Positive Fridays - Week of May 5th, 2014

Happy Friday!  So sorry I haven't posted a Positive Friday post in a couple of weeks, I've had plenty of great things going on, but been so busy!  Mr. Positive is back though!

First up on the positive train, I am so thankful to have finally reached 700 TPT followers.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and everyone of you 700 followers.  You rock!

The past couple of weeks have been so busy filled with DRA's, FAIR, and interim assessments.  My kids though did AMAZING!  One student jumped in Feb. from an 8 to 16 (remember I teach Kindergarten!), others since the first two week of April jumped from a 1 to a 3 and a 1 to a 4.  I am so excited seeing those lower level children make huge jumps at the end of the year.  Another one who has having difficulty with comprehension read a 1.5 passage on FAIR (2nd to last 1st grade passage) with 96% accuracy and 100% comprehension!  She also read a level 10 independently to me with comprehension.  We would like kids reading a level 6, which is a tough level for Kindergarten, but I'm pleased that over a 3rd of my class is reading at least a level 8!  Hats off to my Kinder kids and their hard work.

I also had a child tell me that he was going to miss me when I had a sub to get my evaluation results and he knew he'd have another sub while I went to the dentist in the afternoon.  He filled my bucket right up!  Then another sweet girl gave me a flower (weed of course) at recess today, it just warms my heart.  One parent and her child got me several things for Teacher Appreciation week, of course the handwritten card by her daughter meant the most to me.

I would love to hear about the growth of your students or anything else you'd like to share.

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

Positive Fridays - Week of March 31st, 2014

I was happy to be back to work after a great start to Spring Break for my birthday where I went to 3 days of country music concerts.  It was so much fun seeing Keith Urban, Toby Keith, Sarah Darling, Joe Nichols, Rodney Atkins, The Band Perry, JT Hodges, Neon Summer, and more!  Toward the end of spring break I ended up at the doctors twice and found out I have a Kidney Stone.  Your thoughts and prayers would be appreciated!  Enough of the unfortunate news, let's get to the positives!

It was great to be back with such a wonderful faculty and students.  My students really shined this for me!

• One child who was having a rough day raised his hand and said Mr. Hopkins, you're the best teacher.  I think you should be the teacher of the year!  How sweet is that?  That is bucket filling at its finest!
• They worked on making some wonderful bunnies and wrote about why they are a lucky bunny.  They did such an amazing job, I'll try to get pictures and try to find sometime to get that up on here for everyone to see how cute they turned out!
• They worked so hard in groups together doing an Open Picture Sort with cards.  They had to figure out the beginning sounds and then group them together and write the sound on each card.  I challenged my Kindergarten children and had both long and short u.  Surprisingly the group that had low/average children (all in my 2 intervention groups) was the group who figured out the long and short u as well as the rest!  
• I started doing DRAs on my students again and I am so pleased that 2 of my girls have jumped considerably.  In fact so much that I need to hear them read again!  One has jumped at least 2 levels and the other 3!  Our goal is to read a level 6 at the end of the year and they read a 4 independently!  I was so excited and so were they!  The smiles on their faces told it all.
• We said goodbye to an intern I've had for awhile.  She is a freshman in college and worked so well with the children, always asking me what else can she do to help me or the children.  This wonderful lady is going to be amazing teacher.  She wrote me such a sweet card thanking me for everything and said she got some great classroom management tips and classroom ideas.  I also helped her see that she truly does still want to be a Kindergarten teacher.  I'm glad I could influence a future teacher!

Anyone have any group student success stories?  Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Positive Fridays - Week of Feb. 12th, 2014

Happy Friday everyone!  We had a weather change here in FL again going from nice weather to chilly cold weather, but I survived.  I know many of you have to deal with the snow and ice.  I do not envy you at all!  I am blessed not to have to deal with that here in central FL!

This was our first full week after Winter Break, the week before was a 4 day week!

• My school has started an awesome dog bone behavior system.  The children earn dog bones from other teachers (we can't give them out to our own) for making amazing choices in school.  I have had a blast handing them out to children whom I have caught walking responsibly in line or in pairs coming back or to somewhere.
• My class earned 5 dog bones today alone!!!  Our goal is to get 25 total so they can earn a reward.  I also love this reward system because it ties into math with me as my children keep counting or adding 1 more each time we get one!  whohohoo!
• We have had a fun week learning about Penguins and writing about what we would do if we were a Penguin.  They came up with some super cute ideas!  I need to get some pictures of these adorable Penguins that I have received a bunch of compliments on from other teachers!  We have also been having fun learning to add, worked on the letter Ff, and learned about different kinds of weather.
• It is also fun seeing all of the smiling faces and children who greet me who I don't even teach, not just the little ones, but the older ones say hi to me and call me by name with a great big smile on their face. These children in this amazing school are incredible bucket fillers.
• Finally, I had 2 terrific parent conferences and I look forward to another one next week.  Together we will help my smart students continue to soar!

I hope everyone else had a fantastic week!  We have Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday off.  So it is a 3 day weekend here.  How about where you live?

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

Positive Fridays - Week of Dec. 2nd, 2013

Wow, it's Friday again, this year is flying by!  It will be Christmas before we all know it.  We had another busy, but fun week in Kindergarten!  I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving break!  I sure did, I bought an mini Ipad for my classroom, waiting on it to come in so if you have any great apps for Kindergarten post them in the comments!

This week was a busy one for me as I had my preobservation conference, a meeting for a child going into speech, a training on Common Core for Language Arts, and a quick how to for doing the FAIR test with my Kindergarten students.  I end the week today with my observation, which will be the last hour of the school day as I teach sorting and counting in Math with the independent part having my students sort and count goldfish crackers.  More information on this lesson will be coming soon!

• At my preobservation conference I was praised for how well I answered the questions about my lesson.  I was told I did better than some teachers who have done it before!  Then my amazing administrators gave me tips on how to make it even better.  I love how supportive they are of me and the other teachers at my amazing school.  
• I continue to receive amazing help from 3rd/4th graders in the morning.  They are hard working sweet children.
• At the speech meeting, I was praised by a mother, father, and grandma who all 3 stated their child absolutely loves my class and has made a terrific turn around since joining my class.  This child acted out before constantly and rarely does anything other than typical 5 year old behavior in my class.  He may have just needed a male teacher.  I am thrilled that they are happy and that I am able to help him.
• My students made super cute snowmen with word families on them.  I found the idea somewhere on Pinterest.  I will have to take some pictures and share them soon!
• My students are also starting to take control of their own learning.  We are working super hard on blending words as the majority of my students know most of their sounds and almost half know all their letters.  When we are done blending my students raise their hands before I move to the next lesson.  They start telling me words that rhyme, if they notice that all the letters have the same short vowel sound, or how many have short a, how many have short i, etc.  It's amazing to see them take control of their learning like that!  That has been a huge highlight of my week as they have done it without me encouraging it or mentioning it to them.
• I also completed the FAIR part that I was told to do in just 2 days with my students.  My assistant principal was so pleased that I completed it so quickly!  When children are quiet enough for me to concentrate and their classmates to concentrate, I can get through a lot quickly!  They did well with the sounds and letters!

Don't forget to leave me some kind comments in the comment section about positives that you are having in your classroom or even in life!  Maybe you have something amazing to share about your child or grandchild!  Also, send me those Ipad App ideas!

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

Positive Fridays: Week of November 4th, 2013

Whohohooooooo it's Friday!  We made it through another week, I can't believe how fast each week goes, but when you are having fun I guess that happens.  I truly do miss my students on the weekends.  This will be a quicker Positive Friday post, not that I don't have a lot of positives because I do, but because I got home so late Thursday (as I'm typing it due to Open House and I'm tired and ready for bed.

• I had 4 wonderful parents and guardians show up for my open house on Thursday night.  I truly appreciate each one of them who took the time out of their night to come to hear about how I run my classroom and one parent, I had not met before.
• A parent praised me for my monthly newsletter, which filled my bucket right up!  She said she especially liked what I called it "Hopkins' Hoppin' Newsletter."
• Administration is amazing, they helped me create a great plan to shorten my time filling out children's behavior each day so I can spend more time helping children.  The parents seemed fine with the plan too and when we all work together, children benefit!
• As the week went on my students started getting better and better at raising their hands to speak or to leave their seat and my line is getting quieter and quieter.  I am so proud of them for working so hard.
• Finally, I got through each child's letters, sounds, and sight words, and all, but 1 made improvement and some huge improvements.  Learning Letter Sounds, song by Jack Hartmann is helping greatly, one child is using that song to help him learn the words as he'll name the picture associated with the song or attempt too!

I thank you all for your support!  I hope you will post your positives in the comments!  Fill my bucket by letting me know how your students, children, etc. are doing!

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

Positive Fridays - Week of October 28th, 2013

Wow this week sure flew by for me, did it fly by for you too?  It's Friday!!!  I hope everyone had several trick or treaters.  Me, I only had 1 cute little witch, but she was adorable.

I had another super amazing week in Kindergarten.

• A school board member and a human resource lady stopped by to speak to me for a minute, welcome me to Volusia county, and give me a pin for being a teacher in their district.  What a way to fill my bucket!
• My students are getting better and better at following routines, directions quickly, and raising their hand before they leave their seat.  
• We started centers this week!  The children seem to enjoy them.  They are computers, word work, reading games, library, and listening center.
• The tech guy finally showed up and fixed my student computers and also hooked it up so my projector works and I can use my document camera and also show things on the computer.  Whohohoooooooo!  I am super duper excited to try it out on Friday!
• We had so much fun making -at family bats this week.  I got this cute idea here for free.  I will try to do a blog post with pictures of them as they turned out so cute!
• We also finally started practicing Teach/Okay and they are doing amazing!  I can't wait to do a full lesson with it.  This is from Whole Brain Teaching and is perfect for engaging children as you talk for 30 seconds to a minute tops and say Teach and clap twice and they say Ok and clap twice.  Then they tell their partner what you said while using the gestures you taught them.  All, but a couple seemed to think it was really a lot of fun!  In my class that's the goal the more fun the better!
• We also got to do tons of The Learning Station videos on the computer since our DVD player has worked all week.  The children loved singing and moving while being able to see the actions.
• A parent told me she wasn't so she sure how her daughter would be moving to a new classroom because she is quiet and shy.  She said well after the first day she came home so excited!  That was my goal to make things so fun that children are so excited to come back and it looks like I succeeded with at least one child!  She filled my bucket today and then stayed after the conference to help me with the orange day activities.
• Orange day went really well, the children did my fun pumpkin bowling, rolled a pumpkin to a cone and back, had a marshmallow pumpkin on a spoon and had to go backwards, then arms to the side and so forth for a relay, played hot pumpkin, limbo, and threw bean bags through a jack o' lantern. So much fun!  Many also dressed in orange.  Our party is today (Friday) due to me having a sub in the afternoon for school improvement plan training.
• Finally I started checking children's letters, sounds, and sight words (whole school year even ones not taught yet).  I have one who knows all of them and another one who knows all, but 1 sound and all, but 4 sight words for the entire school year.  I have only checked 1/4th of the class so I can't wait to check the rest!

I would LOVE to hear how your year is going.  Feel free to post your positives in the comments below.

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

Bucket Filling from A to Z

I preordered this book months ago and finally they released it.  It's called Bucket Filling From A to Z: The Key to Being Happy and it is by Carol McCloud and Caryn Butzke.  This book goes right along with the other bucket filling books that I have reviewed.

This book has ideas from yes A to Z on how you can make others happy by filling their bucket and yours too.  The book always rhymes on each page making it even more fun and the rhyming touches that important phonemic awareness skill that helps children learn to read.

Some examples include: "I is for Invite.  Invite someone who's new to join in all the fun.  Their bucket will be filled because of what you've done."  "L is for Listen.  Listen with your eyes and ears when other people talk, while sitting in a classroom or going for a walk."  My favorite is S.  "S is for Smile.  Smile and see what happens.  Does a smile come back to you?  When you fill a bucket, you are really filling two."

Share your bucket filling ideas and let me know if you have read this great book.  Click the picture if you'd like to check it out on Amazon!

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

Positive Fridays: Week of September 9th, 2013

TGIF it's Friday!!!!!!!  Unfortunately, I did not sub at all this week, but I have a couple of great positives that I would love to share with you.

Monday there was no school due to a teacher professional development day.  I had no work on Tuesday, but on Wednesday I went to a sub class in Volusia County.  It's a 3 day class, but because I'm a teacher, I only have had to go the one day!!!  On Wednesday, during the sub class I learned a neat way to learn student's names.

• We were told that everyone has one thing in common we all like food!  Who doesn't right?  So the teacher would start off say my name is Mr. or Mrs. ___________ and I like _________.  You fill in the blank with a kind of food that you like that starts with the same letter as your name.  So for example I could say My Name is Mr. Hopkins I like hamburgers.  Then the first student would say his name is Mr. Hopkins and he likes hamburgers.  My name is Patrick.  I like pizza.  The next student would say his name is Mr. Hopkins and he likes hamburgers, then point to the first student and say his name is Patrick he likes pizza.  My name is Sabrina and I like salad and so forth until every child has gone. The kids know each others names, we don't especially as a sub!  They said this would work best from 2nd grade and up even in high school or college!
• We were also told the best way to build a great positive relationship with children really quickly is to smile and nod over and over again all day long!  That fits me like a T and it is highly likely why the children really love me!
• I came home finding out I made the short list of getting invited to a job fair in Daytona Beach, which means an interview for the county!

Thursday, I also did not sub, but I did some more good news.

• I received another call from Volusia County this time for a job interview Friday in Deltona for a Kindergarten, Kindergarten/1st Grade, and 3rd grade.
• I was also called back about the job fair and given my time, which is 11:00 on Monday!  Eastern time as I'm in FL!

Friday is usually an easy day to find sub work, but I didn't get sub work because of the interview in Deltona.

•  I felt like it went well and when I came home I had a message on my machine requesting references so I believe that's a good sign.  I am hoping so.  I really like the principal and Kindergarten team leader!  They were very nice ladies and thanked me so many times for coming in and making the long trip, which I told them I would gladly do daily.

Next week I do have some sub work.  Monday is the job fair interview, Tuesday I am an assistant in ex ed all day and Wednesday, I finally get to be with Kindergarten for a half day.  Yay!  I love the little ones so much.  I would have had Kindergarten all day Monday as well, but I had to not take it due to the job interview, got to get me a job!  I will miss those little ones though.

Please leave your positives in the comments.  I sure do enjoy reading them.  Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings.  Keep on smiling!

Week of September 2nd, 2013

It's Friday.  TGIF!  I am a bit late posting it again unfortunately, but this week I did have a pretty busy subbing week and I am ready to share the positives with each of you!

Of course there was no school on Monday for Labor Day here in the United States, but Tuesday, I got to sub in a 1st grade class near home.

• I met the new secretary at the school who greeted me nicely and handed me my classroom key and told me how to get there.  
• When I opened the door many students waved and said hi to me whom I had subbed for the last year or two.  They were excited to see me!  Some were even from another school and they switched due to boundaries being changed.  I feel bad for those children as I was one of the lucky ones who didn't have to keep changing elementary schools.  It is tough to have to keep adjusting to a new school.
• The 1st graders worked on the number 8 in Math.  We folded a paper in 4ths and did a t-chart in one square of all the ways to make 8, drew 8 of something (they loved my fish), made some addition sentences to make 8, and did dominoes for 8.  They also practiced their spelling words, sight words, and we read some fun stories.
• They were respectful and cooperative for me!
• I saw some of the 2nd graders from last year who I subbed for the most and they gave hugs or hi-fives.  They were super excited to see me.  
• I also ran into a friend's class (she had those 2nd graders last year) and she introduced me to her new class and told them I'll be subbing for them this year when she needs me to do so and several knew me from another school and were so excited.  Nice to see that I have touched so many lives!

I did not sub on Wednesday, but on Thursday and Friday I subbed for a 3rd grade class at another school near home and it was by request!  It is extra nice when a teacher specifically asks for me, I know then that I did a super job.  Her class last year I subbed for the 2nd most.

• Both days I was thanked for coming in by the principal, secretary, bookkeeper, and greeted by the office clerk.  They are always extra friendly at this school.
• When I opened the door on Thursday the 3rd graders said hi to me by name (nearly all of them knew me from last year) and asked me right away if I was subbing for them Friday and I said yes, and they cheered!  The classes nearby waved and said my name excitedly too!
• This group of children worked extra hard for me, stayed in their seats, were cooperative, and respectful.  They worked on place value in Math, started a fun lapbook in S.S. on Geography, made a Wanted Poster and we read and discussed some stories in Reading, and worked on subject and predicate and stretching sentences in Language Arts.  They really seemed to enjoy most of the activities.  
• This teachers plans were outstanding as always and she lets me do Heads Up 7 Up as a brain break. One part of the plans just said do a brain break so I used my I have who has addition and they really enjoyed it!
• I got many hugs and hi-fives both days from 1st graders as I took mine to recess and they came in from recess.  They were so excited to see me as I subbed in all Kindergarten classes last year, most more than once.
• One 3rd grader in another class at dismissal told me I am the nicest teacher ever!  He certainly filled my bucket right up!

So far no work next week, but I am hopeful something will open up.  Nothing Monday due to student day off/teacher work day.

I would love to hear how school is going for the rest of you.  Please leave your positives in the comments.  It will fill my bucket up even more!

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

Positive Fridays - Week of August 19th, 2013

Better late than never, here is my first Positive Friday post for the 2013-2014 school year!!!  The county that I live in has been back in school now for a week and a half.  I didn't sub the first week and didn't sub half of this week either and I don't blame teachers for not taking off as they need to get their classes trained.  I was though lucky enough to get requested to come in Thursday and Friday as an assistant in Ex Ed 4th-6th graders.

Thursday and Friday I subbed in the school that I've subbed at the most the past two schools years and I had 4th-6th graders in ex ed as an assistant.  The class has 7 boys, no girls!

• I was actually called the first day of school to set this up and was thanked over and over again for my hard work.  I was thanked again both days before and after school for taking the assignment and told how much I am appreciated by the bookkeeper and secretary.
• Both days the children were very respectful toward me, their teacher, and fellow peers.
• The first day I ran into a sweet 1st graders on my out of the office and she said my name so excitedly and introduced me to her mom.  
• In the cafeteria during lunch duty I was able to help mostly 1st and 6th graders, every Kindergarten class at one point last year and the 5th graders so I knew these children.  The 1st graders in particular both days were extra excited to see me giving me hi fives and hugs and telling me about their summer as I ran back and forth getting utensils, ketchup, opening things, letting children throw things away, etc. I gave a few 6th graders a handshake after they requested it, lots of smiles from many of them!
• The 4th-6th graders I had a fun time in small groups for reading getting to teach them some grammar and having the children each take a part in a reader's theater play.  I also read the District Math Test to two different boys, one-on-one while they showed their best effort!
• I was called while in the room by the bookkeeper saying that a 3rd grade teacher who I subbed for probably the 2nd most last year wants me on the 5th and 6th of September and I gladly accepted. She has amazing plans and always puts fun brain breaks for the children to do.  I love that she lets me have fun in a 3rd grade classroom!  I am also honored to be requested again.

This school is always filling my bucket!

Next week, I am headed to another county to get my fingerprints and drug test done one day so I can sub in their county as well until someone decides to give me a chance at my dream job!

Let me know your positives in the comments.  I really do enjoy reading them and would love to hear what is working well your first week or weeks of school.

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

Positive Fridays - Week of April 8th, 2013

TGIF!  We have all survived another week.  I know many of us are in our last quarter of the year and the kids are starting to get antsy for summer.  Keep being positive with the kids and they will keep showing kindness, I have no doubt about that!

Last Friday, I subbed in an Exceptional Education class at a school near home and one of my favorite schools.  There were 4 children there (1 more was absent) and 2 assistants (1 was also a sub).

• I was thanked for being flexible as I was switched from another sub assignment.  As a former teacher I was used to being flexible so it was no big deal to me.
• The children had fun playing on computers, doing Adventure to Fitness, having fun with Jack Hartmann videos, and working on addition.
• I thought they were well behaved for an exceptional education class.  There were no real problems.  They respected all the adults.
• By the end of my time with them they really warmed up to me.  A couple of the children even asked if I would come back to sub again!
• Other children in the school called my name and waved to me!

Monday, I had a wake up call to sub at a school that I ended up in all week!  It is one of my very favorite schools that I have subbed at the past 2 years.  It was for a 3rd grade class that I was already scheduled to sub for later in the week a half day and I had them a couple of times before!

• I was thanked again for coming in and picking up the job at the last minute.  Everyone in the office is extra kind to me!
• The children worked hard on learning about characters and also did a fact book on Oil Spills.  Along with mixed math work, they had the chance for some fun brain breaks as we played Heads Up 7 Up and Doggy Doggy.  This teacher is awesome to incorporate these brain breaks!
• The children respected me, cooperated, and worked very hard at getting all of their work done.
• I saw several Kindergarten children who has to run over and give me hugs when I ran into them and some other kids who waved hi and smiled to me.  The children at this school truly know how to fill my bucket.
• I gave out a Brag Tag to a 3rd grader who worked extra hard on her work for best effort.
• The phone also kept ringing off the hook as I was asked to sub Tuesday for a half day in another 3rd grade class, Thursday in Kindergarten, Friday in a different Kindergarten class, and the following Friday, in a 3rd Kindergarten class.  The teacher's had all asked for me, which makes me feel really good!

Tuesday, I subbed in 3rd grade again, but for a different group of children only in the morning.

• I was thanked for agreeing to sub for only a few hours.
• A few of them knew who I was from Walk to Intervention and from last year and cheerfully said my name as they came in the door!
• The kids did a lot of different Math work, fractions, mixed review, geometry, and then state abbreviations.  They are getting ready to take a big standardized test in FL next week called FCAT.  The walk to intervention group did a little bit of comprehension.
• The children mostly cooperated and worked super duper hard as they got more done than the teacher and I thought they would.  She didn't expect them to get it all done and we almost finished the state abbreviation page, which was the last one she left for them to do.

Wednesday, I subbed a half day in 3rd grade for the class I had on Monday.  It was great to be back with children that I'm starting to learn their names!  This group I've had the 2nd most times out of any class too and I really enjoy them!

• I was thanked again for taking the job even though it was only for a few hours.  I was told I'm about the only one that is willing to come in for a few hours.
• The 3rd grade group from Tuesday, saw me as I walked to the door and yelled hi very excitedly!  It was great to see that they clearly enjoyed having me as their sub for the short time I was in there.
• The teacher was very kind and appreciative that I came in to help her out again.  She even put in her plans that I know her clean up routine.  She knows the room will be cleaned by the kids when I am in there!
• The children worked super hard on measuring items to the nearest half inch and quarter inch.  That was a tough skill.  She had a great idea for them to mark off the ruler on the top of the page in orange for one of those and yellow for the other.  Most of the kids listened and did so.  They also worked on some multiplication basic facts and reading comprehension on George Washington Carver.  She again incorporated brain breaks with Heads Up 7 Up and this time an I Have Who Has Telling Time Game.
• The kids as always did an excellent job of cleaning up and worked extremely hard.  They always respect me as well.

Thursday, I got to sub in Kindergarten for a class I had a half day a few weeks ago.

• I was thanked for coming in again!
• The room is opened up between 2 classes per teacher choice so they can team teach at times and the other teacher as always is super helpful.  Both classes were super excited to see me!
• The children worked hard on writing and putting words in order to make a sentnece that had some tough words for Kindergarten like April, butterflies, plants.  Only a couple of children asked for help, the rest did it independently!  They also had fun playing consonant sound bingo, I Have Who Has alphabet, color by number (dots).  They had some social playtime and also had fun singing some of The Learning Station songs and listening to Tony Chestnut book!
• I got many hugs and smiles from children.  Several told me how much they like me from both classes and others on the playground!
• They worked really hard and most respected me.

Friday (today) I will be in Kindergarten for another group of Kindergarten children who I had last week.  It should be a fun day.  Stop back next week to see how it went and what we did!  I'm looking forward to it.

Do you have a positive this week that you would like to share?  If so hop on over and share it!

Also, if you see this before 11:59 Eastern on Saturday be sure to check out my Mrs. Wishy-Washy Big Book giveaway!

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

Positive Fridays - Week of March 25th, 2013

Happy Good Friday to everyone! It's the last Friday in March, wow a quarter of the year almost over already. This will be a short post because the children have been on Spring Break all week, but I did sub on Friday so I will share my adventures from last Friday! 

Friday, I subbed in 2nd grade for my friend's class at a school near home. I have subbed for them a few times and they always ask me when I will sub for them again. 90% of the class gives me hugs if I run into them during the school day when subbing for another class. They are that sweet of a class!

• On my way to the classroom one of the 2nd graders and her sister saw me and she came running over to me to give me a hug.  Her sister asked why she ran back to me and she said she had to give me a hug!
• One by one as the children came into the room most of them gave me hugs or said good morning in very happy voices.
• They got started right away on their spring crossword puzzle without me having to ask many of them.
• This was their "Love of Reading" day so it would be a day of no regular work just fun activities!  They had fun with Manny the Manatee the mascot from the Brevard County Manatees baseball team.  He had them do a dance contest, read them a book on space, took questions, etc.  I then surprised them and ate with the class.  They were so appreciative saying that was the first time they had eaten in the class this year.  After lunch we went to see a Mustang (horse) and heard all kinds of stories about the Mustangs and visited a Science professor who brought his collection of rocks and gems for the children to check out.  We also watched a movie on Eric Carle's books, read some Easter books, and Tony Chestnut book and song by "The Learning Station."  
• A few of the children including the one from first thing in the morning kept telling me that I am the best teacher ever.  The one girl told me she wished I was her teacher.  I told her she has an amazing teacher and she said she knows, she likes her too, but she wants me to be her teacher.  She knows how to fill my bucket.

Next week I already have Monday in the same 2nd grade class (so excited!) lined up and also Friday in 5th grade at another school I'm at frequently.  Hopefully, I'll fill the rest of the week up too.

On blog news thanks to each of you I have hit 400 followers on my blog and over 180,000 views.  Don't forget to check out the post right below this one to get your freebies from the Bunny Blog Hop.

Are you on spring break?  Let us know your positives from home or school in the comments below!

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

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!

Positive Fridays - Week of February 4th, 2012

The busy beaver that is what you can call me this week as I worked all 5 days and they were full days not half days for the first time this school year!  I was busy like this last year all the time, but there were less subs and I also had a full month in an amazing 3rd/4th grade class and the short term with 5th grade.  Anyway Happy Friday to each of you.  I will get on with the positives!

Last Friday, I subbed in 3rd grade at one of the schools I frequently sub at.  I had subbed for this teacher last year and knew her plans would be excellent and I was right!

• I was greeted by the secretary and got my key for the room.
• I was also greeted by the wonderful 3rd grade team (2 of who I had subbed for this year) and another teacher next door who was very helpful!
• The children learned about solids, liquids, and gasses and fractions among other things.
• I had children come up and tell me that I am nicer than their teacher.
• Some told me they want me to always be their sub, which is always so sweet to hear.
• They asked me if I would play kickball with them outside and be the pitcher so I did and had a blast!  It was one of my favorite childhood games.
• They were also excellent workers.
• I also saw my favorite 2nd grade class at lunch and when walking the 3rd graders back from lunch.  They were so excited yelling my name and giving me hugs.  They always fill my bucket!

Monday, I had a 45 minute trip to work in 1st grade for a class I had subbed for before (the only other time I have been to the school).

• I was immediately greeted by the office clerk and secretary and got my key to the room.
• Several of the children remembered me and said good morning Mr. Hop, you subbed for us before!
• Their behavior was absolutely excellent.  They work hard and get everything done.
• They were learning a lot about the weather and the changes that weather can bring.  We had great discussions about volcanoes, floods, earthquakes, etc.  
• They told me they always want me to be their sub and that they really like me.  Some gave me hugs and a couple made me some sweet things one was a heart that said "I live (love) you."  That child hardly even spoke and gave one word answers when I tried to talk to her so I didn't know until then what she thought of me!
• The first grade team was wonderful and supportive!  One of which I went to college with to be a teacher!  Way cool!

Tuesday, I had almost a 40 minute trip to the school I began my career at in 3rd grade.  I am really doing a lot of work in 3rd grade this year!  I have fallen in love with it and I really think it's a grade I would love to teach despite the high stakes testing and extra paperwork.

• I got my hug from the amazing office clerk who was there when I taught at the school!  She's one in a million.  I also was thanked by the secretary for coming in and helping out today and got my key.
• The 2nd grade teacher next door welcomed me.  Another 2nd grade teacher asked if I could work for her in March and took my name and number!
• When I opened the door for the kids a few kids came by who I had subbed for previously and said hi or gave me hugs, which is always so sweet!  One asked when I would sub for them again and I told her to go beg her teacher!
• The students learned about climate and used a map key, compared and contrasted during a reading story, and worked with tangrams in Math for geometry.
• I got a hug from a sweet student who I subbed for last year and is the sister of a child I taught my 2nd year of teaching.

Wednesday, I was closer to home at one of my favorite schools that I frequently sub at in 2nd grade.

• I was greeted by the awesome office clerk and secretary and got my key.
• The teacher next door was super helpful and helped me find paper as there wasn't enough for morning work, otherwise the teachers plans were very well organized and super easy to follow and know what to do!
• This group also learned about the weather and also the benefits the sun gives us.  They also had fun measuring things around the classroom with a partner, and visualizing in reading. 
• One child was on a behavior plan and scored all, but 1 point.  She was amazing and did all of her work for me.
• I had a small group of students who did an activity from Teachers Pay Teachers! :-)  They had to unscramble sentences and were so well behaved and did it so quickly that I read "Have You Filled A Bucket?"  They enjoyed the story and were excellent listeners.
• The rest of the class worked hard as well and were respectful.

Thursday, I was also closer to home at another of my favorite schools that I frequently sub at, but this time in 4th grade.  I subbed for this teacher last year and also this year a couple of times so I knew these children and knew the plans would be excellent.

• I was greeted by the wonderful secretary and given my key.  
• I was then greeted by one of the custodians who wants me subbing there daily because of clean the room always is.
• The children came in and said hi and showed me their new pet Gecko.  One of the girls kept telling me he is cute.  They named him Spike.
• They had so much fun playing Writing Bingo, which used writing words like capitals, punctuation, similes, vivid verbs, metaphors, run on sentences, etc.  They also enjoyed quizzing each other for a Science test that they will have tomorrow and took a practice reading test today.
• As always this class works super hard, always finishes their work, and they never talk back to me.

Today, I'm in Kindergarten at the same school as yesterday.  I can't wait to have fun with this group.  I'll write about it next week.

So what positives do you have to share with us for the week?  Let us know in the comments below.  I always look forward to hearing about your students, your lives, and anything else that is positive.  The more positive we are the better place this world will be.  Don't you agree?

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

Positive Fridays - Week of October 29th, 2012

Goodness it is already Friday and November.  Wow this year is flying by so fast!  I hope everyone had a terrific Halloween with your students whether you were able to celebrate or not.

Last Friday there was no school due to Tropical Storm winds from Hurricane Sandy.  I was looking forward to subbing a 2nd day in a row with those amazing 4th graders, but hopefully I'll get the chance to again in the future unless I find that perfect job first!

I did get to sub on Monday in 5th grade though.  The first group also had 6, 6th graders.  I had two different classes.  Positives include:

• A girl almost immediately called me over to ask if I had ever taught 5th grade before and I told her I did get to teach 5th grade for a short time last year and have subbed in 5th grade a few times last years.  She then told me how I was the nicest sub!  
• Due to missing Friday, the children mostly worked on spelling test and some reading tests.  They also finished up a Mayan report.
• The 2nd group of students I had were especially sweet, kind, and respectful.  They were so awesome at raising their hands as well.  They were one of the best groups I've subbed for in 2 years.  I look forward to hopefully coming back to sub for them.
• One of the 5th grade teachers told me that they will be using me again this year, so awesome to hear that!

Unfortunately, no subbing on Tuesday, but I got to sub in Wednesday in Music at the school I was at last Friday.

• The front office staff was so welcoming again and were so super helpful when I had questions.  They always have smiles on their faces!
• I had a fun day with the students as we sang "Purple People Eater," some groups got to hear a couple of Beethoven songs (a few didn't as the songs started skipping on me, grrr  Good ole technology it fails sometimes), and all grades got to have fun on the keyboards at the end.  It was so much fun to watch them all!  Their teacher was so amazing to trust a sub like me to let the kids use the keyboards, I sure didn't expect that!
• I had one of those 4 amazing 4th grade classes and they say hi cheerfully as they walked in the room.  Another class walked by when when I dismissed that class and a few of them smiled and said hi.  What great kids who knew how to fill my bucket!
• Last year I had a 1st grade class for a couple of days so some of the 2nd graders knew me and were so excited that I was back.

Thursday, I had the opportunity to sub in the afternoon in Music at a school that I have been to several times this school year.  I guess I'm Mr. Music man this week as many children called me at one school last year.

• The secretary and office clerk are always so welcoming with big smiles on their faces.  I really appreciate how they treat me and other subs!
• The teacher was there when I arrived and left me with super simple lesson plans of showing Bill Nye (sp?) The Science Guy.  We watched one on Insects and started another one on Space.  I had 4th grade and 6th grade.  They seemed to enjoy it, especially the 4th graders.
• Some of the students knew who I was from the school I used to teach at even though they weren't my former students or from subbing and seemed excited I was there, which was nice!
• I also had 5th grade who enjoyed a special presentation from a guest speaker who traveled around the entire Lake Michigan!  They were so engaged and asked some super questions!
• I also saw that special group of 2nd graders when they were on their way to computers.  They were so excited to see me, many jumping into my arms and calling my name.  One sweet girl said "Hey, Mr. Hopkins you put your hair short." haha  I said yeah I just got my haircut!  So cute!
• I also saw a parent outside at car duty who asked me if I saw her daughter today (2nd grader) and was excited that I had or she said her daughter would have been very disappointed.  Also, at dismissal two super sweet 4th grade girls came over to give me a hug and tell me they were the only children in the class to get honor roll.  One I am proud to say was a former student of mine!  Makes my heart proud! 

I am back in Music again Friday just in the morning at the same school as Thursday.  I'll be back with a report next Friday. 

In bloggy news, I just can't believe ya'll have visited my page almost 190,000 times that is insane.  Thank you all so very much!  I will hit that number sometime today.

Have a great weekend.  Please leave your own positives.  It would put a big smile on my face.

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!

How Full Is Your Bucket?

In a previous blog post I shared with you the book and song for "Have You Filled A Bucket Today."  Click the picture to head to that post!

I recently ordered a book that goes with that one called "How Full Is Your Bucket?" for kids.  This book is by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer.  This is my personal opinion of the book, nobody asked me to review it.

This story is about a boy named Felix who realizes what he does and says either fills his and others buckets or dips his bucket and others.  By the end of the story he realizes it is best to fill others buckets because in return he will be happy and his own bucket will get filled. 

In the beginning of the story he is building with blocks when in walks his sister who wants to help.  He is mean to her and won't let her and calls her names.  In return she knocks the blocks over.  His Grandpa helps him realize that he dipped into his sisters invisible bucket and explains to him that he has a bucket too.  You'll have to check out the book with great real life examples to find out what else happens!

I think this is a great book for any Elementary age children!  Great for discussions on doing the right thing and being kind to others.  Click the picture to check it out on Amazon!

Do you have this book?  How do you use in in the classroom?

Thanks for hoppin' by Hopkins' Hoppin' Happenings!  Keep on smiling!  By doing so you'll be a bucket filler!

Positive Fridays - End of the Year Recap

Wow, what an amazing year of getting to touch so many different children's lives.  It made it worth subbing for a year, but it has also given me the itch to want to come back into the classroom and teach again more than ever.  The subbing experience has shown me that I can teach older children and do it well and still have the energy to keep up with Kindergarten!  My positive attitude has made many children, teachers, administrators, etc. keep smiles on their faces and in turn that makes others smile!

Without further ado, here are my top 10 moments from the past school year!

#10 - Making terrific relationships with students, teachers, and parents at so many different schools.
#9 - A Kindergarten student two different times hopping up and down on her balcony to yell good morning to me.
#8 - Getting in the dunk tank in Titusville at Fox Lake Park.  A week later I subbed in a Kindergarten class in a nearby city. The mother dropped a boy off who was crying because his teacher wasn't there.  I went up to him and reminded him that he and his brother had dunked me not once, but notice each.  He immediately stopped crying and became my buddy the rest of the day!  It was nice to touch his life by getting in that dunk tank, which I was so nervous to do!
#7 - A wonderful 3rd grader bringing me a balloon for Valentine's Day and then again for my birthday.
#6 - Having the best birthday in the world at a wonderful school.  The office clerk went above and beyond by making me a chocolate cake, giving me 3 balloons (the last one didn't deflate until 2 days before school got out - over 2 months after my birthday!), and a card signed by everyone in the office.  She then had Kindergarten sing Happy Birthday to me.  An amazing parent of another Kindergarten child in another class who is also the cashier at the school had the kids sing to me again!  Then in the cafeteria when I went to say hi to the amazing 3rd and 4th graders, a teacher took the microphone and had the entire cafeteria sing Happy Birthday to me!  It was wonderful seeing so many children in different grades smiling ear to ear as they sang to me.  A few got out of their seats and even came running to me.
#5 - Several Kindergarten children, 1st graders, 2nd graders, and 3rd graders telling me how much they want me to teach them next year.  These children were at different schools!
#4 - A wonderful Kindergarten student wrote I love you, Mr. H. on a dry erase board.  I told her that I loved her too.  She went back to that dry erase board and started writing, then asked me how do you spell more.  I told her and she said I had to read it again.  She wrote I love you more.
#3 - Spending 3 amazing days in a Kindergarten class in a row (would later sub for them many more times) and getting a call from the secretary to come back to sub for them because all they did was constantly talk about me the entire next week.  Throughout the rest of the school year, the children ended up running up to hug me many times while in line and lunch and always asking me when will we see you again?  They made me miss having my own Kindergarten class so much.  I miss these children a bunch!
#2 - Subbing for an amazing group of 3rd/4th graders for an entire month.  These children taught me that teaching older children can be just as rewarding and fun.  They continued to fill my bucket with kindness by always going out of their way to make me smile even after I left them.  Many of these children have asked me to teach them next year, which is so sweet!  I sure do miss these wonderful children!

DRUMROLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

#1 - A wonderful sweet 3rd grader who came up to me and told she had something personal to tell me 3 days before I left the 3rd/4th graders.  She started crying and told me she didn't want me to go.  At another time during the year she helped another boy feel better after he stated nobody would play with him and he was in tears.  She later stood up for me along with 2 other special children when I wasn't being treated kindly.  This wonderful girl continued to show her kindness by going above and beyond to make me smile anytime she saw me.  She is an amazing bucket filler and will be missed.

So that's my positives for this school year.  I'll be back on Positive Fridays only if I get the opportunity to work with amazing children this summer.  Otherwise, I'll be back with more Positive Fridays next school year!  Thank you again to all the students, parents, teachers, and administrators at each school I subbed at for showering me with love and kindness.  You made me feel super extra special!

Feel free to leave comments on the positives that happened during your school year!!!  It would brighten my day!  Keep on smilin'!