softies

      I decided to have the kids put together a very simple memory book for Puakenikeni. They got to write about why they liked her as a teacher, what they learned from her, etc. Still gotta shoot photos of her class and try to throw it all together this weekend.
     Anyhow, I am trying to keep the book a surprise, and I thought it would be nice if the kids could present the book and sing Uncle Kracker's "Smile" as a thank you. Keep in mind, Puakenikeni is the musical one. She plays ukulele, she taught the students to chant Hawaiian oli, and she taught them their May Day hula. My musical talents? Ummmm ... I can download the song from iTunes, print up the lyrics, and press play. It does not help that I'm hoarse from being sick last week and really can't sing.
     I jumped in and taught the students the song today. Our AC is broken, so we've been keeping the windows and doors open. Since Puakenikeni's room is adjacent, we closed up the room just for practice to keep the song a surprise. Despite my lack of musical instruction experience, the class was enthusiastic about singing. I was surprised when Quarterback sat down and put his head on his desk after participating in the first few sing-throughs. Thinking about the song lyrics and Puakenikeni made him cry. I had a few other folks who got teary, too.
    I joked with them that I will bring a box of Kleenex along for the performance, but that they should try to hold off their tears until after they sing the song.
    I am reminded again of how good-hearted our students are.

need a remote control

     Every day we get closer to summer, the volume seems to go up at school. I'm doing read-alouds, giving instructions, etc., in a much louder voice than normal. And given that I have what the VP once described as a "4-inch voice," I am rather hoarse at the end of the day. It didn't help that I spent recess duty yelling at kids "STAY OUT OF THE DITCH!" and "DO NOT RUN IN THE FIRE LANE!"
    We do have a wireless audio system installed in our rooms that will project our voice from a thingie you can sling around your neck. I know the first-grade teachers use theirs regularly. I haven't used mine so far. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't see how we teach children to be quiet and settle themselves when we can basically talk over them and turn up the volume. But, given that I'm afraid my hoarseness will lead to laryngitis, I may have to use it tomorrow.

that time of year

It's that time of year, when I start thinking about all the things I want to change with my next class.
It's that time of year, when I feel I know my students best. The hugs from them seem to last a little longer; I can crack a joke and get smiles in return.
It's that time of year when I lie in bed on Monday mornings, listening to the alarm ringing, and long for serene summer mornings, rest and quiet. 
It's that time of year when the days seem so long yet so short at the same time. I can't really wrap my mind around the fact that these students will be walking out of my life when the bell rings May 26. That I won't have the honor of being their "school mom." That I won't need to scold one student for shooting trash-can baskets with his balled-up paper; that I won't need to remind another to clean up her desk. That I won't be hearing any more of my students' small daily successes, woes and worries.
I'm torn between telling time to slow down and telling it to run faster. Monday mornings, I'll admit, I would love to press the fast-forward button. Other times I'm not so sure.
It's that time of year when I wonder if they'll remember me many years from now, and what they'll remember.
It's that time of year when I think about beginnings and endings, and how much they may be the same.