5th Grade Experience

Today I sub in a fifth grade class.  The teacher had fairly good plans, however, the kids were good but a few were a pill.  funny how you can still remember their names. One was a pill because he was smart, and like to talk (attention seeking), another was low with poor self concept (I give up attitute), I don't think it is what I want to do forever, but am glad that I tried it out.

Things that I learned:  Apple points (apple copied on graph paper) for individual accountability, students color in one square at a time.  Love it! Table points for group work.

House Mess, Heart Happy

So my dad has been watching the babies for me while I go sub.  I have to say though that when I come back the house is a mess, my three may not have had a nap, and they have been out of routine.  But you know what my heart is happy.

Almost One

Can't believe my girl is One.  Happy first Birthday My Sweet Ari.
小公主生日快乐。Favorite Things: Pointing her finger in your mouth, giggling, everything her brother likes to do. 爱丽最喜欢玩哥哥的拼图，大笑 和 跟你说话。

Pre School Session Completed

 Pre School Recess

 Letter D activity

Wes and Friend sharing a e-book.

Positive Thinking

1. Be your own cheerleader.

2.Be aware of your own thoughts. Negative/ Positive.

3.Avoid end all statements.  This is not forever.

4.Write it down.

Job Done Ari

Ms Ari had to get blood drawn from Health Department again since last time it was not successful.  This time again we went in and the head nurse said that A's vein were too small and she didn't want to poke her again without being positive. So after 15 minutes she send us to the big hospital and we waited for about ten minutes or so and was called in without much paperwork.  What the hospital did that was different from the health dept was that instead of her being bundled on the bed, I held Ari in my lap as hospital crew went and got her blood drawn.  There were still tears, but I'm surprised when the needle when in she did not cry until later.  So now the nurse said we would have results in 1-2 weeks!  Job well done, Ms.Ari.

A Full Sentence

Today W said a complete sentence he asked "mama, where monkey backpack go?"

Quote~

You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt

The Sweetest Thing

Today Wes read a book to his sister. Sure it was a simple book but he was able to use the pictures to make meaning.  For instance, a picture of a tiger hitting a drum he said "baby bum" and picture of another animal with a train, he point to the picture and said "baby train". Berry cute!

Mary's New House

After a regular Saturday morning of taking the kids to the gym, we took them to Gong gong's. While we left A with Gong Gong, we took W to the house party.  He was very excited that he was chosen and not the baby.  When he got to the party it was obviously not his idea of a party.  Grown ups only, and he couldn't touch most things!

One interesting note is that this week in preschool I taught the letter C and while washing his hands he noticed the faucet handle said "C" on it and he named the letter.  I was really proud, that even though he is running around during school time, he may actually be listening.

Sub day 3

My third sub gig was at a different sp fk school. This was the same layout as the last school, 3rd kids were really sweet and hard working.  The teacher even said she was going to call kelly and tell them to list the sub's experience, she thought I was terrific with the kids.  What she didn't know was going back to the classroom was my therapy and I'm happy to be there.

Life Lesson- Respect & Communication

so I watched two episodes of Nanny and thought about my own parenting skills. The biggest factors of raising good kids is two things.  Communication and Respect.  Communication between parents and parents and children. For example, showing emotions, using words to express concerns, or simply teaching kids how to disagree civicly.  Respect ties in with communication, when we talked to each other are we supporting each other, validate each other?  Kids will do what they see parents do.  The other day when I heard Wes said sh8! B was appalled.  Can't blame him, that was totally me.  If I respected my kids, I wouldn't use inappropriate language either.  So much to learn.  But recognizing these issues is the first step.

day 2 five 3 year olds

Yes the preparation before hand can be time consuming and crazy but once you do it the plan runs smoothly. The kids are now used to coming in and play. This gives those who are late a little more time.  Direct teaching starts 10:50, follow by an direct activity 10:20 we go out to play. We come in for whiteboard time. Then at 10:50 we have snack time. When all is done we use play dough and i read them a book.  perfect!

Lucky Gal

So into my new routine. Moms group in the morning 2x a week. Rec centre every saturday. sub once a week. Tutor every tuesday.  It's not the same as having a full fledge job, but it is pretty good. Now B is reading to W so he will go to sleep. Yay!

Pre School Day One

                                   Play dough activity with the letter C.  Great group of kids!

           Wes is clearly the youngest of the bunch. He needs to learn to follow directions and play nice!

Neat teaching ideas

So the first grade teacher I sub for use King/Queen for a day instead of all about me.  The child got to take home a box and paper to create a crown, The next day, with the box in towed put everything they like such as dolls, books, toys and such. They presented to the class and class ask 5-6 questions.

I also like how she had her library labeled.  Non-Fiction, fantasy, animal, holidays all in white tubs.
Everything was labled and good utilization of free space, such as using the cupboards as a abc word wall.

4th Grade teacher was pretty awesome she use the students for morning meetings where the student share the schedule and talk about what was upcoming.  The students also earned bucks toward raffel at end of day.

2nd Sub Friday

Today I went to the same school I did the first time, but this time in First Grade, plus I was not 30 minutes late. Awesome.  These 26 kids were very sweet and cooperative, much like my first sub class.  I even taught them a little chinese and they actually were eating it up!  Similar in age as my previous second graders I had experience, strategies,  and tools under my belt.  We sang (tony chestnut, A ram sam sam )  Their homeroom teacher said "they loved me" haha, we'll see if I get to go back again.  I told them this was not a good bye forever, but a good bye for now.  My total pay for one day $60 nebo after taxes, before taxes is sixty-five. Not too shabby. I complain to B a lot the pay but At least its income.

爸爸的辛苦就是我的轻松 ！ Father's hard day with kids, allows me a break to go back to the classroom.

Hard work

Today I took the kids to SLC so I could run errands, my dad did okay but I could sense that ma was stressed out!  She was very frustrated about not knowing how to discipline Wes.  I feel bad, because for me to have free time means someone else is suffering!

My first Sub assignment

My first gig started out rocky.I couldn't find the school so I was late for 30 minutes.  Oops! But the teacher's plans were very through she even plan little breaks so the kids could get up and move.  Her class was really well behave. Even though teaching 4th grade was new for me, they seriously could do more on their own.  They had 30 minutes of silent reading and 30 minutes of journal time.  Only 10 minutes of video, so kudos to her for establishing her routines and that may my job easier.

Random photo shoot

My New Normal

Sometimes I wish things were back to normal. I would still have my beautiful children of course, but I would also be working outside the home and bringing money home.  Being at home full-time I feel that life is out of my control. Atleast when I worked outside, I felt competent and control my enviroment.  Instead, I am left with two adorable kids and I think spending more money becuase I have a little more time now.

Chatty Ari

Miss Ari is very social and chatty at age 11 months.  She yells and say one syllable sounds. One thing that gets a little irritating is that when she screams the whole world can hear her.

Pre School Wes

Also Wes went to his first day at Mommy Pre school.  I was very surprised that he did not cling to me in a total strangers house?!  I guess he is use to me dropping him off, like at the Rec Centre daycare.
The mommy teacher said he can't sit still and follows little directions while the others could do that. To his defense he just turned three! But anyhoo, she did say he knows his colors.

Tutor Mom

Today I tutor two siblings from my old school.  It felt good to have a purpose outside of home again.  Like I told B, not only does it help me retain my Chinese but being able to help others feels really, really good.

Alturas Lake/ Sawtooth Mtns Camping Trip

Labor Day Getaway

Wes playing with camp faucet

Bryce cooking breakfast

View in the morning 32 F.

Loved playing in the water and throwing rocks

Daily visitors to the campsite