180

I learned...that this was the best first class any teacher could ask for. They may have made me tear my hair out but they pushed me to be the best teacher I could be.

Something great that happened...getting hugs from each one of the kids and knowing they meant it.

Something challenging that happened...even down to 5 minutes before school ended Bhavya and Malachi were having a tussle...

A question I have...what was the point of today, aside from saying goodbye? No learning happened, let's face it!

I wonder...what their future holds...

179

I learned...we made it to day 179 without the construction causing any issues with school - but then we got a power outage and fire alarm in the span of 7 minutes!

Something great that happened...playing kickball with the kids - so much fun!

Something challenging that happened...my standoff with Bhavya in the lap over him throwing his book at me.

A question I have is...how much academic progress will be lost by the kiddos over the summer?

I wonder...if I will be super sad or pretty happy for vacation come 12 on Monday...

178

I learned...that if you give a child some responsibility it will make the day go so much better. That and timers are a lifesaver!

Something great that happened...seeing Connor right that amazing letter to the incoming first graders, it made me tear up so much!

Something challenging that happened...having Malachi and Neila wailing (wailing!) on the rug becaue I was so mean to take away center time from them when they misbehaved. oy.

A question I have...are the kiddos a bit less anxious about second grade now?

I wonder...if saying goodbye to kiddos ever gets easier...

177

I learned...that sometimes you just can't chase a child or worry about it, he'll come back eventually!

Something great that happened...the kids having so much fun at the electricity fair. So great for them to see the older kids' projects.

Something challenging that happened...the kids tattling like crazy today. Oy!

A question I have...is it totally normal to just stop teaching and learning before the 180th day? What the point of 180 then?

I wonder...if the kids will be excited or nervous about step-up day.

176

I learned...change the schedule at the end of the year and they just get crazy and silly about it, oy!

Something great that happened...celebrating our amazing year with out fantastic kids and their parents.

Something challenging that happened...having Connor just constantly go and come all day.

A question I have...was it wrong to bribe Connor back into the classroom?

I wonder...if they will remember me years from now...

174

I learned...that a day goes pretty quickly when you don't do any formal academics!

Something great that happened...seeing the kids write their memoires of the year on the chart paper, so special and so proud of them!

Something sad that happened today...having to say goodbye to two of my kiddos today. Since I won't be there Monday, I said goodbye to Natalie and Jonathan today. I will miss them for sure!!

A question I have...what is the point of 180 days if you stop real teaching and learning a few days before anyway?

I wonder...how the parents will like the slideshow!

173

I learned...that the kiddos have some amazing ideas for what the most important thing about first grade is, just amazing.

Something great that happened...the kids writing such amazing things for the important things about their peers - seriously warmed my heart.

Something challenging that happened...Bhavya and Connor having full scale melt-downs at the same time. Not enough hands or reason to deal with it, just better to let it run it's course.

A question I have...is tough love the way to go these last few days?

I wonder...if they will love the slideshow!

172

I learned...popcorn in the popper is by far the most amusing morning meeting game, ever!

Something great that happened...seeing the kids write such amazing "important things about matter" papers - they really enjoyed the short unit.

Something challenging that happened...having someone sound off as Malachi when in reality he wasn't there and then not knowing where he was, scary!

A question I have...what will the kids think the important thing about their friends is?

I wonder...how much time I have logged in the break spot with various kiddos over the year.

171

I learned...being open and honest with the kids about the emotions of the year ending was a great way to get them to understand what what happening and what had to change.

Something great that happened...seeing the kids get so creative and into trying to melt their ice cubes!

Something challenging that happened...having to have the kids not talk at all during lunch. I hated to have to be that mean teacher but it had to be done, a shot across the bow so to speak.

A question I have...will the talk we had actually "work" or was it just a superficial fix?

I wonder...what the kids think the most important thing about first grade is.

170

I learned...that first graders can really grasp and understand the water cycle/three states of matter. Something great that happened...recording the songs with the kids for the sideshow, so fun to preserve these memories. Something challenging that happened...getting called a liar by a 6 year old and trying to not sass back. Not easy but it was more powerful to stare her down with "the look" I learned...that if you take away reading groups in lieu of something fun like recording songs, the kids will actually all go "but, oh man!" A question I have...will we continue to downhill slide each day or can we finish strong?

169

I learned...there is nothing like reading Ramona to my class and having memories of mom reading it to me!

Something great that happened...seeing Daniel read with Shane and Max and do so well at a harder level!

Something challenging that happened...the whole class being SO silly and crazy today. Heaven help us.

A question I have...is it giving into Bhavya when we let him stay at legos even though he's exhausted his warnings/hurt someone, just because he won't/doesn't want to leave?

I wonder...anyone will try the bathtub experiment at home...

168

I learned...that one way to captivate a class of first graders is to race liquids!

Something great that happened...Malachi wanting to show everyone his chart at the end of the day to share his perfect day!

Something challenging that happened...not being able to get through to Bhavya when he is upset, I know it's not just me, but it's difficult.

A question I have is...is Neila's plan no longer working for her?

I wonder...how awesome it will be next year when so many teachers at Heath start using centers in math!

167

I learned...that having no lunch break today was totally worth it to play guess my word with Bhavya such a wonderful memory I now have. Something great that happened...hearing Daniel and Jonathan read through "My New Pet" with such ease! Something challenging that happened...being alone during lunch and trying to get Connor out from under the table and get him a lunch. I felt so stretched. A question I have...what causes kids to loose it as the year ends... I wonder...if they'll ever learn how to spell "be"...

166

I learned...that the ability to answer questions about a fiction text can be quite challenging for some students.

Something great that happened...being able to have a great laugh while reading June B. Jones with the kids, I never was a fan of those books but now I am!

Something challenging that happened...seeing Sara have such difficulty with answering the question packet for Marvin Redpost.

A question I have...how do I help kids like Sara and Nico learn to read a fiction text for meaning and comprehension?

I wonder...they'll remember basic addition tomorrow during morning meeting.

165

I learned...if you give a group of ready-for-summer-break-first-graders the letters "b" "oo" "t"and "y" in making words you will have to tell them an infinite amount of time to NOT make the word booty.

Something great that happened...seeing the amazing, appropriate words, the kids came up with and I considered the letter selection more challenging!

Something challenging that happened...seeing Shane totally unaware of his body throughout the day, it clearly is distressing to him too.

A question I have...is Malachi really learning off of the Lexia program or is another computer game to him?

I wonder...if all the Spanish they have learned this year will be retained over the summer.

164

I learned...that reflecting back on what it felt like on the 16th day of school with 16 days to go was a sweet and special moment to savor with the kids this morning.

Something great that happened...the kids did SO well on the end of the year math assessment! Over half of them got every one correct and everyone else only missed a few problems!

Something challenging that happened...so many kids having such insane cases of the sillies and spring fever, oy!

A question I have...how much learning is actually getting into their brains at this point?

I wonder...how much community we can maintain as we head into summer.

163

I learned...with the right cocktail of encouragement and faith, any child can turn their week/day around behaviorally.

Something great that happened...seeing Marty be so kind and supportive to Malachi and ask him how many stars he got for his reward! It is amazing to see how the other kids have become "cheerleaders" for the kids who need it most.

Something challenging that happened..seeing Bhavya get so upset, but not dangerously angry, about not being able to checkout a new library book since his other one was missing.

A question I have...is there a better way to get Neila the positive appreciation and attention she clearly desires?

I wonder...how the kids will do on the Math EOYA tomorrow.

162

I learned...that having first graders write juicy sentences is harder than you think!

Something great that happened...watching the kids have so much fun in gym with the parachute games! Super old school and super fun.

Something challenging that happened...getting so much back talk and sass from Neila and my just getting so frustrated with her and probably snapping back a few times, too.

A question I have...is some of the silly/rude/fresh behaviors that we are seeing because the end of the year is so near?

I wonder...if we'll ever have all 19 kids here again before the end of the year.

161

I learned...the sillies are so contagious...so so contagious. Something great that happened...seeing Bhavya come back after being away for a week and have such a great day. Something challenging that happened...having to make Jack take so many breaks, it's frustrating that he has gotten so silly lately. A question that I have...how do we deal end if the year silliness and nerves? I wonder...if everyone will begin to unravel as we get closer to the end of the year...

160

I learned...that only having 11 children makes for a calm and really nice Friday.

Something great that happened...seeing Shane, Jonathan, and Connor come up with such great words with a slightly challenging set of letters!

Something challenging that happened...Nicki going outside on her own to find Ms. Jackson and really having no clue what was wrong with that.

A question I have...is losing choice time always a way to get a child to understand they really did something wrong?

I wonder...how much learning will actually get done in the last 20 (!) days...