Mrs. Hannon's First Grade Fly on the Wall 

I hope your summer has been fantastic! For me at least, the beginning of school is looming. Ahhhhh….how I long for the days when, as a child, summer seemed endless. Now it goes oh so quickly! Of course in my childhood school didn’t begin until after Labor Day. Sometimes I think it would benefit us all if that was still the calendar we followed. In any event, I wanted to post once more for the 2017-2018 first graders. Here are just some photos from some months past which I wanted to share with you. There is a lot here…just normal days in the classroom, a visit with a specialist teaching us about the food chain, award winners, 100th day, Christmas program, field trip to Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site, Christmas party, crafting, field day, babysitting Champion the duck while 5th grade went on a field trip, fun outside on our last few days, etc. Some “could” be duplicated from previous posts, but I tried to just post what I thought I hadn’t earlier in the year. Enjoy! Have a wonderful 2nd grade year and beyond! Please keep in touch! Blessings upon all of you!

Our classroom had the privilege of babysitting for Champion today. Champion is a Pekin duckling, hatched in Mrs. Eck’s 5th grade classroom. She was born around a week after our chicks, and came from the same farm as our eggs (Mrs. Domogalik’s family’s farm). Duck eggs are about 28 days to hatch as opposed to 21 for chicks. Champion has been adopted by Mrs. Stader, and is hanging out at school. Because 5th grade traveled on a field trip today, Champion needed some company and caregiving. She is a delight. She is definitely a pet! She followed me everywhere…even down the hall to pick up my first graders from art.

While in the classroom everyone got a chance to pet and interact with her. She untied someone’s shoes, and she likes to nip at anything on the ground or on fingers. This was an incentive for us to keep our classroom floor very clean. She does not like to be cooped up, although she had a pen in our room. She likes to be with people. As far as she is concerned, she is a person herself, not a duck. She does not like to be isolated, and likes to stay physically close. She would fall asleep on her blanket, or she would tuck herself between my two feet while I was working at my desk, and would occasionally nip my toes.

We had so much fun with her today. (We don’t actually know yet if Champion is he or she..that remains to be seen.) Mrs. Stader is going to get her a “friend” soon so she will have some companionship.

Oh….I must say…she needs some diapers. 🙂 But she is positively adorable and personable!

I stumbled upon some additions to our Science table this week (maybe one from last week). No one had said a thing, so these were nice surprises…some shamrocks and a sunflower blossom. Thanks to the contributors!

I had a birthday recently, and I just had to show you a “belated” gift from my husband. Ha! My first question for him, after thanking him, was “Who helped you?” Not his cup of tea to think of these things, but heh, at least he asked someone to help him think of things. 🙂

Now I’m looking forward to some rain. With the size of this thing (a golf umbrella), I may be able to shield a couple of first graders as well as myself.

This past week we had some Disability Awareness activities and visitors. Meet the therapy dog Hallie (I think that was it, and I’m not sure of the spelling). She was SO well behaved and made me think about the fact that my doodle isn’t so well trained (I wonder if it is still possible to unspoil her after nine years). Although a full-sized and full-blooded poodle (which you don’t see too often) Hallie reminded me a lot of my Golden Doodle, which just goes to show Roxie is mostly poodle. She has that face.

We also learned a lot about equipment (large and small) which can help people in many ways, adults and children. We read a picture book about a young girl who made friends with a child in a wheelchair, and how at first she felt uncomfortable but came to learn that her new friend could do a lot of things!

At the end of the week we had our first Pep Rally of the year, which included a fun relay race activity involving two of my students. They got to select a couple of prizes for their participation. Great job boys!

I had a wonderful home visit with Ethan earlier this week. Ethan’s step-father was a classmate of one of my daughter’s here at St. Malachy, so it was extra special to get to see him again. Ethan is a wonderful tour guide (probably better than mom or dad would like), but I did indeed get the grand tour: the bedrooms, the pantry, the game closet, etc.

I absolutely love home visits! I can’t really put into words how I find them valuable for my students (I hope), and me. I always walk away with a big smile on my face. It is something that connects us always which transfers over to the classroom and our relationship there as well. I sometimes see a side of my students they don’t show in the classroom, and they see me as a regular person as well.

I also got to meet Copper, Ethan’s sweet fur baby. As I told him, I love fur babies (it was clear that Copper was aware of that, as we followed me as I toured and visited, and sat for the photo op; he shook paws with me numerous times. He’s such a beauty!), and I also told him that one of my own fur babies would give me the dirty eye and “know” that I had been hanging around with another. Sure enough! Roxie knew! See, I told you!

In addition, Ethan recently gifted me with a Dragon Fruit, which he told me about (see earlier post), and even told me they are good for making smoothies! Yum!

I can see why they are called a Dragon Fruit. So there you go. I learn something from my first graders every year, and this is one of those things! Thank you for welcoming me into your home, Ethan!

Unfortunately my hatch in the classroom wasn’t so successful this year. It made me so sad. I followed all the procedures, but it just didn’t turn out well. Heartbreaking! I am going to try again and study up over the summer. I may look for a new resource for eggs. I will definitely be inviting your children back to participate (and the entire school actually..I always do).

I love being able to serve as teacher to an entire family! On Friday I visited Jordan’s home. I was first grade teacher for Elizabeth, Joshua, and now Jordan. Liam might be next. As to Samantha, I can’t say for sure.

We had a wonderful visit. They all had to show me their bedrooms (Jordan was very accommodating to his siblings even though this was “his” visit.) That is a testament to these children..they are so loving. Oh my we had fun. I saw a nest of baby bunnies in the backyard, a cool spider (eeek!) web (with very larger spider), and inside met Mr. Nibbles and Cheddars.

I was entertained with a remote control car which threatened to climb up my leg, and a delicious serving of warm cinnamon bread. Finally we gathered for a group shot. By that time even Samantha had warmed up to me and liked playing with my keys. As I left I got lots of hugs, and even Liam hugged my leg from the knee down. They all ran outside to give me a great send off with waves and goodbyes. What a sweet bunch! Thank you for making me feel so loved.

No, this is not Aubrey. This is Grace. I should title this post “Aubrey and Grace’s Home Visit.” Grace was a very welcoming young lady, and she wanted her share of the attention. She brought her little tennis ball to me, and dropped it at my feet over and over.

Aubrey showed me around the house, her wonderful neighborhood (a view from her backyard), her great climbing tree, and her bedroom. We talked and shared about what’s fun in first grade. We also (of course) had our photo op.

As it turns out, I did my student teaching at the school in Aubrey’s neighborhood, and I lived very close to it. Since Mr. Hannon and I are thinking about downsizing, it got me to thinking about moving back to the area….maybe..:) Aubrey is lucky because she lives close to grandma, and she also lives close to some other St. Malachy students, including our newest student, Ella. I had a wonderful visit with Aubrey and her family! Thank you for welcoming me.

Oh…..

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and thanks to you too, Grace!

I recently was gifted a book from the Book Fair about dogs v. cats. It is in my stack of new books to be read. I share often about my four pets, two dogs and two cats. The cats are new (well, I have had them for a couple of years now). I intended to adopt one kitten after my last kitty, Molly, had to cross the rainbow bridge…:(…but I ended up coming home with a kitten and an adult. They took a few days to adjust when I got them, but as you’ll see below, uh….one of them at least is perfectly happy with her canine companion.

This is Roxie (the doodle) and Bonnie (the gray tiger). The interesting thing is that Bonnie is a tiny built little thing, yet she seems to be the one in charge. The other cat (which you’ll likely meet here sometime) is a large, long-haired, orange tiger, MALE…not as pleased with the dogs but tolerates them…and is much more meek than the little girl shown here. In fact Bonnie is quite the hunter, and when the dogs try to engage her in play, she just turns her…uh…rear…toward them and flicks her tail as if she isn’t bothered in the least. She is a bit stuck up about it. She has figured out running would just invite them to chase. Either that, or she believes it is beneath her to run (this is the most likely knowing cats.)

Bonnie has actually taken over this dog bed, and I was surprised to find Roxie there with her. It was nice of Bonnie to share. She is usually smack dab in the middle.

Just as I was sitting getting ready to post this, Bonnie wandered into the room and rubbed against Roxie. Roxie growled and snapped at her, and Bonnie did it again….(flick the tail in her face) “You don’t bother me!”

I was able to make a home visit with Lexi on Monday of Catholic Schools Week. What fun I always have on my visits. They are each and every bit as unique as my students themselves, as unique as each of us. Lexi treated me to delicious pink-iced cupcakes which she made herself….

 ….served on a plate made by Lexi too! I had one with sprinkles…delish! Lexi showed me around her pretty house and her pretty bedroom. (Psst, parents, if you want to motivate your child to clean up his or her bedroom, just schedule a home visit.) Lexi has a huge collection of stuffed animals on her bed. I made a connection to a book we just read called How to Clean Your Room. It was such a funny book. The main character had a lot of stuffed animals too. I felt like she would be so cozy surrounded and snuggled in with all of those cozy creatures.

I also got to meet Lexi’s dog, Scout, who looks pretty much like my Roxie, and as a matter of fact he acts pretty much like my Roxie although he is younger. Being half Golden Retriever, these are the most friendly dogs ever. If their family accepts and welcomes a visitor, so do they. So, Scout did make me feel very welcome! In fact, he insisted on getting in on the action.

 And here is an additional shot….

 OH WAIT! April Fool’s (except it isn’t April)….this is Roxie, not Scout. See what I mean? Anyway, thanks to Lexi and her family for giving me another great home visit experience to add to my memory book.

I enjoyed a lovely visit at Ginnie’s house with both her parents. Ginnie showed me around, including the room where she does her homework and has a Murphy bed which pulls down from the wall (cool!). Of course I munched on a cookie as we visited. I asked Ginnie what her favorite thing about first grade was, and she replied “You!” (sweet!) Ginnie is taking violin lessons from Miss Kathy so we talked about that a little too. I heard she is doing a great job.

As we visited and I enjoyed the view from the back of their home, I noticed a few houses down that there were a couple of chickens (which surprised me given our location was along a fairly busy road with a housing addition across the street). Well “They’re ours!” was the response, and mom went outside with a can of worm treats, and boy did they come running home!

Meet Daisy and Veronica!

And just one more….I’m not sure anything can top this visit as far as what I expected!

 Thank you Ginnie and parents…oh, yeah, and Daisy and Veronica for…..er….a very unique home visit! Bk! Bk! Bk!