"Happy as a Duck in Water!"

Well now that Christmas (break) is over, the New Year has begun, and my first week of Student Teaching is complete, I finally have time to take a deep breath and do what I love.. BLOG! When beginning this adventure I thought to myself, "I'll blog everyday, about everything, and never miss a day"! Wrong-oh! Life certainly got the best of me! All the stress and school work has begun piling so high that the light of at the end of the tunnel, is now completely black. I have to remind myself daily to "be a duck". Not that I want to waddle around, be yellow, and have a beak.. but in that I must swim quickly underwater, paddling my little heart out, working harder than ever, while staying calm, cool, and collective on top. Although the Teacher Work Sample is now taking over majority my life, there is certainly one thing that is making me happy as a duck in water. MY THIRD GRADERS.

So let me share about how much I talked about loving sixth grade. Not only do I call my mom that lives two hours away every time I sneeze (I miss her a lot!!), but her phone rang every Tuesday or Thursday after school at 3:30 last semester. We talked forever about my day at school. Sharing so many memories that I will never forget. It was simply one of the best semesters I ever had! After last semester, I was convinced that sixth grade was my favorite grade. However, after this past week in the third grade, I love it just as much! How is this possible??! I hear teachers saying there's no way I could leave ___ grade, or ___ grade is my favorite. As for me, time will tell I reckon! I'm sure once I have my own classroom (WHOO HOO!!!!!! YEAH!!!), I will figure out which grade I'm meant to be! Can you tell I'm excited?! I can honestly say that I have loved every grade that I have been in so far. I would be pleased to have ANY grade, now let's just pray after this semester... I get a job! :)

There is such a difference in the young adults of sixth grade and the little darlings of third grade. Except, the one commonality... my love for them. Seriously! If someone asked me to give up anything in this world for one of my kids, I would do it.. without hesitation. Maybe this is why I am becoming a teacher. I've always had a nurturing side to me, I get that from my mother, but there is something about being a schoolroom with 25+ kids that makes everything in my life, complete. I notice a repetitive conversation every semester that ends with, "I have the best group of kids!" But in all honesty, I have! I am SOOO very excited for the next month in the third grade before I make my way back to sixth grade, and then to Germany I go!!

I'm sure many of you have heard of the story, Have you filled your bucket today? By: Carol McCloud. Our classroom has a list of "What to do when I'm through" tasks. One of them is filling the student of the week's bucket. Meaning that they fill out a slip to one of their peers, sharing kindness, love, and all that warm, fuzzy stuff! One of my students filled my bucket on Thursday!! It was the best!

Still working on their spelling!! But it says, "Ms. Shell, You are an awesome student teacher. We all were super excited for your arrival. Thanks for saying my picture was beautiful in centers. You are so nice. I could not think of someone to replace you. I "heart" Mrs. Shell." Then, she draws the picture of what she drew in centers and writes "remember this". TOO CUTE! Then, directs me to "flip over and look in corner" where the student's name is located and the back is filled with more pictures! LOVE IT!

Something as little as a note can make your day, it certainly did mine! Not only is this great for the classroom, but reminds me to fill someone's bucket daily!! Have YOU filled someone's bucket today?! :)

I absolutely can't wait to share ideas and memories from this semester. I can already tell I am going to learn SO much, give SO much, and have an unforgettable semester! All the dedication, time, and work will pay off, when I see my kiddos learning!

Till next time :)