Ahhh...the joy of teaching kindergarteners! Many of my friends have had the nerve to say to me..."Anna, how do you do it? I could never teach little kids." or a snide comment like.... "If I were to teach school, I would teach high school. If they are younger than 10, it is really babysitting!" YES, I have had people say these exact words to me! I had to let their words slide right off my back. They have no idea how gratifying it is to be a teacher. Yes, it does matter where you teach, the school, the faculty, but it is the JOY of teaching little children, to me, that is so rewarding. (sigh)
Last week, my students listened to a book titled "Hide Clyde" . It was a cute little story about a chameleon that is trapped in a house and changes from room to room until he makes his escape back home. I brought in non-fiction information about chameleons, the internet, and a few science books. They were really interested in these reptiles and their amazing ability to camouflage.
In the middle of the same week we celebrated the 100th day of school! As I put a big 100 on our calendar math board, I told them that 100 was a three digit number and in school they would learn more about numbers. In high school they would work with numbers like thousands, millions, and billions, maybe trillions. A little girl raised her hand. "and chameleons?" she asked. We all burst out laughing! Ahhh...another joyful moment to post on the blog! Love it!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Tis the Season to remember the reason...
With Thanksgiving now behind us all, I like many people of all denominations and faiths, try to prepare for the holiday season. I am mindful of this as a public school teacher to be respectful of others beliefs and not judge those who are of different faiths.
My commitment is to the student. I strive to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. My commitment is also to the education profession. The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.
Wow, big words....I say all of that to let you know that you can rest assured your child is in a great school. Richland has a wonderful diverse population of learners. It has parents that care and want to be involved. It has a principal and staff that is devoted to excellence. I am grateful to be part of its faculty.
Last week a child in my class, shuffled up to me and very sweetly said "We have an activity scene under our tree." I smiled at her, not sure yet what she meant. Then she said, "And my momma let me hold the little baby Jesus." What she said truly spoke to me. She was telling me about her Nativity Scene under her Christmas tree.
I hope this time of year is full of precious moments that you will hold dear.
I hope not to get too caught up in the hustle and bustle, the material world.
Some of you know, I am not only a teacher, but a songwriter.
Here are a few of the words to a song that I wrote recently.
"The best gift for me is not under my tree.
It's not something I can wear for folks to see.
I'm not asking for fine, diamonds, pearls or wine.
That's not on my list this Christmas time."
My commitment is to the student. I strive to help each student realize his or her potential as a worthy and effective member of society. My commitment is also to the education profession. The education profession is vested by the public with a trust and responsibility requiring the highest ideals of professional service.
Wow, big words....I say all of that to let you know that you can rest assured your child is in a great school. Richland has a wonderful diverse population of learners. It has parents that care and want to be involved. It has a principal and staff that is devoted to excellence. I am grateful to be part of its faculty.
Last week a child in my class, shuffled up to me and very sweetly said "We have an activity scene under our tree." I smiled at her, not sure yet what she meant. Then she said, "And my momma let me hold the little baby Jesus." What she said truly spoke to me. She was telling me about her Nativity Scene under her Christmas tree.
I hope this time of year is full of precious moments that you will hold dear.
I hope not to get too caught up in the hustle and bustle, the material world.
Some of you know, I am not only a teacher, but a songwriter.
Here are a few of the words to a song that I wrote recently.
"The best gift for me is not under my tree.
It's not something I can wear for folks to see.
I'm not asking for fine, diamonds, pearls or wine.
That's not on my list this Christmas time."
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Swan diving into Fall...
Here we are, leaves changing into shades of red and gold, crispness in the air, children getting in the groove of the daily routines of learning....it's all good! In fact, it is better than good. It is WONDERFUL! Everyday is different when you are a teacher. There are challenges that blow our smooth sailing in another direction and there are those funny moments that again, I must share.
I asked the class, "We are about to study Native Americans. Does anyone know what Native Americans are?" A few children threw their hands up. Here are some of the answers I got "They are monkeys that live in America. They are a type of bear that hibernates. They live at the North Pole near Santa Claus." Only two children knew what they are. These two little girls went to the same preschool. I asked them to stand and tell the class what they are. Together they announced "Indians". "OH" the remaining 90% of the class responded. Then I saw the light bulbs go off. Hands flew up like arrows shooting into the sky. I heard two stories of "Well, the cowboys had to fight off the indians and they were bad and had wolf skins on. The head of the wolf was the top of the wolf skin....etc. " Can you say...Dancing with Wolves? Hmmm... hope he didn't see the entire movie!
Anyway, we will begin a unit on Native Americans, specifically the Plains Indians. The children will learn about some of their customs and ways of living. They will be able to compare and contrast their life style with their own modern day living and a little bit about the Pilgrims. Since we are the only country in the world that celebrates Thanksgiving, I think it is only fitting to do so. While mentioning that Native Americans were the only people in America before the Pilgrims arrived from England in their big ship. "Does anyone know the name of the big ship that brought them to America?" A little girl softly said "I think it was the Cauliflower!" :)
These conversations, so precious and endearing to me, are so important to have with my little learners. They help shape my decisions about the future direction of my work. My class is going to learn a lot about Native Americans and Pilgrims these next two weeks! I love teaching kindergarten!!!!
I asked the class, "We are about to study Native Americans. Does anyone know what Native Americans are?" A few children threw their hands up. Here are some of the answers I got "They are monkeys that live in America. They are a type of bear that hibernates. They live at the North Pole near Santa Claus." Only two children knew what they are. These two little girls went to the same preschool. I asked them to stand and tell the class what they are. Together they announced "Indians". "OH" the remaining 90% of the class responded. Then I saw the light bulbs go off. Hands flew up like arrows shooting into the sky. I heard two stories of "Well, the cowboys had to fight off the indians and they were bad and had wolf skins on. The head of the wolf was the top of the wolf skin....etc. " Can you say...Dancing with Wolves? Hmmm... hope he didn't see the entire movie!
Anyway, we will begin a unit on Native Americans, specifically the Plains Indians. The children will learn about some of their customs and ways of living. They will be able to compare and contrast their life style with their own modern day living and a little bit about the Pilgrims. Since we are the only country in the world that celebrates Thanksgiving, I think it is only fitting to do so. While mentioning that Native Americans were the only people in America before the Pilgrims arrived from England in their big ship. "Does anyone know the name of the big ship that brought them to America?" A little girl softly said "I think it was the Cauliflower!" :)
These conversations, so precious and endearing to me, are so important to have with my little learners. They help shape my decisions about the future direction of my work. My class is going to learn a lot about Native Americans and Pilgrims these next two weeks! I love teaching kindergarten!!!!
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Did I hear that correctly?
This blog is for sharing the happenings in the world of a kindergarten teacher and her classroom.
When I was in college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. One of my grandmothers had been a teacher in the early 1900's and I always thought that was cool. I heard about the school laws back then that required female teachers to be unmarried and even leave the profession if they married. Well, my grandmother did not teach long in the one room schoolhouse in Arkansas, because she married my grandfather in her early twenties. My mother was a teacher also. She taught for 35 years and even taught at Richland in the 60's. By the sixties, school policies had changed a little for women that went into the teaching profession. They could be married, but had to resign when she they were expecting a child. A female teacher could not "show" and was expected to give up her position after 3 months. My mother had to resign when she found out she was having my sister. I remember being told of this and being shocked, but it is a true story! Times have really changed, haven't they?
The above reflection brings me to last Friday in the classroom.
As the class anticipates our upcoming field trip to The Memphis Zoo this Friday, the children eagerly listen to books about zoo animals. Our topic this morning was about real and make-believe. I held up two books in front of the children titled Giraffes Can't Dance and Giraffes. "Let's look at the cover of these two books children and predict which book is real or make-believe." One book had a colorful yellow and orange giraffe dancing on a page of purple. The other book showed a National Geographic type photograph of a brown and beige giraffe. Many children eagerly raised their hands and gave their accurate predictions of the two choices.
I played a song on a CD about a giraffe to set the mood and asked them to listen so they could recall things that the song says giraffes can do. After naming them, I began the non-fiction book on Giraffes.
I paused after page two of the beautifully photographed book, to ask the group of listeners a high-order thinking question.... "Why do you think giraffes have such long tongues?" Very quickly a little boy threw his hand up in the air. "Yes" I said. Ever so seriously, he said "Their tongues are really long because they use them to go up and then help clean out their noses." YES, your eyes read what I heard!!! There were two parent volunteers helping in the class, Mrs. Carlisle and Mrs. Sandlin, that heard it too!!!! So I have witnesses!!!! I'm NOT making this stuff up folks!!! We had to resist to keep from bursting out with hysterical laughter! The children, not quite knowing what to think of his comment, sat and looked a little bewildered.
With a straight face, I continued to read and was so relieved to get to the page that explained how the giraffes use their tongues (which are as long as a child's arm) to wrap around leaves and branches.
"This is what they use their tongues for." I said. "Oh" the children sighed.
I love teaching kindergarten!
They can say the cutest things.
When I was in college, I knew I wanted to be a teacher. One of my grandmothers had been a teacher in the early 1900's and I always thought that was cool. I heard about the school laws back then that required female teachers to be unmarried and even leave the profession if they married. Well, my grandmother did not teach long in the one room schoolhouse in Arkansas, because she married my grandfather in her early twenties. My mother was a teacher also. She taught for 35 years and even taught at Richland in the 60's. By the sixties, school policies had changed a little for women that went into the teaching profession. They could be married, but had to resign when she they were expecting a child. A female teacher could not "show" and was expected to give up her position after 3 months. My mother had to resign when she found out she was having my sister. I remember being told of this and being shocked, but it is a true story! Times have really changed, haven't they?
The above reflection brings me to last Friday in the classroom.
As the class anticipates our upcoming field trip to The Memphis Zoo this Friday, the children eagerly listen to books about zoo animals. Our topic this morning was about real and make-believe. I held up two books in front of the children titled Giraffes Can't Dance and Giraffes. "Let's look at the cover of these two books children and predict which book is real or make-believe." One book had a colorful yellow and orange giraffe dancing on a page of purple. The other book showed a National Geographic type photograph of a brown and beige giraffe. Many children eagerly raised their hands and gave their accurate predictions of the two choices.
I played a song on a CD about a giraffe to set the mood and asked them to listen so they could recall things that the song says giraffes can do. After naming them, I began the non-fiction book on Giraffes.
I paused after page two of the beautifully photographed book, to ask the group of listeners a high-order thinking question.... "Why do you think giraffes have such long tongues?" Very quickly a little boy threw his hand up in the air. "Yes" I said. Ever so seriously, he said "Their tongues are really long because they use them to go up and then help clean out their noses." YES, your eyes read what I heard!!! There were two parent volunteers helping in the class, Mrs. Carlisle and Mrs. Sandlin, that heard it too!!!! So I have witnesses!!!! I'm NOT making this stuff up folks!!! We had to resist to keep from bursting out with hysterical laughter! The children, not quite knowing what to think of his comment, sat and looked a little bewildered.
With a straight face, I continued to read and was so relieved to get to the page that explained how the giraffes use their tongues (which are as long as a child's arm) to wrap around leaves and branches.
"This is what they use their tongues for." I said. "Oh" the children sighed.
I love teaching kindergarten!
They can say the cutest things.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Playground Danger?
So last week there was a dangerous animal on the playground, or so I was told! From my carefully positioned "lifeguard chair" (as I call it) I sat with my shiny, silver whistle ready to blow at children running 'up' the slide and kids jumping on each other from time to time. I noticed a small group of children gathered around throwing dirt on a little target. It had to be small because I could not see what it was with my eagle eyes! HA! They were screaming and really 'doing a number on' whatever it was! A few brave boys even stomped it! I jumped up and in a flash flew to the danger zone!
"What is it?" I found myself not so calmly saying. :)
A little girl screamed at the top of her lungs "Mrs. Pechak don't come over here! It's a bumble bee!"
She was right! It was a huge yellow and black bee, severely injured, buzzing around and around in circles on the ground. "Aww kids, don't kill it! Let's put it in the grass! It's hurt now! " I said. (Trying to teach empathy for little creatures). One of the boys in my class shouts out "Yeah, let's put it in its habitat!"
I sighed, thinking...."I love it when they remember a lesson!" A nearby stick was the perfect tool to scoot the injured, half dead bumble bee into the grass, where it lay softly buzzing. The children were no longer interested and ran off chasing each other, laughing like munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. I shuffled back to my red, foldable chair, twirling my whistle, ready for the next rescue on the playground! :)
"What is it?" I found myself not so calmly saying. :)
A little girl screamed at the top of her lungs "Mrs. Pechak don't come over here! It's a bumble bee!"
She was right! It was a huge yellow and black bee, severely injured, buzzing around and around in circles on the ground. "Aww kids, don't kill it! Let's put it in the grass! It's hurt now! " I said. (Trying to teach empathy for little creatures). One of the boys in my class shouts out "Yeah, let's put it in its habitat!"
I sighed, thinking...."I love it when they remember a lesson!" A nearby stick was the perfect tool to scoot the injured, half dead bumble bee into the grass, where it lay softly buzzing. The children were no longer interested and ran off chasing each other, laughing like munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. I shuffled back to my red, foldable chair, twirling my whistle, ready for the next rescue on the playground! :)
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Welcome October!
Fall is here finally! We are feeling a reprieve from the exhausting heat of summer and the children LOVE going outside more than ever for recess. Over the years I have noticed several trees that stand out to be more beautiful than others as their leaves change. Therefore to make sure the children observe this process, write about it, and marvel at it as well, they will journal about the transforming foliage in our pretty Fall Booklets that Mrs. Hickman put together for me. :) I will take pictures of the children with our new class digital camera and they will be included in their reflections also throughout the upcoming weeks. It will be a fun way to take note of the outdoor wonders that take place in fall effecting deciduous and evergreen trees.
Kids say the cutest things...
In class this past week, the students brought money to purchase books at the school Book Fair. Several parents provided the class with books!!! I was also given a couple of gift certificates whereas I selected books for the children. I read the titles of the three books outloud to the class....Camilla the Cupcake Fairy, Dino Racers, and My Dad and I. We took a "picture walk" quickly through each book, then I asked them to predict which book might be their favorite and why. They voted and told me their reasons, which were so cute.
One little girl said "I will like the Camilla book because I like fairies and pink is my very favorite color!"
A little boy said "I will like the Dino Racers book because I think dinosaurs are sooooo cool!"
Another fella said "I will really like the book "My Dad and I" because my dad always says prayers with me when he tucks me in the bed."
ahhhhh, my heart melted.....so sweet!!!!!
Kids say the cutest things...
In class this past week, the students brought money to purchase books at the school Book Fair. Several parents provided the class with books!!! I was also given a couple of gift certificates whereas I selected books for the children. I read the titles of the three books outloud to the class....Camilla the Cupcake Fairy, Dino Racers, and My Dad and I. We took a "picture walk" quickly through each book, then I asked them to predict which book might be their favorite and why. They voted and told me their reasons, which were so cute.
One little girl said "I will like the Camilla book because I like fairies and pink is my very favorite color!"
A little boy said "I will like the Dino Racers book because I think dinosaurs are sooooo cool!"
Another fella said "I will really like the book "My Dad and I" because my dad always says prayers with me when he tucks me in the bed."
ahhhhh, my heart melted.....so sweet!!!!!
Saturday, October 1, 2011
September, 2011
What a month it has been! We are getting to know each other and it has been fun! The children are so cute and full of personality! It is a busy little group, all wanting to learn and have fun doing so. That means I am one busy teacher....planning, implementing, differentiating, assessing, and listening to both the students and you, the parents tell me your child's needs, your hopes, and goals for your little learner.
The first nine weeks are almost over. I decided to start a blog to let you in on some of the happenings and funny things that occur during the day that will not be posted on the class website. Sometimes I hear or see something that is so hilarious, it simply MUST be shared. I will leave off names of specific people, so as not to embarrass anyone. This blog is not meant to be negative in anyway, but actually a way of sharing my positive experiences with your children. There is never a dull moment in a kindergarten class, unless someone is asleep. :) Please feel free to share comments back to me as well. Let's have a great time during your child's first year of formal education at Richland Elementary. The BEST school in the Memphis City School system!
KIDS SAY THE CUTEST THINGS:
Last week...
While the children were sitting on the rug for our 'Morning Meeting' we cheerfully sang the song "Happy Talk". As I played on my ukelele the children and I wailed away the words....talk about things you like to do....you've got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?.....
Right in the middle of the song, one little girl with a very urgent look on her face, threw her hand up in the air. I stopped, thinking it was an emergency and she was going to ask me if she could go to the restroom. Instead, she very calmly said, "Mrs. Pechak, I like your pink fingernails!"
Lesson learned....remind children to raise hands for questions or comments at the end of a song. :)
The first nine weeks are almost over. I decided to start a blog to let you in on some of the happenings and funny things that occur during the day that will not be posted on the class website. Sometimes I hear or see something that is so hilarious, it simply MUST be shared. I will leave off names of specific people, so as not to embarrass anyone. This blog is not meant to be negative in anyway, but actually a way of sharing my positive experiences with your children. There is never a dull moment in a kindergarten class, unless someone is asleep. :) Please feel free to share comments back to me as well. Let's have a great time during your child's first year of formal education at Richland Elementary. The BEST school in the Memphis City School system!
KIDS SAY THE CUTEST THINGS:
Last week...
While the children were sitting on the rug for our 'Morning Meeting' we cheerfully sang the song "Happy Talk". As I played on my ukelele the children and I wailed away the words....talk about things you like to do....you've got to have a dream, if you don't have a dream, how you gonna have a dream come true?.....
Right in the middle of the song, one little girl with a very urgent look on her face, threw her hand up in the air. I stopped, thinking it was an emergency and she was going to ask me if she could go to the restroom. Instead, she very calmly said, "Mrs. Pechak, I like your pink fingernails!"
Lesson learned....remind children to raise hands for questions or comments at the end of a song. :)
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