Wo ... Whoa!

So..............yesterday, I did yet another lesson on contractions. We're clicking right along and I'm pleased. It was a continuation of several lessons, nothing new, just presented in a different way. We all do this, right?

I then get to the contraction "won't" - and, keep in mind, we've done this one many MANY times - it's a tough one. Particularly for all my ESL kids, who struggle with the language. But, still, we've DONE this before, in at least 5 separate lessons. We should know this, right?

I say to my dear children, "Now, remember, this contraction breaks the rules. Who remembers what "won't" means?" DEAD SILENCE reigns through the room (actually, one of the only times that day that they were quiet, come to think of it.). Finally, one of my little guys raises his hand and tentatively says, "Wo .... and .... n't." Sigh...................................................

Today was a new day though, and we got it! So I guess, the sixth or seventh time was the charm.

I'm attaching a Christmas writing paper that I think might be fun to practice capitals and periods. Put a capital next to the present. Don't forget your period next to the gingerbread man! I hope, as always, that you'll find this useful. If you have other ideas for this, write a comment and let us all know of your good idea!

Christmas Writing Paper

Sunshine Award

I was so excited to receive the Sunshine Award from Liz at Stickers, Scissors and Smiles. Wow! I'm thrilled! Thank you so much, Liz - it's a real honor!

The rules for the Sunshine Award are: 

1. Thank the person who gave you the award and write a post about it.

2. Answer the following questions below.

3. Pass the award to 10-12 fabulous bloggers, link their blogs, and let them know you awarded them.

• Favorite color: Purple - it's been my favorite color since I was a little girl.
• Favorite animal: Dogs and cats. I never had a dog before I was married and then we got the sweetest little mutt, who has since passed. I'd always had cats. So now, I couldn't begin to say which is my favorite - I love them both!
• Favorite number: 3
• Favorite drink: Coffee.
• Facebook or Twitter: Honestly? Neither - I occasionally use Facebook when manufacturers offer coupons for their products, but I don't have a Facebook page and I've never Twittered. 
• Your passion: Teaching my first graders! I'm one of the lucky people who just loves what she does. I also love to quilt and make beautiful pieced quilts (at least, I think they're beautiful.)
• Favorite day: Halloween - I just love how excited the kids get.
• Favorite flowers: Daffodils, tulips, and peonies. 

Here are my recipients for the Sunshine Award: 

1. Finally in First

2. Ladybug Teacher Files

3. Mrs. Freshwater's Class

4. Mrs. Lee's Kindergarten

5. Oceans of First Grade Fun

6. Sarah's First Grade Snippets

7. The Bubbly Blonde

8. The Science Diva

9. Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits

10. A Teeny Tiny Teacher

11. Asperec's Apple

One More Day and Counting...

Yay! I'm almost done with my conferences and honestly, I'm so tired I can hardly see straight. I have one more day of conferences and a Thanksgiving feast with our study buddies and then I can drag myself home for an entire week of vacation! Can I say it again? Yay! 

In spite of having to have some frank, heart-to-heart conversations with some of my parents, I think conferences have gone well. My longest conference was an hour (yikes!) long, with the mom of the boy in my class who hits everyone. It was a long conference, with (truly) limited results. I said to her, "I understand that he gets frustrated but I can't have him hit the others." to which she'd reply, "But he says he's sorry." (WHAT? Okay, your KID is six, not you.) Then, I'd say, "Nevertheless, he may not hit the others. If he does, I'm going to send him to the principal, who will send him home." to which she'd reply, "But he really doesn't mean it." You can imagine the rest of the dreary conversation. I honestly felt like I would have had better results if I'd just banged my head against the wall a few times. Ah well, you win some, you lose some... 

Think of me tomorrow in the midst of chaos during our centers and feasting. I keep telling myself, it'll be fun, it'll be great, you''ll have such a good time, the kids will love it. 

What? You're not buying it either? 

How many of you are having feasts with your classes? I hope it goes well for you! Wish me luck!

If You Were A Pilgrim. . .

We had so much fun today and it was one of those serendipitous moments that just happen sometimes. We read a non-fiction book about the Pilgrims and got talking about whether we would want to go on the Mayflower like the Pilgrims. The children went off to recess still talking about it and while they were at recess, I quickly whipped up and ran off this simple graph. When they walked in, everyone walked around and asked each other if they'd want to be a Pilgrim on the Mayflower and why. Not surprisingly, almost everyone said, "No! They had a hard life." I hope, as always that you'll find this fun and helpful. Have a great evening.

One parent conference day done, four more days to go!

Lots of good giveaways out there! Check out Tunstall's Teaching Tidbits for a fun giveaway at her shop. It sounds great.

If You Were a Pilgrim PDF

It's Report Card Time

Hi everyone! So sorry I've been MIA lately - it's report card writing time and next week starts Parent Conferencing. Today was our report card writing day, so I didn't have students but it has been a busy day. In addition, I've been fighting a bad cold for the last two weeks. It is going around! My friend who teaches kindergarten got it and then I got it - as well as all of our children. I even went to Urgent Care yesterday and I hate going there! Once parent conferencing is over, I'll have some time off to rest! From reading all your comments (thank you!), it sounds like everyone else is in the same boat: Either you're sick or your children are! I hope everyone is getting better. I'll be back soon! Wish me luck during conferences - I have a few doozies that I'm not looking forward to!