I really love buying books for my classroom. It is a problem. But it makes me SO happy. Teaching is a strange profession. We all spend so much of our own money on our classrooms. I am feeling all book-happy because I just submitted my class’ book order.
First of all, could I not be more of a grown up?
I have an actual “class code” and everything. And I have the power to submit orders. Oh, it is thrilling. I earn bonus points when parents order books, too! So, for example, today I was already ordering about $50 worth of books (gasp) for my class when I was pleasantly alerted to the fact that I got bonus points PLUS $15 to spend right now! So, of course, I had to spend 20 more minutes gleefully choosing books I can stuff in my little pumpkins’ book boxes.
Mo Willems. Mo Willems and his books with Piggie and Elephant have saved my life this week. My class loves this author and cannot get enough of him. I have probably lost most of my readers at this point, because who honestly wants to hear some crazy person drone on and on about her love for books, but I care not! I am a 35-year-old school marm now, and these are the thoughts that go through my brain. I would love to hear any and all of your favorite authors/books for 1st grade if you have any.
If only I could just spend all day reading fun books with my class. But no. I must teach them the other things. And some days can be hard. Especially when you are a little “non-walky,” such as I. For those of you not in the know, allow me to bring you up to speed: I had 5 knee surgeries between the ages of 15 and 17, but was doing fine until this past July. I was running and fell in the middle of July. I have not been able to walk normally since. I had surgery number 6 at the end of July, and I should have been much better by now, but I am not. I am still unable to walk normally. I still need the brace and the crutches, too.
I found out that I will need to have another surgery-ACL reconstruction. This will be my 3rd ACL reconstruction and my 7th knee surgery. I won’t be able to get this surgery for about a month, due to the logistics of working things out with our kids commuting to and from school, sports, needing help from others, etc. It is not easy to be teaching with my knee in this state, so I am feeling a bit weary. I am also not happy about having to leave my class for a couple of weeks. I feel terribly guilty. The whole situation is a big mess and I just want to be able to go on a walk. But, such is life.
So, to make myself feel better, I propped my knee up and I bought some books! If my knee doesn’t get better soon, I might spend all our monies on books.
So, I am tired. But I do like my class. They are definitely a challenging group, but I love them. I had an aide come in and cover my class so I could do some testing.
Aide: Oh my gosh. This class! They are . . . busy!
Me: Yup.
Aide: How are you doing this everyday?
Me: Oh, I am praying a lot.
Aide: I will join you in your prayers.
Ha! Can I just say this made me feel better? It is nice to know that it is not just me . . . they are definitely “spirited.”
Class Convos:
Student (hand down pants): Ah! There is a zit on my butt!
Me: What are you doing?!
Student: A zit! I think it is bleeding!
Me (trying to be discreet and save the student his dignity): I need you to take your hand out of your pants and wash your hands.
Student: WASH MY HANDS? WHY?!
Me (trying to not have other students notice): Because your hand was just in your bottom.
Student: I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY I NEED TO WASH MY HANDS.
Me: We don’t stick our hands down our pants in class. Now you have germs on your hands. Please wash them.
***
I also have about 5 students who will not stop putting their shoelaces in their mouths.
Me all day: Please take your shoelaces out of your mouth. We don’t chew on our shoelaces during math.
***
Student: Teacher! I brought a snack for recess! Chips and Dip! I am so excited!
Me: Excellent!
Student tells me about her morning recess snack 4.2 billion times between 9 and 10 am.
At recess time, she pulls out a giant, family size bag of Ruffles potato chips and a large container of some sort of melted nacho cheese.
Sadly, the lid to the cheese was not secured. There was a pool of cheese in her backpack. All over her locker. The floor. My classroom cabinets. She even got some on my dress, my brace, and my crutches. It truly was amazing.
So, we spent her whole morning recess cleaning up the cheese. Another teacher even had to help. When all was said and done, she looked at me, her eyes brimming with tears:
“I thought it would be a yummy snack!”
Public Service Announcement: Parents: please help your child pack a healthy, reasonable snack for school. Also: no nacho cheese. Ever.
Thank you.
Happy Sunday!
I also love books so I completely understand your excitement on placing book orders. I work in my local library as well as the elementary library and I get a great deal of enjoyment when kids find books that excite them. My kids (11 yrs and 6 yrs) think that it is cool that I work in the library and bring home books for them . I wonder when that will stop being cool…lol ! My 6 year old LOVES Mo Willems, especially the piggie and elephant books. We are also fans of James Howes “Peanut & Pearl” and James Marshall “George and Martha” books. Best wishes and speedy recovery with your surgery. I always enjoy your blog posts !
I’m so glad those “spirited” kids have you for a teacher – after your time home schooling your kids, nothing should surprise you! I’m so sorry about your knee!!! You are much too young to be so crippled up! Oh, and why does your lumberjack always look so grumpy? 🙂
I’m so sorry you’re looking at another knee surgery! Major bummer. But glad you have another believer at your school that can join you in prayer for the ” busy ” students.
Oh goodness your knee. Boo. So sorry you need more surgery! I know how the time away from school feels overwhelming, but do what you must to feel better. You wrangle escaped pigs while on crutches…you can do this : ) Also, the best teachers have book addictions.
Haha on the cheese story. Maybe she just tucked it in her backpack without her parents knowing.
In first grade Ellen love, love, loved Junie B Jones.
So sorry to hear about the next surgery.
R
It totally sounds like she scored food left on the counter and stuffed it in her backpack. How disappointing for her! I laugh laugh laugh at your post and I can relate! Sigh. Especially to spending money on books. Although my smaller income now makes that less likely, I have still spend too much money on books and those awesome reward programs. Now, someone submits those for our whole school, thus removing the temptation a bit. Except! My children bring home book orders! Oh, yes they do. And one is due tomorrow. You just reminded me to take a look.
Ouch! Your knee sounds very painful, so sorry to hear that. Will be praying for much skill for the surgeon and quick healing for you.
My children loved the Mr Men and Little Miss series at that age. They are very British, but that might add a little something to you class! ‘The Book with no pictures’ by ? Novak is brilliant too. Mine are a bit (lot) older now but love it. Oh, and if you can get hold of any of the books by Graham Oakley in ‘The Church Mice’ series, they are fabulous! The stories are gentle and funny (with the odd bit to make the adult reading it smile broadly) but the artwork is amazing and really adds depth to the stories.
Oh my goodness, the 1st grade stories are hilarious! I have a 1st grader myself and she loves all the Roald Dahl books. Particularly James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
In a couple months you should be pain free and ”walky” again………YES.
Beth
Oh , yes, an oldie… THE WITCH NEXT DOOR.
Kind and good witch.
Ohhh…the nacho cheese. I can just imagine that mess! I’m certain her parents did not pack that sort of snack for recess. 🙂
Would your kids be at the level of Henry and Mudge books by Cynthia Rylant? My girls have loved them for several years-first me reading them, now they can read them alone. They are usually in the “I Can Read” section of the library. I like that they are funny, but kind of innocent still.
They also really like the Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That series. A little longer-for the better readers, but they present scientific facts in a funny, rhyming format that is great for 6 year olds.
hi Taylor. long time no chat. we love Mo Willems, too.
congratulations of a class of lively learners!!