Report Card

Reports are due! While I sit here writing (or avoid writing) two-page narrative reports for my JK kiddos, I thought I should take this checkpoint to reflect as well. What have I learned in Junior Kindergarten so far this year?

1. Write things down. Anything and everything. Quotes, lessons, observations... I want to remember it all and I'm already slacking.

2. Kids are just little adults. There's no need for baby-talk, not even in Junior Kindergarten.

3. Smile and bear it. I finally understand the annoyance of "Watch this!" I was that kid, and now I detest that kid.

4. The power of a sticker is immeasurable.

5. Love them, love them, love them. Otherwise it's just not worth it.

Apples to Applesauce

The great thing about apple picking? It's so much fun! The bad part about apple picking? Consuming a bag of 16 apples before they go bad.

My Jr.K lesson last week was making applesauce in class with one apple from each kid's bag. I bought the perfect applesauce-making picture book by Eden Ross Lipson, Applesauce Season, which had the recipie imbedded in the story. Amazing! The kids got to chop, mash, and enjoy.

This, however, did not solve my own apple surplus problem at home. I'm not that big on applesauce. I don't care for apple pie. And I cannot stand apple crisp. Luckily, I remembered an old, old, recipe from the famous Erin Phraner: Applesauce Oatmeal Cookies! Yes, folks. I made my own applesauce, then made my own cookies! Our little Brooklyn kitchen is really gettin' its groove on. It officially smells and tastes like fall!

Field Trip!

Four-year-olds make everything fun. I'm convinced. This week, the whole JK trekked out to Dr. Davie's Farm to go apple picking! I'm not even the biggest fan of apples, and I had a blast. Picking apples, eating on the grass, a hayride, and being able to wear jeans to work -- What could be better?

No Work and All Play

Jr. Kindergarten is a great place to be when you act like a five-year-old on a daily basis. I'm teaching my first full lesson tomorrow on sharing with the help of Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose by Dr. Seuss! I plan on sharing my scooters and legos, as you can see by my beautifully crafted antlers... 

Back to School

Tomorrow is my first day of Junior Kindergarten! 32 little four-year-olds will be marching in (or clinging to mom and crying in) to our classroom and I couldn't be more excited! Oh, and in case you need someone to play with...

For Jonathan

I love my brother. Since there is a Mother's Day and a Father's Day, I think Brothers & Sisters Day should be celebrated, too. I can't really explain why, but it was incredibly sad to leave my brother this weekend. Who needs Labor Day? Here's to Brother's Day.

A New Chapter

Tomorrow, I start my first full-time job here. 

Am I really an adult already?