Balloons

Today I have learned that balloons are a good motivator. Now, I'm not sure I want to start using them anytime soon (I can foresee lots of potential problems) but for today, they seemed to inspire good behavior. You see, the PE teacher was using balloons for some activity with the kids (1st grade) and since they were the last class of the day, she told me she was going to let them each take a balloon home. Fine with me, since I basically pick them up, walk them upstairs to their room and supervise them getting their stuff to go home about 3 minutes later. So when I go to pick them up, the PE teacher has them all lined up, and she's telling them how we're both going to watch their behavior in line, and if they aren't walking down the hall like they're supposed to then they won't get to keep their balloon. I've never seen them walk down the hallway so straight and calm and quiet! When we go to the classroom the PE teacher and I looked at each other and just laughed!

Anyway, earlier on the day was going pretty well anyway. One of the most challenging kiddos of this class was absent, and wow, does that make a difference! The whole room was much calmer. We read a book, drew pictures based on the book, wrote sentences, played a math game, played BINGO (which was the first time for some of the kids), and finished off with a Reading Rainbow movie.

One girl liked me so much, she wanted to give me her penny. I thanked her for the nice offer, but told her I thought she should keep it. This prompted a hug from her and the declaration that I am "the nicest teacher!"

Oh, and also - I learned about the music box trick from my previous blog (happened to be right next door to that teacher today). She told me she got it from another teacher and basically that if they have any music left Friday afternoon they get a treat - she said usually a Jolly Rancher or a sticker or something small like that.