Staying Positive

One of my most important goals this year is to connect with my families. I want to make them feel like I think their child is loved and is and special person. One way that I am planning to do this is by sending home positive notes on a regular basis. It is so easy to focus on the negative and many times that is all that parents hear about their child especially the difficult ones. I admit, it is going to be challenging some days, but I really want to send some love their way at least twice per month. I created some little notes that go along with my theme that will help me out on this. These llama notes are simple, fun, and cute. I can't wait to use them.

Here's how I am organizing it all. First, I purchased a small clipboard specifically for the purpose of holding positive notes. I will write names on the notes at the beginning of each month and then look for ways to send them home. Is Johnny, who isn't usually quiet, having a great day of quiet learning? Time to pull out one of those notes and add a few words and sign it. When Jackie stops to help someone and wasn't even asked, time for a note home. 

I think that by looking for positive, I will see more positive. I sent my first note home today. And that little boy, who has had to have a lot of negative notes sent home in previous years, was glowing!

Last week I sent a few of these out and got great responses from the parents who received them. I even had one parent thank me and also let me know that I could also send negative news. LOL. 

How will this affect the relationships with the students and parents? Well, that is yet to be seen, but I do know that people tend to try to live up to what you think of them. So I want each student to think they are my favorite student ever. I want them to live like they are. I want the parents to look forward to hearing communication from school instead of dreading it. Many times they already know the problems their student struggles with. Why not show them that someone sees their child as they really are, a treasure! Who knows, maybe this could move mountains in the classroom. I am willing to give it a try.

You can find these little notes here.

Superhero S.T.E.M. Project

My students had a great time with this superhero S.T.E.M. teambuilding project. Some even asked to do more. But we must move on. Check it out here. 

Second Grade Toothless Wonders

This was such a cute art project that I found on Pinterest. Every year I start with some sort of self portrait for the first day of school. I know that second graders are super excited about loosing teeth, so I knew I had to do this. What I could not believe was that not one of them had their parents pull a tooth with a string tied around it. That's what my parents always did! I'm wondering how others pull teeth. I will admit, I never had the other end of my string tied to a door knob, but this was just too cute to pass by. Aren't they super fun?

Twas the Night Before School Starts

T'was the night before school starts and all through my class...

*18 desks have been carefully placed in groups
*Numerous copies have been made
*Four bulletin boards have been decorated
*Supplies have been organized
*Posters have been hung
*Lessons have been planned
*Hours and hours have been spent
*Dreams have come to fruition
*Money has been spent
*Summer has ended
*Thoughts for the school year have begun
*The jitters have set in