Claps for Units (SOL19 #22)

“Can we clap once for each unit earned?” 

“Sure!” 

This morning my co-teacher has each student stand up and calls off their names one by one sharing how many units they have gained in the app, Lexia Core 5, for the week. There have been many weeks that my students have dreaded using the research based app for reading skills, but not this week. 

One by one each scholar is recognized for their efforts for the previous week. The look of sheer pride on their faces as their classmates cheer on their progress was incredible. I am so proud of each of them, but am even more taken aback by the classroom climate that we have created that is focused on learning, growth, and community. Each intentional step that we have taken this year has made a difference.  I have the best job in the whole world. 

Check out all that pepperoni!
 Each week as the students meet their prescribed number of minutes on the app, they are able to place a piece of pepperoni on our Lexia Usage Challenge Pizza. Today we recognized their units gained in the program during Week 3. 

A Great New Store (SOL19 #19)

“Mrs. Suomi! I went to a great new store yesterday that I think you would really like!” 

Really? I love to shop. What store is it?” 

The student grinned with excitement. “It’s this store called Barnes & Noble?” The inflection at the end of his sentence let me know that he wasn’t completely sure of the name of the store. “It was GREAT! They have all sorts of books and other things too. I think you would really like it.” 

“Books you say? Oh wow! I will have to check it out.” I smiled back and thanked him for the recommendation. 

Now of course I have heard of Barnes and Noble, but it made my day that he was so excited about visiting a store that houses so many books. I told my husband about this exchange later on that evening and he was surprised that the student had never heard of Barnes & Noble. I had to point out to him that many of those brick and mortar stores that are so familiar to us have been closing over the course of his young life. It’s strange that those common experiences like browsing through a book store are changing to the swipe of a finger. 

But I don't remember my phone number (SOL19 #1)

Mrs. Suomi, can I call my mom? 

Almost every day in our co-taught classroom we have a student that needs to call home for some reason or another.

I forgot my iPad. 

I forgot I have musical practice after school. 

I need my basketball jersey. 

My lunch is still in the car. 

I left my permission slip on the counter. 

Immediately following their request the words spill out of my mouth without even thinking. 

Do you know your phone number? 

Sometimes they do. Most times they don't. While looking up their number on our management system my co-teacher and I always explain the importance of knowing the phone number of a parent just in case of an emergency. The kids nod, but wait patiently to get the phone number written on a post it. They make the call, then throw the post it away. 

Yesterday, a student approached my co-teacher, Kim. Kim had the same conversation we always do, but then added one of our across the classroom talks. 

Mrs. Suomi? 

Yes Ms. Van Wyk? 

Do you still remember phone numbers from when you were a little girl? 

I do. I memorized all of my friend's phone numbers In fact, I can remember my father's work phone number and he RETIRED when I was in 5th grade. And THAT was a long time ago.

I can even remember the sounds that the keys made when I dialed. My best friend Kathleen's number went... Boop boop booop - boop boop boooop boop. 

Just hearing those boops brought me back to running to the phone to call my best friend, or my dad, or my uncle, or ANYONE that could possibly answer. 

I don't think of myself as old, or at least I don't try to... but there are some moments where I can't help but notice how different kids have it today than it was even 10-15 years ago. It's crazy to think that "kids these days" may not have those same types of memories but a whole different experience. I can't help but wonder what they will notice is different with "kids these days" as they become old like me.

Rejected (SOL17 #1)

"I was rejected..." As our fifth grade class walked to the library I kept hearing the same student say over and over "Rejected, rejected, I was rejected." He obviously wanted someone to ask him what he was talking about so I decided to take the bait and find out the whole story. He then proceeded to tell his tale of rejection. 

"Mrs. Suomi, I saw an eighth grade girl and I gave her the nod. You know, the nod that says what's up." I replied, "So how did that go for you?" 

"She just shook her head no at me." He smiled his signature smile and shrugged his shoulders obviously not overly embarrassed at his rejection. 

I usually have a pretty good poker face with my students, but it was a little too hard to hold in my laughter. 

Fifth grade boys are great.