Add your name to the birthday chart.
Look--on Wednesdays we have Art.
Choose three books for your reading box.
Let's all get ready 'cause Second Grade Rocks!
Not my very best little ditty, but it conveys the message: I am no longer a kindergarten teacher. I loved kindergarten and I'm sorry to leave it...but now that it's real and the room is set up (just about) I'm getting excited about 2nd grade. The one thing I'm really grieving is that first-day-of-school Swimmy-Makes-us-Mighty-Minnows tradition. I have some of the same kids I taught, and they are bigger and more grown up. I don't think they want to be Minnows any more.
So, I'm starting the year with Sylvester and the Magic Pebble instead, because we have some rocks-and-soil science in the first few weeks to connect to, and we'll also be reading and working with Roxaboxen and If You Find a Rock, books I adore. But I haven't figured out yet what we will become as a group. "Magic Pebbles" doesn't capture the characteristics I want to emphasize, and "Mighty Magnets" is a bit of a stretch....I'm hoping it will come to me over the weekend, but if you have any suggestions, PoFolks, I'd welcome them.
The round-up today is hosted by Sylvester I mean Sylvia Vardel at Poetry For Children--enjoy the welcome there too, from Sylvia and my geographic neighbor Linda Kulp!
Oh, this is hard. I think it will grow out of the magic that happens when you're together but riffing on the rock theme--geodes? gems? crystals? Enjoy your second graders!
ReplyDeleteChange is hard, but also invigorating. Your book choices are favorites of mine, too. Roxaboxen was our first shared reading when I taught third grade. What about a variation on being diamonds in the rough? Or Blake's quote about seeing the world in a grain of sand? I think Liz is right, though. The answer will come from your students. Have a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteOh, I didn't know that you were changing to 2nd grade, Heidi. Best wishes in finding just the right name for those 'still' little ones. I love Roxaboxen! There is a new book out that is all about creativity, titled This Is Sadie. It might be a nice one for you to find.
ReplyDeleteChange is hard but change is good. Sylvester was one of our favorites when my kids were little. (And if you're looking for some second grade nonfiction to build your classroom library, let me know and I'll send a few books. I'm all about second grade these days.)
ReplyDeleteMeta-Morphs. Igneous Rocks! SediMENts and SediWOMENts. Stop me now....
ReplyDeleteHi, Heidi, love your welcoming poem for your new second graders! What a fun challenge to move from K to 2. Wishing you a wonderful year!
ReplyDeleteSylvia
What a transformation! Second graders are so great, fewer tears and just as many hugs! Have fun with your new position. I've used Kate Messner's book "Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish" and made Friend Fish buttons. The student who was seen doing something kind got to wear the button. She also has "Sea Monster's First Day."
ReplyDeleteThank you, everyone. It *would* be best to choose it together...thanks for all the ideas!
ReplyDeleteI know the change was not necessarily what you wanted, but I'm glad to see you're embracing it– those 2nd graders are lucky to have you! I'm all for your first day ditty. :)
ReplyDeleteAs for what to call yourselves, I was thinking along the same lines as others... by 2nd grade, I think students would appreciate being part of that decision, even if you are the one providing options for them to choose amongst. I also like the idea of the name changing from year to year, reflecting the unique character of each class.
Great diity. Good luck with the change and your little rockers.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes for a FABULOUS year...with or without a literature-based class theme!
ReplyDeleteGrade Two is a beautiful age to teach. Gently unfurling their literate wings, with gentle wafts of creativity. I'm sure you'll love them!
ReplyDelete