I've been owned!

So I am sitting here on our 2nd Snow Day of the Year and I am trying to be somewhat productive. I just finished grading some writing that we did for the district. Now keep in mind the kids have to write to a prompt and the prompt for this time was:

"Think of the most valuable or important thing you own. Explain why it is important to you. Be sure to include details like where you got it, how long you've had it, etc."

Here is my favorite of the group from a little girl, S. I will type it like she wrote it and then translate when needed =)

My teacher is inportant.

That she lets us len. (She lets us learn)

She be teoahc. (She be teaching)

She be tech us sume math to help us lern so we can be in thrd grude. (She be teaching us some math to help us learn so we can be in third grade)

She be tech us times x too and she be teach tak way too and she be tech us plus + too. (She be teaching us times too and she be teaching take away and she be teaching us plus too)

For October its a log time to be no her. (She is trying to say she has known me since October and it's a long time to know her...little mixed up =)

No her for a log log log log time for me.

She like to play with me.

Custer is so frey for me. (Custer is so friendly to me)

He is a nice dog to me.

He is so frey to me.

Thought it was cute. I found it funny that when she thought of the things she owned that were important she thought of me. I guess I've been owned =)

Kansas Day

For Kansas Day each year we do some sort of celebration...this year we had an afternoon of different centers in each room. In my room I made pancakes for the kids along with a couple of other activities. I love making pancakes because it is such a treat for the kids. Here are some of their wonderful comments:

"You're the best cooker, Ms. McVay!"

"You're the best teacher ever!" (who knew it took pancakes?)

"This is the best day ever!"

"Wow! Where did you learn to flip like that?"

"This is better than IHOP!!"

But my all time favorite...from none other than G.

G - "Ms. McVay, you're the 2nd best cooker in the world!"

Me - "Really? Who's the first? Your mom?"

G - "NO!!! She is not a good cooker at all."

Me - "Oh, well than who is the best cooker in the world?"

G - "I can't remember his name? It's like flan something..."

Me - "Flan?? Do you know him?"

G - "No. I watch him on TV."

Me - "Oh you mean Flay? Bobby Flay?"

G - "Yeah that's him. He's the best but you're second."

Me - laughing "Sweet...I'll take that."

So now you all know I'm the second best 'cooker' in the world right behind Bobby Flay. Someone better call Food Network.

The Real Reason...

You know they say education is not what it used to be...our kids aren't learning the basics...we're worried about the future of our kids and country...etc. etc. so on and so forth.

Well, after years of research I can tell you in 1 word the reason...are you ready? Sitting down? Here it is...

MEETINGS

Here has been my last week:

Tuesday - meeting from 8-3:30
Wednesday - meeting from 8-8:40
Thursday - meeting from 9-12
Saturday - meeting from 9-11
Today - meeting from 8-8:40 then meeting from 1-3
Tomorrow - meeting from 8-8:40 then meeting from 4:30-6:30

UGH!! I just want to teach!! Is that too much to ask?? Plus...I don't think I have enough meeting pants for this =)

Are you from...

So one of my more shy quiet students really took the cake last week. Meet my friend, R. He is a very bright boy who has lots of friends. He is never in trouble and while he has a great personality I have some other's who really outshine him in that respect. That is until this...

R - Ms. McVay, are you from Tennessee?

Me - No, why?

R - Cause you're the only 10 I see.

Me - (laughing) Where did you hear that?

R - On TV

Me - (still laughing) Do you know what it means?

R - No, but it must be pretty funny.

Me - (STILL laughing) Yes, it is. Thanks for making my day! =)

The "Do You Ever Close Your Mouth?" Boy Strikes Again

So if you've read my previous post about some of my more interesting kiddos I told you about G. So yesterday I had to have a substitute because I had a meeting all morning for ETAT...not really sure what that stands for but we team with another school to work on our Campus Improvment Plan and do walk-throughs and such, but I digress...

I had told my kids I would be gone but in the building. When they arrived yesterday morning I was just leaving the classroom. G. comes up to me and here is our conversation...

G - I know you have a meeting today.

Me - I know you know...I told you yesterday.

G - I would have known anyway.

Me - Why?

G - Cause you have on your meeting pants...

Me - My meeting pants? What?

G - Yeah you only wear black pants when you have a meeting. Oh and it's good to see you put on eyeshadow today.

WOW!!!

My Christmas Loot!!

Well here is my Christmas loot for the year from my kids...

1. Lotion - I got this from G. who is constantly asking for lotion. So I'm thinking maybe I smell...or maybe he is tired of smelling like a girl when he asks for lotion ("I'm ashy Ms. McVay...can I have lotion?") My Coconut Lime Verbena from B&B Works isn't the most popular scent for the boys.

2. The Red Bird - I'm not really sure what kind of bird it is...a couple of them are convinced it's a pelican, but nevertheless it is not JUST a bird. It is also a pen (complete with the price tag of $.75).

And last, but certainly not least....(drumroll please)

3. A Pencil and Eraser - Bought out of the machine on the way down the hall to the classroom. I am pretty sure he wasn't planning on giving it to me, but when he saw his best friend give me the coveted "Pelican Pen" he had no choice.

I love my kids...presents or not. Hope they and their families have a very Merry Christmas!!

p.s. Don't you see how clean my desk is...okay it may look messy to you but I'm a piles person...I know EXACTLY where everything is!! =)

I would like you to meet...Installment #1

I'd like to introduce you to some of the characters in my class this year...legally I can't really, but here's my attempt without breaking confidentiality =)

The "Do you ever close your mouth?" Kid - Meet G. He's cute (thank God), but this boy never closes his mouth. I mean...NEVER!! If I say his name once I say his name a thousand times a day. He is usually on task and very inquisitive but I can only answer so many questions a day. G. reaches his limit by about 10:15 a.m. (school starts at 8:50). Famous quote: "I know I'm you're favorite!" (said with that ornery grin). My response: "..." (I just laughed).

The "I don't have to because I'm cute" Kid - Meet M. Now M. is almost 9...and in 2nd grade. Not the brightest crayon in the box but a good kid. I am pretty sure he has gotten by on his looks in Kindergarten and 1st grade. Now those of you who know me know I expect quite a lot out of my kids, and I am not sure the word work is in M's vocabulary. He is part of a family of 4 kids and is the only boy. I think he is the King at home and the girls do just about everything for him. Slowly but surely he has figured out Ms. McVay doesn't play those games =). Famous Quote: "I'm too cute to do that." (said on the 3rd day of school when he decided he didn't want to do his math work.) My response: "The only thing cute in this classroom is Custer. Get to work!!"

The "utter" Kid - Meet C. Now when I say "utter" that is his way of saying Custer. He is one of my special kiddos who is selective mute. He has an identical twin and they have developed a "twin language" and have very limited communication skills in general. However, C. has really come out of his shell this year and everyone who has worked with him in the past is amazed at how much he is talking now. I'd like to say it was all me, but I know it is Custer or "utter" as C. calls him. He is absolutely in LOVE with Custer and hugs and kisses on him hourly all while talking to him. Another +plus+ for therapy dogs!! Famous Quote: "I uv ew utter!" (I love you, Custer said while hugging Custer around the neck and resting his forehead on Custer's forehead). My response "Aw..." (little tear =)