I'm blogging over at Classroom Tested Resources today! Hop over for a new idea and a freebie! See you there!
Sunday
The Last and WORST Day of School!
I hate the last day of school! There! I said it! It's the worst day of the entire school year!
I work all year building this wonderful little community of learners and then...BAM!...it's the last day of school! I'm supposed to be excited about summer vacation! The kids are excited about summer vacation!
Oh, it all started out okay, this year! We have an amazing tradition at our school. The kids all "cross the bridge" to the next year! And I mean ALL KIDS cross the bridge! It's not a promotion ceremony, it's more symbolic of the hard work they've done and always moving forward to the next challenge, the next year! So even those kiddos that might need a "bonus" year in Kinder or 1st, "cross the bridge" to the next amazing adventure! I love this tradition!
So then we all went back to class and popped the last balloon...yes, I do the balloon countdown because that is so much fun! The kids love it and we are all so excited each day to see what our special surprise is! (It's kind of weird to count down to my least favorite day?!) Well, we got to have a special treat and our yummy treat was Krispy Kreme! Oh yeah! We love us some Krispy Kreme!
Then we had recess and since I have recess duty, I got to kid around with my little firsties on the last day...that was fun! After recess, we went inside and that's when it hit me. One more hour. That was it! One hour left with the cutest class of first graders! And then the tears and the tightness in my throat, as I hold them back...because, let's face it, if I cry then we're all gonna cry! I haven't even mentioned saying goodbye to the parents! Oh my gosh! The families that I've had for years and multiple children!
I held in the tears! I handed out awards and summer goodie bags, hugged and hugged my sweeties and posed for lots of last day of school pictures... I even smiled!
But, after all of my kiddoes were gone, I cried! I held it in while they were there, but alone in my room, I cried! Yes, I can honestly say, I hate the last day of school! But, what can we do? I love every other day, so I guess I'll have to keep the last one because I LOVE MY JOB!
I work all year building this wonderful little community of learners and then...BAM!...it's the last day of school! I'm supposed to be excited about summer vacation! The kids are excited about summer vacation!
Oh, it all started out okay, this year! We have an amazing tradition at our school. The kids all "cross the bridge" to the next year! And I mean ALL KIDS cross the bridge! It's not a promotion ceremony, it's more symbolic of the hard work they've done and always moving forward to the next challenge, the next year! So even those kiddos that might need a "bonus" year in Kinder or 1st, "cross the bridge" to the next amazing adventure! I love this tradition!
So then we all went back to class and popped the last balloon...yes, I do the balloon countdown because that is so much fun! The kids love it and we are all so excited each day to see what our special surprise is! (It's kind of weird to count down to my least favorite day?!) Well, we got to have a special treat and our yummy treat was Krispy Kreme! Oh yeah! We love us some Krispy Kreme!
Then we had recess and since I have recess duty, I got to kid around with my little firsties on the last day...that was fun! After recess, we went inside and that's when it hit me. One more hour. That was it! One hour left with the cutest class of first graders! And then the tears and the tightness in my throat, as I hold them back...because, let's face it, if I cry then we're all gonna cry! I haven't even mentioned saying goodbye to the parents! Oh my gosh! The families that I've had for years and multiple children!
I held in the tears! I handed out awards and summer goodie bags, hugged and hugged my sweeties and posed for lots of last day of school pictures... I even smiled!
But, after all of my kiddoes were gone, I cried! I held it in while they were there, but alone in my room, I cried! Yes, I can honestly say, I hate the last day of school! But, what can we do? I love every other day, so I guess I'll have to keep the last one because I LOVE MY JOB!
Monday
Blog Hop!
I'm linking up Celeste at The Education Highway for her Birthday Blog Hop! There are some great Giveaways, so be sure to join us on this fun HOP!
So I'm trying to get into the summer spirit here and join Celeste's Pool Party Blog Hop! Doesn't this sound fun! Celeste has done a fantastic job organizing this hop just for you!
My summer plans are to READ! We are planning on implementing Writer's Workshop K-2 and possibly K-5 this fall! We have just a little bit of work to do this summer :) ! These are a couple of the books on my summer reading list:
This is a great post, by Susan at ThankGodIt'sFirstGrade, about how to get Writer's Workshop started at the beginning of the year!
I'm also attending the Daily 5 conference in Anaheim this summer! I'm super excited to meet "the Sisters" and begin to have a deeper understanding of this awesome system! I've been using the Daily 5 for several years and am ready to take it to the next level. Coupled with Writer's Workshop, I'm really getting excited for next year...and this year isn't over yet! Alas, the life of a teacher! :)
My other wonderings for next year?
Word Wall...to have or not to have?
Handwriting
Projects for PBL
Genius time
Now, don't think I'm all work and no play! I'm going to have lots of fun! My girls and I are taking a 3 week trip to visit family in Houston! And remember that Daily 5 conference in Anaheim? Well, we may just be taking a little vacation to Disneyland also! I'm so excited to spend some fun time with daughters!
Check out the amazing giveaways and the e-book!
Here is a little freebie to get your kids started in the fall!
Thanks for hopping by!
An InLinkz Link-up