Good bye 2014, Hello 2015!

What do I say about this year 2014,  a year of transitions, highs and lows. I travel to many places  I normally would not have, starting with Guadalajara, Mexico, Colorado, Oregon, San Diego and soon to Tucson again.  The children bring us a lot of joy but it is a lot of work to keep up with them.

As a mom of two kids under 3.25 years, it is hard work to keep them entertained, feed them, clean them, and love them.  I love naptime 1:00-3:00pm, usually my free period. Does not always happens but when it does, you appreciated more.

Six months out of the classroom (my own classroom), subbing works for now when I can go to a job. I appreciate all the money I can earned. Plus tutoring gives my extra spending money as well.

2015 Mission Statement

I am a Mom, Teacher, a positive role model for my kids.
I manage general house operations because I get to and want to be a full-time mom.
I want to learn how to be a more efficient wife and mother.  I want to have more me time.

1 week

In a week our little fam will be going to AZ to see their grandparents. Little Ari is 15 months today and is babbling more and more each day. She also dances and sway from side to side.

loose stool daycare

Poor W had two bowel movements today one was at daycare. They paged me and I had to go clean him up.  Thank god, I had fresh underpants and shorts for him.  It worked out okay except we had to leave jungle gym early because he was still backed up.  When he came home he missed the toilet and went on the bathroom floor.  It was not pretty to clean up. Somebody's gotta do it.

Three Years Eyes

 Selfie

 He likes meat.

 Photo of the oven.

 Spider man cupcake he helped me make.

Funny

So I was feeding Ari dinner, and Wes came with one of my sanitary pads. He proceed to ask me in his serious face "Mom is this your diaper?" I said "Go ask your dad."

Fun Day at Gong's

I always look forward to the weekend especially because I can have a break from our normal routine. My family is great and they too look forward to seeing us, mostly the grandkids.  I got to go to savers (jungle lego set $5, play food, oldnavy ( $8  shirt for each of them)  to check out some after xmas deals, so nice!

ARi "aka" the cookie thief

Happy Snowdays!

 A &W playing outside in the snow.

 Love Ari's face.

Both of them full of wonder!

Missy

At 1 and 3 months old, she can spin around, and sing and loves to imitate your words.

Couch rider

My son likes to ride the couch. He is 3 and a quarter years old.

Holiday half day Assignment

Glad today's assignment was a half day, they were wind up.  The teacher's plan were very easy, I had only 2 hours to teach. They had an video for an hour. Good class.

20th Job

Tomorrow a second grade assisgnment out of town. Half day, new school.  It will also marked the 20th time I sub for another teacher.  From kindy to high school, every experience sure is different. I appreciate the time to myself and contribution in another classroom.

FYI- day before xmas break, the kids will be high. Plan on it.

Poo Carpet

Seriously, again?! During naptime, he got up to go potty so I thought but he had carried some of his turd to the toilet and flushed it. The rest of the turd was waiting in his bedroom for me to clean. At least this time it was not wet turd but harder (easier to clean). Oh boy!

Update on Kids

Ari- 14 months and 3 weeks

She can spin around, play peek a boo, and likes to play chase with daddy.

She has two lower teeth erupting, which now makes 4 teeth on the bottom and two front teeth on top.

Also can say "Saydie" very well.


Wes- 3 years and 4 months

Sentences he says...

"daddy get baby" He asked me to stop and that B will get baby from crib.

"clothes in room" wet clothes in the bathroom

"can't push button" frustrated because he can't turn on the tv

"anh anh party" wants a birthday party again (since it is party season)

Realize

When your 3 year old starts expressing his anger like you....yelling, shouting, kicking, is when you realize that he is learning from you even when you think he isn't. Startling.  This is the moment when you grow up and start to be a good role model for your kid. Even when you think he is not watching.

Ughh...anywhere but here

Really?! After cleaning his sh%t smeared on the door, he goes and craps on the carpet a fist full 0f it. So sick of this sh*t

Merry Xmas

Thrifty Goodie

What I learned from Kindy

Other then the management issues, her activities were good. I like the write around the room where they wrote on paper Holiday vocabulary words such as "I can see a (Santa), or I can see a (candy cane.)  There were a lot of papers moving back and forth and sadly, I feel the kids know its busy work.

Pre school class modifications

-Write around the room, post picture with word, they write using a whiteboard
-Project book for mum and dad
-Reinforce numbers and letter identification (startling that a 5 year old don't know how to write numbers)  ..."what does a four look like said one 5 year old."
-Loved, loved being read to (enrich their vocabulary)

Local Kindy Class

Today I got a chance to sub in a full day kindy for at-risk students, I was surprised that there were only 15 students.  Then I knew why.  They were hard kids.  In the morning, they were working hard but after lunch their real self came out. Out of the 12 in attendance that day five were super hard. They were making inappropriate noises, messing around, loud and boisterous.  The aide was especially helpful because she knew the kids and knew what they were capable of.  IT was nice to be recognized by the aide and the secretary for my 'amazing' work. My approach was I knew they were high so I needed to be calm. By the end, candy bribes also works. This was a title one school and poor. Really  just a good school with kids needing lots of love, who might not otherwise get it at home.

Oh Wes and Ari

Fav Shows: Peppa the pig, Unwrapping of eggs, Finger Family songs

New word: See you (that means look at me)

Fav Toys: Legos, Spider man fan

Age: 3 and 1/4

Challenges: Eating at the dinner table , Eating out.

Improvements: Potty on his own

Age: 14 months and Week 2

New word: Loves to make sounds, tongue click

Fav Toys: whatever, loves to climb on furniture, go out the doggie door

Challenge: Sweet kid

Age: 37

Fav moment: Nap time when both nap at the same time

Fav place: Rec Centre (mommy time), Library for the kids, Mom's Co-Op Preschool (Play and education time) Subbing in different classrooms (minimal since 60/day or 30/half-day) Is it worth it?

Fav Show: The Voice

Guilty pleasure: Savers run, getting bargins,

Challenge: Breaking the monotny, sometimes not having another adult to talk to

Strengths: Sticking to routines

San Diego I love thee

With the Go Pass we had access to many venues, we went to the most popular ones..

Day 1 Arrive in SD, got rental and went to Legoland, Good for little kids.

Day 2 Safari Park, rode bus and got to see beautiful african theme animals and Military Museum

Day 3 San Diego Zoo and Seaworld- got to see a Seal show and a dolphin show

Day 4 Torrey State Park, Beach tour, and walk around old town

Day 5 Seaport villiege, Seal tour, Mission beach fun

It was a lot of work before, during and after the trip but fortunetly we had terrific weather 81F and We got to see a lot of things.

One thing I didn't like is everywhere you go you need to pay for parking! Crazy.

Bakery Field Trip

Honey and Grains

What's Left

of me...

Checking on other peer's teaching websites, makes me miss my old job so much.  I do hold contempt with my children sometime, today I even slap A in the bath. He was screaming and very irritating.  I wonder if you take the "teacher" out, what is left of me? I hate being in this rut, I know B come home and he wants us to be together but I just want to be left alone...deep down inside I feel very lonely. That's why I miss my old job, at least I can talk to others and feel greater then myself.

3 years and a Quarter

 Can Do list-

I can tell the difference between a 4 wheeler and a monster truck.
I can turn on youtube and go watch my favorite shows.
I can communicate want and needs.
I can go from a calm 1 to intense 10.

14 months

14 months-

Can do list-

I can walk freely, even turn around without falling down and carry things in both of my hands.

I can communicate my wants and needs even though I can't say words.

I can finish all my food.

I can play with my brother when he is nice to me.

I can play outside alone.

I can play chase with my mom and dad.

I love life.

Happy Birthday

10 Parenting Tips for Newbies

1. Be the bigger person. Use your judgment. And step in with determination not to be right but to make things right between the two of you. Kids are much less likely to remember whether you won or lost a particular fight or argument than to recall exactly how you made them feel.

2. Don’t pathologize your children to cover up your own poor parenting skills. Labeling a child or using (or worse, seeking) a diagnosis, such as ADD/ADHD or a personality disorder, to explain and excuse behavior that you should be addressing—-or that mirrors your unhealthy modeling—

3. Don’t make their drama your drama.  Put the focus where it belongs—-on your child—-and keep it there.  But don’t hang your emotional state on their emotional state or co-opt their experiences and feelings by making it all about you.

4. Understand the difference between criticizing and correcting. Children need guidance to stay on the right path. For many, discipline, self-control, and healthy habits don’t come naturally—-they’re learned. Be a guide, not a critic. Don’t call your kid lazy or stupid. Teach your child a work ethic and help build his or her academic skills. Challenge and goal setting motivates people and makes them try harder. Personal insults break their spirit and make them want to give up. Criticism weakens, while correction strengthens and opens the door for positive reinforcement.

5. Learn impulse control. We all get upset. We all yell. And at times, we all lose it when our children push our specific buttons or do incredibly annoying or obnoxious things. When this happens, we feel unheard, hurt, and disrespected, and tempted to strike back—-with harsh words, severe punishment, or physical blows. Learning how to contain your immediate reaction and formulate an appropriate response will not only model balance to your child but also create a calmer dynamic and stop you from saying and doing things you will later regret.

6. Remember that kids are vulnerable. We often forget this, because they’re so resilient. They cry, and then they stop crying. The next minute, or the next hour, their mood has changed, and everything is back to normal, at least on the surface. But if they’re integrating painful experience, it’s changing them, and if they’re denying it because it’s too painful to process, they’re looking at a crisis down the road and years, even a lifetime, of therapy. Children don’t necessarily tell you when their feelings about you have changed, when you have lost their respect or endangered their love for you. They may not even be consciously aware of their own breaking points, but they have them, as we all do, so handle with care if you want them to stay whole.

Guilt and shame are the sledgehammer and chainsaw in the parenting toolbox—-one hits kids over the head, while the other cuts them to the core.

7. Avoid using guilt and shame as consequences. Guilt and shame are the sledgehammer and chainsaw in the parenting toolbox—-one hits kids over the head, while the other cuts them to the core. Don’t whine about your hurt feelings if your child doesn’t want to bake cookies or go to the ball game with you. Don’t spout about how embarrassed you—-or Aunt Mildred—-will be if they fail biology or don’t make the tennis team. And don’t threaten horrors—-such as a life of poverty—-if your child’s grades don’t improve. This type of behavior is incendiary and utterly unhelpful. It saps your child’s confidence and makes him or her dependent on you or others for approval. Instead, help them understand their choices and the real consequences of their actions.

8. Don’t smother and infantilize; encourage self-sufficiency. We love doing things for our kids to make their lives easier and to help them succeed, and it’s our job to set up a good life for them. But there’s a difference between providing assistance and enabling helplessness, between setting the table and putting the food out and cutting it up and feeding it to your kid. Don’t allow your need to feel needed—-which may have roots in your own childhood—-to interfere with your child’s need to become self-reliant and independent. And don’t hover, because ultimately you’re giving your child the message that he or she can’t make it without your help.

The child grows up vowing not to have the relationship they see you having and at the same time lacking the tools to avoid it.

9. Master and model healthy conflict resolution with your partner. A toxic, dysfunctional dynamic with your partner will both impact your child’s ability to function in adult relationships and drive him or her away from your home. It creates a double-bind: the child grows up vowing not to have the relationship they see you having and at the same time lacking the tools to avoid it. If your own relationship is volatile or worse, violent, get help. This not only creates a safer environment for your children but also models the importance of solving problems instead of ignoring them or sweeping them under the rug.

10. Practice self-care. I’ve always believed that many of our worst parenting moments occur when we’re tired, stressed, sick, distracted or for whatever reasons, internally ragged. Taking good care of yourself—-maintaining good eating habits, exercising regularly, getting out (hire that sitter), and making time to do things you enjoy makes you healthier both physically and psychologically and gives you more energy to deal with your children. It also prevents you from resenting your kids for the sacrifices you make for them. And resentment is the precursor to contempt.

-

There are many different parenting styles, and in the absence of the instruction manual, we each find our own way. The advice here is intended to identify behaviors that are and aren’t beneficial to children and conducive to developing a healthy relationship with them once they become adults.

Intense Weekend

BOth B and me deal with with our everyday life with kids in different ways. Well, last weekend we were both at our breaking point.  A day after my all day sub gig, I came back home to reality and I was grumpy. Dealing with the messes, cleaning, crying, cartoon watching, whining, I started screaming out loud and at them.  I was sick, disgusted all day and tired.

While B watched them for 3 days, he had his breaking point when he kicked a hole in the laundry door.  He was wiping the boy's booty when his glasses fell and he kicked a huge hole. Aggh...at least he can feel my pain.

Center Ideas Pre School

 Listening Center

 Salt writing

 White board Practice

Attribute Buttons for colors, shapes, sizes, patterns, and threading.

Pre-school Thanksgiving Feast

Feast included:

Pop corn- for it was the native americans who taught the pilgrems to grow corn.
Cranberries- where on the land they had cranberries
Pumpkin bar- pumpkins
Slice of turkey- wild turkey

TEaching Girls

On Girls and conflict:

You cannot prevent conflict. You cannot prevent all mean girl problems that your daughter is going to have. You cannot. What you can do is teach your child that conflict is inevitable and they need to learn how to manage that."

is helping girls understand the normal and healthy part of power-seeking while at the same time helping them realize the best means to achieve their goals without hurting others in the process.

it's not just what we say and do, but what we watch that sends a message to our daughters.

"Mainstream media is portraying girls at younger ages who are mimicking the worst of obnoxious, stereotypical girl behavior ... rolling eyes, moving the hips around, being catty," said Wiseman. "So what girls are getting is that by 8 or 9, this is sort of a 'normal' way to act."

Walking third week

Dear Ms.Ari,

At almost 14 months old, you can walk more confidently now.  I love how you can pick things up with out falling and walk around with objects in your hands.  Funny how just a few weeks ago you were walking with your hands high for balance. Now you are always on the go.

You can also point to daddy in pictures and point at mama. Very cute!

New Words

At 3 years and 3 months you can say alot!

Some examples include:

Anh go to halloween,  Anh went, happy birthday, presents, stretch, look daddy. This one, bye. Shopping mama. 

 Ferris wheel. Christmas, happy mad, sad.

$7.87

That's what I got for my hour trip with W to k to k.  It's a crummy, sunless, November day. Even though the items exchanged were well worth more but its a business.

I am short with the two of them. Not being able to leave the house, and  more emotional feelings inside.

Thinking of getting jobs back to elem schools and even at a daycare facility are these not distractions to avoid teaching my own kids?  I feel like I want to put my focus here and there so I would not have to deal with them. Sad to say, but this situation does drive me batty in the winter. Nothing to do outside, and no fun, no variety.

Student Teacher

Things that I liked about today's assisgnment:

Chants-celebrations on student acheivement 3 claps!

Teacher says: Action, Students say: Verb

Birthday candy for birthday person and he choose a candy in which another classmates hides then he comes back into the classroom, then his peers tell him if the candy is hot or cold to his location.

2nd Time in Second

Today I went to the same school in P that I went before.  I was surprised that some of the kids actually remember me and knew my name.  That was sweet.

I was with a student teacher so she did more of the work, while I walked around and helped. The most important part was at the end of the day. The boy K who I had the most troubled with focus and such came to me for a hug and I told him he was a good boy and smart.  Boy next to us took noticed this and said No one has ever told him that, and I was the only one ever to say that to him.  That made my day.有是一天六十五元吧.

Pre School Week 3 Day 2

Other then W not following directions, I say we had a good week in school.

The children learned about thanksgiving. We practice writing our names, funny both girls can do it, but the boys only could write a letter each of their name.  Wes is still in the scribbling stage. Day 2 we also made a name monster using our names.

I also had them do centers and they seem to like that a lot.

Teacher
Listening
Whiteboard/ Stamps
Library

We also made a cute turkey with what we are thankful for...funny they all like trick or treat.

Home Preschool

I don't like teaching my own kid in home preschool.

1. He makes it impossible to teach others.
2. He wants to play and goof around.
3. Does not follow directions as asked.
4. No understanding of personal space.
5. Self-stimulates while others are reading quietly.
6. Eat other children's food.
7. Constantly dealing with "Wes is in my space!", "Wes is touching me!"
8. Can't leave the boys alone because he want to play with them.
9.  Girls just stay away from the boy.

Improvements:

1. He does share his toys better now than in September.
2. Potty when asked.
3. Models good behaviors from others. For example, during clean up time he saw all was cleaning up then he quickly when to clean up as well.

要睡觉

安现在开始不想睡觉了。很烦因为我也要安静的时间給自己。所以他以经半个小时在上面安静。不知道该做什么？老二还有睡两次早上和中午二到三个小时。

Kindy from down Under

Wow. Even though 17 kids they gave me a run for my money. 4 girls (sweet) and 13 rambunctious boys.  Night and day from yesterday's kindy class.  We had one special needs child that runs and screams. 5 boys constantly goofing around and sucking all my attention and energy. Wow.

On a neat note, the teacher I sub for was a friend of Randy's and it was fun to catch up with her.

Subbing days Over?!

My dad tells me he does not want to do this.  He is frustrated and depressed.  W had Bm and not wanting to rest when he should.  He gives him tantrums to express his anger and slams the doors which wakes up A.  He is feeling defeated, lost, and heartache.  I feel sad about that.

Option B  Ask Bryce.

Walking Ari

Busy 4 day Work Week

Today I am going to my third assignment of the week. Normally, I take one job a week, at most, two jobs.  So this week going to four jobs is pretty intense for me and my little family.  Since B had V day off and for my b day he was going to take a friday off so I can work, this is in addition to Gong helping me twice a week.  Here are some notes I've learned being a sub for the last three months.

Kids are kids.  They want to be respected just like the rest of us.
Learning names is critical. It can be a powerful thing to acknowledge or to have a private conference.
Classroom management skills- Attention getter, count downs, state expectations clearly
Infuse- Share some of your own special skills ( Chinese, Songs, Movements)

First Kindy

I went to a new school today and sub in a kindy class.  There was a student teacher there, which helped in giving kids continuity.  There was whole group learning as well as center time which may the half day go faster.

Center Time-

Write around the room - using clipboard and paper.
Listening station- Each child had a copy of the book
Ipad station- Rocket speller
Salt writing- using a colored plate students practice writing letters and numbers on this plate.

Going from 5th grade to kindy sure was a change, I had to tie shoelaces, make sure movement was incorporated into the lesson. But overall, this kindy class was pretty good.

5th Grade Fun

I got to work in a fifth grade class, half day.  Just right.  This was a e-mints classroom, pair of students share a mac desktop with their classmate.  They had computer class, PE class, it was really a nice time for me.  Funny how 5th graders still like learning Chinese and I use it to my advantage.

Leaves Dancing

Today was a chilly, and windy November day.  W and I was by the office window when he said to me "Mama, leaves dancing"  That was pretty cute.

A is taking more and more steps at 13 months she does babble and can walk well.  Certainly, has better appetite then her picky older brother.

I'm also working 4 half days this week.  I need to recoup my lost from Sat hike.  It will be a busy week.

40 dollar lesson

As we are on our weekend hike today, Wan and I made a deal about giving our fellow hiking friends who are also vets a surprise thank you gift for their service.  However, my carelessness lost the 40 that she contributed.  Now I am left with the whole donation, which is what I wanted to give in the first place.  Its a lesson learned about putting your money in a safe place so it does not go missing.

Back to Second

Today I had the pleasure of going to the school often compared to my previous work.  It was different to see how they ran assemblies and such. I liked the segment where teachers recorded their  personal stories by using a marker and a whiteboard very cute. The class I taught was in my old second, however, what a diverse group. Demographic is more diverse, and I think more challenging.  I'm use to work with accelerated students and this class represented a typical, second grade class.  It was good that it was an early-out and I got full amount for pay.

Mama Happy?

This morning W could see that I was in a pissy mood, because I yelled at the baby and then he come to me and ask "Mama happy?" I said no. He then said "oh".  Wow, he knows emotional words now.

I know I should be happy, but I don't.

Today I got a chance to visit my old co-worker R at my old school.  He is so generous he brought books for my babies and me for my birthday.

Also, I went to visit the teachers on my grade and they look very happy.  I can see that even though I am no longer there my legacy still remain in the school.  On their website, I can see that my old work and projects are continuing even though I am not there.  I know I should be happy, but I don't.

Sub Tips #3

-Name tags for students
-All Call Signal/cue
-Reward system
-Class list
A smile and confidence

Back to First

Fun day at first grade today. More energy needed for this position but after a late start (mom and dad was later then usual)   Things that I learned:

Time Management


Space Management
I like how she uses magazine folders as cubbies for students.

Materials Management

Class Management

Great ideas: She trained the class helpers to fix the every day calendar board, stack chairs, redo lunch counts.

The wave

Dear ARi,

At 13 months, you can now wave hello and goodbye on cue.  Good job girl!

Word Smith

Dear Wes,

At 3 years and 2 months you can sing the happy birthday song with such animated voice, also you can say "Anh Anh potty went", or "mom, where daddy go...".

Some words you choose to use Chinese term such as

deng/ light,
nainai/ milk,
 yi ge/ for one,
ku/ cry,
da/ big,
xiao/ little
shui jiao/ sleep

So much more I know you understand both languages! Proud of my little man.

Trick or Treating with Baby Ari, Porter and Lucy at the Mall.

Children learn what they live

A beautiful and true quote on raising kids. Again we are the first teachers for our children.

Proud Mama

Dear Wes,

While I was cleaning up dinner routine, I saw that you were playing nicely with your baby sister in the backyard.  I noticed that while Ari was using your bike as an walker, you gently rode your bike and check behind you often so you could see she was okay.  Mama is so proud of you!

Riverview Mall Event

Good Reminders

Strategies of successful people (Randy, Vic...)

1. They don't make big decisions or try to make significant progress on a big project.

2. They don't start or assign new projects.

3. They don't get sucked into someone else's crisis. 

4. They don't leave people hanging.

5. They don't leave their desk messy.

6. They don't leave without saying goodbye.  

7. They don't leave without checking their calendar for the next day.  

8. They don't send hasty emails.

9. They don't beat themselves up for not accomplishing everything on their to-do list.

10. They don't feed the rumor mill.

11. They don't hang around.

Red and Blue Day

Today I got to sub in Julie P's class, she really is a master teacher. Her kids were calm and cooperative.  I think even though these kids were not my students,  it helped that many of them knew of me through older siblings. Again, perks of guest teaching in old school.

Smart things I learned:

In sub plans, knowing names are important as well as little transition breaks.  Such as carpet to desk, walking to different centers. I also like the traveling backpack idea, and students write about what they did with the class doll.

Don't recognize them enough but classroom helpers such as para-educators and volunteers are critical to the whole learning process.  She had a aide plus volunteers during centers.

Her schedule is quite simple really but meaningful

Calendar
Backpack story
Read
Writing
Author's chair
Science
Clean up

Month 5 Going on 6 Months SAHM

Can you believe its almost been nearly half a year since I took a leave of absence?! We are now into our routine. It is also true that I have made new friends. This next year and a half will go by fast, and the kids grow up quickly as well.  Am planning to go back before my license ends in March 2017. By then Wes will be 5 and Ari will be 3.  If I can have it my way, a half-time job again would be terrific!

SAHM has its perks, I can go to places before it gets busy, for example doctor's office and such. The kids like it when I am around, the know what to expect. We go to the park and meet other moms and their children.

Schedule

6:30 Wake up
6:45  Eat breakfast
7:00 Technology time
8:30 Park
9:00 Activity

11:30 Lunch
12:00 Recess
12:45 Naptime

3:00 Outdoor Fun

4:30 Daddy

5:00 Dinner

6:30 BathTime

7:30 Baby Lights Out

8:30 Wes Out

Desparate Mom?

Since I've been a stay at home mom, I've passed out maybe 5-6 cards to random asian mom/ family that the kids and I run across whether at Rec Centre, library, pool, and outings.  Anyways, I always make sure that they know we can have a playdate or something. But none has ever responded. I'm thinking it took me 5 months to learn this fact, that asians are very private and reserved people, its not like them to just go to a random strangers house and have a play date.

Class Under Second Time Around

Today I sub in the same class, I did last week.  This time we knew each other and honestly, they were a lot better for me. Yes, I had to pull out my super sub tool called " The I am Good Jar". So the strategy is whenever kids are good, I ask them to put their name in a jar, and during the class, I will choose a few kids to come and pick prizes from our prize bag (pencils, stickers, toys, no candies since they get that a lot.) Again, the kids felt motivated to cooperate. Sure this is good for short-term teaching but who don't want to be recognized for good work?!

One Year Ari

Today Ms.Ari went for her one year well care check. Everything is good. The doctor just said that because of my genes she is below average in height, weight, but head circumference is 25% tile.

15 pounds and 11ounces

The important thing is that she is growing as she should be and even if she is on the smaller side. She also received 3 shots today.

Things that she loves:

-Eating what we are eating
-Bath time
-Bottle
-Walking (she tries 4-5 steps)
-Juice in a sippy cup
-Listening to storytime in the library
-Music
-Exploring the backyard
-Cho Cho (loves to grab his fur)
-Screaming loud, so you tend to her needs!

My little girl, she will always be my baby.

Raising Resilent Children

1. Connection- Provide oppurtunities and pro-social skills for healthy development

2. Competence- When successful in a specific area of life, they feel hopeful and in control.

3.Contribution- Contribute to others will provide them perspective, gratitude and an understanding that they can make an impact. 

4.  Coping Skills- Model talk, “I'm upset and I’m going to take a few deep breaths to calm down.” pointing out that your child has managed difficult situations in the past helps to build competence.

Curious George Teaching Money

An idea I got from watching cartoons today was using carnival games to teach kids money. The idea is to have variety of carnival games and have students pay an amount such as 29 cents to play.  Just right for third grade, can be adjusted for 1-4th grade.

Observation Daycare

I also got to watched W while his at daycare.  The last two times he got called for bad behavior (see my previous posts). Even though the facility only had 6 kids including my own and 4-5 care takers, I was able to see first hand what triggers his misbehaviors.  While I was there,  I noticed he playing at area and a child about his age came and wanted to play but was rather aggressive then to defend himself, he threw a ball at him, and pushed him then knock the whole toy over.  The other boy walked away and play with something else.  This is the conflict resolution skill he needs, knowing when to step away and communicate.

Mortified

Today while the kids were in daycare I had a few more minutes before I had to pick them up and I went for a walk in the gym.  Accidently, walked into the men's locker room. Saw two naked men, I thought geez those women are big, plus my mind was occupied because I was looking for a bathroom, anyhoo, mortified.

Class from down under

Today I went to sub in a Chinese third class. The teacher being a first year teacher, wow what a difference in management and procedures and lesson planning.

First, the class it self has boys who dominate the class, 5 or 6 kingpins very loud and disruptive.
Second, the lessons are good but fails in lack of variety and transitions.  For two hours students either working at the carpet or at their desks.
Third, they don't follow directions the first time.  Reteach this procedure.
Fourth, I had to speak a lot of English to deal with the management issues.

Fifth, the teacher wants me back, I told the class I don't know if I want to come back.

Fire Station Field Trip

Coming Home

Today was my third time as a guest teacher at my old school.  I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy all the hugs and love notes of my previous students.  It is nice to work when I want to and to be appreciated and valued in a classroom.  Going to other schools is also a good experience. Because there is no background, I can be whatever I wish to be.

Hello & Good bye Oregon

What a beautiful place Oregon is...Reasons why I love this trip

1. Take a break from the kids

2.Socially aware culture, good to animals, good to people
For instance, in supermarkets there are daycare free for shoppers/ in gas stations people pump your gas so they can have more jobs.  They love animals, voted #1 pet friendly town.

3. Belives in marriage equality and right to assisted death. Case in point women in her late twenties move to oregon so she can choose to die they way she wants to go.  They also want to legalize pot.

4. Blue state very liberal people.  Cost of living slightly higher then Utah.