I seriously feel like every day in my classroom is excellent material for a cartoon artist. Some of the things the kids say!!! And do!!!
On Monday, the day was kind of dragging by and I could just tell that the kids were having a hard time staying engaged. So I started wracking my brain... what could I do to help them? I have heard very often that a good teacher switches things up and is always doing unexpected things. So I decided to try my hand at doing something unexpected. I asked the students to get out their Bibles for our Bible lesson and turn to Genesis 12. As they were flipping to the spot I walked to the back of the room, grabbed my black scarf and a white shower curtain with gold trim that was hanging in the cabinet and stepped outside the back door to transform myself into one of Abram's relations. I came back in and took my merry little class on a journey around the grounds, telling the Bible story as I went. The loved it. When I led them back to the classroom they all went in and sat down. I became myself again and snuck in through another door. They thought it was absolutely hilarious that I pretended to be surprised and confused that they had gone on a journey to the land of Ur and then to Canaan. Their delighted giggles rolled around the classroom as they recounted the tale that the other me had told them. I wish I could remember some of their comments, because they were just so cute and funny! I know, I know... I need to start writing this stuff down!
I introduced our first chapter book for Literature this week: The Courage of Sarah Noble. I prefaced it by saying that while picture books are certainly enjoyable, chapter books are ten times as wonderful. I told them that I really believed that by the end of 2nd grade they would all love chapter books much more than they loved picture books. And so throughout this week I have been encouraging them to choose a chapter book over a picture book to read in their free time. Today I got a sweet reward for my persistence. Little J (who is a jolly-figured little fellow and speaks with an adorable lisp and is always so serious. Also, I'm seriously afraid he might be able to teach the class better than I sometimes!) had his dress shoe on my knee as I tried to double-tie it for him. The laces are round and short making it difficult for his sweet, chubby little fingers. He was talking to me about something or other, I don't remember what, but as I finished he started walking away and said his serious little way (and make sure you read it with a lisp!), "Oh, and by the way Miss Wesner, you were right about one thing."
"Oh?" said I, "What is that?"
"Well, I agree, chapter books are SO much better than picture books."
This was also the week where the class as a whole really, really, really seemed to relax and accept me as their teacher. How can I tell? What was different? Well, for starters, they all started giving me hugs this week. :) I love that! I received three pictures and a little letter from some of my students. Love those! And also, I was called 'mom' several times this week.
I miss these little heart-stealers! Can't wait to see them again tomorrow!
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