Math Drama! It begins...

Ok, Kaleigh is in 5th grade, a tough year. Changing campuses and more homework. She seems to be keeping up with most of the homework, but her math is her main hurdle this year. I remember going into high school with a good record in math and then going into Algebra and pretty much getting the lowest grades I had ever gotten...in anything! Unfortunately, Kaleigh has my math brain. She got a "C" on a quiz and it came home with nothing said to me.
The school now has a program where the teachers send (by email) progress reports regularly, so when I saw that her ongoing grade went from an A+ to an A-, I was curious. Well, her last tests were "B's" and there was one quiz that was a "C". So I asked her and she showed me and I just started asking her what happened, just nice and casual...and the tears started. We worked out some of the problems and then I worked one out and came to the same conclusion she did, so I called Carl and he figured it out. So, there you have it! Algebra in 5th grade is too hard for me. I am not surprised. I told Kaleigh and Cole that once the alphabet enters math, it will be up to Dad to help them!
I can help with all other subjects, just not math. I am still reeling from knowing that when I was in my first year of High School I had my first taste of Algebra and Kaleigh is getting it in first grade. I am still wondering why it has to be pushed on them so early. I KNOW Kaleigh will never need algebra (I didn't and don't), so I always kind of wonder why it is such a large part of elementary education. I guess as long as they really stick to basics it isn't that bad...but still.

Halloween 2009!

Ok, so yes, my kids still dig Halloween! I kind of hope that never changes! We enjoy coming up with ideas and this year was no different...well, kind of. Kaleigh was undecided and finally decided to be the same thing as last year. A Mime. She loved doing it and enjoying the attention she got from her mimery!
Cole had a really hard time coming up with something, so we decided to take a trip to one of those big temporary Halloween stores. He looked around and was still on the fence between a Luke Skywalker costume (we would just get the idea from the costume, I would make it) he liked the dark costume, or Indiana Jones.
We finally decided on black clothed Luke and we were on our way out when we saw all these cool sun glasses! So he and Kaleigh tried on all these sunglasses.
There was one pair Cole tried on that could be used for 3 costumes. Either a robot, an 80's or future rock star or Spongebob at the end of the Spongebob Movie, where he sings his songs and foils Planktons plans. In any case, Cole chose to be a rock star. (I was happier about that than the possibility of making a Spongebob rock star! Whew! Anyway, we decided to wait to make the rest of his costume til next weekend. We will go to thrift stores to get some jeans we can rip up and a black t shirt we can also rip and splatter paint on. Then we will get some wrist bands and I will draw tatoos on his arms and we will spike his hair orange (his choice on color), and that should just about do it! If you want to see what they look like, I will post after we go to Mickey's Trick or Treat on October 8th. It should be fun. Kaleigh was a mime last year so you can check the archives of my blog and see what she looked like! : )

My First Day of Class

I sometimes think my success as a teacher is a complete fluke! I am unusually anxious about the kids in my class and whether or not I will be able to handle them! Every year, obviously, has turned out fine! I haven't had any complaints and a lot of praise from parents. Still, there is always a chance that it is not me, but luck that brings this about! So as usual, I had first day jitters! The photos above are of the last three students that were not at "Meet Your Teacher Day". So that rounds out the 8 kids that I am starting with. One will be arriving in October, due to a new baby coming. So far in my class, two boys are going to be a small challenge. One is constantly talking and interrupting, the other is just all boy with a lot of rough edges (hard on toys and everything else!) Two of the girls were friends last year and one was keeping the new girls away (a little *itchy if you as me!) She will be one to watch as well. There are about 3 that are pretty reserved, but very sweet. One of which seems to not really understand a whole lot of what is going on. I was told he was speech delayed, but that doesn't really seem to be a problem. His problem is more distraction and he just is slow doing projects and walking. Part of it could be that he is brand new to the school and he is taking it all in. They draw a "Me" picture and his was more along the lines of an older three year old. His crayon grip is weak, so I will be working with him on that this year. Possibly a pre-k candidate. But who knows he may improve enough to go on to Kindergarten! Well, that is about it for now. Wish me luck! Or better yet, pray!

First Day of School 2009

Here we go, another year! Kaleigh is entering 5th grade (a tough year, I have heard) and Cole is entering 3rd grade (not so tough if you can get the mulitplication tables down). So we start another year on a good note. Both kids were ready and excited to start school. I, on the other hand could have had a few more weeks off! Carpooling with a friend will be a little more complicated due to the two campuses and Kaleigh will be trying band this year. Most likely the flute since she has one already that was given to her by her cousin Jackie! Thank you, Jackie! Cole will be starting swim lessons again to get his strokes more polished and Kaleigh starts pre-comp again. This will make for a busy week! I think it will be fine though, not too much on the same days and enough time to do homework! So, ready or not, here the year comes!

Some of my new students.

Well, another year is starting! Today was "Meet Your Teacher Day". I have 9 students in my class and 6 came today. One I knew would not be coming and one I didn't get a photo of. : (

But I will! Anyway, the photo with the two girls I took because this is my very first sibling in a class! The older girl was in my 3 year old class 3 years ago! She is going into first grade and the first thing she did was give me a huge hug! I was very happy to see her! Her little sister is supposed to be a little shy, unlike big sister! Some of the others in the photos seemed very sweet. I know one will be a bit of a challenge because his previous teacher told me so! He definitely doesn't listen to Grandma and Mom! But guess what? He will be listening to me! Muaahhhahahahah! Just kidding. Kind of. : )

I also have a speech delay child, but he went to a special program over the summer and he didn't seem to have many problems talking to me, so...obviously a better situation than my first year teaching!

I hope the other children are as sweet as these are!