Saturday, June 2, 2012

A Friend for Arnie...The End!






This student is getting ready to remove the eyes so her
doughnut doesn't have to watch as it is eaten!
Oscar the doughnut says, "Hello!"

Where ever you celebrated National Doughnut Day, I hope it was filled with holes!  In first grade, my owlets had a hole lot of fun.  After reading Arnie The Doughnut, we created friends for him.  The day was just not long enough to fit in all the doughnutty fun that I planned. Is  there anything better than a well planned day were everything goes just right?  I don't think so!  A momentary glitch with the paper plates was quickly remedied and didn't even cause more than a moment of stress!  In case you missed it here is the link to my Arnie the Doughnut Unit...You can buy it on TPT, too!  It is new and improved, after I figured out some mistakes working through it with my owlets!

Good bye, Oscar!
Is it just me, or have you noticed that students seem to be distancing themselves from each other and you in anticipation of the coming changes?  I think we underestimate the stress that the end of the year causes in young students' lives.  Yes, they should be excited to be moving on to the next grade.   Yes, they should be very excited about a whole three months of relaxation and fun.  Yes, they should be excited that teachers with high expectations are finally going to leave them alone!  But, I know that one of my students has been intentionally failing tests so that I'll have him repeat first grade!  Another student who is sweet and goodhearted is suddenly doing mean sneaky things to classmates.  Everyone's patience...yes even mine...is running thin.  In these last days or weeks I pray that you will have a kindness and understanding for your students who love you and may not be as excited about The End as you are.  For some this is a sad story...I hope that you are able to help them find some happiness in saying good-bye!



7 comments:

  1. I can't believe you guys aren't out yet. I will say prayers that the last days go very smoothly for you.

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  2. I was running around so much I didn't get a single doughnut all day! :-(

    Not that I need one, but I sure do like one every once in a while!

    Hope the rest of your year is smoother and the kids deal with their anxieties; I remember a couple of teachers I didn't want to leave, but not enough to fail tests or anything . . . maybe if you weren't such an amazing and awesome teacher, your kids would be anxious to move on!

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  3. I had no idea it was National Doughnut Day, but those are some cute activities! My students have been bickering more as the year draws to an end. I definitely try to understand the changes they are going through. Good luck with your final days of school. :)

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  4. The girl removing those "eyes" cracks me up. This is why we do what we do :) On a much more "heavy" note, I totally hear you on the end of school situation. A couple of my kids are really struggling with moving on and with the whole summer thing in general. It is amazing to think that as we (teachers) get so excited for the end, some of our babes face such turmoil when having to leave. They go from "stable" school environment to the chaos known as home for 2.5 long months. Way to bring it on home tonight my bloggy friend. Understanding, patience, and love will be key this last week.

    Kelley Dolling
    Teacher Idea Factory

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  5. I love the doughnut people!

    Yes, I feel so sad when a student tells me they wish they had me again next year. I even tried to get my principal to let me loop. I have some very troubled students this year and I finally have them getting their work done and being good community members.

    ✰ Kimberley ✰
    First in Maine

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  6. Thank you so much for letting me be part of your day! We sure will miss you next year. But only 3 more years and you will my son's teacher!!

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  7. How fun is your class! Today there was a debate going on between which is better: doughnuts or cupcakes:-)

    Laurie
    Chickadee Jubilee

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