Costumes, Letters, Magic Ovens, and Things

Kindergartners take everything you say literally as a teacher. Sometimes it's a compliment because it shows that they really do get something out of school. Sometimes it's just funny, and sometimes it can be frustrating for others. For example, yesterday I told the kindergartners to make sure that their parents saw our October newsletter. That way they would be sure to know what was going on at school, and would also have a calendar of important events, like the Halloween parade where they would get to wear their costume to school. Shela, however, didn't quite understand what I meant.
Shela was under the impression that we were doing the Halloween parade the next day, meaning today. She was sure of it-- her teacher said so. She was so sure of it that she was not going to put on her clothes today. No ifs, ands, or buts about it... she would only wear her costume. Nothing her mother said could convince her. So, they called the school and Shela talked to the secretary- but the secretary was not her teacher, and therefore, not a valid source of information. She was still not going to school in regular clothes. So, during lunch time, I got to call Shela to tell her that today was not the day to wear her costume. Her answer was simply, "I think I got a little mixed up." :)
I told Shela she should probably not wear her costume today, but if she'd like to, she was welcome to draw me a picture of it. She was a few minutes late to class simply because it took her a little while to get in all the details on her picture. I told the rest of the class that they could also draw me a picture if they'd like. Several others assured me, "I can't wait! I'll be drawing you a picture!"

Kindergartners also have a very magical imagination. Each day this year, I have been having one letter of the alphabet visit our classroom each day. I did this last year, but this year I actually found pictures of the "Letter People" series that I grew up with. So, one of these letters "knocks" on our door each day and introduces themselves. The kids live for this. They peek out the door to see when the letter is coming. They are on pins and needles waiting for the knock, and they cheer when they arrive and welcome them, "We're so glad you're here letter __." They also get frustrated when the letter is late (like on review days) or forgets to come.

I hadn't realized how seriously they took it though until I talked to one parent today to find out that not only did her son talk about the letters like they were real people, but that he also prays for them at night. :) I guess I'd better not let him down.

This same kindergartner also was amazed by our fundraiser assembly yesterday. The woman that taught the students about the cookies had a "magic oven." She would put the cookie dough in her oven, and instantly (after saying the magic words), a batch of baked cookies would come out. Briggs was easily fooled. During recess he told me, "I wish I had a magic oven like that. That would be awesome."

And then, just to show that you never quite know what is running through a child's brain he said, "There's a fat girl in first grade. Not like the Statue of Liberty, huh Mrs. Mulder."

Are you pregnant...er... anorexic?

For the last few months, I have been seeing the doctor to help me gain weight. Since my mission, I have been under the impression that I have been losing it and that I look rather anorexic. Apparently it's all in my head. Today a parent at the assessments asked me, "Are you pregnant?"

I think I'm going to cancel that next doctor's appointment.

And back to kindergarten...

So, after a few months of nothingness, this afternoon I had the most incredible urge to blog. For the last couple of months, every time I sit down to blog, I have had nothing to write about. Until today... when I returned to kindergarten.

This week I am responsible for assessing all of my kindergartners. Most of us, when we go in for a test take it very seriously and don't ask a lot of questions. But then again, most of us aren't five.

Me: "Okay, Kody, I am going to tell you a math problem. You can use the blocks in front of you to solve it."
Kody: Okay.
Me: So, here's my problem, "I had five balls..."
Kody: Why?
Me: It's just part of the problem. Keep listening. So I had five balls, I gave two to my friend..."
Kody: Why?!?
Me: Just keep listening. I had five balls, I gave two to my friend. How many do I have left?
Kody: (after counting all of the blocks in front of him, of which there were ten) Five!

Me: Now that you've told me the letters, we're going to look at the sounds that the letters make. What sound does this letter make?
Brigham: That's an A.
Me: It is an A, what sound does it make?
Brigham: That's an A like alligator.
Me: It does start alligator. What sound does it make?
Brigham: Chop, chop, chop!

Apparently, my directions were not very clear.

I'm a little nervous now about kindergarten starting. After training my last group so well, I kind of wish I had them back. But then again, maybe I trained them too well. While walking past a first grade classroom today, I overheard a first grader say, "Miss Parrish wouldn't like that. You need to stop." At least I know my influence is still felt.

Meet RickyJoe

Nathan Rick... the one that I lovingly call RickyJoe (and keep in mind, he only lets his wife call him that :) is now an official part of the my life, and therefore, this blog!

Nathan and I have been married for almost three weeks now, and it is amazing to see how quickly time has gone by! And so today, I am short on time (partly because I'm having to use a library computer right now in order to have access the internet), but I just thought I'd welcome Ricky Joe to the blog! And to all my readers... meaning.... Ian-- look forward to me finally getting around to some new updates!

I also want to send out a special thank you to all of the wonderful friends and family members that were able to make our wedding day so special. Thank you for all of you support! It means more than you could know!

I Gotta Blog

Yesterday was one of those days in kindergarten that reminds me, "I need to blog a whole lot more... this stuff is good."

While on recess duty yesterday, I had two children come up to me to report that a little boy in the first grade had flipped them off. This did not surprise me. This child has some special challenges... and he's always getting himself into trouble. Despite this fact, he is really a super cute kid. I called him over to talk to him about it and he denied it, of course, in front of his witnesses. So, instead we talked about what it means to use kind words and how we show kindness through our actions. At this point, I asked him, "So, can you promise me that you will never do it again?"
"Yeah, I promise." He then went to make a pinky promise, only to accidentally flip off the teacher. The best part was, he looked down at his hand, saw what he had done, and looked up in total shock and bewilderment, honestly wondering, "How did that get there?"
I didn't take offense, but I'm pretty sure that verified the fact that he was guilty! He then used his other hand to manipulate his fingers correctly for a pinky promise and assured me he would never do it again. :)

During the middle of our math lesson, I let one of my students, Byron go to use the restroom. The bathroom for the kindergarten is at the back side of our coat closet, and the wall between the classroom and the bathroom apparently isn't that thick. As I was attempting to teach, all of my students looked over at the wall to listen to what was apparently a five year old boy, serenading his class,

"My name is Byron! My name is Byron!
And I'm a boy! Yeah I'm a boy!
And I'm five ! I'm five!"

Yeah... I kind of had to remind him that we use quiet voices in the bathroom... I don't think he ever knew we could hear every word.

Rick... oh how do you say your name?

We're getting a house, and we had our offer accepted! When that happened, Nathan called the school, and they used the intercom to tell me. I answered with a big "Woo hoo!" When my kids asked me about it, I told them that their teacher was buying a house so that now she'll have a place to live when she gets married.

"Does that mean we call you Mrs. Molar now?"

For some reason, my students don't quite get how this whole marriage/change your name thing works. I am often asked this question... when I got engaged, when Nathan comes to visit, and when we decide to buy a house. And even more than that, they can't say Mulder... I'm going to be called after a large tooth for a large portion of my life. And my initials will be ARM. *sigh*

Even better than that though is that the name is Dutch, and my grandma knows how to say it and I can't. That's right... as of June 18th, my "I know how to say my own name" skills will be gone. Gone! It really is a big blow to your confidence when you realize you can't pronounce your own name.

That's okay, Rick can't say it either. :)

Communicating.... is.... hard

At parent teacher conferences a few weeks ago, I was asked by a parent, "could you please send home a reminder next time there is a day off of school? This last Friday, I had no idea there wasn't any school."

I thought this was an interesting comment, but tried to be kind in my response...

"Did you get this newsletter that I sent home at the beginning of the month?"
"Yes, I did get that."
"Okay, well, if you look right here under the announcements, you'll see that I have listed any days that we do not have school that month, including the day last week. Also, there's a calendar on the back of the newsletter that also marks those days. I always send this home each month, so keep an eye out for that. If you miss that though, I also put it on the homework. Did you get Kayla's homework last week?"
"Yes, I always read through her homework."
"Well, it's was written there to remind you to return the homework earlier this week. Also, have you gotten the school newsletter?"
"Yes, I did get that."
"They also put a list of important dates in the school newsletter. In fact, the school also sent home a neon pink note last week reminding the parents about the days off of school."
"I don't think I got that."
"Okay, well it's also listed on the marquee in front of the school, and if all else fails, the school calendar that was sent home at the beginning of the year is also on the school website, and I also have our kindergarten calendar on our class website that has all of the dates listed on there."

"I don't have the internet."

Immediately I wondered, "But can you read?" and then realized that this is probably my fault. Maybe I should have sent something home. :)