Monday, January 9, 2012

No Clue, No Lights, No Worries

It started storming yesterday and God was still blessing us with LOTS of rain this morning. There are very few things I am scared of but driving in the rain is a BIGGIE! I HATE it (and hate is a word I rarely use). I have about a 25 minute commute that I love because it is my time to brainstorm, reflect, unwind, prepare, pray and just focus on whatever is on my heart. BUT there are also lots of 18 wheelers who fly by you at 80 mph and in the rain that terrifies me.

So, I left for work early and I already like to get there early...this means it was dark outside AND pouring. White knuckles, rapid heartbeat, cramped hands, and 35 minutes later I arrive at school. Someone is in MY parking space. No, it doesn't have my name on it but it has been MY spot for about 9 years after I inherited it when Grandma Moses retired. I mumbled something ugly decided to not worry about it since God got to me to work safely and headed out to swim inside.

As I am walking to my classroom, the lights go out! I go to my room which is pitch black because it is still early AND dark and stormy outside. I get the flashlight out of my Boogie Bag  and turn on a very DIM flashlight and it dies! I go to the classroom that opens up into mine and search for her flashlight by light of my cell phone and cannot find her bag. I venture out it the hallway and learn that MY part of the school doesn't have lights but everyone else does. So I am thinking I can go home right??? My breakfast cart gets delivered (Yes, we have the joy of eating breakfast in the classroom but that is an entirely DIFFERENT post!). Now, I am beginning to panic and plan on a breakfast picnic in the hall because 1st graders cannot get food where it needs to be in FULL DAYLIGHT....milk in the dark and some of my kiddos...picture Elaine from Seinfeld dancing and put a milk carton in her hands...yep, that would be a close enough picture of the disaster that would be.

4 minutes before the kiddos come our lights come on....now I have to wait about 20 minutes for my computer to boot up and I have to install ALL 1, 222 fonts back onto my computer. Now, come kiddos with umbrellas and it is pouring and we are watching the playground become a lake.

The Monday is getting even brighter because I have decided to conquer the TPRI to get it out of the way. Child number 1 takes 50 minutes for me to give him the test. One of the stories he read (which was more difficult than what he usually reads) his words per minute were 12. O! M! Gosh!!!! And that was doing the you say it in 3 seconds or it is an error! HEADACHE! CALGON TAKE ME AWAY! But the icing on the cake was BEFORE listening to him read. He was reading words from a list and came to the word shelf. He noticed it had a H brother and even told me this. He sounded it out sh-e-l-f and then said monkey. Seriously, where have you been since August??!!!??? I did tell him I was about to bop him on the head!

Later, he was playing Animal Detectives and was looking at the camel card and was trying to figure out the last letter in camel. He goes to look for his guided reading book that had the word camel in it! Yes, he was being resourceful but really??!!!??? I looked at him like they look at me sometimes like Have you completely lost you sweet mind???? Right away he said "l" but I was like this friend needs a little bit more one-on-one time to build him up and his confidence because he obviously is so unsure of himself because he knows! He is just one of my little ones that needs so much love because no one makes time for them at home. =(

So, after beating myself up for being a crummy teacher and making an ENORMOUS list of all of the things I need to do better. I am going to try and not worry. The key word there is try!

I am planning a giveaway for all of you wonderful followers and really just want to take the time again to tell you not only thank you for following me but thank you for the heart notes. Each one means the world to me!

To show you some thanks, everything in my TpT store is on sale for $1! Click on the lovebugs to go to my store!


While you are there, I would love for you to follow me! This sale will end sometime tomorrow! Tell your bloggy friends! =)

Here is a *freebie*!

My kiddos love the first Animal Detectives I made so here is Animal Detectives 2!


graphics by DJ Inkers

Here is the first one if you didn't grab it!

graphics by DJ Inkers

Question of the Day:
Do you have a parking "spot"?

52 heart notes:

Michelle said...

Heather - I totally had one of those "I need to make a list of all the things I need to teach them because I'm not doing enough" moments today, too! I was really down on myself until my kids came back from lunch. One of my little girls came over and just gave me a big hug. I asked her what it was for and she said, "Just because you are the best teacher and I missed you during lunch and recess." It was just one of those moments that I needed today! We have to remember that we do our best every day and the students love you no matter what!! =)

Jena Snowden said...

TPRI...Rain...Ugh. I feel your pain. :) And yes. I do have a parking space. I am usually the first one there so it is usually not a problem. Haha! Hope the week gets a little brighter for you!

Jena
1st Grade with Miss Snowden

Jill said...

I can sympathize with your 12 WPM boy... I have one like that too. We were stretching out "stop" the other day and I could hardly get him to tell me the letter sounds he knew, let alone blend them. Ahhh!!

Marvelous Multiagers!

YearntoLearn said...

Yep, I do have an "unspoken" parking spot, but it has been recently taken over by others if I don't get there early enough.


Yearn to Learn Blog

❋Karen❋ said...

Thanks for the kind words on my blog! I am a follower of your blog and your TpT store. You've got some great stuff there!
Sounds like you had a classic Monday! Glad you're able to look back now and laugh about it! Hope your drive home was much better!
I did ORFs today too! I had two boys who read 10 WORDS!!! They were doing the "look at the first letter and guess the word" thing. We all have those "moments" when we don't feel that we do a good enough job. We need to remind ourselves that not everyone can do what we do(or nearly as well). You can do what I do, and blogstalk for some inspirational ideas (like your animal detectives pages)! Thanks again!
Farming the First Grade Crop

Unknown said...

Wow! What a day!! TRY is a great word...I need to work on being happy with trying =)
Jennifer
First Grade Blue SKies

Traci Clausen said...

Ahhh Heather, what a day! Something must have been in the water today. I had two kiddos today responding to just about everything we did in the same manner your kiddo was. I just kept scratchin' my head. {shaking my head, whining, gasping, and dropping my jaw in amazement} Maybe it's just a Monday thing. Let's hope.
Tomorrow WILL be a better day. I hope.
♥ Dragonflies in First ♥

Erika said...

That's more than anyone should have to deal with on a Monday! Thanks for the freebie. Good luck tomorrow.

2B Honey Bunch
The Best Endings

Busy Bees said...

I can relate...my knuckles are usually white too from the rain. Thanks so much for the freebies. And~relax and have a great rest of the week!
Robynn
BusyBees

Lisa Howard said...

Oh no - what a day. I hope you got treated to a nice bath or glass of wine when you got home
- Lisa
a teachers bag of tricks

Freckleteacher said...

Hugs to you Heather! I can't imagine starting my day with a rain storm like yours and the lights going out! It was clear and sunny where I live and I still barely got there on time!

I love reading your blog and thank you for the adorable Animal Detectives Freebie.

I hope your week improves and that you get lots of lovin from your family and students.

Drive safely!

Kristin said...

I don't really like driving in the rain either. But I only have a 5 minute commute so it's mostly okay. But I hear you!
And yes, I have a parking spot. Even though my name is not on it. :)
I hope tomorrow is a dry day and a lot less stressful for you!
A Teeny Tiny Teacher

Lisa said...

I have a parking "area". I'm typically one of the first to arrive (only because I have to drop my daughter off at the high school--if her car isn't repaired soon......) and I just park in the same area. I choose from 2 or 3 spots and just kinda "go with it"! It probably frustrates others!!! :)

Hopefully Tuesday will be a better day!! :)

BAK Pack Photography said...

Happy Tuesday, Heather!
Thank you so much for the freebies. I love the graphics!
I hope today goes better for you.
❁Beth Ann❁
Taming My Flock of Firsties
bakteach16@gmail.com

meadowt said...

Heather, Sorry you had such a rough Monday!I can relate to days likek that. I always say "Glad there are fewer crazy days and much more fun, great days" Thanks for the freebies and I am going to check out your store now!!
Barbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

Tricia said...

Thanks for the animal detectives. My kiddos are going to live this. I totally get the MY parking spot thing. My spot is the farthest away, but it is mine. I get text messages during the day by folks driving by if my car isn't in my spot.

Tricia

Queen with Class

Anonymous said...

We DIBELed our first grade classes today (always so useful...not). One of my girls refused to read. My one little boy read 5 words per minute...he mostly sits and does nothing all day long...because he can't keep up anymore. I came home and felt like a really really bad teacher today...and as a matter of fact, yesterday, too. We all have those days. Thanks for your freebies!

Sarah said...

Virtual hugs for you! I love your freebie though! SOO absolutely cute! :)

funintitlemath.blogspot.com

Lisa Lizak and Beth Wright said...

I went back to visit my old building right before Christmas break (I was bumped out due to seniority reasons) and someone was in my spot. I was so weirded out, so I can totally relate to someone taking your "spot" :) I sending you a BIG hug and hope you had a better Tuesday :)

Lisa :)
Made In The Shade In Second Grade

Emily said...

OMG! I just had to give up my Teacher of the Year spot and I almost cried. Petty I know, but still. (I even dedicated a whole blog post to it last year!)

Thanks for being a new follower. I'm returning the love. =) It's going to take me forever to read all the great blogs I stalk!

-Emily

Sedcond Grade Silliness 

Cecelia said...

What a day, Heather! I hope today was much better.
Your little boy like half, no probably 70 percent, of my class this year. In my seventeen years of teaching I have never had a group like this. Not one of my friends remembered doing anything with solids the following week. I even took out the materials we tested and did experiments, built bridges and towers with, and recorded the properties of...still no clue. I read books and they did not hear one word and then repeat what I say in the form of a question...
They lose their shoes in the classroom and don't know what to do...ask me to wash their hands and zip their zippers...
Forget about Dibels---I do it every month as I have to progress monitor 14 of my 23 kids. I had 2 that did nothing and still have zeros for NWF and now ORF

Cecelia

Jana said...

Thanks for blogstalking me! I love your blog. I do have a parking space as do most of the teachers at my school. I HATE it when someone parks in my space. The only one who consistently gets the same place is our wonderful secretary. NO ONE parks in her place. She is too important to upset.

Thinking Out Loud

Unknown said...

Heather,
We had the same storm! Oh so scary! We needed rain, but seriously?!!!! Yes, we have a numbered parking space that we have to draw for every August (so I have a different spot each year). Thanks for the freebies! They are too cute! Have a great week! :)
Cheryl
Crayons and Curls

Barbara said...

Oh lord, I know how you feel. I had some similar experiences today. Our power went out too but thankfully it was just as the kids were leaving. And some of my kids will slowly sound out a word correctly and then say something out of left field!! What is that about??
Barbara
Grade ONEderful

See Me Teach said...

I love the animal detectives. Our next unit is Animals and this will definitely be in one of my bins :) Thank you for sharing!!

SunnyDays said...

OMG!! I got to the part about "monkey" and I burst out laughing so loud my husband thought something was wrong! Too funny!

When I was teacher of the year, they painted OVER my spot halfway through the year. I felt oh-so-appreciated....

Denise
Sunny Days In Second Grade

Kelley Cirrito said...

I think I have the same student in my class. Are you sure he is yours. :) Mine gets no attention at home and I think read 3 words a minute. Seriously 3 words a minute in second grade.....mid-year....YIKES! I wanted to say thank you to you because you always right such sweet comments on my blog. Thanks for the freebie and I will have to check out your store!

Trish said...

Hi there! I LOVE your blog!! You totally speak my language! Everything I read I am saying Yup! that's me too!! Thank you for being so AWESOME! Kiss your Brain! I appreciate you!

Christine said...

Oh my word! I love your shelf/monkey story! What a hoot! Your days sound very similar to mine. I think I have felt the same way as you have. I'm trying to remember that I am doing my best for my kiddos. Keep you chin up - the February "click time," when things start to come together for so many little ones, is coming! I just found your blog and I'm a new follower!

Christine

Hopping into First Grade

Jessica Laurine said...

I love the animal detectives, Heather! Thank you so much for sharing and following my little blog :)

Jessica
The Littlest Scholars

Unknown said...

Thanks for the freebies!

I have a 'spot' that I always park in. I'm usually there first or one of the first people at school, so that helps. :) ~Heidi V.

Anonymous said...

I don't have a spot because it's my first year, but I park in my partner's spot sometimes just to bug her. She laughs and tells me to cut it out.

I have a kid like that who reads at a G! He sounds out every word and is so slow. I don't know what I'm going to do when I have to time his DRA. He is much worse when he's nervous so I have to do all his testing.


First in Maine

Sheri said...

Oh No!! What a day indeed!!! I can totally relate with the DRA reading....takes forever for some!!! Whew....but I'm finished for this six weeks:)
About the parking spot....I've got an "unspoken" one as long as I get there in time!!
Hope that you are having better days!
Sheri
1st Grade Rocks

Anonymous said...

First, thank you so much for all the cute, cute activities! I know my kindies will love them. Also, thank you for letting me post anonymous cause my school laptop won't let me post with my google account! I don't know why - but I want to give you a comment to show my appreciation!

Stacy said...

Heather!! I just LOVE you, already and I know it is like we just met! You inspire me to keep my positive attitude even when I dont want, too or can't find reason, too! I am so inspired by your stories, your giving heart, and your kindness you have showed me. I appreciate EVERYTHING you offer to us bloggers for free, you are definitely a blog I look to daily for inspiration and ideas! I can't wait to chat with you about how Conscious Discipline is going and to pick your brain about it, more!

Thanks for being you!
Ps: I LOVE your blog helper! So precious!!
Stacy
2nd Grade Paradise

Melissa @ Plug-n-Plan said...

Cute freebie, Heather!

I remember a day years ago when we lost power shortly before the kids got to school. I'm in an interior room so we have no windows and therefore no natural light. We ended up keeping the kids in the hallway so we could use flashlights and the little bit of natural light coming from the doors during the storm. We thought for sure they would send the kids home since we had no power (hence no light and no heat). Nope! County had us keep them ALL day with no power! It was interesting trying to teach with all our 1st grade classes in the hallway in the near dark.

Peg said...

Just wanted to let you know I came to your site through Pinterest link to grade level link party and got a cup of tea and stayed a while. Thank you for your generosity and your poetry - it is beautiful. I'll be back. :-)

Stacy said...

me again...please come over...I am worrier too...so I am also sending you this comment to make sure you don't miss what I wrote back in response to the HORROR you speak of :(...aka me NOT being an actual follower.

Ps: Have I mentioned I am ALSO vertically challenged? I think we have SO much in common. I am 5'2". :)
Stacy
2nd Grade Paradise

Sara said...

Yikes!! No, I don't do TPRI. My old distrist did it the year before I started so I was trained to give it, then they switched to ISIP a few weeks after school started. I'm in a private school now, so we don't give it either. I did give it during student teaching, so I definitely feel your pain :)

Sara
KIndergarten Is A Hoot

Sara said...

You are too sweet!! Thanks for the head's up on all of your previous freebies! I already follow you, but I added you to my blog roll. :)

A giveaway would be so fun!! Love that idea!! My email is kindergartenisahoot@gmail.com if you want to chat some more about it! :)

Sara
Kindergarten Is A Hoot

Miss DeCarbo said...

Just discovered your blog and became your newest follower! Great ideas! Hope you'll stop by my blog and check it out! :)

Second Grade Sugar and Spice

Kim said...

Thanks so much for becoming a follower and for the great ideas! I am now your newest follower!

Kim Growing Up Teaching

twilliams said...

OMG! I thought I was the only teacher that gives students names!! One year I had a Gun Boy(wasn't a real gun, just a lighter, but scared the heck out of us all), I have had a Circus Boy,(his family used to be in the circus and when he was absent I said the circus must be in town), and the list goes on! I enjoyed reading your blog.

Miller's Flip Flops said...

I have to tell you I was truly laughing out loud, which I hardly ever do while reading your post. I could sooooooooo relate to the shelf/monkey reading!!!!! Sounds like our Lexia CRT test and yes, you just want to scream when they are trying so hard and it is taking them two class periods to finish the test and you still have 15 or so kids to go and 5 days to get it done :( But we just smile and say, keep going :) Funny how people are in so many different places, but yet are connected in ways so many others could never understand :)

Sharon Minigh said...

I LOVE THESE!!! Thank you for having such an awesome blog! I have started following you!
:-)
Sharon