Lately

So it has been a long time since my last post, my bad! Things have been crazy in First Grade, but as always, so much fun! It is so exciting to see all of my students reading take off. But enough of the boring stuff, let's talk funny. I don't remember exact dates but here is the stuff I remember. Enjoy!

About 2 weeks ago was Red Ribbon Week. The kids asked what drugs are and I found it inappropriate to go into full depth of this topic, so I said cigarrettes and alcohol. These things can hurt our bodies and make us sick. One students raised his hand and said, "then my daddy does a LOT of drugs!"

Last Friday was a very interesting day. To start out someone told me something was on the ground under his desk. I looked and to my surprise was a very large pair of mens underwear, complete with skid marks. Then, I picked them up from art and someone wet their pants. To top it off, we had a parent reader and as I am working at my back table, a little boy comes Yum!

Yesterday a boy was taking his pencil and acting like he was smoking. I told the others who joined it to stop and that smoking is very bad for us. I overhear another student telling another  "I smoke" and I replied with "no, you do not. Do not say that." He continued to argue with me saying he does so I said "Then what do you smoke?" He did not have a response and knew I caught him lying so he shut down. The other boy in the conversation chimmed in "Ya, don't be actin like you smoke weed boy. Ms. C. do you smoke weed? Do you know what weed even is?"

Now the best for last. Today we are learning about verbs. We discussed what verbs are and compiled a list of action words. I'm calling on the kids and they are really generating a great list. I say "I'm going to take 1 more person" and call on the girl. She lefts her leg, farts and HUUUUUUGE fart and says "well, thats a verb!"

....this is my life. Everyday. And I couldn't be happier.

September 9, 2011

Yesterday, Thursday, was library day. The kids get very excited to read their books and to share with the class about the book they have checked out. One student told the class about a book she got with a "pussycat" as a character. After she announces this and finishes saying the word, I hear "OoOoOoO she said the P word!!!!!"


Disturbing.

September 12, 2011

This week in Science we are learning about our five senses. All week we will be conducting different experiments as we explore each sense. Today, we discussed the sense of taste. We tasted several foods like marshmellows, pretzels and sweettarts. When I brought out the M&M's, one of my girls raised her hand (not trying to be funny) and said, "When I eat M&Ms my poop gets hard and then I can't poop so blood comes out..but I'll eat these anyways since it's for school."

During guided reading I had a small group at my back table and we were reading a story called Ben the Cat. Now, this particular group I was reading with is exactly where they should be in terms of reading. They are right on a first grade level! They are still emerging readers and often have to stop and sound out unfamiliar words, which makes me verrrrry happy to hear/see. Sometimes we make mistakes right? I was a little taken a back, if you will, when I heard one boy say "Bring me my dick, Ben.". The correct sentence says, "Bring me my DRINK, Ben." Thank goodness he didn't realize what he said and just kept going.

September 1, 2011

As the students come in, we do a daily journal. Everyone is quiet and it's supposed to be nice and relaxing. Today I see a girl who was working so hard, rapidly put her pencil down and jump out her chair to yell: "MISS CAMEL! I need to go poop!!!....she confirmed, upon her return, that everything came out okay.

As we lined up for computer..
Student: Miss Camel, all the girls love me!
Miss C: Ohhh dooo they??
Student: Ya because I teach em how to douggiieee (as he does the Dougie)

We had a class meeting today to discuss one of our friends constant misbehavior (he was in the principals office during this time). I addressed how I wanted this behavior to be ignored and how proud I was of each one of them for making good decisions, being good citizens and working so hard. In the midst of this conversation, I saw a little hand perk up..

Student: My daddy says bad words a lot, but don't tell him I told you or I'll have to say one too! 

Needless to say, my students are precious angels and I love them so!

August 30, 2011

We have been talking about germs in Science. How we stop the spread of germs and how we do spread germs. We also talk about how we have good germs and they fight off bad germs. One of their favorite things to do is make the connection of bad germs being a bad guy, or Bowser and the good germs being like a superhero or Mario and Luigi (my class is dominated by boys).


We did an experiment today with bread. We took 3 slices of bread. First everyone got to touch 1 slice with normal hands and we put it in a bag. Next, we all cleaned our hands with Germ-X and touched another slice and put it in a bag. Lastly, we went around the room collecting germs on our hands and touched the last slice of bread and put it, also, in a bag. We will observe the bread over the next couple weeks to watch the germs grow as they grow on our bodies and inside.


Miss C: When I give the signal word, I want you to collect germs by touching things in our classroom. (Side note: our signal word this week is Millimeter. When I say Millimeter, the students stop what they are doing and say "Millimeter. The width of a dime" and do an action) MILLIMETER!
Student 1: Miss Camel, look at this cool germ I got! (a HUGE green booger is on his finger)
Student 2: Miss Camel, I farted and then touched it!!


During Reading Workstations, we were making a chain of our Sight Words. One student got a little excited to put away his supplies and almost hit another student. The student who was almost hit reared back his fist and as I watched he catches my eye..


Student: (turns and talks to his fist) FIST! Boy, what did I tell you? At school you need to control yourself. Get down! (Looks at me)
Miss C: haha I saw that. Thank you for making a good decision and putting your fist down. I think it was an accident.
Student: Ay Miss Camel, I been tryin' to teach him to behave, but it harrdd!! He got a mind of his own, tell me he don't!

August 29, 2011

Every morning I greet my students at the door.


Student: Ay Miss Camel, you wearin Apple Bottom Jeans?
Miss C: No, I'm not wearing jeans?
Student: You look like you wearing Apple Bottom Jeans. Do you wear boots with the fur and get low low low low?

August 24, 2011

Since it's the first week of school, we have been going over rules and the procedures of school and the classroom. We practice these rules daily and will continue to do so throughout the year. I created a jar called "The Rules Jar". Inside are different rules on paper that the kids can come and draw and act out. For example: Show me how to walk in the hall. Show me where to put my backpack. How do you not act at recess?

Miss C: I'm looking for a student who is sitting quietly in their desk to come draw a rule from the jar. *Student*, I see you know how to follow the rules. Please come draw a rule.

Student's Rule: Show me how NOT to treat your desk?

Student's answer: Don't fart on your desk, don't pee or poop on your desk.