Who Knew?

So Friday was an interesting day. As any teacher will tell you, the week before Christmas break, Spring break & summer holidays are BRUTAL! The kids are so done. The teachers are so done. Everyone just needs a break.
Well this starts happening even earlier in an Early Ed room. So on Friday my kids were D-O-N-E. The youngest ones (2.5-3 yrs old) spent most of the day completely spaced out. They would begin to pull off their mittens, then just sit there, staring into space until I tapped them on the shoulder. We played a game where they pretend to sleep for about 1 min, and none of them wanted to get up!!
In the afternoon, my little J had a rough day. For the first time in 2 months he bit one of us. One of my poor EAs got it pretty bad on her arm. So while she went to get disinfectant & ice, my other EA had to sit with J in his modified form of a "Time Out". This left me with 7 wired, exhausted kids who all wanted to see what was going on.
Salvation arrived in an unusual, unexpected form. A box! A delivery from Scholastic to be exact. I had been expecting a set of Teacher Resource books I had ordered for awhile now and it chose that moment to show up at our classroom door.
Not knowing if this was going to work or not I promptly made a BIG to-do about this "present" arriving. How exciting! How wonderful! Let's see what's inside! What could it be? Etc. etc.
I was terrified they would lose interest the second I opened it and they saw not toys, games or even picture books, but Teacher Resource books. I needed to buy all the time I could get though.
So we all plopped down on the floor, slowly peeled off the tape & one by one, pulled out the books.
"Look! This one is full of fun crafts we can make! This one has lots of cool pictures!"
I B.S.-ed with the best of them. And lo and behold, they bought it! They must have sat there flipping through these books for a good 5 mins! And for a room full of special needs preschoolers, that's a miracle!
It just goes to show. You never know where a miracle is gonna come from. And don't underestimate the value of a little excitement and enthusiasm! ;)

Explain, please!

Some days, well, most days, I wish I could ask my kids to explain what they just said. Two perfect examples happened this week.

I was helping one of my little girls so I was crouched down beside her. She rubbed my shoulder and said, "You're nice and clean."

Ummm...thanks?

Waiting around after school yesterday for a little guy to get picked up after all the other kids had gone. As I mentioned in a previous post, his favourite song is "Eye of the Tiger". Well, he attempted to explain the song to me. A few quotes of what he said.

"I like the punching part. The girl punches."

Me: "I didn't know there was a girl in the song."

"Yeah, a girl and a tiger. 'Eye of' is the girl and 'tiger' is the girl. 'Eye of' is trying to beat 'tiger' so that's why there's punching. Like this." Began punching the air.

Again, ummmm...

Christmas in Preschool Land

In my classroom we love Christmas. When I set up the tree and had it ready & waiting for the kids to decorate on Monday they were SO excited! Even more excited the next day when they realized they were still allowed to touch & play with the tree & move around all the ornaments they want.

Our gift wrapping centre is also a HUGE hit. Who knew so much fun could be had from some scotch tape, tissue paper and boxes?

More Snippets...

As I walked to the printer down the hall from my classroom I overheard a few first & second graders discussing their play plans for recess:

"So we're playing wedding, right?"

"No, first we have to have a rehearsal!"

"I'm the flower girl!"

"Come on husband, hurry up!"

I tried to m

ake it around the corner before bursting into laughter. So sweet!

We have dress up clothes in our room right now and boy are the kids into it! They mostly fight over being the puppy & kitty. One little guy was dressed up as the puppy & another asked him, "What's your name, puppy?"

"I'm Music Dog. I sing my favourite song."

He then proceeded to "bark" his favourite song. It took me a few seconds to recognize it (give me a break, he was barking it). It was "Eye of the Tiger"! He was unmistakably barking "Eye of the Tiger"!

I got some awesome pics of the kids in various costumes for our yearbook. My perso

nal fav is of our twin boys posing together, both dressed as princesses. Love it!

Below is a pic my EA took of my after the kids had dressed me in a lovely paisley vest and purple lei.

Awesome-Sauce

Isn't it amazing how most of my posts are about the same student, be they celebratory or, well...not so celebratory? What can I say, the most challenging things/situations/people in life are often the most rewarding.

So, onto the celebratory post!

He (J) has been in a really good (if slightly silly) mood the last few days. We've all been commenting on it. He's happier than we've ever seen him, he's even showing us his silly side!

This may sound harsh to someone who hasn't worked/lived with a person that is on the severe end of the ASD spectrum but, often it's hard to see their personality under the symptoms. I have often watched a child with ASD and wondered who they are under the ASD. Amazingly, I finally feel like we're getting a glimpse into who he really is under all that surface stuff, and he has a silly side!

A few days ago, he (J), N and I were walking back to the classroom together. J & N were holding hands & I was holding J's other hand. N let go of J's hand and J actually stopped dead in his tracks, looked behind him and reached for N's hand.

I seriously just stood there in the middle of the hallway, staring, for a good 15-20 sec. Until that moment I didn't think J actually realized the other kids in the class even existed on any real level. Honestly, I thought he saw the other kids basically as furnishings in the classroom; just kind "there".

If you have ever interacted with an ASD kid you know what I mean.

They often interact with other people (even those closest to them) as if they were objects. They honestly just use you as an object or tool to get whatever happens to be their objective. I have even had them try to use me as a human ladder, on a regular basis.

So that was pretty exciting.

Next, in our indoor playground, he started pushing the other kids. I know that this is a strange thing to be excited about, but again, it can be a sign that he is actually trying to figure out how to interact with them in a new way. Just the fact that he may have realized he CAN interact with them is amazing!!

This afternoon, though, was the cherry on top. And finally I was not the only one to witness something amazing with J, there were 3 of us freaking out today!

When it's time to clean up & transition to a new activity I ring some bells, the kids put their hands on their heads, & I tell them where to go next.

So J helped me ring the bells (as usual), then he briefly put his hands on his head, walked over to the snack table, sat down and waited!

Here picture me with my mouth gaping open as I, my EA and our SLP stare at J in mute, blind amazement. To rip off a phrase from my best friend, It was pure awesome-sauce.

Snippets from Preschoolers

Random snippets from my day. All things I honestly heard kids say recently.

"You're pretty Mrs. R. That's a warm fuzzy, right?"

"I'm gonna do something inappropriate! I'm gonna do something inappropriate!"

"Horsey. Neigh. Chomp!"

"I'm a sheep! I'm a sheep!"

The Art of Not Saying What You're Saying

That's right, you read the title correctly. I swear that teachers should receive some political-candidate type training in how to not-say what you're really saying while talking to parents.
You basically have to develop a code that you can memorize and use for situations you run into often. This is NOT where I disclose my own personal code phrases, I took Poli Sci, I know what not to say! ;)
But a few "official" code phrases that the education profession have made are things like:
"They often become dis-regulated"- This translates to, the kicking, screaming & biting make ME want to kick, scream & bite someone!
"They need to work on their attention span & focus" - This means, you know that crazy squirrel in Over the Hedge? That's your kid!
So the next time you chat with your child's teacher about how your little Bobby is doint in school, try to remember that what they're NOT saying is just as important as what they ARE saying!

More Special Moments with Floam

Once again we were playing with Floam today, the kids really do love it even if it is a bit messy. My one guy with Autism has always loved playdough, etc. so he loves Floam. All he has ever done with anything like that is: roll it, squish it, eat it. That's it. I've worked with him for 2 yrs now and that's all he's ever done. Today we were doing the usual: rolling, squishing (trying to stop him from eating it) and an amazing thing happened. Some of the other kids were squishing their Floam into bowls/cups and pulling it out again to see the shape it made. My special little guy looked at them, reached over & grabbed a bowl, squished his Floam into it. He then stared at it for awhile, peeled it out, turned it over & looked at the shape it had become.
Wow.
Then he did it again. And again.
Triple wow.
These are the moments that get me through the day.

Batteries

We were in the "sky lounge" this morning (an indoor playspace that looks down on the big gym in our school and my kids were watching an older group of special needs students play in the gym. One girl is in a wheelchair and a little boy asked me, "What's she doing?"
Me: She riding in ther wheelchair.
Him: Why?
Me: Because she needs that chair. Her legs don't work like yours do.
Other little boy (who is fully able-bodied): My legs don't work either. The batteries in them broke.

Convos with Preschoolers.

We were playing with Floam today (if you don't know what that is, you definitely don't have/work with little kids!)

One little guy made a longish blob.

Me: What did you make?

Him: A wee-hoo!

Me: What is a wee-hoo?

Him: (holding it up) THIS is a wee-hoo!

Me: Oh, what does it do?

Him: It's a nice one.

Me: Well I'm glad it's a nice wee-hoo.

If you know what a wee-hoo is, I'd love to know! ;)

Fall

I really do love fall. The colours, the brisk breeze (knowing Christmas is around the corner) and the fun stuff we do in my class. Two of my fav activities each year are putting fresh cranberries in the water table (the kids go crazy for it) and having a leaf "fight" with my little ones. I use fake leaves (they sell them for decorating I think), fill a big bag with them, go into the circle corner and let them go nuts! It inevitably turns into burying Mrs. R in leaves, but I don't mind. I usually spend the rest of the day finding leaves stuck all over me, in my hair and down my shirt (will never fully figure out how they manage that one). I wish I could post pics of the kids covered in leaves, but you'll have to make do with pics of ME covered in leaves!

You Pick

I was playing in the house centre this morning with my students. This is always fun! The following scenario made me laugh:
S lays out two outfits for her "baby" to wear.
S: Mrs. R, which one should my baby wear?
Me: (pointing to one) I like that one.
Pause.
S: (pointing to the other one) I'm just gonna say you pick this one.
Pause.
Me: (trying not to laugh) I appreciate your honesty.

Just Play!

Playing is like breathing, hugging, prayer--you need to play. Everyone needs to play.Playing is a means of growing attraction between any two souls. You suspect two people are falling in love if they start to play together. If you want a child to love you, learn from you, imitate you, communicate with you, enjoy you--then play with that child. Both of you will experience joy.

-TAHIRIH BUSHEY http://autismgames.blogspot.com

The Daily Grind

Well the school year is now in full swing. I'm eyeball deep in writings IPPs, data collection, meetings, planning, Home Visits....just the regular daily grind.

I find that once the bloom of excitement about a new school year wears off, there are definitely stretches of time when the going gets a little rough. No matter how much I love my job deep down, there are times when I just never want to see playdough again, I don't want to sing Twinkle, Twinkle, I would give my right arm to have an ADULT conversation (that's NOT about school) in the middle of the day. There are days I just can't shake off getting chunks of my arm taken off by a 6 yr old's fingernails, or getting peed on for the second time in a day.

It'll pass I know and I will rediscover my love of Wheels on the changing diapers.

It's just the daily grind.

You Sure I Don't Live Here?

So this is where I live. Practically at least! My folks stopped by on open house night & my camera crazy dad snapped a few pics. I'm actually answering and email in the one pic!

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!

This year I only have one student with Autism (6 last year) but he was in my class last year so I know him pretty well, which helps a lot. He's almost 6 and will probably be in specialized programming all his life because he is completely non-verbal, among other things.

This is his third year in the program and we've been trying to get him to verbalize or use sign language the whole time. He does point at what he wants, he also uses a picture communication system, but has never, ever signed or verbalized in a purposeful way.

He LOVES to spin and today I caught him sitting on my office chair (he's not allowed behind my desk). So I sat on the floor in front of him and spun him around on the chair. He loved it.

So I kept spinning him. I would spin him around once, stop, get in his face and sign & verbalize "More" over and over. Then I would wait for awhile, and spin him again.

We did this a few times until one time he signed more. HE ACTUALLY SIGNED "MORE"!!! I screamed and praised him and spun him like crazy (which he loved).

Then he did it again! And again!!

THREE TIMES he did it!

I was screaming like a mad woman I was so excited. Everyone thought I had gone crazy cuz no one could see what we were doing behind the desk.

I told his mom and she was shocked. I told some of his former staff and they were shocked.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!

THIS is why I do this job!

Waiting for the other shoe to drop!

I am in complete awe of my new classes this year!

As last year was not only my first year as a full time teacher, but also my first year in Early Ed, I had no frame of reference with which to compare my students. The other people working with me kept telling me that I had very difficult groups, that it wasn't just me. I had to take their word for it, but I honestly kept wondering if there was something wrong with me! It was SO hard working with them in so many ways, I kept thinking that this was normal for Early Ed and I was just not very gifted if I was finding it that difficult.

But I now see that it really was just the groups of kids I had, phew!

It's not that I didn't love my kids last year. It's not that I didn't have any fun. I miss my kids, I really do! I loved them and still do and had so much fun with them all through the year.

But it was HARD. H-A-R-D.

My kids this year are blowing me away in the best way possible! On the third day of class my afternoon kids followed the routines with next to no problems or complaints. My director happened to walk into my class at clean up time and was in awe of them. She looked at me and said, "This is their third day of class? We're miracle workers!"

I'm so excited to see what my kids this year are going to accomplish! I might even be able to do kindergarten work with some of them by the spring! :D

My New Classroom

I changed rooms this year but I really only moved to the other half of the room I was in last year! I really like it a lot better though!

"Iguana"

So a former student's family asked me if I'd be willing to support their son at Awana on some weeknights. After a RIDICULOUS process of getting the okay from the ATA (seriously people!!) tonight was my first night.

M's mom told me the day before how he was so excited to go to "Iguana" with Mrs.R. It is henceforth known as Iguana cuz that's awesome-sauce! :D

I can't even describe how much fun it was!! He did so great, I'm incredibly proud of him. He even recited his memory verse (which sadly the teenage boy who listens to memory verses couldn't understand). Oh well! He then proceeded to tell me that "God loves us according to the Scriptures" and "Jesus died for our sins according to the Scriptures". He mom mentioned that currently his fav hymn is "Blessed Be the Name".

But the definite highlight of my night came when he was playing with my watch and bracelet. He then noticed my wedding ring:

"I have your ring, Mrs.R?"

"No that's mine."

"But I want to marry you."

*pause* "Maybe another day, sweetie."

"Okay."

*melt*

Serves Me Right

Well I guess is serves me right for trying to work while on holiday!
I was sitting at the table typing away and Alarielle, my nosy 5 yr old niece came along side me. Here are a few snippets of the next 20 mins of my attempt at being "productive" on holidays.
(While leaning on my arm making typing very difficult)

"Why did you click on the twelve?...Why did you make that all black?...What happened?...S...o, so, why did you write so?...C...h...a...i...r, why did you write chair?...Why does that say animal? Why do you need that word?...Why do you have this kind of picture?...Why did you make the all the same words over here?...Why does this box get big as that one gets big?...Why did you stop typing?...Why did you press that button on the mouse?...Why did you click on the computer?..."

*sigh*
It's a good things she's adorable and I love her! :D

I wish

They'll Just Disappoint Me...

Those are words I heard from a hurting woman today. The mom of one of my (yes I'll admit it) favourite students. This little guy captured my heart the first week of school and never let go!

I discovered they attend a church I used to attend and do Children's Ministry in for over a decade. I kinda figured they went to church somewhere the day he sat on my lap and sang "There's Power in the Blood". :)

I figured from a few comments over the past weeks that all was not going so well with him in Sunday School. Today I asked her point blank how he does in Sunday School. Apparently all he does is sit by himself in a corner and read books. He doesn't participate, isn't engaged. So I offered to talk with her church. I explained that there are many simple adaptations churches can make to support him. Some churches appoint one on one volunteers to work with special needs kids.

She told me that she didn't want me to. It would just get her hopes up and then they would disappoint her.

*Can you hear my heart breaking at this point?*

Now I know that pretty much no one reads this but I needed to vent so here it is.

Coming to a Close

Well there's only roughly 23 days of class left in the school year. Wow. So hard to believe. For all the, well, everything, I've gone through this year it's been pretty amazing. I can honestly say I've learned more about teaching these last months than I did in all my years of schooling.

I have learned to be more patient and understanding than I ever thought was humanly possible. I have learned separate the behaviour from the child. That may sound strange, but many people cannot do that. They see a child kicking, screaming, biting, etc. and cannot move past it. They then see that child forever as "bad" "mean" etc.

I can't tell you how many times that in the space of 15 secs a child has gone from drawing my blood in anger to sobbing and clinging to me for comfort. If you don't think that's a difficult emotional experience for child AND adult, you've obviously never experienced it on a regular basis.

I can't possibly list everything I've learned here. I'm just so incredibly thankful to a loving God who knew better than I to put me in this job. I have had to rely on Him and my loved ones to get me through this year like I rarely have had to before. I have no idea where I'm going to be next fall, if I will even have a job in any school. But if He provided me with this job and what I needed to see it through, than I'm sure He will take care of next year too.

But man, I'm gonna miss those little munchkins!!

Sing It Again, Sam!

So one of my little girls has decided she just looooves me lately! It's super cute and sweet.

Yesterday, we were visiting where she's gonna go to kindergarten next year. We were holding hands walking down the hall and she started singing softly to herself. It took me a second to get what she was singing. You know that tune "If You're Happy and You Know It"? Well to that tune she was singing "Mrs. R, Mrs. R, Mrs. R" over and over again.

She has also started complimenting everything I wear, by that I mean EVERYTHING! Every piece of jewellry, clothing, hair accessory, even my school keychain!

Another teacher came in the classroom the other day and I gushed over her amazing shoes. I was wearing green flip flops. My little self-esteem booster heard me and rushed to let me know, "Mrs. R, your shoes are pretty too! I like your shoes!"

Can I just carry her around in my pocket and pull her out when I need to think I'm awesome?

More Convos with Preschoolers

One of my little girls spent the other day telling everyone who would listen, "Mrs. R is the bestest teacher in the whole widest world...and I'm the best kid!"

I guess that makes it a perfect match then. Adorable!

Frogs, Chicks, & Caterpillars

It has been a travelling zoo in my classroom the last several weeks! We had tree frogs named Pablo & Delilah for a few days. One of which suctioned itself to the face of another teacher. Definitely one of the funniest things I've ever seen. I had to peel it off her face. Don't worry though, I got mine later when it peed on me!

We then had 3 dogs come visit. My personal fav was a tiny little terrier cross name Myla. So cute!! This was followed by hermit crabs. Eeeew! They're like creepy spiders in a shell!!

Next came the eggs that two days later became chicks. Seriously so cool to watch! Just before one of the eggs hatched I picked it up and could honestly hear it chirping inside its shell! Love it! The kids had a blast with the chicks, they were so fascinated with them.

There was also Pokey the hamster. Dude, that hamster is one tough customer. I can't even tell you how many times a kid picked the poor thing up in his hamster ball and shook the crap out of it! Not to mention the time one child picked his whole cage up and hucked it! Pretty sure that hamster's gonna survive the apocalypse.

Now we have caterpillars! They're supposed to turn into painted lady butterflies in a few weeks. Pretty excited to see the whole process.

Somewhere in between there we attempted to grow beans (huge disaster) and successfully grew amazing pumpkin plants. The kids also made awesome chamomile milk bath for Mother's Day.

Needless to say, every day is an adventure in my classroom, and not just for the kids!!

Conversations with Preschoolers

Doing to art with the kids this morning.

Me: That's a beautiful sticker, Z!

Z: Yeah. Just like you!

Me: You think I'm beautiful, Z?

Z: Yeah! But you're just, just a girl.

*Happy Sigh*

So yesterday was just an awesome day!
I had a meeting with someone that I was DREADING! I can't stand confrontation. I'm not usually very good at it and I usually get very emotional. But this one went better tahn I could have ever hoped. TY Jesus!
I had an awesome Family Programming Session with one of my special little guys. We went to a park and he sat on my lap while we swung on the swings. And while we swung he started singing "Hosanna". :)
Then I got home from school and you know what was waiting for me? My hubby making tacos for supper and flowers on the table. *sigh* It was so sweet!
Then the cherry on top was that we booked our flights to Halifax for August! We've never been on an actual vacation since getting together over 5 years ago. I'm SO excited!!
I wish every day could be that awesome!

Yay for Crises.

So I had quite the professional crisis this past week, and if you know me at all, you know that means it lead to a personal crisis too. I'm a little emotional that way! :)

Without going into details, I was given the strong idea from a few people that:

-everything I'm doing in my classroom is wrong

-my educational philosophy is wrong

-I'm failing my students and everyone else

-more not fun stuff along those lines...

This lead to several days of little/no sleep, losing 5 pounds from not being able to eat cuz I was so stressed/depressed and generally crying 24/7. I was a wreck.

I finally sat down with my amazing Early Ed directors and poured everything out. They thankfully gave me some much needed encouragement and direction on how to deal with all this.

I sat down this weekend to really, REALLY analyze my educational philosophy and why I do things the way I do. When I did it was great to realize that I'm NOT a failure. NOT everything I was doing was wrong.

Yeah, some things needed tweaking and I was hugely lacking guidance in a few areas, but overall, I'm a good teacher.

I'm not one of the greats, but I think I have the potential to be one day with experience, mentoring and effort.

What do you, I'm pretty good at my job after all. No matter what some people say.

Whoa, heavy!

I'm doing my first academic homework in years, dude!
I have a presentation due on Tuesday I have to give to all the administrators at my school plus about 6 of my peers. *nervous sigh*
I've decided to present on the topic of the importance of developing a strong philosphical foundation in the areas of fairness and competition in the classroom.
It's a really important thing to talk about (I think).
I can't tell you how many times a teacher has said to me, "I can't make special accommodations for a special needs student, it won't be fair to my other students!"
GAH!!
When will people stop ascribing to a 4 year old's definition of fairnes?!
Fairness DOES NOT mean everyone gets the same, it means everyone gets what they NEED!
I'm hoping to shake up a few people's teaching philosophies come Tuesday.
Wish me well!

Not So Fun Afternoon

Well I guess you could say I officially had the scariest experience of my teaching career today, I actually had to call Child Services on a family, and almost the police too.

*sigh*

I obviously can't go into details.

Thankfully things ended better than I expected, still not great, but much better than what I was fearing would happen!

It was still a VERY stressful hour of my life. When I finally got back to the school I marched into the Early Ed office and asked who was buying me a drink! They all agreed I deserved one! :)

I'm a little nervous about the possible "fallout" from the family in the days to come, please keep me and my little student in your prayers. I don't necessarily want to see him removed from the home, but they do need some help. The family has clearly been struggling for months, but sadly reject our attempts at helping.

*sigh*

Deep breaths and it'll all be good...I hope.

Kid Pics

Finally found a few pics where my kids' faces aren't showing to show you a little of life in my classroom.

This is the giraffe I drew they called either a camel or horse.

My kids swarming the poor visiting fireman.

Fired!!

Chatting with a few EAs from the Early Ed class next doors to mine today. One little guy got quite upset he couldn't get his way. He pounded his fist on the table, pointed at one of them and hollered, "That's it! You're fired!"

Obviously both EAs at the table burst out laughing. He turns on the other one and yells, "Oh yeah, well you're fired too!"

Made my week!

Night & Day

So yesterday one of my more, umm, let's say challenging students had a brutal day. It took 4 of us to get him on the bus and strapped in, I had to carry him down the hall to the bathroom while he clawed my arms and kicked me in the head the whole way there.

That's just a sampling of our day!

Then today, he was leaving for the bus, looked at me and said, "Thanks for having (me at) school!"

*melt*

It's a good thing he's so darn cute, man.

*giggle*

So it may be totally mean of me but I totally got a laugh out of one of my students doing a full face plant in a big puddle yesterday!
Call me mean all you want, but when she stood up she was spitting muddy water and looking very confused about what had happened! Hee hee!

Things That Make My Heart Smile

I need a little reminding right now, so in no particular order:

- Naestra using me as a human jungle gym

-My kids running into the classroom with a huge smile on their face and knocking me over while yelling "Missa Arr!"

-My hubby, his presence in general

-Tavin's drooly grin

-Tavin snuggling his head under my chin

-Bellydancing & the sound the coins on my hip scarf makes

-Garfield

-Calvin & Hobbes

-People enjoying the baking I make

-Travelling

-My one student calling kindergarten "in the night garden"

-Zack asking if I would like him to cuddle with me

And many, many more!

*sniff*

One of my boys was very emotional today, crying at the drop of a hat.

He was holding hands walking back to class with my INSANELY hyper little one with Autism who let go of his hand in his excitement to run to the classroom door.

Cue tears and heartbreak.

"He doesn't want to hold my hand! He doesn't want to be my friend! Waaah!"

Before I could really say or do much to comfort or reassure him, the little guy that had been holding his hand took him gently by the shoulders, looked into his face and said,

"I be you best fweind." and hugged him!!!!!

OH...MY...GOSH!!

I nearly started crying then!

Stupid Day?

Some days, I tell ya!
Reading a children's book called "Brainy Baby's Animals" to my kids today. Apparently:
- a coyote is actually called a "fox"
-a black bear, cougar and bobcat live in a swamp with alligators and beavers
- every type of colourful fish is called an "angel fish"
- a gnu is actually called an "antelope"

Next I went to the washroom. Haning up next to the door is a poster lovingly supplied by my school board entitled "How to cope with stress"
# 6 Get up earlier.
#27 Get to work earlier.

I freaking kid you not.

Mirror, mirror...

I got to see myself reflected in a tiny little mirror yesterday afternoon, so great! During free play 2 of my little guys wandered into circle corner and started pulling things out of my "off limits, teacher only" box I use for circle. I followed them and asked them what they were looking for. They both were looking for our rhythm sticks, wanting to sing our "This is the way we tap our sticks" song (that I sneakily use to teach up, down, left & right).

So I sat on the floor, let my little J & S share the teacher's spot. It was amazing! J started taking us through the ENTIRE circle routine. Every word I say/sing, every move I make, every idiosynracy of mine...it was the funniest, cutest thing I think I've ever seen! I was seriously in tears it was so funny.

He even imitated me not being able to find something I needed (sadly that happens pretty much every day). I haven't had that much fun at school in weeks.

I couldn't believe J had actually memorized every word and move I make. If you ever think they're not watching, you couldn't be more mistaken! They take in WAY more than we think!

Oh right, THAT'S why!

If you have ever known a child with Autism, you know that many times they just don't connect emotionally with others. Many children with Autism will show very little emotion towards family members, friends or caregivers.

We've got a few little guys like that in my class. One of them is very affectionate towards his parents, but does not like other people much at all. He honestly spent the first 6 weeks of school laying beside the door to my room, sobbing. Trust me when I say we tried EVERYTHING to get him engaged or at least distracted. Nothing worked. It was heartbreaking for me and my staff to see him like this but there was nothing we could do.

Over the next few months he slowly improved. He would cry for half the day, then only the first 1/2 hour, then only the first few minutes. Now he is generally a content little man with very few tears. Huge progress! Well today was another huge progress that almost had me in tears.

I went to another room to pick him for a session. He didn't notice me when I came in, so I crouched down beside him, put my hand on his shoulder and called his name. He slowly turned his head, focused on my face for several seconds, made eye contact and SMILED! The hugest, sweetest most beautiful smile you ever saw! He held my gaze for several seconds and smiled away at me. (getting choked up as I type this)

Thank you sweetie, for my making my whole week worthwhile!

Arr Matey!

My fav little guy was pretending to be a pirate on Tuesday. He ran up to me, squinting one eye closed, saying, "Hi ho, pirate Mrs. R!"

Love it!

My Prince

This is how blessed I am. My amazing husband woke up at 7:30 after working the closing shift and came to surprise me at my school to volunteer in my morning class.

*sniff*

Is there a sweeter man in the entire universe. I'll post pics soon of the AWESOME block castle he built with two of my kids!

Bad or Good?

Asked one of my little guys with Autism how he was today. Response as follows:

Him: "I bad."

Me: "Oh dear, why are you bad?"

Him: "Oh, okay. (exasperated sigh) I good!"

Halfway

So it's February. Halfway there. Halfway to the end of the school year. IPPs again, Parent Conferences again, Treatment Plans again. Evaluating how the kids are doing, whether or not we've succeeded in getting them to where they "should" be. Measuring, judging, evaluating, testing...

Part of me is so proud of how far so many of my kidlets have come. Proud of myself and my team for working so hard, overcoming so many obstacles.

Another part of me is panicked. Some of my kids are moving on to Kindergarten! "REAL" school! Are they ready? Have I done anywhere near enough? Can I do more in the time we have left? Aaah!

Ouch!

Isn't it amazing that your heart can actually hurt more for someone else than it does for yourself?

My Classroom

The newspaper & plastic bag snowmen my students made. Aren't they adorable!

I painted stockings for all of my kids and my EA's. Then "Santa" put candy canes and books in them and handed them out on the last day of class in December.

My classroom, it's not much, but it's home! ;)

Well, at least it feels like I live there most of the time! I particularly love the trampoline with the little handle on it. Don't you just want one at home?

Your Giggle for the Day.

When a child in my class wants something they can't have we say either "Not available" or "That's closed".

We have a new student with Autism and he wanted very much to play with a toy that was not open at that moment so my EA told him, "THat's not available right now."

He responded with, "Available at WalMart!"

Can't argue with that!