The past two days have been so relaxing. My pace is much slower these days, but it's felt good cleaning the apartment and slowly getting things ready for the little one.  My feet are enjoying my afternoon naps and I think my ankles are starting to make an appearance again. 

8 Months

It's hard to believe that I'm already 8 months pregnant. I remember filling in my planner with each week of pregnancy starting with the week we found out, 3 weeks...33 weeks seemed so far away.  It would be the last week of school and I kept trying to imagine how I would be feeling.  Probably very tired, swollen ankles and probably very ready to be done with school.  I imagined right :) 

I have two more days of school left and about a million things to do before I turn in my keys.  I don't want to think about school anymore. I feel like this time before her arrival is so precious and I'm losing this precious time recording test scores and organizing my classroom for next year.  I want to start preparing for her, getting her things ready.  I want to get my mind ready for this incredible journey that we're about to take because most days I don't feel ready.   

I feel like my emotions have been running wild these past few weeks. Every time I think of holding our tiny baby in my arms my eyes fill with tears. Every time I think about the responsibility of bringing a tiny baby into this world, my eyes fill with tears. All the things still left to do.  All the things I won't know how to do until she actually comes.  Praying that Martin and I will be the best parents we know how to be for our daughter. 

I know everything will work out because it always seems to. I know that if the changing table doesn't get painted that life will go on. I feel like I'm preparing for a test that I can't truly prepare for and that makes me feel like I'm failing. 

I'm ready to start the most important summer job I've ever had...becoming a mother.  I think once our baby girl makes her appearance into this world safely I will feel at ease.  I know most things will come naturally and the things that don't, well, we will just have to learn them together.  

Home Away From Home

This morning I said goodbye to my second home...my classroom.

I always start off with good intentions about putting everything away in its perfect place and by the end I am secretly stashing things away hoping I'll remember where I put it when I come back in August. 

I usually don't remember.

But never the less, things are put away until the next little group of students comes. This will be my fifth year of teaching, which to me seems crazy.  Where in the world did the time go? Next year will be good.  I'll have my student teacher the first semester (which I'm really excited about)and it will be my third year in the same grade which I haven't experienced yet.   

But I don't want to think about school right now. Right now I want to think about me time.  I want to think about how I can make the most of this special time off. 

I usually spend all summer thinking about the next year.  But this summer I truly feel like I need a mental vacation. Don't worry, the moment I head back to school my thoughts will be filled with everything related to school...and it will continue that way until next May.

 So as I turned off the lights, pulled the shades shut, and closed the door behind me, I left my school thoughts at school and walked into the bright sunshine of summer. 

Burnt Out

I think I may have been the laziest teacher today.

Don't judge.

We have three days left and we had been trapped inside for two days because of the rain.

I have mentally checked out and my kids are using voices that you could probably hear all the way from outer space. They think the word 'walk' means to actually run and that when your teacher talks you really don't have to listen to her and you can continue talking in your gargantuan voice. 

It's pretty fun...and by fun I mean not fun.

Next week will fly by and then I start summer school.  Maybe one of these summers I'll have a true teacher's summer.  But for now, you take the jobs that you can get.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to go work on report cards for an exciting and thrilling Friday night.


happy weekend friends!

Hello Warm Weather!

Please take notice that I am not wearing long sleeves, two layers, and a jacket. 

My arms are seeing the sun for the first time in months.

It finally feels like the end of school is near...I love hearing the playground being mowed through my open classroom window, the smell of sweet newly cut grass wafting in.  That to me says summer vacation is around the corner like nothing else.  With each passing day there is excitement growing in the air.   Only seven more days.  Seven more days with these little friends that I have spent nine months with, four seasons, and countless minutes.  Seven more days left together as a class that has become our little family.    

There is nothing like the ending of a school year.  The end of another chapter in the lives of teachers.  We become accustomed to the daily routines that we've created and in a blink of an eye the bell rings and the kids are gone until the next school year.  And as much as we wish our vacations would last and last, the kids will inevitably show up again in August and we will have to start all over again.  

But for now, I'm enjoying these last seven days I have with my students...celebrations, fun activities, and Kindergarten graduation.  I'll soak up the time together before they are big first graders and too old for someone to help them tie their shoes, too old for puppets, and too old to hold their teacher's hand. 

laughing keeps you sane

Warm spring sun where have you gone too?

I don't know about where you live, but it is hinting at winter here in Colorado. I've had to scrape the ice off my car windows twice this week!  

This week has been interesting to say the least. My students' personalities are really shining through and lately we have had some odd conversations... 

Exhibit A: 

We have been working on figuring out "How Many" in math.  How many friends are here today?  How many eyes are in our class? 

I asked my students to think of things that come in 2's.  You know like socks, and ears, and hands.  I had my students begin to share their ideas as I drew them on the board. 

I called on a student.

"Babies that have two heads!"

{insert crickets chirping here}

The next student I called on wiped his nose with his hand and said, "Snuffers!"

"Snuffers?"

"You know these things..." he then proceeded to poke a finger in his nostril. 

At least both students had right answers...right?

Exhibit B:

Today as I was in the middle of testing a student in math, "...18, 19, 20, 21, 22..." he suddenly turned to me and said, "I don't want to die."

"What?!"

"Yeah, I told my mom that I want to live forever."

"What did she say?"

"She said I have to die someday."

"Well don't worry, I think you'll be old and wrinkly by then."

He giggled and continued counting "...23, 24, 25..." as if he had never stopped. 

I'm telling you, if you want to be entertained for a day go visit a classroom at the end of the school year :)

a new rule made special for mrs. wolfe

I added this rule today. 

Because if you follow this rule I will love you.

The end of the school year is, I believe, the most difficult time of year for a teacher.  Sure, sure the time before Winter Break is a doozy, but the end of the year is a whole new ball park.  I was totaling the number of tests I have to give before school ends. 

299

oh, you couldn't read that

299

yes siree

Just wondering how I'm supposed to still teach and keep growing young minds and preparing my students to be big first graders...anyone? Yeah because it's impossible.

And it's the time of year when we start to see a lot of behaviors...spring fever is a serious disease. 

But it's okay because there are only 23 days of school!

I can not wait for summer...beautiful, warm, sunshiny summer :)

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!