Thursday, January 26

Happy birthday, Miss America!!

Happy birthday, Miss America!!!! Can I have your autograph?


There was a birthday in my classroom today.... and, you would have thought she was Miss America HERSELF!  A week ago yesterday, sweet little V had a tendon release performed on both of her legs in two different places.  H.o.l.y. s.m.o.k.e.s.!! She returned to school on Monday in a wheelchair, with a beautiful smile on her face, purple casts on both legs up to the middle of her thighs and Hello Kitty sock-boot-thingys on.  V also has cerebral palsey and she came to my classroom in the spring of 2010 with very little language. {The language she did have was Mexican Sign Language.  Yes, it exists.  No, Sign Language is not universal.  No, her MSL was nothing like the ASL I learned in high school and college.}  BACK to my story.  Today she turned 7!!!  What a big girl!!!  So, we have been carting her around all week and are slowly giving her more responsibility with her wheelchair {she is suppose to be in the chair for weeks.... like, 4+ weeks.  Maybe mom misunderstood the doctor?  Oye}.  FOCUS-She was wheeled on down to the library for announcements and did a FABULOUS JOB telling our AP how old she was and her teacher - So proud!  After returning to my room, I placed my birthday sticker and the school ribbon on her shirt and gave her my adorable BIRTHDAY PENCIL.  She was on cloud nine.  After whole group speech, we proceeded to the cafeteria for breakfast... and she flew from cloud nine into heaven.  Sweet little V absolutely loved ADORED&LOVEEEEEED all the attention!  Everyone was saying and signing HAPPY BIRTHDAY, V****** the entire day.  The best part--> Pushing V around during the day and she is signing, "BIRTHDAY+ME" to every adult that she saw that smiled at her or simply make eye contact.  {English translation: "It's my birthday!"  Side note: I was that kid... and at 25, I still am.}  Even if they had already wished her a happy birthday.... she reminded them. Absolutely melted my heart.  I might or might not have taught her the Miss America wave...  It's whatev.  


All of my kiddos ended the day on BLUE AND PURPLE!!!  Such a little blessing in my week of doom.  My behavior friend has reallllllly been challenging me this week.  We are making baby steps in eliminating his behaviors...  I have a very optimistic feeling about when his BIP is officially in place {Behavior Intervention Plan}.


Tomorrow I am wrapping up my Polar Bear unit.  Such a sad day.  Next week is Walruses with a little groundhog mixed in on Thursday.  I am sooooooo glad thrilled that tomorrow is Friday.  I need a Saturday without a workshop or training in a very bad way!!


Time to finish some American Idol (Deep in the Heart of Texas) while multi-tasking on some lessons and activities before hitting the hay a little bit early {at least that is my goal}.


<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}

Wednesday, January 11

OTH Makes the Lesson Plans Stress-less

That's right!  It's the Final Season Premiere of One Tree Hill.
{Confession!!!!  I have watched OTH since the very beginning of the first season and.... maybe a boy in high school got me interested... just maybe.}

I'm curled up on the couch, wrapped up in a fuzzy blanket with a full tummy and Lappy {my laptop}.  Of course, OTH is on the TV and I am so in love.  It is making my lesson planning for the next two-three weeks SOOOOOOO much better.  As in, my copy day is Friday and I am not even worried about the fact that I am not sure which of the fabulous activities I have purchased from Teachers Pay Teachers I want to do when.  Normally, not having these in my copy folder --> in my school bag --> and loaded up in the car, on Wednesday night would absolutely stress me out.  Also, my home printer is out of black ink & my school printer is out of yellow... which apparently means that it cannot even print black ink on worksheets.  Lame sauce.  No stress here!!!  This show should air every night... but then again, it wouldn't last an entire season - only like 2-3 weeks.  Boo.

FOCUS!  Classroom update!  I am in the process of creating my very first Behavior Intervention Plan.  Holy.  Smokes.  I haven't felt this out of the loop since I walked in my classroom for the first time two and a half years ago.  We have been doing testing since we started back last Wednesday.  Allow me to describe my 2012 school year thus far.

** Wednesday - Full day... extra coffee and nap by sundown!
** Thursday - Full day... morrrrrrre coffee and a nap before sundown!
** Friday - Full day... luckily, our Auditory Enrichment specialist pulled kids throughout the day so I was able to start administering CBAs to my kiddos.  Two grade levels; one grade level never seeing a CBA before.
** Monday - Full day... Testing and AE pull-out (Thank you, Jesus).
** Tuesday - Full day... kiddo absent and testing.
** Wednesday - Half day... are you kidding???!  Testing ends this week.  Different kiddo absent.
** Thursday - Half day... WHYYYYYYYY?!?!??!?!  Please let the absentees be present.
** Friday - TEACHER PREP DAY!  Yes, I am thrilled to have this day to myself, but if my kiddos do not show up tomorrow, Ms. Cothran=Doomed.
** Monday - MLK Jr. Holiday!  That's right!  First one in three years where I will not be sitting in an inservice!  I'll be waking up without an alarm and wrapping up some Pinterest things.
** Tuesday - ALLLLLLL MATERIALS AND CONCEPTS!!!

ANYWAY - coming up next in room 315 is.....
Penguins, walruses, polar bears - OH MY!

The episode is about to wrap up.... I have to see how it ends!  Full focus!  No more blogging or planning.  OTH and then possibly some printing of activities.

Adios, bloggers!
<>< Laura {ilovesignlanguage}