School in December

 When I got home, I tucked myself under a blanket and was tired, but I had such a good day yesterday!

I felt more energetic and like myself than I have in a long time.  I didn't feel overwhelmed or exhausted or impatient or any of the things.  It was wonderful!

What was also wonderful was my students seeing the classroom, all decked out for Christmas.  They walked in the door and started gasping and saying, "Oh! Oh! Oh!"

They showed each other the tree and the Christmas village.  "Are there lights inside?  Where did this come from?  My name is on the tree!"  I loved seeing their wonder as they walked around looking at everything.  One girl threw her arms around my waist and said, "You're the best teacher ever!"

Such an easy crowd!

One boy (with extravagant bedhead) told me that he woke up with his hair looking very "floaty."

Yes he did.

I was so happy to be back.

During math, we started on area.  First, we talked about real world reasons why you may need to know area.  One student said that his dad works in construction, so he uses it.

That reminded me of QE telling me she wanted to be an "instruction" worker when she grows up.  I told her that was great and she said she was going to build a library out of blocks.  I said, "I will come to your library."

She said, "No Nana, it's built out of blocks."

Nana is not very smart sometimes....

Anyway.  Area.  I was trying to teach them the concept of a square unit as compared to just length.  I grabbed a piece of chalk and drew on the carpet.

 They were completely shocked and wondered if I was going to get in trouble from Mr. D.  I was willing to risk it.

Let me tell you, when the teacher starts drawing on the carpet, you have 100% engagement!

We'll see if it carries over into them actually understanding what area is or not.

For read aloud I read them a Christmas story.  They were silent and leaning slightly forward and it was dreamy.

We also made our ornaments for the library Christmas tree.  At the end of the day, I sat them all down and read the last several pages of the Christmas book because we'd had to stop earlier.

A student said, "This has been the best day ever."

Another said, "Time flies when you're busy."

A while after the students left, I was tying gold string onto the ornaments and Alissa popped her head in my room and asked, "Are you busy doing something important?"

I said, "Do you want to string lights?"

She brought lights from home for her classroom and wanted to string them up outside our classrooms too.  We all want to make it as magical as possible.  Miriam joined us and I unwound the lights and advised placement and those two tall girls hung them in the hall.  Other teachers admired our handiwork and when Caroline came along and said, "Look at you third grade teachers!"

I said, "Team of the year!  We're never not going to mention that."

(That's the kind of relationship I have with Caroline.  We're like snarky sisters and I love it.)

Riley came along clucking his tongue, probably thinking of some OSHA violation.  We told him to keep on walking.

There were some students still at the school because of boys and girls club and they were using the bathrooms in our hall.  

"What are you doing?" they asked in wonder.

"Making it festive!" Alissa told them.

Christmas!  I love every school day in December!