The Mitten

Today I subbed in the morning for a first grade. We did a lot of stuff based on the story "The Mitten". Earlier in the week they'd read the Jan Brett version. I read another version with them and we talked about similarities and differences. Then they colored their own mini-book of the same story. I was a great help with stapling pages together. :)

Not much else to report on. Still trying to contain my cough during the day so I don't freak out anyone within earshot.

Mostly Art

Today I worked in the morning in the LRC (Learning Resource Center). It the room where some kids who need extra help in reading or math go to get more one-on-one attention. There are about 4 teachers or aides in the room most times, and they have scheduled groups of kids.

Today I worked with 4 students - each at a separate time. The first worked on handwriting and sight words. The second worked on reading and reading comprehension. The third worked on social skills (she drew for the first half and then we chatted about what she was good at), and the fourth was working on reading. After I was done with all my groups, I had about an hour of time to kill before I was supposed to leave. I ended up going across the hall to one of the first grade teachers and asking her if she needed anything. She had me color some phonics wheels for her to use as samples. One was of a van and had a cut out to show the words "van", "fan", "can", "man", and "pan". The other one was a cat that showed "cat", "hat", "mat", bat", and "rat".

Feeling Better

Well, after a week off, partially because of a lack of calls and partially because of being home sick with a sinus infection, today I am back to work! I'm finally starting to feel a little better even though I'm coughing a lot - it's most set off when I talk too much, or walk any distance.

I actually went back to the same class today that I subbed for last week. They were a little less enjoyable today. I had quite a few little children that were squirmy, loud or rude. However, once again I had a hour prep at the end of the day, so that helped me survive. :)

Injury Forecast

Today was my first day back to school after Christmas break and it went pretty well. For the most part the kids were good - sometimes better than I expected them to be. A bit whiny and prone to tattling later in the day, but I had an hour prep, so that made up for it.

And thank you to a 1st grade boy who provides me with today's story:

When we were doing calendar one girl raised her hand and showed me that she was bleeding on her finger. I told her to hang on just a second, and I'd get her a band-aid. Before I could do that though, a boy up front raised his hand. I called on him to see what was up and he said, "Miss Barnes, I think I'm going to be bleeding right here (points to back of neck) sometime today 'cuz I have a bug bite, so I might need a band-aid then too." Trying to hold back my laughter I told him we'd worry about that if it happened. He smiled and said enthusiastically, "OK!" He ended up not needing one though. :)

My Little Reindeer

Three days in bilingual kindergarten with a substitute assistant who is new to subbing the last days before Christmas break: DONE!

The kids were pretty good today and the time went by smoothly. My favorite part was making reindeer antlers with them. They cut out the antler shapes and then we stapled them onto a headband for them. Then, if the kids wanted, we painted their noses red! They particularly enjoyed when I demonstrated this. There is not much funnier to a kindergartener than watching their teacher paint her nose. Although I must say, they looked much cuter romping around in their antlers that I ever had hope of! Perhaps antlers and a red nose is just not a look suited to 25-year-olds. :)

Oh My Gosh, Really?!

The Saga continues....

This afternoon, while subbing in the same kindergarten class as yesterday, I was asked an all-too familiar question. I was sitting next to one of the squirrely boys trying to help him along with his work when he looked up, studied my face for a while, pointed to my mouth and said, "What happened?" I told him nothing, that's just how my lip was. He then asked, "Is mine like that?" and started feeling his bottom lip. I told him, "Nope, yours is just straight, but mine has a bump." He was satisfied and I was left shaking my head at the fact that this is the FOURTH time a kid has asked me about my lip in 2.5 years! Crazy.

That's about all that's blog worthy. I'm anxious for Friday, one more day with these kiddos and then a break! :)

Tiny Dancer

Today I went to a new classroom. I thought it was going to be a kindergarten-1st grade blend (because that's what the automated voice said when I got called for the job), but when I got there I learned it was actually just a kindergarten.

It's bilingual, so since the IA spoke Spanish, she was just going to run the day. However, she had virtually no voice so had to leave after the morning class. We got a new IA, but since I now knew more about the schedule and such I actually had to be in charge! The new IA told me had never subbed before today, so he was also unsure of what he could do at a few points. Once he asked me if it was ok to tie a kids shoe for them. However, I suppose it's better to be overly cautious then the opposite!

Funniest moment of the day: in the PM class, we were having inside recess. One of the more energetic boys was all over the room doing every activity he could possibly fit into the time. After he'd exhausted his options I'd noticed he started break-dancing on the tiled floor in the back of the room. Oh my gosh, he was spinning around on his back and flipping around, feet flailing in the air (actually, he was not half-bad at it). So after about 1 second of thought I decided to just let him do it! No one was near him, and he wasn't in danger of crashing into the wall or furniture, and frankly, I was happy to see him work off some of his energy. :)