Happy Valentine's Day

One of the best parts of teaching elementary school is that you get to relive your childhood. One thing I had forgotten was how fun and exciting Valentine's Day is. The boys draw just as many hearts on their valentines bags as the girls. Everyone is so excited. Especially when one boy hands out mustaches for everyone as a valentine. It makes for an instant party...

Antarctica Week

This week I have:

-Parent teacher conferences that I still need to fill all forms out for
-An observation by my principal
-A 23rd birthday
-A room to constantly clean and organize
-Too many papers and documents to file

BUT, the sun is out in Utah. It is a little warmer than it has been. And, this week I am taking in a penguin that is 70+years old and a polar bear skin to show my students. I think my Grandpa would be happy that they will be viewed by such appreciative recipients. I know they will love it, and I can't wait to show them. Here is question for those of you who know: Do you know of any good stories that Grandpa told that I can relate to my class? We are learning about the continent Antarctica and I would love to tell some of his experiences when he was there.

p.s. I know that polar bears are in the Arctic, not Antarctica.

Dear Mr. Jennings,

Thank you for being the most patient man on the planet. Really though, you are so patient (because I can sometimes be difficult...)

Thank you for always putting so many fruits and vegetables into my lunches that you make me everyday to take to work. Today one teacher told me that her husband packed her a lunch that day so that he wouldn't keep getting upstaged by other husbands.

Thank you for driving over to my house at 6:55 am every morning to give me those lunches that you make me. I know you get up a little earlier to do this every day so that I can sleep a little longer.

Thank you for being so tall. Not only can I wear heels, but you so often use your height to serve me. For example, you always stand in front of me to block the wind if I am cold, and you hang things in my classroom that would require any other person to stand on a chair or two.

Thank you for understanding that I am not a morning person and can sometimes be slightly grumpy. I think I snap out of it quickly when you are around...

Thank you for knowing that I love doing romantic things like going to the ballet and then looking at Christmas lights. My dream of seeing "The Nutcracker" will finally be realized!

You have such a better memory than me. Thanks for always remembering the things I tell you to remember so that you can remind me when I forget.

My class loves you.

You remind me a lot of my parents in that you are completely selfless. I'm trying to be a little more like you.

I love playing basketball with you.

I'm really, really, really lucky to have you.

Love always,
The future Mrs. Jennings

p.s. do you promise that we can come back to moonlight a lot?

Funny Stories

Funny things happen in room 169 all the time. Here are a few of the highlights. Remembering makes me laugh. I hope it does the same for you...

1. During partner work I hear two boys having the following conversation:
"I have never seen Mr. Dyer"
"That is because she doesn't have a husband"
At this point I asked them what they were talking about. One boy asked to clarify that I'm not married. I said, "Nope I'm not married yet." Then the first boy replied, "Well I think someday you will find the right guy".

2. On the Friday before Halloween we had a ten minute discussion about brushing teeth and why it is so important to do after eating all the candy (especially the sticky candy). I passed out toothbrushes that a company had sent me (Colgate!) and made everyone promise me that they would brush their teeth after eating their Halloween candy. Right before the kids left, a boy came up to me and said, "Ms. Dyer I am not going to go trick-or-treating. I think I will just stay home and pass out candy." I asked him why and told him that he should go and have fun. I was expecting him to say that he didn't want to get cavities, but he looked me very seriously in the face and said, "I don't like to brush my teeth."

My students are awesome.

Happy Halloween from the best 2nd grade class!

We had quite the celebration yesterday. Aren't they cute?

little notes

Today as I was grading some math assessments, I turned one girl's page over and saw that she had written me a note on the back of her test after finishing. It said:


we all love you!


I guess she forgives me for having to take away her cell phone toy. It's still on my desk.

Gratitude Today

This week I have had a very grateful heart. Today I am expressing gratitude for:
-Parents that video chat with me and read to my class
-A job at a great school
-28 students that I love so much and who will sometimes tell me they love me as they walk out the door
-A healthy body
-Parents that taught me to save my money
-An apartment to live in
-Extended family gatherings
-Church leaders and conference. I support them in every way.
-Students that love to read. They remind me of myself when I was their age.
-Women that come up to me in the library on Sunday morning and tell me thank you for working today so that they can come do their genealogy work
-A car to drive to work everyday