Long December

At about 2:30, after having specials at about noon....
Ricardo: Did we already have P.E.? We DID!? I didn't even feel it!

Four of my kids were tested proficient so will now be leaving my class. It's good news in the way that is means what I'm doing is working if these kids are already proficient by the second quarter, but I don't want them to leave! I know it's greedy and wrong, but my classroom is a little like my family. It's hard to see anyone go.

A little humor

We were playing a centers game where I'm trying to get them to guess a particular word. This time it was, "A Frisbee".

Me: What often gets thrown over the fence?
Ricardo: A nerd!
Me: It sometimes gets on the roof.
Ricardo: Poop!

Voting

I got at my polling place at 5:15 (it opened at 6) and there was already a huge line, like it was the opening of a new Star Wars movie or the release of a Harry Potter book. I voted, and it was my first time voting a) in Arizona and 2) physically at the polls.

I also got my first sticker, but sadly, it doesn’t say, “I voted for your mom”, “Kiss me, I voted” or “Voters are sexy”. I’m really disappointed.

The kids at school are involved in this nationwide campaign called KidsVote, where kids, K-8, are given Voter ID cards and vote at simulated polls. The votes are tallied and compared to the real votes. Pretty awesome, really. (My kids are pro-Obama. One kid calls McCain "McCan't").

A Day Made Better

To see real pictures of my surprise, follow these directions:
Go to:
http://www.adaymadebetter.com/a-day-made-better.htm

Click on Days Made Better at the top.
Click on Arizona, then Phoenix.
Click on floating picture that has caption of “Maurice C. Cash School” (there are yellow and black balloons).
There are two pictures…. The surprise was serious!

My newly christened throne:

Gift with the recipient:



What I now do in my new chair:


Just kidding!

Super Surprises!

You won’t believe what happened today! Right after recess, Ms. Sandomir and a bunch of people in black shirts came into my classroom. I was a little scared, but one of the guys had roses for me (couldn’t be all bad) and a plaque. They said they were from Office Max and they had a surprise for me if I followed them. They led me and my students to the cafeteria where there was about four classes of kids and a huge poster that said, “We (heart) Miss Sells”. They said I won an award called “A Day Made Better” that is given to teachers who “make days better.” The office staff nominated me!--- and I WON! They gave me a NEW*** teacher chair (leather!) and two huge boxes (2.5’ cubes!) of supplies for my kids. Hole punches, label makers, pencil boxes for all of my kids--- honestly--- so much I couldn’t even list it right now. They took a million pictures of me and my students and me in my new chair (heehee)! I am SO grateful. During lunch, Shannin gave me a card and a gift, and Lessita made me spinach dip and brought an ice cream cake, plus made a picture frame where people have been writing flattering traits on. Can you believe this? I am so blessed!

Kiss-ups and Cuteness

Me: It's a good thing you're cute.
Jonathan: I know, right?

Brown-nosing child of the year: You may not have given me candy, Miss Sells, but I win any way. I have the best teacher in the world.

Student: Please forgive me, Miss Sells. A minute ago I spoke Spanish. I know we're not supposed to. Please forgive me.
Me: What did you say?
Student: I said, "please forgive me..."
Me: No, what did you say in Spanish?
Student: Gracias.
Me: I think I'll let you off the hook this time. Thanks for telling me.

Student: Miss Sells. Please forgive me. A minute ago, I played with my ruler right after you told us they were tools and not toys. I'm sorry.

Check out my school on the statewide news! You can't see it, but one of my kids made a sign that says, "I love my school because my teacher teach me English." http://media.myfoxphoenix.com/KSAZ/hilites/whirlybird.html First three videos (M.C. Cash School)