4th Graders are Really Cute

Last week, I was a guest teacher for a 4th grade class (same students that I met while being an art teacher) at Daniel Bagley.  Their teacher, Ms. Adriance, texted me after getting a guest teacher recommendation from the art teacher, whom I had subbed for.  I'm tickled that I'm now being recommended by other teachers!  Anyways, the 4th graders were very friendly and I had a great time with them.  We worked through all their subjects and had enough time for Heads Up 7 Up before dismissing them for the day.

The next day, Ms. Adriance emailed asking if I was free this week, either Tuesday or Thursday.  I was today.  So, I had a chance to see the same students twice in two weeks! 

They were a bit more comfortable with me now = a little more talking, more time for transitioning, etc..  While I was happy they liked me, I was still trying to move through all the material the teacher was hoping we would complete.  So, after the 2nd or 3rd student asked if we could play Heads Up 7 Up, and I was starting to spend more time trying to get the students to transition to the next lesson, I decided to make them earn the game (which I really wanted to let them play because games = rock-star guest teacher!).  I wrote H E A D S U P 7 U P on the board, turned off the lights to get their attention, and then explained that I would love to give them time to play at the end of the day, but it depended on them.  If anytime I felt like they weren't following classroom rules or needed more redirection to stay on task, then I would erase a letter of the game they were hoping to play (of course, there was one student that suggested I spell out 7).  After explaining this, I asked if they thought it was fair, they all gave me thumbs up... so they had to work together to earn a game at the end of the day.

I ended up erasing P U 7 during the rest of the day.  At 2:05pm wrapped up the independent reading and packed up so we can play right until the last bell at 2:25pm.  It was a great Tuesday!

Why are they cute?  Hehehe... one student gave me his drawing of a cat (maybe it is a dog?  I'm pretty sure he told me it was a cat.)  At first, when he showed me, I said something like, "Oh, nice cat."  He then said, "It's for you."  I thought, "Oh............... I have to keep this."  *In case you didn't know... I'm kind of ruthless with what art I keep.  Granted, I take pictures of just most everything that comes home.  But, what actually gets kept has to be worth keeping.  I mean, with four kids, there is a lot of art work that comes home.  I don't really want to drown in it, SO.... am very selective with what gets a place of honor in each of the kids' school box.  Hahaha, I remember once one of the kids found their art in the recycling, they were like, "what you threw it away?"  I told who ever it was, that no, I took a picture of it first and then recycled it.  Hahaha, and finished with the simple fact that if they wanted me to keep it, they need to make it better. 

So, this is the first time I was given a picture from a student that I was a guest teacher for.... OF COURSE, I HAVE TO KEEP IT!  I asked him to write his name on it.  When he gave it back to me, I proudly put it in my bag to bring home.  This evening I took a picture of it, but it will not be recycled, but stored safely in my substitute bag as a reminder that even for a fleeting moment, as a guest teacher, I am able to connect with students.