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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Beach, BULLY, Freebie....so much to share!!!

So much I wanna blog about tonight, but I’m gonna try to keep it short. So today was unseasonably warm….apparently that’s the trend everywhere….anyway, we took the kids out to our boring paved playground with balls, ropes, and chalked and decided to make the most out of this beautiful day. I found a nice corner of the blacktop, slid off my shoes and stretched my legs out. Placed my arms behind me and leaned my head back to enjoy the sun for just one moment….when suddenly two of my students came up and asked what I was doing. My response, “pretending I’m at the beach and my toes are getting wet by the wave.” Instantly, they slid off their shoes and joined me on the beach. Before long I had good 10-15 students with me at “the beach”. We discussed what we were doing….. (Sipping on our juice, reading a good book, listening to our favorite song on the radio). They completely allowed their imaginations to let go. It was great. This whole thing last a good 20 minutes when suddenly someone tried to burst our bubbles. Out of nowhere, a large group of girls (1st and 2nd graders) approached our beach spot. With a confused and unpleasant look on their face they asked, “Why do yall have your shoes off, that’s nasty, don’t nobody wanna see yall’s feet (giggle, giggle, giggle).” My response…”Oh we are enjoying the beach today, letting the water hit our feet so we had to take off our shoes.” They gave me a blank stare as if to say, Mrs. Alexis you are weird, followed by the statement, “Uhhhh there is no beach, there is no sand, yall are weird.” One of the other teachers had decided to join us on “the beach” and responded, “Girls use your imagination”, at which one replied, “I don’t have an imagination (rolling her eyes). THAT’S WHEN MY HEART BROKE. The innocence of our children is slowly fading away right before our eyes. I remember being this age and it being nothing for me to imagine flying like a bird, or being rich and famous or having magic powers. The tooth fairy, leprechauns and Santa are a thing of the past. Why?????????? Can anyone explain this to me??? Anyway, that statement only gave me the urge to keep pushing with these girls. I continued to explain how much of a good time I was having while ignoring the negative looks for the girls. Within moments they were taking off their shoes and joining in. When it was time to go back inside, and I now have up to 20 kids around me, I scream “Beach Closed!”….their response….”AWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!” (Mission Accomplished!!!)


 Now that brings me to my next point, promise, I only have 3. BULLYING!!!! What is with the nasty looks, mean words and gossip…..in 1st and 2nd grade people? I know it is bad because I am in an inner city school, but as we can all see from recent news, this goes on in ALL schools. Why are young kids so nasty and mean to one another and lack respect for elders? We were given a video from our principle that I am going to share because I personally think it is awesome and may help others. It may be intense for younger students, but its reality and for some, that’s what it’s gonna take to hit home….at least that was the case for my class. Click and watch the link below and tell me what you think. Helpful? Too much for 1st and 2nd graders? I’d like others input on the whole bullying situation as well. Just been on my mind and heart. www.youtube.com keenan West-Never Ever (The Bully Project)


Finally….last point….FREEBIE! Not sure how helpful it will be but I figured I might as well share it. Even if it only helps one person. Still trying to improve comprehension and fluency in my class. I have gone through so many prompts so I decided to make my own. 3 prompts, 2 comprehension sheets and one sentence fill in. Did it in PowerPoint and we did it as a class. Students came to board to fill in answers. They enjoyed reading the prompt from the screen with my points too. Just post a comment to my blog letting me know you would like a copy and send me your email. I will email the powerpoint to you. Hope u like!!!!

2 comments:

  1. Alexis, I want to say AMEN to you and then cry also. My heart also breaks for our kiddos who don't know how to pretend play, ask questions in wonder and excitement, or just do what kiddos should do. I teach at a Title 1 school. We are not inner city but my kiddos are children of poverty. This is my 12th year as a 1st grade teacher and I am still blown away by the things they don't know: how to play heads up 7 up, Who Humpty Dumpty or Little Bo Peep are, or even Woody Woodpecker.

    Then the things they DO know: words I won't say, movies I wouldn't watch, what different jails or prisons are like, and a long list of other heartbreaking things.

    I wish we had more time to just teach them how to be a child.

    Now, about bullying. I teach tough kiddos too. By 6 years old they are already identified as at-risk. I use Conscious Discipline in my classroom and have seen amazing things happen. One thing is the kiddos learn how to be assertive and stand up for themselves. They also learn about having empathy and being more kind and helpful. Conscious Discipline is all about building a School Family. For our kiddos, this is huge. But those connections, makes a world of difference because you stick up for your family.

    I have also incorporated bucket filling. We have a School Family bucket that we work to fill with helpful hearts...this has been amazing. We still have problems now and then but I don't really get involved in handling them because the kiddos take care of it.

    Sorry for the long post but these are 2 things I am very passionate about! =)

    I am a new follower and would love for you to come read more about the things I talked about above. =)

    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  2. I have awarded you with the Lovely Blog Award. Hop on over to my blog to check it out!
    Becky
    Teaching, Learning, & Loving

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