teaching | BulgingButtons

November 8, 2015
by BulgingButtons 3 Comments

What is it About the Owl?

Last Friday I gave my fourth graders a five minute recess at the end of the day. They were happily playing on the playground when one of my little girls came over to show me something her friend had given her. It was an eraser with a picture of an owl in the middle, no doubt a leftover from Halloween.

Had I known, I would have chosen a different theme.

My student was troubled, though.

“I can’t keep it,” she said.

“Why not?”

“It has an owl on it,” she said.

“What’s wrong with the owl?”

“I’m Navajo,” she responded, as if that would clear things up for me. It did not.

She went on to tell me that owls are considered bad luck in Navajo culture, but she didn’t want to just throw the eraser away. She was troubled because she wasn’t sure what to do. I held out my hand and she happily gave it to me, then skipped off to play, unburdened by the offending owl.

This morning, I noticed the owl on my counter and suddenly realized, I have owls all over the classroom. Each student has an owl with his or her name on it, and I have bulletin board borders with owls on them. There is a large owl on one board that shares messages with the students. Even the mini-posters with the class rules have owls on them. I had no idea.

If that one little eraser was troubling to her, what must that classroom feel like?

I think it may be time to redecorate the room. I wonder if she’ll notice.

August 8, 2015
by BulgingButtons Leave a comment

I’m Afraid of the Honeymoon Ending

I’m talking about school again, of course. We teachers do this. We obsess over school for the first few weeks, and then we remember how boring we are to the general public, so we go kind of quiet with our obsession for several months. After the summer break, though, we forget and start right back up again. Circle of life and all that.

So yes, the honeymoon period. That can last from twelve seconds to almost an entire school year, depending on the class. This year I’m so lucky. So far it’s been an entire week. This is a new world record for me. I’ve had thirty-one children in my room each day this week, and it’s been blissful. They have been hard-working, kind, and funny.They are learning about weather and character traits and autobiographies, while they are simultaneously learning what I expect of them and how fourth grade works. They are doing a great job on all counts.

I’m just a little scared by all of this goodness. I’m kind of waiting for the honeymoon to end and the shenanigans to begin. Still, I’m working my butt off to build a collaborative community of learners, and I’m hopeful that those efforts are paying off. Positive reinforcement is my friend, and the children are thriving. They’ve been encouraging each other and putting a lot of effort into their schoolwork. They work very hard for praise and the opportunity to take home a positive note to parents. So far, so good.

This may be the class. It may be the one for the ages. I hope so, because I’m falling a little in love with them already.

August 4, 2015
by BulgingButtons 2 Comments

Two Down, One Hundred Seventy-Eight to Go!

School days, that is. Not that I’m counting.

Two busy, fun, kid-filled, hot, humid days. Two days of teaching rules and routines, expectations and procedures. Two days of learning new names and figuring out new personalities. Two days of writing in new notebooks and opening new text books. Two days of school supplies and notes home and practicing quiet lines.

These past two days have been exhausting, but they have also been exhilarating. I LOVE this new class. They are smart and funny and kind and they are ready for all the challenges that fourth grade will provide.

Each year I forget just how much mental energy (not to mention physical stamina) it takes to teach. I’m tired, but I’m happy. These kids are mine, and already I know we’re going to have a fantastic year. What a lucky teacher I am.