Surveys are a bad idea in 4th grade...

Today I had to survey my student teaching class. This is an assignment for a class I am taking on Monday nights. We had to survey our class on something that we were doing well, something that we weren't doing well, and something that they would like to change. The data that I collected was supposed to identify a problem, and I would then research ways to resolve that problem. I didn't think that this was a very good idea, and I was proved right! These were the extent of the problems listed:

1. We need our recess back. (They have to earn recess back because of bad behavior last week)

2. There are to many tattletales in this class.

3. I don't like where I sit.

4. There are to many people in each other's business.

There were a few good ideas that I didn't list, but it was mostly non-useful information. The good point was that they all said that they loved their teacher, and the cool activities that she lets them do. (making videos, writing stories, experiments, ect.) This helps me to know that I need to do these kind of activities in my own classroom because they are so engaging and the kids love them. Overall though, I don't recommend surveys in 4th grade.

My cousin's baby shower...

Today my mom and I went to my cousin's baby shower. We had so much fun, and I got to see some of my cousin's friends that we always hung out with when I lived in Ennis. It was a really nice shower, and she received so many of the things that she really needed for the baby. I also gave her one of the special blankets that I cross stitch. It is pictured above. My cousin is expecting a little boy on May 15th, and his name will be Jacob Daniel. I am so happy for her! It was a great day.

It's been one of those days...

Today was one of those days when nothing seemed to go right. I walked out of my front door this morning, and the first thing that happened to me was that I fell. My foot just twisted right out from under me and I lost my balance. Fortunately, I didn't injure myself. This morning I was having my second teacher evaluation, and I had problems with the equipment that I was using. The class was also not as attentive as they usually are, and so I lost a couple of points. Then all afternoon was wet and rainy. When I started to leave school, I got to my car and the rear tire was as flat as a pancake! All of the doors to the school were locked, and it was still raining. Finally a janitor came out and let me in the building. I called Thomas to change my flat, but he was at the dentist, and couldn't come. Since he would be at least another hour, I called Paw Paw to come pick me up. On his way to pick me up, Paw Paw was in a fender bender. He was okay, and there wasn't much damage to his car, but I still felt bad that it happened on his way to help me out. Then as the big finish to this bad day, Thomas has to have a root canal that will cost $650. What a day. I am glad it's over!

Mrs. Elam you are growing...

I am sure that everyone has heard the old wives tale that if a baby has the hiccups that they are growing. Yesterday I got a rather bad case of the hiccups at school. I kept having to say excuse me while answering the kids questions. One of the boys looked at me as said Mrs. Elam you're growing. I totally missed what he said, and looked at him kind of funny. I asked him what he meant, and he looked at me and said everyone knows that when you have the hiccups that you grow a little. I just smiled. Kids say the funniest things.

Back to Work...

Today was the first day back to school after Spring Break. The kids were surprisingly quiet. I thought that they would be buzzing about all that they had done over their break. It was a little hard for them to get back into the swing of things after not being in school for a week. I was glad to see all of them. I won't be with them much longer, there are only five weeks of my student teaching left. They are great kids.

Christopher's 10th Birthday Party...

Today we celebrated Christopher's 10th Birthday. Wow! It seems like yesterday he was just two, and riding around in his little push car. He is such a great kid, and so grown up beyond his years.

Here is Christopher's cookie cake, it was so good that there were no left overs.


Caleb showed me that he was losing more teeth, and proud of it!

Here is a shot of Christy and Mark. I think he was telling a joke.

Nanny made a scavenger hunt for the boys and they had a blast.

Here they are with their first clue.

Another clue led them to the mailbox.

Caleb and Christopher found another clue under the kitchen table.

The boys searched and searched for the clue that was under a flower pot,

but they looked under the wrong one.

The clue turned out to be in the hanging flower pot on the porch.

Here is a nice shot of Christopher waiting for his turn at the pinata.

Here he goes!

Batman Caleb

Candy!

Christopher's favorite gift was a radio from Kathy and Wayne.

Mark and the stuffed animal waved to the camera.

Here is a shot of Christopher before he blew out his candles.

It was a great and funfilled day!

Happy 10th Birthday Christopher!

Jewelry Party...

Tonight I did something that I never thought I would do. I had a jewelry party. It turned out to be so much fun. I got to see some friends that I hadn't seen in a really long time, and I got to show off my home to some friends who had never seen it. It is really worthwhile to have one of these parties if you like jewelry because you get free jewelry just for having the party. I got about two hundred dollars of free jewelry myself. I am so glad that I had this party. It was a great end to my spring break.

The Boys Have Been Keeping Me Company...

I haven't got to spend much time with Christy's boys lately, so since it's Spring Break they have been hanging out with me the last couple of days. I snapped the above picture of them while they were playing last night.

On Tuesday Caleb spent the night. That afternoon he fell asleep on my bed just like this while watching a movie. I guess he was all played out.

It has been so nice to spend some time with them.

Cats Can't Resist Clean Laundry...

I had just folded this load of laundry from the bathrooms and placed the basket on the coffee table. I walked in the other room to get something, and came back and found Gabby very comfortable on top of it.

I think she was happy that Daisy couldn't bug her anymore.

I just let her stay there, and I think she slept in it all night long.

Cats just can't resist clean laundry!

Guys and Girls Night....

Yesterday Nathan came over to spend the night and play video games. Since I knew that the guys would probably play for hours, I invited my mom over to watch a movie.

We just hung out in my room and had girl time. It was nice. My mom and I don't get to spend a lot of quality time together.

Spring Break at Last....

Whoo Hoo it's finally Spring Break! Anyone who is a teacher knows at this point in the year everyone is ready for a week long break. The teachers are tired, the kids are antsy, and spring fever has arrived. Unfortunately I won't be spending mine on a beach somewhere, but I will enjoy relaxing and having a little time off. I am planning on doing my Spring cleaning, and I am having a jewelry party next Friday night.

Oopps I got caught with bubble gum...

Today I saw a bag of bubble gum on my mentor teacher's desk, and decided that I would have a piece. We went to pick up the kids from lunch, and I got caught. Mrs. Elam you have gum! How come you get to chew gum and we don't? That's not fair. At this point another 4th grade teacher walked by and saw the guilty look on my face. He grinned at me, and made the joke with the kids that teachers could do whatever they wanted. Another student looked at me and said, "You should spit that out Mrs. Elam." I said alright if it will make you feel better I will throw it away. Then she told me that she was going to watch me and make sure I spit it out.
(Of course you and I know that teachers can have gum because we don't stick it under desks, put it in people's hair, or throw it on the floor). Ha Ha!

Stopping to Smell the Roses...

Yesterday afternoon I was in Tom Thumb and saw this beautiful bouquet of roses. I love fresh flowers. They smell wonderful, and they add a natural beauty to your home. I sat the vase down on the coffee table so I could sit back and admire them.

I guess Daisy thought they were pretty to,

and hopped up for a closer look.

MMM.. These smell nice!


I better lean in and absorb the full aroma!

I thought that this would be nice to share because sometimes we need to just sit back and admire the simple beauties that God gives us. Flowers being one of those things.

Field Trip to the Planetarium...

Today all of the 4th grade classes went to the Mesquite Planetarium. So for the first time I got to experience a field trip as a student teacher. I had forgotten just how loud and bumpy a school bus can be (especially when you end up in the back like I did). Ha Ha! The kids really enjoyed themselves. They loved the funny cartoon about the dangers of space. This planetarium has been around for a while because my husband Thomas even went there when he was in elementary school. All in all it was a pretty informative trip.

Daisy's New Toy...

Recently, Thomas brought home a pair of cheap cotton gloves. Little did we know that they were about to become Daisy's new toy.

Daisy loves to play chase and tug of war with these gloves.

She hasn't been this excited since we let her play with some old socks.

I love when she gets so excited that she runs circles around the living room with the gloves in between her teeth. Thomas also taught her how to catch them in her mouth. It is really a sight to see.

TAKS Day...

Today all across the state students were taking the TAKS test. Since I am not a certified teacher yet, I was unable to be in the classroom today. I wore my 4th Grade Army Shirt to show support for our class. I am sure that they all did well.
I was put to work helping the administrative staff for most of the day. I sorted benchmark tests, made copies, filed things in the teachers boxes ect. I really tried to show everyone that even though I couldn't administer the test I still wanted to lend a hand. Hats off to all of the teachers for their efforts, and to the students for all of their hard work on the TAKS test.

What's the Elam Motto???

The motto for the Elam men is if it doesn't work rig it! It is kind of our family joke that started with Paw Paw. Thomas is so much like his grandpa that he adheres to this motto quite a bit. It is not always the safest thing to do, but it works most of the time. In this case Paw Paw gave Thomas a tool box that fits onto his truck. With much effort he tried to make it fit, but it just wouldn't. The main problem was the handle that would not budge.

He tried a screw driver and JB Weld.

To make a long story short it didn't work, but at least he tried. Ha Ha!