Choking back the tears ...

Yesterday, December 18, was the last student day.  At 9:00 we had a school get-together to sing around the Christmas tree in our cafeteria.  All students and staff attended and sat on the floor.  A few teachers with EXCEPTIONALLY good voices led us all in carols.  

As you may remember, this is my first year at my new school.  My toughest child,  a young lady, sat next to me on the floor and laid her head on my lap.  Now according to my principal and several other staff members, I am making such a difference for her.  I really don't feel that way. Yes, she has made some behavioral progress.  Yes, she's not flipping out on other students as much as she used to.  However, I know she can do so much better.  This little girl had her arm draped around my shoulder for most of the time.  She played with my jewelry, sat up and put her head on my shoulder and then laid her head back down on my lap.  I found myself choking back the tears throughout our sing-along.  It finally dawned on me that YES!  Maybe I WAS reaching her.  You all know Bill and I aren't able to have children but I think this is one I am a true mother to.

It's Been A While!

Not sure if anyone reads this, but I thought, "What the heck!"  

The first 15 weeks of school have been great!  I feel like I am cheating in some ways because I worked SOOOO much harder as a special education teacher.  I do not miss the paperwork or red tape, that's for sure!

I love my new school - it's a drama-free zone!!  Everyone gets along and it's a very pleasant work environment.  I miss a lot of my former colleagues but it was time for a change.   I really look forward to getting there everyday.  That's NOT to say, however, that I wouldn't mind a few snow days this year!!

My students are awesome!  They are learning so much and we are all having a blast.  I have never had my own homeroom and I must admit, it's quite thrilling!! My classroom is probably one of the oldest and junkiest I have ever taught in, but it is my favorite one so far.  It is large, spacious, and very functional.   

Marquette is getting  a new building in the next few years.  This will be the second new building I have been part of.  I don't think, however, that we will be teaching in a half of a school like some of us did at Muessel.  Woo hoo for that!!

Until next time, folks...

Stump the Strunkie!

I have used manipulation, if you will, as a teacher to my definite advantage.  In the past, I have had little games with my students to see if they could stump me with a problem, etc. or if I could stump them.  I would reward points to either the class or to myself.  This year I added a new spin on it and have a behavioral game of Strunkie vs. Strunkie's Bunch.  I know Bill and Gloria have had success with it so I thought I'd give it a try.  They get points for doing the right thing in the classroom and in transition times such as in the hallways and to and from lunch. Other staff members play along with me and tell my kids that they are watching them like hawks, trying to give me points not the kids.

Little stinkers!  They have beaten me four times to my one win.  When they "stump" me with their good behavior, I allow them to vote on a special treat that I bring to them.  They then sing an obnoxious song to me that I taught them...

"S--T-U-M-P!  Stump the Strunkie it's easy you see.  We always do what is right so Mrs. Strunk can't win the fight.  We stumped the Strunkie, we stumped, stumped the Strunkie..."  I have only been able to sing it to them once and eaten my special treat.  *sigh*  I guess that's the downfall of having a class who buys into manipulation!  LOL   :)   I love it!

No air, no air!

If you're familiar with the Jordin Sparks/Chris Brown song, "No Air," the title about sums up the temperature of my classroom.  UGH!  I was definitely spoiled last week when it was only about 80 degrees in my room.  Today it hit (drum roll ...) 90 freaking degrees in the room!  I was grumpy, the kids were grumpy and we were all so tired.  During math, which is at the end of the day, they were dragging so much that no learning was going on.  My clothes were sticking to me all day long.  I know some complain that the air in their buildings is too cold.  Here is my thought - You can always put on more clothes in school but I can only take off so much!!  No stripping allowed!!  I told my little darlings to lay on the floor with their heads down while I read a chapter from our current read-aloud.  They seemed to enjoy that immensely, as did I.  We are constantly trying to stay hydrated but it is almost a losing battle.  With ISTEP coming up very soon, I will have to come up with some creative ways to keep us cool.  Sitting on blocks of ice is probably out of the question, huh? 

Until next time ...

First Day Jitters!

Whew!  The first day has (finally!) come and gone.  Overall, it was a pretty successful day.  Of course, I had about 10 minutes to get them in, at desks, take attendance and lunch count BEFORE we were to be at gym at 8:30.  Yes, current and former Muesselites, I've got our specials schedule from the last several years.  No problem except our lunch isn't until 12:20.  12:20?!  Holy moly!  I have this group from 9:05-12:20.  Hmm... did I make enough plans?  Luckily I did (barely!) but here are some snippets heard in room 209 - At 10:00, "Mrs. Strunk, when is lunch?"  "I'm hungry."  At 10:30, "My stomach is making sounds."  At 11:00, "How far away is 12:20?"  At 11:05, "Mrs. Strunk, you got any snacks?"  At 12:00, "Only 20 more minutes, Mrs. Strunk, then we can feast!!"  Needless to say, we did take lots of drink breaks to fill up their empty tummies.  (And mine!)  Meijer brand cereal to the rescue!  I am taking some in tomorrow and giving them a scoop mid-morning.  I admit it - I scarfed my lunch down!!

Until next time, my friends ...

Nerves!

Well, fellow teachers, it's that time when I start to get nervous about the beginning of the year.  Typical, right?  Well, I am extremely nervous for this year for the obvious reasons - new school, new kids, new position.   I am thoroughly frightened about failing as I have been throughout my entire life.  Well, the stress dreams have begun.  Some people, when stressed, dream about tornadoes, hurricanes and the like.  Nope, not the Strunks.  Bill has nightmares that he loses control of his class and is put on positive assistance.   I  have nightmares (and recently daymares!!) that I forget about a college course I signed up for and never have my assignments finished nor do I pass the class.  I fail.  I know as soon as I wake up that this will not happen and that I would be fully aware of any classes I signed up for.  It sure doesn't make me feel better during the night- and daymares.  It is getting out of control!  Hopefully, it's like how we all get ourselves worked up over something only to find out that everything turns out fine.

Keeping my fingers crossed ...

Welcome!

Hi and welcome to Mrs. Strunk's third grade class!  I am off onto a new adventure this year.  After teaching special education for 17 wonderful years and teaching at the same school for 15 of those years, I am taking a new direction.  I am going to teach at a different primary center as a general education third grade teacher.  I am very, very excited and just as nervous.  I hope that you enjoy my blog.  I would like to share funny things that happen in class, tidbits of information, and my love for my students.  Feel free to share your thoughts on how I can better improve this site.  Also, feel free to post and comment.  

Off to enjoy the last week or so of vacation!