And That’s a Wrap!

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I survived my first year of teaching!!!  (I’m currently doing a happy dance.  I know that you’re sad that you can’t see!)

Not only did I have a great time wrapping up the year today with my first graders, but I also managed to finish packing/cleaning my classroom AND get officially checked out for summer!  Here
is my empty classroom as I said goodbye!

Now for a look at the Read Aloud that I did today.  I found this idea somewhere when searching through teaching websites…  I read “Miss Rumphius” by Barbara Cooney to my kiddos today.  Here’s where I tell you that if you have never read this story, GET ON IT!  It is an amazing book about a little girl named Alice (later referred to as Miss Rumphius) who promises her grandfather 3 things:  (1) that she would visit faraway places, (2) that she would live by the sea when she gets older, and (3) that she will do something to make the world more beautiful.

The story walks through her fulfillment of each promise.  The final promise is fulfilled when Miss Rumphius plants Lupine flower seeds.  After she realizes how much she loves them, she plants them all over her village, thereby making the world more beautiful.  The story circles back when the granddaughter of Miss Rumphius makes the same three promises that Miss Rumphius did as a child.  It   is truly one of the best pieces of children’s literature that  I’ve ever read, and my kiddos were enthralled from start to finish.

I sent each kiddo home with a small baggie of Lupine seeds and a note attached that said “You must do something to make the world more beautiful.”  We talked about how we might not know what that thing is right now (just like Alice didn’t when she was young), but that they would figure it out when they were older.

I don’t shed tears too easily or too often, but let me tell you… reading this story and hearing my kids so excited that Miss Rumphius kept her promises almost made it happen.

Who am I kidding?  I did cry today – but just once (or twice).  When I had to say goodbye to one of my very special friends, I lost control for a moment.  It was hard to say goodbye to my first class ever, but even harder to say goodbye to this friend.  Wondering what will happen to this particular student in the future kills me.  I wish I could just keep teaching this student because I know that I would do whatever I could to make sure he/she would get exactly what he/she needs.  I guess that’s a lesson to be learned as a teacher.  That and to not forget my sunglasses for carline on the last day!  It’s impossible to hide a stray tear or two without them!

It’s OFFICIALLY summer break for me!  I am excited for this much needed time off!  And… I found out what grade I’ll be teaching at my new school next year.  Stay tuned for the big announcement! ๐Ÿ™‚

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