Second Grade Work

So, many of you know that I work part-time helping second and third graders with reading, writing, and math. I LOVE my job and the kids I work with. It is SO rewarding to see their faces light up when they "get something" or when they are successful. I am proud to make a difference (even if it's small) in their lives and help them experience learning.
Anyway, I went in to work with my second grade students and they were copying the following poem from the board. After they copied it, they had to write AT LEAST 4 sentences about what the poem means to them. Again, second grade, this is.

DECEMBER
I like days with a snow-white collar,
And nights when the moon is a silver dollar,
And hills are filled with eiderdown stuffing,
And your breath makes smoke like an engine puffing.

I like days when feathers are snowing,
And all the eaves have petticoats showing,
And the air is cold and the wires are humming,
But you feel all warm... with Christmas coming!

Now, I have a lot of issues with this assignment AND with this poem.
Here's a few of them (remember, second grade!):

1. Having kids copy from the board is "old school" and has no value what-so-ever.
2. Second grade students cannot and do not relate to this poem- never mind the vocabulary, tone, and message of the poem.
3. It mentions Christmas- what about those who celebrate Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or those who don't celebrate any winter holidays.
4. How can second graders write 4 sentences about something that they don't understand?

Maybe I am out of line or over reacting BUT I saw how the students in this class were struggling with this and becoming real frustrated! Luckily, I saved the day and helped these young learners with this pointless assignment.

Any thoughts? Ideas? Reactions?

This sums it up....

In response to my "Second Grade Work" post, I found this quote, which is somewhat aligned with my teaching philosophy:

"There is plenty of time for children to have exams, to get marks. We want them to play, to learn through games. It's a time for waiting, not for pushing."

Jean-Pierre Villain, Advisor to France's Education Minister

Long Time, No Blog

So, it seems like I haven't done a posting in a while. For a bit there, I was doing at least one a day. I am hoping to get back into that little routine. We have been busy here: Leah's B-Day Party, Holiday Parties, Friends B-Day Parties, and the visit from my mother-in-law and brother-in-law from New York. Needless to say, my computer time has been limited! Plus, I am trying to get to bed a little earlier than 1:30am. A lot of times, I find myself writing on my blog to avoid doing things I need to do: paying bills, folding laundry, and wrapping presents for starters! On that note, guess I better go get a little something done!

A Few Photos

Sorry, the Christmas lights on our house didn't come out very good. You'll have to use your imagination but... here's some others for your viewing pleasure!

Anthony's Pick's Again

Anthony is into Christmas lights big-time. He loves everything about them- they way they look, driving around to see the displays, even putting them up. This year, we started with the mini-colored lights around our railings and trees in the front. However, A was not pleased so we moved up to the bigger, brighter, and better blinkers!!! You can see them from a mile away and they are very festive and colorful (a bit obnoxious, too). Not to mention, great entertainment for the kids!! I figure I'll do the "elegant" display- white lights with garland- when the kids are older!

In honor of Anthony's passion for Christmas lights, check out the displays on this website:
www.uglychristmaslights.com


PS- No ugly lights for our house!

My Favorite Things

A: Anthony, amusement parks
B: babies, birthdays
C: candles, candy, caramel apple cider
D: dolphins, Dad, decorating
E: exercise (NOT!)
F: friends, family, flowers, fashion
G: games, gummy bears, gardening
H: Happy Hour, holidays
I: ice cream
J: John Hay, journals
K: kids
L: Logan, Leah, laughter
M: Mom, money, music, MEG!
N: notecards, naps for all!
O: ocean, outdoors, organizing
P: playtime, parks, peppermint mocha's
Q: quiet time
R: reading
S: sunshine, skiing, sunsets, shopping
T: teaching, traveling, toys
U: Uncle
V: violets
W: wine-a-ques, writing, walks
X: xylophones!?
Y: yo-yos
Z: zoos!

Anthony's Pick

My husband is a HUGE fruit cake and minced meat pie fan.. his favorite part of the Holiday season is being able to have these two things. And he usually gets them all to himself since no one else will eat them!! I brought him a fruitcake home from Costco at the beginning of the week and you would have thought we won the lottery!

So, in honor of Anthony and his favorite food during the holidays:

http://whitakersgourmet.com