My first day of school!

I had my first opportunity to sub today in a fourth grade classroom!  I was completely in my element!  I knew the curriculum and I enjoyed just getting to teach today!  It was only for 1/2 of the day but I really enjoyed working with the kids.  I had a nice group and I feel like we got a lot accomplished.  It is amazing how stress free I feel.  I got to do the best part of teaching today, TEACH!  I checked a few papers, wrote the teacher a note, and left for the day!  
Maybe every teacher should have a chance to sub for 1 year so they can do what they really love, TEACH!  I have to say, I am not missing all the extra work that teachers have to do.  Regardless of what anyone NOT in education thinks, teachers work really hard during the school year and even in the summer when they are not in school.  There is always so much planning and collaborating involved.  I have to say, it has been a nice break!
That being said, I am subbing a 1/2 day in a BD classroom tomorrow and I may have an entirely different feeling when I get home tomorrow!  However, I have to say Day 1 of subbing, successful!
The best part, subbing in my kid's school and having them meet up with me after school!
Also lucky me today, I got to do noon recess duty!  Oh how I miss it!  Unfortunately, I had nobody following me around and wanting to talk to me the whole time! I do miss that!
We will see what tomorrow holds!  Until tomorrow!!!

First Week of School

Today was the day!  I sent my baby to Kindergarten!  Emma went yesterday and Jack started today!  I thought he would be sad but basically just gave me a hug and said goodbye!  "See ya later Mom!"    I was happy that he was excited for school and not afraid!!  Needless to say, he had a great day!  He really liked P.E.!  Big surprise there for Mr. Active. 

 I am happy to say that I think they are in a great place and the teachers and other staff will be very caring!  Emma is making new friends and I believe Jackson will make many new friends as well!  He told me tonight there are only 6 boys in his class.  I asked him how many girls and he said, "A lot more than that! "  HA!  That made me laugh!

Emma has a planner this year and so far (2 days), she has been very good about showing it to me!  We are starting a checklist at home to perk up the responsibility around the house!  I am hoping for the best!  It always takes time at the beginning of the school to get into that new routine.  She likes her teacher and seems to like everything about the new routine!  She will also have the other third grade teachers throughout the year for units in Science and Social Studies.  I will be interested to see how they do things!

Today was the first day I haven't had kids since we moved!   I took a me day!  I am not ashamed to admit it!  It was nice to kick back today.  I took the dog for a walk.  I read my book.  I watched a little TV.  I did do a load of laundry!  Yea ME!  I also made a nice dinner for my family which they didn't really like!  I guess that is how it goes and great for me because I have leftovers for lunch tomorrow. 
I promise to work much harder tomorrow!

My friends in Fairfield start school tomorrow!  I wish them a great day!  I wish all my former students a great school year!!!!

Meet the Teacher Night

Tonight was meet the teacher night at Emma and Jack's new school.  We only met Emma's teacher as Jack's Open House is next Monday night.  He starts one day later than Emma!  Emma's classroom looked great and all her supplies were sitting on her desk along with a letter from her teacher.  She met two students in her class that was fun for her as well.  She will have a lesson planner this year and that will definitely be something new for her.  Her teacher Mrs. S. uses The Daily 5, so of course I am happy about that as well!
It's pretty hard being on the other side of the desk so to speak!  However, I am confident that Emma will have a great school year.  I am also glad that someone besides me will be wanting her to read.  It's been hard keeping her reading all summer.
On the up side, I was able to volunteer for multiple things with the PTA.  I am excited to volunteer and help out in the classroom if I can.    I will try not to be "that parent" as best I can this school year.  Three more days of freedom for the kids and then my freedom will begin at least part time!
I hope everyone has great back to school moments!  Make new friends and build each other up!

August is Here!

Normally, I would be going into school today to start getting ready for the year. I loved getting ready for the first day of school. No matter how many years I taught, the beginning of the school always captured the same excitement for me. I loved the idea of a new class, new challenges, and new checking pens! Oh let's face it, I loved shopping for school supplies more than my students did. It was a guilty pleasure to stroll the aisles of Target and see the new things retailers had created for school. I loved buying markers, colored pencils, and notebooks for my classroom. Most importantly, finding the right different colored pens to check papers with each day!
At Emma and Jack's new school, you pay a sum and the school supplies are provided for each student. Although, this is convenient for parents and all students have the same, I am sad I won't get to purchase school supplies with my kids. However, knowing myself too well, I am sure we will be visiting Target at least once and we will probably have to get something. I just won't be able to help myself. After all, I am going to substitute, I need good checking pens to check those papers. Right?
I was able to help my cousin Jennifer do some stuff for her classroom. This was a great teacher fix. I am also going back to Fairfield to visit and help in the classrooms of my former hallway team! I know it will help my fix but also make me really sad. I truly will miss the classroom this year. I hope to continue learning new tools this year so that when I go back to the classroom, I am ready!
I wish all my fellow teachers a successful beginning of the school year and most of all a successful school year with all their students. Thanks for all the hard work you do at the beginning of the year (unpaid) to ensure the success and happiness of your students all year!

Big Changes

I decided to keep my blog, but I changed the name and the posts will be slightly different for the next year. I hope, key word, hope to keep it updated but I am not promising anything. We have made the big move to Altoona, Iowa where we are settling into our new home and making a few new friends. There are plenty of girls to play with on our street, but Jackson is feeling a bit lonely without any boys to play with.
We live close to many things, so it has been fun to walk to the sprinklers at Hy-Vee, the public library, and the public pool (really nice!). We have managed to do swim lessons, go to the Science Center, and even join Altoona Campus, our park and rec.
As the new school year gets closer, I can't help but start thinking about school and I am a bit depressed because I don't have a classroom to plan for this year. I love the beginning of the school year with new ideas, new projects, new kids, and collaborating with my teeps (teacher friends). It will be really hard, but I will do my best to concentrate on other new things and get excited for my kids to start school. Perhaps I can volunteer!
I am nervous about being a substitute teacher as I have never done this before and I want to do my best job! I guess I will just dive in and see what happens!
Dive into Fourth Grade was my beginning of the year theme for years. I think I will once again use this as my theme with a twist. Dive into substitute teaching! Can I do it? Yes, I can!
Enjoy the rest of summer my teeps! Get ready for the new school year and know you can always call on me for anything!

4th Quarter Assembly Citizenship Award

A'lia M. is the recipient of our class' 4th Quarter Citizenship Award. A'lia shows good citizenship everyday. She is a friend to everyone and I can always count on her to do the right thing even when noone is looking. Congratulations A'lia!

Lots to Blog about Today!

Hello all! We are quickly, and I mean quickly coming to end of the school year at Washington School. Our fourth graders will soon become 5th graders and leave us for the Middle School. As much as I missed seeing the 5th graders this year, it is even more bittersweet for me this year as this is my final class at Washington School. My family and I will be moving to Altoona this summer where my husband is the new Director of Technology for Southeast Polk School District. I will miss Fairfield so much but I will miss the kids the most. I will miss seeing them grow up and be involved in their community. I am always so proud to see the great things that students are doing in Fairfield as they get older. I want to thank all of you for giving me the privilege of teaching your children!

AUCTION WITH KURTH BUCKS
As students have been earning Kurth bucks this month, they are also anticipating our final auction which will be held on Tuesday, May 31st. I have sent a letter home with students asking for your help in donating items to our auction. You DO NOT have to go out and by anything new if you don't want to, but maybe you have something slightly worn but still in good shape that you would like to donate to our auction. You can start sending items at anytime and I will keep them at school. Thanks for your support!

FINAL DAYS OF SCHOOL
I know school is coming to a close quickly, but I really do need everyone here physically and mentally. We have been a very chatty bunch the last couple of weeks and I think it is important to emphasize at home that we are still in school and we still need to do our best. I don't want us to blow good behavior because we can't control our actions. Thanks for giving this reminder at home as well. They are getting tired of hearing me say it all day. I am getting tired of saying it. : )

Let's end the year with great memories of a great fourth grade year!
Mrs. Kurth