Life is about...

This month I have been a little on edge, especially at work. As much as I love my students I definitely have times when they drive me crazy. What teacher doesn't!? But this month I have been less patient with my students than usual. I had an experience today that reminded me they are just kids! Sometimes I expect so much of my students and most of the time they surpass my expectations but when they don't I feel disappointed with them but also myself and it makes me sorrowful (We did shades of meaning today and that word was a class favorite).

A few weeks ago we were working on a little assignment. It wasn't something I was going to grade (Yes, it's true not everything gets graded). But it was a fun Valentine's math worksheet I was having my students work on. I have one student who really struggles despite how hard she tries. Student 16 came up to me after a while of working and told me she was doing it wrong and she needed a new paper. I told her it was fine, don't worry about the mistakes and to just do her best on what she had left. I didn't have any extras and it wasn't a good time to go make a copy. The students worked on it for a little while longer and then I asked everyone to put it away.

As the students were putting it away I noticed student 16 sitting with her head on her desk, crying. Student 16 is one of my happiest students and I was surprised to see her crying. It turns out another student had seen her paper and told student 16 that she was going to get a bad grade. This sweet girl was crying because she was worried about having a bad grade. I reminded student 16 that we had talked and she was fine but she was still really worried. I didn't think any more of it until this afternoon.

Today I had a sweet student bring in a gift along with a note saying how great I am. Sometimes a nice note is all you need... Anyway, the gift was a little decorative plaque that said, "Life is about using the whole box of crayons." It was bright and happy and that is all I thought until later when I walked over to the mailboxes.

As I was passing out a few papers (Not something I usually do) I saw an envelope labeled to me from student 16. I opened it up and the letter inside really shook up my emotions and helped me to realize that I need to be more positive and loving to these sweet kiddo's that I get to work with! Apparently the situation with the Valentine's math page was weighing heavily on her because she wrote me the sweetest apology letter.

"Hi Miss Fiso I am trying say sorry doing that to you I always be mad because I did mistakes on math and am to sorry Miss Fiso"

As I looked at this letter it struck me that, to me the math page wasn't a big deal but it was a big deal to her. She was devastated because of her mistakes and having another student bring attention to it didn't help. As I worried about the situation I thought of how student 16 is amazing! Yes, she struggles at school with academics but she is the most cheerful student with such a wonderful attitude. She is always willing to try and is such a sweet student and hard-worker. I am happy to have her in my class this year!

It is true that everyone has something they can contribute, it's what makes our world so colorful. As stressful as some colors, or people, can be it is important to recognize every single one for what they are. They are Children of God with eternal potential and we need to love them for who they are! When we can do that our lives become so much brighter because we are filled with love for those around us!

I know I've posted it before but this video really is one of my favorites!

Happy Halloween

So sometimes I pretend to stay on top of things but usually I fail (as evidenced by my last post being published over a year ago). It's not that I have no interest. It's just that I have no time, and I'm really not as clever a writer as I wish I was but you know who is? My students! They are quite the creative bunch. As it was Halloween I offered them a writing prompt for their writing time: What should Miss Fiso be for Halloween. I got some pretty great responses...

• "Miss Fiso should be a fairy because she already looks beautiful, all she needs is a dress and fairy wings."

• "Miss Fiso should be a bumbullbee because I think she kind of likes yellow."

• "Miss Fiso should be a ghost because she is the right size"

• "Miss Fiso should be a Killer Clown for Halloween. She should be a killer clown because I think it will scare all the tricker treaters away so she would get the candy."

As you can see we have great reasoning skill in third grade, though we are still working on our opinion writing. In reality, I dressed up like a minion because we were doing a school costume (Despicable Me themed). It turned out quite well! My yellow water bottle even joined the fun!

Kids and their jokes!

Is it bad if I get a kick out of the bad jokes my kids try to make up? If so, I may be a horrible person! It just makes me laugh when they come up to me with new jokes. We have been working on our animal reports in preparation for our trip to the aquarium and apparently I have aspiring comedians in my class...

"Miss Fiso, what did the jelly say to the fish? **Pause for effect** You are a jellyfish"

"Miss Fiso, what is a dart frog's favorite hobby? DARTS!"

"Miss Fiso, what did the shark do for a job? **Pause** She was a nurse shark!"

As you can see, they are still working on it. In other news, I love the clever answers I receive from my kids sometimes!

Sunday Thoughts

I was grading some math homework and getting frustrated with my kids. I know that it is not rational to be so upset by students struggling with their math but when I assigned the homework I told the students to take home their math journal to use when doing their homework... It was clear to me as I graded that they did not heed my advice and left their math journal's unopened as far as homework was concerned. The help they needed to get their homework was right in front of them yet they did not use it. To me as a teacher it was a frustrating thing. I finished my grading and finished getting ready for church.
I was in Sacrament meeting when I made a connection. I was blaming my students for not using the help that was right within their reach but so often I forget to use all the tools and resources provided for me by a loving Heavenly Father. I have the answers. I may have to look for them and study to find them but the answers I need will always be there for me because He cares about me and wants me to be able to do my best. I'm sure when Heavenly Father sees us doing things the wrong way He thinks, "Just look! I have given you the answer!" I am going to work on finding the answers that He has given me. Studying the scriptures and asking for help when I need it because, just as I will always help a struggling student He will always help a struggling child.

Also, I know I've shown this before but I love it so much!

Wish me luck

You guys it's officially the last night of my Summer... Tomorrow is my third first day of third grade and I am finally ready for it!!!

Really though, I have put so much work this Summer into being organized. I have all kinds of things ready from last year I live much closer (Only a 10 minute drive to work) and I am so excited to meet my 25 lovely students tomorrow!

Also, I am kind of loving this new Taylor Swift song despite some of its eccentricities!

So...

I struggle with this keeping up the blog thing but I figure anything is better than nothing and a lot has happened since February...

-I worked my last big catering event with this lovely lady...













-I went on a trip to Vegas and LA with Meagan. While in Vegas my car was injured in an accident but nobody got hurt so it was all right! 

My poor car!

In California I got to go to the beach, the temple, the Griffith 

At the volleyball game

observatory, the Cupcake ATM, the BYU volleyball game, and adventuring with Alicia and Zach!

The lovely LA temple

The Perfect pineapple tree, or
palm tree for you traditional folks.

We were super excited to start our adventuring

I won a prize at the Midway at
Circus Circus

Jumping for joy at the beach

The delicious Cupcake ATM

-I went to my first concert... 
Andy Grammer and it was great!

Not bad for a five dollar concert!

-I went with Melissa to take pictures for graduation announcements and apparently I have a natural smile for pictures. :)

-I walked across the stage to get an empty diploma! ;) A woman from my parent's ward made me some lei's to wear and Grandma and Grandpa came up to celebrate. After convocation we went to the Tulip Festival.

This lovely lady was graduating too!

I rather love this picture...

-I went to a wedding. :)

-I got a job (I will be at the same school next year)! I am so excited!!!
-I celebrated national donut day with old roommates! 

-I officially finished my first year of teaching!!!!

Taken on my way out
of the school on the last day!

-I've been playing more Ukulele...
-I've been adventuring (Details forthcoming, I promise)

A Teacher's Battery Life

So true... and I go back to school in a week!

2013 in review

With all of the 2013 review posts I have decided I should join in. I haven't updated my blog for a while so here goes (By the way, there is absolutely no order to this madness):

2013
I performed (Well, half performed [I got sick]) in my last BYU Lu'au... unless they decide to change the requirements.

I started teaching and have the most adorable class of 28 third graders!

I finished my last college class. All that's left is the internship.

I faced some major disappointments but they worked themselves out in time.

I turned 22 and had a song that I could sing... ;)

I made some great friends and new traditions.

I lost my grandma but she's in a better place now.

I have gained the respect of parents and had some laughs from their kids (Lots of laughs).

I played a massive game of connect the dots (sidewalk version)

I worked my last football game with BYU catering and had some adventures in the tent...

I had some good friends get married (though I didn't make it to all of the weddings).

I got bangs.

I've taught my class in 4 different classrooms, 2 different schools and I got my carpet redone on a Monday while I temporarily taught in the portable (third graders should not be in a portable!)

I have seen some beautiful sights

And last but not least I grew up and bought a car!