changing blogs ...

so, i know they look the same but that's because i can't figure out how to change the look outside of blogger templates (lorena? help?)

SO -- for the new school year and beyond ... this will be the new blog:

http://missharmon.blogspot.com/

i'm going to get rid of msharmon/blogspot.com

summer vacation

so, two weeks out of school, and i'm a pretty bored teacher. i've already visited my classroom twice, but only to drop off and pick up a few things. i miss my students.

i didn't think the last day would be difficult, but after the kiddos left, i was really sad. i was joyful for completing the year with such a great rapport with my students, but sad because next year, it will be a whole new set of faces and personalities. i guess it's bittersweet, because i'm excited to be returning back to school!

this week i'm occupying myself with kindergarten screening, which is a great deal of fun. we test students who missed the age requirement to see if they are ready for kindergarten. they are so cute and so excited to be at school!

other than that, i'm taking a college class to finish my SEI endorsement and i registered for a cake decorating class.

anyway, if anyone is reading this, keep me updated on what's going on! i'm anxious to hear how everyones' summer is going!

if i wasn't a teacher ...

i'd be a world-traveler (pending funding) and/or a pastry chef and/or bake all day.

one of my favorite kitchen stores just posted easter ideas and they are SO CUTE:

http://www.surlatable.com/home.do

things we are learning about

math: fractions.
bonus question for the day: what is the number on the top/bottom called? it's not number-ater, nine, or the shaded part.

science: soils.
fun fact: 22 sets of earthworms "mating" in your classroom lead to interesting discussions to which i try to avoid. we haven't looked at the worms all week because ALL THEY ARE DOING is mating. i guess they are bored in a brown bag filled with soil. ;) just fyi: if they ask how two worms turned to 10, im sending them home to ask their parents.

social studies: the revolutionary war.
ben franklin apparently married betsy ross. i don't know why the kids think that, but they like the idea. :) i've tried to break them of the habit, but it's been hard.

fundations: open-syllable words. go, no, hi, bye, baby, acorn. it's tough stuff but they are getting it. the english language is TRICKY, TRICKY, TRICKY.

music: we are practicing for our musical almost daily. they are doing canons, solos, drumming, rain sticks, and a rap. it's fun.

as for me: i'm tutoring after school 3 days a week, looking into teaching summer school, still continuing my stint at CR, looking into a few weeks in london (?), and finding time to relax (which by the way, is an open syllable (re) and a closed syllable (lax). take that fundations!

the things kids say

i wish i could create a blog for the funny things my kiddos say.

we are beginning our social studies on the american revolution. i began talking about george washington, explaining who he was and why he was important. we talked about him being on our currency (since we are learning that in math, as well).

i refer to him as president washington several times throughout my introduction.

a little girl raises her hand and says, "ms. harmon, when was denzel washington president?"

i couldn't help but laugh.

----

on friday, we talked about the boston tea party. before we began discussion, i had them color a page in their class book. as i was walking around, i overheard a conversation that went like this,

"hmmm ... the boston tea party. i've never had boston tea, but i've had arizona tea. i wonder if it's the same thing?"

:)

I LOVE HOW THEY THINK.

giving myself credit

things im doing when im not in my classroom:

-- walking/jogging 13.1 miles in the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon (under bronchitis-like conditions)

-- snowboarding with friend and teacher Mrs. Holacher for the first time

-- thinking of the million ways i can modify things in my classroom

-- FINALLY updating my blog

crazy friday ...

i'm on fall break. i'm excited. :)

although, i'm not sure what i'm going to do with myself for a week away from my classroom. hm... relax, watch some garbage TV, think of ways to rearrange my classroom, grade some papers, get ready for P/T conferences, plan the next big social studies unit ..

err .. what happened to relaxing?

for those of you skipping town, have fun and be safe!