Friday, April 20, 2012

No Voice, SPIDER!, Some Kindness, and a New Mini Unit with a FREEBIE!

First of all, HAPPY FRIDAY!

Oh my, this was one of those mornings where you feel like you should just turn around and go back to bed. I woke up with no voice, thanks to wonderful allergies. And I had spilled 2 drinks before I even got to school. This was not going to be a good day.

Then, when my students were doing independent reading/AR and conferencing with me...I saw it. I saw a big fat brown spider lurking beside one of my student tables.

This isn't the famous spider from my classroom. Sorry guys I was a little too panicky when I saw it to stop and take a picture. Thank the Lord my students were otherwise occupied and it wasn't direct instruction time. The kiddos that were watching me must have been wondering what I was doing. I looked around, still frozen, for something to kill it with, found my watering can and smushed it. By then everyone's eyes were on me (apparently all it takes it hitting a watering can on the floor). And when I asked for a tissue, they brought me every box in the room! Whew, I don't want that to happen EVER again.

On a good note, during stations today, their writing station was to write a letter to someone in the room telling them something they were good at or something they liked about that person. We talked about putting lots of effort and love into the letter. Students drew numbers to see who they would get. I had mine in there too, which meant I also wrote a letter. I was really surprised at the response I got. Students put their letters in our "mailbox" and I delivered them at snack time. The looks on their little faces reminded me of why I teach. They were so excited and immediately went to the one who wrote their letter to thank them. It was PRECIOUS!! Definately something I will do again. :)
Here's how students were able to randomly select a friend so everyone could get picked:


Below are some examples of the sweet letters:







And BTW, I have a new mini unit. I'm using it to go with Earth Day, because what kid doesn't like worms? It's for the book "Diary of a Worm" by Doreen Cronin. Click on the book cover to go by my TPT store to check it out!



Click below to get your writing FREEBIE!

Hope you all had an awesome week. So thankful that today is FRIDAY. Only 20something more days to go!!

14 comments:

  1. EEEEEK that spider was huge...I'd freak out, I hate spiders! Hope you get your voice back.

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  2. Thanks for stopping by and following my blog! I have had quite a few critters in my room being in a basement. As long as they aren't wasps or snakes I can handle them! I have done similar letters with my kids and it's always sweet to read. I always make sure to read them first though. I once had a bad note almost make it through. Thank goodness I read it first!

    Colleen
    The Teaching Chameleon

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  3. Thanks for visiting my blog! Your letters are such a cute idea! We do something similar to that before Valentine's Day. :)

    Rachel
    A-B-Seymour

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  4. I wish I only had 20 something days left of school. Loved looking at the letters.

    learnplayandhavefun.blogspot.com

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  5. Thanks for stopping by. Now I can follow you too! What a darling blog. Michele

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  6. Oh my gosh...I would have died - especially if it was the size of the one on your blog!! I always have to get one of my teaching buddies to get my creepy crawlies.

    I'm your newest follower!
    -Megan

    First Grade Magic

    P.S. Did I see that you were in Greeneville, TN? I'm in Abingdon, VA. We're practically neighbors!

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    1. It really was that big and I panicked. But it's better than when I taught in a mobile classroom, there I had wasps visit my room.

      I didn't realize we were practically neighbors! YAY :)

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  7. Ewww! My kids are bringing me larvea because we're talking about life cycles. That was gross enough for me. You poor thing! I'm your newest follower!

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    1. I'm sure after doing life cycles next week, my kiddos will be doing the same. This group likes to bring their finding of the backyard in to share.

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  8. OH.MY.WORD. That is one ugly spider! I'm getting the heebie jeebies just looking at the picture! I'm impressed that you killed it. I think I might have just run from the room screaming! I'm a new follower
    :)Bethany

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  9. ICK!! I hate spiders!! One day in the middle of a whole group lesson...I saw a MOUSE run across the floor! Thankfully none of the kids saw it, and I was able to control myself and not jump up on my chair and scream like a little girl! Thanks for stopping by and following my blog!

    Kindergarten Is A Jungle

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  10. I absolutely hate spiders! I would have fainted if that critter crawled into my room.

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  11. LOL...love the spider story! I have a very similar story about an ear wig in my classroom:) I am happy to be your newest follower and thanks for becoming mine!

    ~Rachel
    Teaching with Z

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I {puffy heart} love reading your comments!