Dancing

School was a pretty normal day.  My 3rd graders are still working with money in math and today I finally acquired some fake money so they could have something in their hands to count with.  They really enjoyed it but as with all manipulatives, I had to be mindful of their noise and excitement.  They handled it pretty well to start out but after awhile, mostly when I was with the 2nd graders working on patterns, they started getting really noisy.  Eventually they got too loud for Mrs. Lopez so they got a few yells and firm talking to by her for awhile.  It's a struggle for me to listen to that though because I know that when I was little and even now, I don't respond well or really listen to yelling so I'm sure my students don't either.  It's not my classroom though, technically, so I haven't ever said anything.

I printed off all my students' missing work today and goodness it was so much.  Yet another reason why I do not like worksheets and homework for these younger children.  It doesn't always come back! We spent a large portion of our morning getting them all caught up on missing work, trying to find it, and checking it off on their paper.  Lunch came soon enough and we did some reading in the afternoon and then kept working on their missing work.  I finally was able to do some handwriting with the 2nd graders though!! The 3rd graders had to take their assessment in writing to see where they are at so the 2nd graders and I had the room to ourselves.  Their handwriting is going okay but I really need just one-on-one time with them to work on straightening out their letters, spacing, and size.  So much work to be done! When the 3rd graders came back, I worked with a few students from each grade on math and their missing work.  One of them had at least 8 missing assignments, many from math, so we had lots of catching up to do! Some of them just didn't understand so there was some reteaching involved but like yesterday, it was nice to spend some one-on-one time with them and really break down their learning styles.  Funny moment of the day though: one of my 2nd grade girls came up to me while I working with this small group and said that one of the boys had a colored a "nasty picture" of him and another girl in our class.  My mind was going about what "nasty" means in 2nd grade world.  He willingly gave me his notebook and I opened it to the page.  This picture was of him and the other girl holding hands! I kept my laughter to myself but needless to say, I find this hilarious! It is those moments when I appreciate their innocence the most.  I kept the picture and it on the fridge at our apartment now!

The dreaded picture! He is a good color-er though! That was the highlight of my afternoon I think.  That or the fact that my student with all the missing work was actually understanding what he was doing.  His math levels are very low but he seemed to be doing better.  He is sitting by himself away from the group in class now so that he focuses better.  Fingers crossed that it works.  After school, I helped some of the 4th graders on their math during their homework help time.  I am really working towards being able to put my students in small groups to work.  Hopefully I can implement some tips I received (thanks Spider!) in the next few weeks! 

When we got back to the apartment, Patricia had to pick up a package.  I was slightly jealous because who doesn't enjoy receiving mail but when I checked our mailbox, I discovered that Amanda and I both had mail as well! I received a very uplifting card which made me feel good! I decided instead of sitting in front of the tv like normal, that I should make a phone call to a high school friend and catch up with her. We spent at least an hour on the phone just catching up and talking about our futures.  It's always good to hear from her and we relate very well so I'm glad we got a chance to chat and hopefully next time we talk, I'll have something more exciting to tell her than just school happenings.  After munching on my dinner and laying around for a bit, the girls and I decided we should plan our weekend.  Amanda has a friend that lives not too far from us, closer to Miami, and they wanted to go salsa dancing tomorrow night.  Patricia's friend's mom is coming in town so she was going to hang out with her tomorrow night therefore I was left with a decision.  In fear of looking like a hermit or Debby-Downer, I decided I should go be social and I am going...salsa dancing tomorrow night.  In order for me to attempt to fit in though, Patricia decided to give me a mini-lesson on salsa and meringue.  I'm no pro but I do have the basics down.  I had to put on my heels first and then Patricia told me how to properly walk in them.  I learned how to salsa and even do a turn! Then we all did the meringue which is just moving your feet and hips according to them.  I'll have to loosen up for that.  We did some dancing in our living room for awhile and just laughed about life.  Then I decided to bring my Kansas roots out and teach Patricia how to do the basic 2-step.  I went back and put my boots on and we did a little two-stepping.  We found some videos of the different flips that can be done and she was pretty surprised at it.  

After that, we all relaxed and I went on a hunt for my phone because I had misplaced it.  No worries that it was just underneath my notebook.  Silly me as normal.  Luckily, these roommates don't hide my things...yet.  I haven't really done too much the rest of the evening.  Tomorrow will go by fast, just like any Friday at school and then it's the weekend! We are definitely hitting up the beach this weekend.  I need to get tan again so I can come home for Christmas looking nice and bronze! 

Good night and thanks for all your uplifting comments so far! Have a blessed day tomorrow!