Books are on their way!

I snuck into the classroom while the kids were at recess today, and picked up the last-minute book orders.  After entering the orders and purchasing expedited shipping, I'm excited to say - the books are on their way!  They should be here the middle of next week.

I've already talked with a couple of parents about setting books to the side so they can be surprises for birthday/holiday gifts.  Please, let me know if you'd like to do this as well - I'd be happy to.  (I can't think of a better gift than a book!!!)

Thank you so much for supporting this reading program.  I'm thrilled that we "earned" so many new books through Scholastic.  I've already picked out 26 that will be coming with this order, and will be scouring future offerings so we can get some new books throughout the school year.

I hope you have a great weekend!  It's supposed to be beautiful on Saturday... and the fair is still in town!

Annie

What an awesome day!

We had a fantastic Neighborhood Block Party to help celebrate the culmination of our communities unit.  I really wish I was able to post photos online, so you could see the kind of fun they had.

It was great to see some of the students that don't typically take leadership roles come out of the woodwork.  Alex, Asya, Tori, and Tessa made fantastic speeches about how proud they are of the community they built.  The support the students have for each other is great.

A parent suggested to me that I compile the laws they created for the community, and post those on the blog.  I will definitely be working on that this weekend.  I'm thinking we should always have the under-10-crowd make the laws for everyone from now on!!

Thank you so much for the parents that were able to stop by.  I love having the sense of family that our class has.

Can't believe October is right around the corner - I am so excited to start pulling out my Halloween decorations and books!  It's my favorite part of the year!!!

Until next time -
Annie

I hate being "human."

Some days (ok, many days) I wish I had one of those "easy" lives that we all dream about having - my biggest worry would be that my child doesn't get enough sleep because we're too busy having fun.

Sadly, that's just not me.  At least, not this week.

Due to personal circumstances, I will be having to take 4-5 days off over the next couple of weeks.  (I will be giving the students a head's up that I will be out a couple of times, but will not give more specifics than that.)  Normally, I wouldn't disclose this information or discuss my "personal life" with parents.  However, with the awesome community we've built, I feel like you guys deserve to know.  I also want to be sure you know that I'm doing my best to leave our kiddos in the best hands I can find while I'm gone.

Trust me - I would rather be teaching than taking these kinds of days off.  

Although I will be out, I've spoken with some fantastic guest teachers that are willing to come in to the class when I'm unable to attend.  Lessons will continue as planned, and the students will thrive.  

I will still be accessible via email in the evenings regardless if I am able to attend school that day or not.  Please, let me know if there is anything I can do to help your student be their best.  Although taking care of my daughter is my first priority, taking care of your kids is my second; just because I'm not physically there doesn't mean I'm not thinking about them (ALL the time!).

I love the way Kyle's eyes light up as soon as someone says his name.  The way Emma W. uses glitter on EVERYTHING.  How Emma R. and Bruno are amazing model students when they read to each other.  The spunkiness Tessa has and how much joy her enthusiasm brings me.  I enjoy how dedicated Olivia is in math, trying to figure out the problem solvers.  I laugh when the guest teacher tells me how Lauren was a little "too helpful" - because that's one of my favorite things about her.  The laughs we have all day long, like when we're talking about adding more pictures/artifacts of alligators in the room, and Emily comments that I'm surrounded by GATE-rs.  I love how R'Mani knows where he learns best, and he is proud to tell me that he's heading to "his spot."  It's awesome to see Pagna and Jean jump at the chance to be the lunch helpers, and how Jalen always walks faster than the class because he wants to hold the door open for everyone.  I love sitting with Kaycie, Leah, and Allison in math and listening to the conversations they have together about brilliant math concepts.  It's so cool for me, as a teacher, for Kourtney to tell me, "Miss John, I don't get it."  (Why?  Because she *wants* to get it and will ask questions until she does.)  I love when we do our victory dance and I see Asya and Alex out of the corner of my eye completely dancing their hearts out, not caring about what others think.  I love Claire's funny faces and how her huge heart is completely apparent to anyone she meets.  It makes me smile when Luqman is so happy that his teeth show when he smiles, and how I know that Jacob will say more in the last five minutes of the day than he will throughout the day.  It's great to see Shelby's dimples showing when she's trying *not* to smile, how Marco wants to volunteer to do even the gross helper jobs, and how Tori stares off into space sometimes (and even greater to get her attention back and to have her say, "Yeah, that happens sometimes, it bugs my mom.").

We've created this fun, fulfilling, fantastic community where each one of us is able to bring something to the table.  I miss the kiddos every night in the evenings and smile about the little things that happen during the day.  It will be very hard for me to be away - and I'm looking forward to the ability to share nonstop every day with the students again.

Thank you for understanding the situation - and for knowing that your child will be in good hands.

Please continue to let me know if there's anything I can do to help support you at home.

Not-so-awesome news.

Well, the school bus funding fell through for our 826Seattle trip in November.  Because it's still an awesome opportunity - I'd like to take the class anyway.

The cost works out to $10 per student.  Considering the experience, I still think it's a good deal (yes, $2 was a better deal, but I can't control the economy.).  I will be asking PTA for scholarships for a few families that have already spoken with me; if you unable to fund this cost - please let me know so I can find other funding.  One way or the other, all 24 of us will be heading up there!

Field trip forms will be coming home tomorrow in Tuesday folders.  I will also be sending home chaperone forms - first come, first served!  It will be a fun day to spend with your student!!

So many field trips, so little time.

Wow - just got another confirmation back - we got selected to go to the Woodland Park Zoo!

I know, it's not as competitive as the 826Seattle, but here's the good news:  They are donating the field trip to us as well!  On top of that - they are even paying almost 100% of our bus and chaperone costs!


I'm not sure if you've looked at the Zoo ticket prices lately, but it's $17.50 for adults and $11.50 for kids.  Just calculating ticket prices - and overlooking the personal educator that gives us a great tour - it would be over $350 just in admission.  Then, there's the bus cost of approximately $200.

I don't have the *exact* amount calculated  yet, but it should only cost approximately $1.50-$2 per student and chaperone - total, including admission, bus, and educator tour.

What a great way to end our Animals unit!  I love hands-on learning!!