Back To School

Back to School!

So, having survived the first (partial) week of school, I am so glad to be back.  Looping with the same class to the next grade level is going to be AMAZING!  It felt like we were sophomores in college, coming back knowing each other and what it's all about, happy to see each other with a short warm-up phase.

On the second day of school, I asked them to write me letters.  They could tell me what happened to them over the summer, or something they want to work on for the school year or just anything they thought I needed to know to start our year.

Here are some classics...

"I don't like bananas anymore. I only like strawberr[ies]."  Fair enough.

"Can't wait [for] what's waiting to be learn[ed]"

I'm glad you have areas for improvements, little man, and clearly I need to change my focus from butterfingers :)

 Oh, so many things... 

My personal favorite.  This letter is from a student who Always keeps things interesting. 

 Here is what it's intended to say:

"I had a good/bad 

summer.  My grandma died 

but other than that I had a 

good summer.  Is this math going

 to be fun?  If it is, then I want in 

because math is good for everyone."

It's going to be a Very interesting year...

Love Day!

It's been a wonderful day of love!  My class was simply amazing.

  (a truly quotable day).... And I caught some amazing freestyle dancing on video during our class Valentine's party.  Wish I could post it.  True or false: They danced to Cuban Pete sung by Jim Carrey in the movie "The Mask". So fantastically true.

Here's my funny valentine...

A tiny pup who didn't know she had a leaf on her nose.  I woke her up to take her picture... then took it off.

Here's my horoscope today.  I liked it :)

February 14, 2011

1. Virgo (8/23-9/22)

   Of all the signs in the zodiac, yours will definitely be one of the happiest, given today's assembled astrological energies. When it comes to one-to-one relationships, all kinds of feelings -- both current and from the distant past -- will be coming along. The good news is that all those emotions stand to be quite positive. 

Very Christmas- December 20th

In 2010, I have loved teaching third grade.

Today was especially quotable.

(while working on multiplication word problems) "Ms. Meehan? Can we sing... jingle bells?" (answer: "Of course, as long as you keep working." And they did.)

Same question-asker came up to me later, breathless and said, "Ms. Meehan, I just did a lot of counting. I'm a little sweaty."

Here's to a quotable 2011.

December 7- a Christmas Blog Name Change

I saw this on one of my student's desks today. It's such a darling mistake of english for an english language learner Plus a sweet philosophy for the season.

From now on, my December blogs will be called "Very Christmas- December 7" (etc).

Very Christmas, everyone!

Today I am glad that I read my horoscope. I don't read it every day. But I get on my.yahoo and sometimes I read it. And 9/10 times, it gives me hope. I think that's what's missing these days. Hope. Fearless Hope. I let too many other things make me stress or worry or distract. I've let experiences in my life make me fear and doubt and question and distrust.

But to accept and embody that simple idea of Fearless Hope that I used to have...

my, that sounds nice.

Here's my horoscope today, for example:

Something is brewing, and it's shaping up to be a special (and very positive) influence in your life. This could be an unexpected phenomenon, but more likely this is something you have been wishing for and working on for quite a while. Keep your lines of communication open all day long -- make sure your phone is turned on and charged up, because one call could bring everything together in an instant. Things are getting started whether you are ready for them or not, but you should be excited.

How could I not Hope? ... I'll give in... just a little...

December 6th

In 2010, I made my first turkey for Thanksgiving. After many many many many many calls, some Skyping and some text pictures to mom, I did it. And it was delicious... for several more days.

There was a lot to be thankful for this year. But I do love my class... and this is shameless, but they I guess they think I'm ok, too...

Or they are kissing up a little...

Or they don't want to offend any of the teachers or specialists that come into our room to help, so they specify...

But they know that I am thankful for them, too.

I hope the 2011 part of the school year will be as cool as the 2010 part :)

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Happy Birthday, Mom. I love you a lot.

You found an ad in the paper for a black cockapoo last year, so you came up and we went to go get her. You helped me pick out my best friend and we discovered that she makes a nice hat. You stayed here with me through her first couple of puppy days and I cried when you left because I wanted you to stay.

We can really tear up some weddings. Here's us at Anne's...

And then gettin' down to Justin Timberlake at Jess and Jay's. I also think we did the Justin Timberlake routine at Liz and Dan's wedding.

This is my favorite picture of the girls...

And the birthday card from my 3rd grader... he wanted you to have a good day and just to remind you of what I hope to be.

Love you, mom! Happy Heinz Birthday!

HP

I have a few teacher friends who are into Harry Potter even more than I am. One made butterbeer cupcakes!! And the other wore her Gryffindor scarf all day on Friday. I Love this about them.

My favorite quote of the day was when my student saw her scarf and said, "Oo! Redskins colors!" She said, "No, I'm not a Redskins fan, this is a Gryffindor scarf."

Then quietly she said to me, "Man, it's hard to be Gryffindor in D.C."

Love it.

Third Grade Royalty

Oh man...

In math right now, we are learning different strategies to solve word problems. I have some characters in my class. They are all LOVING solving these word problems and are so SO proud of themselves when they get them right.

Case in point: today two of my boys kept solving them so quickly and accurately that I was having to come up with different number combinations to try to stump them. It wasn't working-- they were masterfully solving these problems. So much so that I finally said, "Oh my gosh, guys!" To which one boy proclaimed, "KINGS OF MATH!" and walked away.

What will you proclaim today?

QUEEN OF PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM!

Beibs

"Ms. Meehan, you know who Justin Beaver is?"

"Bieber?"

"Yeah, Bieber."

"Yes, I know who Justin Beaver is."

The Bestist in the whole world

This morning, I got a letter from a student. It was made at home, put in an envelope and given to me as the student walked in the door.

It said, (no editing here)

"Dear Ms. Meeahn,

I have been learning a lot in math and writing and a lot more you are the bestist teacher in the hole wide world!"

It both warmed my heart and reminded me of some spelling words I need to review with this student :)

It will now go in my teacher love note collection. Right next to a note from a boy at the beginning of school that included twenty used paper clips. Because teachers like paper clips, right?

TEACHER QUOTE OF THE DAY!

Dining with a teacher friend of mine (who shall remain safe and nameless, but who just moved to northern virginia)...

"I mean, he cries a lot and it's like 'how can you cry so much, especially since you are TWICE the size of a normal second grader??' BE A MAN!!"