School answering machine

A little something to make you laugh on a Friday...

I especially like number 2.

MLKJr. Day

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character..."


Since the kids had MLKJr.'s bday off from school, I figured it only appropriate that they learned a bit about the man that was special enough to have a national holiday named after him. I thought it was going to to be tough history to explain to the kids-- boy was I wrong. We talked about how MLKJr. changed the world; how he worked to bring all different kinds of people together; how he worked for peace. I can honestly say that it was one of the best lessons we've shared yet. A good teacher knows that only assessment will show whether the kids grasped the ideas or not. So-- I asked them to write about their own dreams. "Think BIG," I said. Here's what I got:

"I have a dream that everyone would have a wonderful family like us. My family is lucky enough to have a house and love, food and fun and friends." -Meg

"I have a dream that people would not litter because the world would look much better than it does. [...] When I grow up, I am going to be a person that picks up trash all over the world." -Braley

"I have a dream that everyone treated each other like their best friend." -Colin

"I have a dream that no kid or adult will get bullyed or hurt inside." -Olivia

"I wish poor kids would have toys and bikes. Sleds for the winter and jackets, mittens, or even clothes and have a mom or a dad." -Alex

"I have a dream that every pet in need would get help because pets need love, food, and water. So we should make them feel happy by playing with them, buying chew toys, lots of food, and water and some doggy biscuits too so we can make them happy. So give them your hearts. Give them yourselves. Give them everything." -Isabel

And my all time favorite...
"I have a dream that you could sit in a room with a bully and read a book together in peace. I would read Free at Last because it tells you facts about Martin Luther King Jr. He is a really important guy because he changed the world." -Joe



I'm pretty sure they got the gist :)

A New Year

I said hello to 2011 in NYC, a pretty good start. Tomorrow it will be back to work after a relaxing vacation. As stressful as work can sometimes be, I'm glad that I am excited to go back tomorrow. I can't wait to hear from my kids what they did over vacation and catch up with my coworkers. Four months ago I started a job completley unsure of myself, what I was doing and if I was doing it remotely right. It's hard to feel satisfied at the end of the day when you know that you're not reaching every student even with all of the hard work you put it; knowing that 5 of your kids may have passed that test, but two still struggled even with all the studying you did with them, when your student gets a 100 on their spelling test, but it's with third grade words. But at the end of the day I'm trying to rejoice in those little things. Yes two didn't pass the test, but the five that did went home feeling like a rockstar. Though the words he had on his test were coat and boat, those are two words he couldn't spell before and now he can. I feel confident going back. I may not have all the secrets yet, but I know if I keep trying I'll get there.

-Sixth