The Tuesday we came back to school was an exciting day! The children appeared to be refreshed and re energised for school. As we sat on the rug discussing our break I got several expected answers:
"I played in the snow"
"I went to my grandma's house"
"my mommy had a baby",
"We didnt hear shots at midnight so we were sad"... Wait What??!?!
I was totally confused so I asked for more information.
"What do you mean "shots", like fireworks?"
"No Miss Hansen shots, we stay in side and wait but we didn't hear any so we were sad".
Still confused I moved on deciding to figure this out when not everyone was around. So when we went to lunch, I asked the other teachers if they knew what this child was talking about. Everyone did except the White girl from Parker, CO!
Apparently on New Years it is a tradition for those in the neighborhood to go out and fire their weapons into the sky as a form of celebration! The children are used to having to stay inside because "its shooting out there". (This phrase is used in the same way one might say "its raining out there", because of its regularity).
Crazy right!!!!
-Miss Hansen
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Recess: Right or Gift?
Let me start by saying I think I truly have the best mentor teacher possible. She is willing to let me try almost anything in her classroom, which provides me with great incite into what works and what doesn't. She has let me totally change the set up of our room as well as add reading and writing workshop. She rocks!
The one thing we really don't agree on is Recess. In my opinion, (obviously because this is my blog) recess is a right. It is unrealistic to expect young children to have the ability and motivation to "sit still and behave" for 8 hours straight. He** I cant attend one of our 3 hour classes with out leaving the room at least 3 times.
In most careers, adults are in control of their own schedules. They can pee when the want, eat when they want, stand up when the want, etc. But in many classrooms, the children are given little choice/ control if any. They are told "no you can not use the restroom right now, it is inconvenient for me!" In my opinion, this is unrealistic and not productive at all. I believe there needs to be boundaries for the child to follow, but everyone knows, when you "gotta go" all you are thinking about is how bad you have to "use it" (as my children say). Meaning, even if they aren't in the bathroom during instructional time they aren't paying attention at all!
Recess is the one time during the day that a child can choose to run, slide, skip, climb or sit. The one time during the day they truly are in control. The phrase "they aren't paying attention, they don't deserve recess" is totally counterproductive! If they can't sit still and pay attention, it is CRUCIAL they have time to run around and get their energy out!
Right now in Cincinnati it has been too cold to go outside :( So we dance! The children love the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" and yesterday we learned the "Cha Cha slide". This doesn't give them the same relief as running out side, but they seem to really enjoy it and it helps get their wiggles out.
Any other song ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!
- Miss Hansen
The one thing we really don't agree on is Recess. In my opinion, (obviously because this is my blog) recess is a right. It is unrealistic to expect young children to have the ability and motivation to "sit still and behave" for 8 hours straight. He** I cant attend one of our 3 hour classes with out leaving the room at least 3 times.
In most careers, adults are in control of their own schedules. They can pee when the want, eat when they want, stand up when the want, etc. But in many classrooms, the children are given little choice/ control if any. They are told "no you can not use the restroom right now, it is inconvenient for me!" In my opinion, this is unrealistic and not productive at all. I believe there needs to be boundaries for the child to follow, but everyone knows, when you "gotta go" all you are thinking about is how bad you have to "use it" (as my children say). Meaning, even if they aren't in the bathroom during instructional time they aren't paying attention at all!
Recess is the one time during the day that a child can choose to run, slide, skip, climb or sit. The one time during the day they truly are in control. The phrase "they aren't paying attention, they don't deserve recess" is totally counterproductive! If they can't sit still and pay attention, it is CRUCIAL they have time to run around and get their energy out!
Right now in Cincinnati it has been too cold to go outside :( So we dance! The children love the song "Peanut Butter Jelly Time" and yesterday we learned the "Cha Cha slide". This doesn't give them the same relief as running out side, but they seem to really enjoy it and it helps get their wiggles out.
Any other song ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!
- Miss Hansen
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
First Days Back
After a wonderful day to end the quarter I was more than excited for my first day back. I spent 4 hours before break in the classroom moving things around and countless hours of thinking about new things I wanted to try. After all the planning I felt confident as the children walked into the classroom yesterday.
I changed around the seating arrangements for the quarter. We have two "normal" tables, a standing table, and a table that is on the floor where they sit on a rug. The children were eager to try out the new tables!
We also introduced Reading and Writing Workshop, where children have an opportunity to read literature and work on their writing skills.
I had expectations for Writing workshop which I feel now may be a bit high. When I envisioned it I saw the children really sitting down and writing about something. But the children have had no real experience selecting their own topic and formulating ideas (first, then, finally) so there was a lot of confusion. Today we went step by step starting with the date and title then determining what to write. I am still not satisfied but it is only day 2 so we are going to keep trying.
I am both excited and nervous to become lead teacher next week. I am lucky to have a mentor teacher who will let me try new things!!!
-A Hopeful Miss Hansen
I changed around the seating arrangements for the quarter. We have two "normal" tables, a standing table, and a table that is on the floor where they sit on a rug. The children were eager to try out the new tables!
We also introduced Reading and Writing Workshop, where children have an opportunity to read literature and work on their writing skills.
I had expectations for Writing workshop which I feel now may be a bit high. When I envisioned it I saw the children really sitting down and writing about something. But the children have had no real experience selecting their own topic and formulating ideas (first, then, finally) so there was a lot of confusion. Today we went step by step starting with the date and title then determining what to write. I am still not satisfied but it is only day 2 so we are going to keep trying.
I am both excited and nervous to become lead teacher next week. I am lucky to have a mentor teacher who will let me try new things!!!
-A Hopeful Miss Hansen
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Side Note
I forgot to mention that my wonderful fiancée Logan took a day off work (which is big for him!) to come spend the day with me in the classroom. He got to see my children perform in the winter show, be there to help me pass out our gifts, eat lunch with all the teachers, and celebrate when the children got their gifts from Santa.
I think after seeing what he did on Friday he will understand a little bit more of what I talk and worry about. He loved being there interacting with the children and even recognized several names from the homework he had helped me grade over the quarter. The children loved asking him questions and of course thought it was "grosssss" we were getting married!
I am so thankful to have a man willing to take the time to come into my other world. He really is the best!!!
- Miss Hansen
I think after seeing what he did on Friday he will understand a little bit more of what I talk and worry about. He loved being there interacting with the children and even recognized several names from the homework he had helped me grade over the quarter. The children loved asking him questions and of course thought it was "grosssss" we were getting married!
I am so thankful to have a man willing to take the time to come into my other world. He really is the best!!!
- Miss Hansen
A Whole New Look on Gifts
Some of the classes (like mine) are fortunate enough to have a companies sponsor their class. Our class is sponsored by some amazing people at MetLife. Every week, 3 or 4 of them come in to work with our kids, either playing games or working on school work. While the monetary aspect is very nice and important I think the program is great because it gives our children role models- especially the boys!
About a month ago we ask the students what they wanted from Santa for Christmas. We sent the list to MetLife and hoped the would be able to find people to "adopt" a child to buy the gift.
Friday afternoon our MetLife Friends walk into the room with 12 pizzas. The kids go wild!! I had several eat 3 or 4 pieces and they all inhaled their juice box and cookies. There was a buzz of excitement bouncing between every child and adult in the room. We then sang our Christmas songs to them and in walked Santa!!
He brought a gift for every child in our class. I helped Santa with some of our more "unique" names and watched as the kids waited patiently to open their gift.
For the second time that day I was in tears. Watching them, knowing that this would most likely be the only new gift they got this year, and their reactions... well I can't even come up with words to describe how it felt.
I wouldn't go so far to say that as a kid I got whatever I asked for, but I was always sure their would be a few (if not several) gifts waiting for me under the tree every year. But these kids, well they left with 2 new books, a stuffed animal, and a new toy (that they "really really really wanted") and for all you know this will be the Christmas they remember. The Christmas where they felt loved and appreciated. The Christmas where they knew that someone was listening when they talked, whether it was Santa or not, someone cared.
As I read over the post I know that it doesn't bring justice to the moments I saw. But I also know that I will try my best to not fly through opening my gifts, tossing them to the side, in a "yea yea yea" kind of matter, to see what comes next. And I hope to teach my own kids that they are special and are lucky to have the life they do, that not every child gets to experience Christmas like us and to be thankful for every gift under that tree.
So this year as you open your gifts, even when you don't get what you "really really wanted", just remember someone took the time to show you they cared.
- A Very Very Thankful Miss Hansen
About a month ago we ask the students what they wanted from Santa for Christmas. We sent the list to MetLife and hoped the would be able to find people to "adopt" a child to buy the gift.
Friday afternoon our MetLife Friends walk into the room with 12 pizzas. The kids go wild!! I had several eat 3 or 4 pieces and they all inhaled their juice box and cookies. There was a buzz of excitement bouncing between every child and adult in the room. We then sang our Christmas songs to them and in walked Santa!!
He brought a gift for every child in our class. I helped Santa with some of our more "unique" names and watched as the kids waited patiently to open their gift.
For the second time that day I was in tears. Watching them, knowing that this would most likely be the only new gift they got this year, and their reactions... well I can't even come up with words to describe how it felt.
I wouldn't go so far to say that as a kid I got whatever I asked for, but I was always sure their would be a few (if not several) gifts waiting for me under the tree every year. But these kids, well they left with 2 new books, a stuffed animal, and a new toy (that they "really really really wanted") and for all you know this will be the Christmas they remember. The Christmas where they felt loved and appreciated. The Christmas where they knew that someone was listening when they talked, whether it was Santa or not, someone cared.
As I read over the post I know that it doesn't bring justice to the moments I saw. But I also know that I will try my best to not fly through opening my gifts, tossing them to the side, in a "yea yea yea" kind of matter, to see what comes next. And I hope to teach my own kids that they are special and are lucky to have the life they do, that not every child gets to experience Christmas like us and to be thankful for every gift under that tree.
So this year as you open your gifts, even when you don't get what you "really really wanted", just remember someone took the time to show you they cared.
- A Very Very Thankful Miss Hansen
Breath stopping moments
I wish I was allowed to post a video of my children's faces when they received their brand new hard cover Dr. Seuss book and matching stuff animal. As they tore open the wrapping there was a mix of smiles, shocked looks, and pure amazement. I was asked "is this all mine" and "do I get to keep this" about a million times! One of our newest boys (who I referred to in the post about hungry kids) jumped up and ran to give me a hug. He looked up at me and said "Miss Hansen this is just want I wanted for Christmas". I started crying and had goose bumps all over.
I was so pleased that they liked the gift and were so excited to start reading. I sent them back to their seats and told them to read/ look at the pictures with their new reading buddy. Once again only a picture really gets across how precious they all looked. Some held up the book to show the pictures while others said their pal was reading to them. It was a great way to start the day!!
- A Teary-Eyed Miss Hansen
I was so pleased that they liked the gift and were so excited to start reading. I sent them back to their seats and told them to read/ look at the pictures with their new reading buddy. Once again only a picture really gets across how precious they all looked. Some held up the book to show the pictures while others said their pal was reading to them. It was a great way to start the day!!
- A Teary-Eyed Miss Hansen
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Amazing moment
With the help of some amazing people in my life I had the opportunity to give several children new winter jackets this week. I choose students based on their needs, two were wearing zip ups as their winter coats and the others have very large families so they don't get new things very often.
I have had to change my expectations of the children since I started working here. A few got very excited for their new winter wear but most of them were speechless (which for my kids means a lot!). I know that they are excited and appreciative, they just don't always know how to show it.
Thank you to all of you who have helped me! You have made a child warm this winter!!
-Miss Hansen
I have had to change my expectations of the children since I started working here. A few got very excited for their new winter wear but most of them were speechless (which for my kids means a lot!). I know that they are excited and appreciative, they just don't always know how to show it.
Thank you to all of you who have helped me! You have made a child warm this winter!!
-Miss Hansen
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