Positive Fridays - Week of March 10th, 2013

Happy Friday everyone!  How many of you are on spring break this week?  One more week and the kiddos here will be on spring break as well.

Let's get to the fun positives!

 

Last Friday, I worked half a day in Kindergarten and then half a day in 2nd grade.  It was a fun day at a school close to home.

•  I came in and found out the Kindergarten teacher was at school, but she would be testing children in the classroom while I helped monitor them.
• I got a few hugs and many hellos from children in the morning on their way to class and had the chance to talk to a 4th grade teacher who used to teach at the school that I did a couple of years ago.
• The children had fun watching some videos including a few of Dr. Seuss books.  They also tore tiny pieces of paper to put on an umbrella.  Then for the handle they wadded up tissue paper and glued it on.  It was to go on a bulletin board.  It looked super cute, sorry I don't take pictures while subbing, but I bet one of you could make it and share it with us!
• The 2nd grader teacher was happy to see me as she was headed to the airport.  She thanked me for subbing for her.  
• Several children told me within the first hour that I was the best sub and very nice.  
• They worked on SRA stories, prounouns, and a little bit of S.S. I didn't have much time with them because they had lunch and activity.  

I didn't get to work again until Wednesday for a half day at one of my favorite schools that I sub at a lot near home in Kindergarten per teacher request!

• When the children came in a parent and child were so excited to see me as I had subbed for her the previous year a few times.  She was a retained student, but so excited!
• It didn't take long for the other children love me as well and they giggled at my after I told him it's hop like bunnies hop.  
• At recess a slew of Kindergarten children came running to me to give me hugs and say hello as I've subbed for many of the Kindergarten classes this year.
• One girl in particular kept trying to tell her that I was her old teacher (she meant sub) and she loved me and wanted me to be her teacher again.  That was the sweetest thing to hear a child try to tell a teacher how much she liked me yet again!
• I read a couple of stories including "Have You Filled A Bucket Today?", the children wrote about their favorite part of one story, worked on literacy centers partnered with children from another Kindergarten class who I have subbed for a few times, and used counters to add and subtract.
• They were a sweet, well behaved, fun group of children.

On Thursday, I got a wake up call to sub in 1st grade.  I was back at the same school as last Friday, which was awesome for a class that I had subbed for before Thanksgiving.

• The children remembered me and one girl immediately told me that I am her favorite substitute.  She then wrote it in her writing journal!  She knew how to fill my bucket.
• I read a couple of stories to this group including "Have You Filled A Bucket Today" and we discussed what we could do to be be kind.  One said to give her friend a hug and then gave her a big hug.  After that story before we did Math she came up and gave me a hug and then so did her friend.  This was the same child who earlier told me I was her favorite substitute.
• Earlier on the way back from lunch a child yelled my name and I turned around as she smiled and gave me a hug.  A group of 2nd graders waved to me.  The children at this school are so sweet and kind!
• This group of students had fun decorating a kite (Wed. they flew kites for Kite day) out construction paper that I cut for them.  They also put numbers in order on a number line that were all mixed up and learned about the sun and stars.
• They were a sweet group of nice children who used their manners and were respectful.

I am working in 2nd grade today at the school I was at Wednesday and I can't wait to tell you all about it next week.  I'm sure these children will amaze me too with their kindness.

Be sure to share your positives in the comments below!  Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Bucket Filling Freebie!

Those of you who follow me know how much I preach about being kind to others.  We should do what we can to make others feel good and teach that to our students.  That can be as simple as smiling, opening a door for someone, giving a hi five or giving someone a hug.

As many of you know I'm a huge fan of the books "Have You Filled A Bucket Today" by Carol McCloud and "How Full Is Your Bucket for Kids" by Tom Rath.  You search bucket filling to find my previous posts on the topic.

Today, I would like to share a freebie that I made to go with the book.  It is a word sort on bucket filling and bucket dipper. 

Do you use the bucket filling system in your classroom?  How do you use it?

Stop by tomorrow for another freebie.

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of September 3rd

Wow, is it already Friday?  Where has time gone!  We have now gone through 4 1/2 weeks of school here in Brevard County, Florida.  Time flies when you are having fun I guess!  Let's get on with the positives and I hope this week you'll share some too!  Make this guy smile big!

Last Friday I subbed in Kindergarten and had a wonderful day with a bunch of little ones.

• Got to talk to the amazing Kindergarten teachers in the morning they are so kind and helpful!  
• I had the chance to do some fun lessons with the Kinders including reading "Brown Bear Brown Bear What Do You See."  They did some sequencing with it and a fun puppet!
• The kiddos worked super hard for me and gave me a lot of hugs. 
•  I was asked by one are you the best sub?  I said well I hope so, but that's up to you to decide and the others said yes you are the best!  So cute and sweet!
• After a long day of subbing, I had a job interview at the school for Kindergarten and another position.  It was nice having the Kindergarten teachers in on the interview since I'm often requested by them.  I was by the wonderful AP that all the kids in the school love me.  Sadly, I just found out Thursday, I didn't get any of the positions, but it won't stop me from continuing to sub at the school and continuing to apply for open positions.  I know the right job will come to me at the school that is the best fit for me!

I almost forgot I also got to read to them a book I brought "Have You Filled A Bucket Today?"  Oh my gosh did those kids LOVE the story, many told me it was their favorite and they were going to be bucket fillers.

I didn't get to sub again until Thursday and it was back at another school that I've subbed at this year and a ton last year.  I was in a 3rd grade class and had them 2 weeks so I was very excited to know that I would have children who already know me and love me!

• I got to talk to their teacher first thing in the morning, which was awesome and told her how great her lesson plans were!

• The children were full of smiles coming in and some jumping up and down, the best sub ever is here today, yes!  We only want you as our sub!  One boy passing by says there's the Jelly Bean man. haha  I only used Jelly Beans a couple of times last year, but had to bring them again since I knew some of these kids loved them from 2nd grade last year.
• I gave out Jelly Beans as the children answered questions (got super participation) and made great choices as I praised them!  One of their words on their spelling sheet was praise and they asked me what it meant.  haha  I think they understand now!
• Got to talk to a couple of amazing 3rd grade teachers who are super helpful and offered to take children if I needed too, but that was not necessary these kiddos were too awesome!
• One of the tougher students worked amazingly hard for me this time and made me so proud by getting everything done!  
• These children also used nice manners, which makes me so happy!
• I dropped the kids off at lunch and the 4th graders from a couple of weeks ago yelled for me to come over so excited to see me.  They told me they want me to always be there sub because I'm the best!
• At the end of the day after doing an amazing job of cleaning the floor again these sweet 3rd graders told me they only want me for their sub, they are going to tell their teacher to only pick me, and they like me because I am nice and I give candy.  

I have never been a big fan of candy, but when subbing it seems to really do the trick.  I get the children on my side so quickly and easily and it leads to a really nice day.  I really haven't had any bad days of subbing this year or last year.  So if the trick is candy then candy it is my friends!

I am subbing on Friday a half day, that will be included in next week's post.  It is at the same school as today, but with different 3rd graders.  I probably know some from 2nd grade last year so it should be a fun day!

What's your opinion on candy in the classroom?  Leave a comment below and please post your positives too!

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of April 16th, 2012

Wow, wow, wow I had the best week ever!!!!!!!!!!

- Last Friday I had such a good time with Kindergarten at a school that I had only been to once before.  I got to do a fun lesson from a blogging friend Deanna Jump and saw the other kids I had subbed for before way back in January.  Many came to say hi and I got a few hugs.

- Monday, I volunteered to proctor FCAT, which was a great learning experience at the school that I am just in love with.  It was nice to be thanked for coming in just to do that!  I was also interviewed for a short term job teaching 5th grade.

- Tuesday through Friday I subbed in a 5th/6th grade combined class in my favorite school.  Boy am I getting experience in combined classes!  5th grade had FCAT so I had just 6th grade for a good chunk of the morning and the afternoon went by so fast with lunch, activity for 6th grade, and recess.  5th grade had fun on the computer in the afternoon and I got to take 6th grade outside to do their work in the morning so we didn't disturb FCAT.  Most of them loved going outside to work.  The weather was so nice.

- Wednesday I was hired to teach 5th grade starting Monday until the end of the school year and told that they want me next year, but they are waiting to see teacher allocation units.  I cannot wait to get to know these amazing 5th graders and have the fun with them that I had with Kindergarten, 1st grade, 3rd/4th and other classes!  I told the 3rd and 4th graders keep working hard and being nice to others, good things come to good people and I proved that by landing a job where I wanted!!!  Those wonderful students also helped me appreciate and love teaching older children.  Thank you 3rd and 4th grade, I love you!

- The 3rd and 4th graders also got my Crack The FCAT eggs, which had chocolate and a peppermint inside as well as a personalized note to each child.  They were able to see again how much I enjoyed each one of them and why each of them are so special to me.  They also received letters from the 1st graders and a few from my myself to do a great job on FCAT.  Finally, I gave them a treat bag filled with goodies and FCAT sayings.  Some sayings: Smarties because you are such a smartie, A starburst because you are a star, an Eraser to erase your mistakes, etc.  I will do a separate blog post on this hopefully this weekend and give everyone the freebie in case anyone wants to use it!

These kids filled my bucket as most of the 3rd graders wrote me thank you letters and all the 3rd and 4th graders had such big smiles on their faces and thanked me when they saw me.  They were also so excited for me getting the job.  Due to different lunch schedules I won't see them as much, but I know they will continue to soar and do well!

I also saw the amazing Kindergarten children Tuesday and Thursday (and will Friday too) and got hugs, I Love You's, congrats on the job, and smiles!

The children at this school and many other schools I've subbed at fill buckets with kindness every single day. Have you filled anyone's bucket with kindness?  How will you do so today and next week?

- In blogger news, wow 42,000 views, you guys and gals are amazing!

Please share positive experiences with me from the past week.  Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  I love each and everyone of you for stopping by.