Fall Break, Fall Break, Fall Break!

It is so close, I can taste the pumpkin spice latte. Fall Break is 3 DAYS AWAY! We only have to make it to Thursday. However, I have 108 students' report card grades to put in the new system that the county is using. So, while 4:00 p.m. Thursday is SO close, it is yet, so far away. But I will make it through. I know my promise to update every week has not been so true. But, I remembered to take some pictures and am finally going to update with the fun things that have been going on in fourth grade. I think I left off while we were studying light. We went on to sound and the students got to make musical instruments. They are currently being displayed in the library so I will have to go take a picture of the displays and post it on here. The students LOVED this project. I brought in everything I have been recycling for about a month or so. It definitely took the help of my mom and fellow teachers to bring in as many recyclables as the students wanted. They would have emptied a local recycling center if I had let them. Their possibilities were endless; however, most stuck with the drums, shakers, and guitars. They had to show pitch, volume, and make it look creative. Like I said, I will post some of those pictures soon.

I know that the days are tough and pulling these 12 hour days are not ideal. However, there are reasons I keep getting up day in and day out. Last Friday, my students and I had a great day. Their attitudes were great; my attitude was great. I opened up the day and each class with some Kidz Bop (which I do most Fridays, but they were just having a great time with it this Friday). And then by the end of the day, after the fury of papers and folders had settled, I looked at my board and found this:

As much as they may drive me up the wall sometimes, I always have to remember why I am doing this.

I also added some new "ticket out the door" options. I added a "twitter board" and a "What Stuck Today?" My kids have enjoyed "tweeting" and ask at least three times a week if they can reply to the tweets. Our "What Stuck Today?" board works, but I am constantly finding post-it notes on the floor. I'm sure the janitors aren't crazy about the post-it board.

Alright, well that's all for tonight. I have some more additions to the room, but I have got to do some work for grad school. Unfortunately, that has taken the back burner this semester, and I need to try and get some of it under my belt tonight instead of waiting for tomorrow! Yikes! It's already Tuesday! Alright, until next time...take care!