Obama is My Hero

This week I found out that the President of the United States, Mr. Obama, will give the upcoming commencement speech at Arizona State University.

The date for the commencement was originally on Thursday the 14th of May, but when I went to order invitations I was told it had been changed (location unknown) to Wednesday the 13th. I was upset because I told relatives the date and time beforehand. I thought, 'why would ASU tell us at the last minute?' It was officially announced as of last week.

I couldn't believe it and reread the Sun Devil news over and over. What a pleasant surprise! There are so many wonderful happenings mid May! Stay tuned..

It's the Effort That Counts..

How Beautiful A Day Can Be When Kindness Touches It

An experience that happened to me last week still has me thinking. I was standing outside the dental office, waiting for it to open, because I wanted to be seen that day by some miracle. It was early in the morning, before 7:00am, and the weather was a bit chilly. Because I'm a genius, I didn't bother to bring a sweater or coat. I stood there with goosebumps all over watching the sun rise.

A lady approached and said she was there for the same reason and she began talking about the weather...when the unexplained happened. She said, "You look cold. Do you want my jacket?" I was taken aback and said, "Uh, no thank you. I'm okay."

I stood there a little while longer as she began to chat about going to the Phoenix Zoo with her children. As I stood there I couldn't help but wonder why this perfect stranger was willing to give up her jacket to me a total stranger. Would I have done the same? (Probably not)

She and I had a great conversation about the zoos in the area. When the dental office opened, we said our goodbyes and left our separate ways. I couldn't help but think about this simple act of kindness. It really made my day and made me realize that a simple act of kindness goes a long way!

Messages

These messages I received from the kids are too good not to share:

"Miss Cadman, you rock! Just like the Colts!"

"Miss Cadman, I will miss you so so so so much, your favorite student _________. P/S: I wish you were my mom"

"I am really upset your leaving forever from this class. I want you to know you were a really great teacher and so awesome. Thank you for reading Island of the Blue Dolphins..even though the movie wasn't like the book."

"Miss Cadman, You rock and I will never find another teacher like you! I hope you teach me again."

"I loved playing the Moccassin game with you, but kids cheat."

"If you stay :) if you don't stay :( "

"You are the best teacher ever!"

"I hope you had as much fun as you had with us with your next class."

"Miss Cadman, I really want you to stay here at this school and be my teacher. I'm so happy for you getting married in October and I hope you have a happy marriage. I will miss you."

"I'll always remember you! From the best student ever,hopefully, _______"

"I really liked it when you played the Native American flute and when we played the games for the Native American Unit. I felt this feeling of making me closer to Native Americans. Thank you."

My Fourth Grade Goodbye

This past semester has been a great one. Tons of exciting things have happened and I am so lucky to have been given these opportunities. Here are some exciting times:

My last day was this past Friday. We had a party (even a dog crashed it), sang (sorry neighbors), and made pottery.

My students wrote me a goodbye songs and performed them for me (with one solo by a student). It was hard keeping a straight face and not sobbing like a baby. Let me tell you, these kids are so creative!

I was nominated for the Outstanding Student Teacher Award. It's an honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award! This nomination gives me a sense of affirmation of my teaching and creativity. I'm so lucky to have such a brilliant, helpful, and driven mentor.

My students made me notes and asked me not to read them till I got home, I'm glad I listened. When I got home I read some of the most beautiful messages ever and cried.

One note really encouraged me, "Miss Cadman, The best lesson you taught me was fractions because I learned it last year, but when you taught it I understood it."

Ain't, I.S. R.U.I.N.I.N.G.M.Y.L.I.F.E.

Today was one of those moments in life when you go, "A-ha! Got it!"

Setting: Math Cat time, students working diligently on fractions to percents. (11:10 am-ish)
Me at the overhead projector.

I offer a question about forming the fraction 37 259/1000 to a percent.
Then it started, I over here, "No, it ain't!" (One student to another)

I do an experiment: I say, "Students, repeat after me, AIN'T is NOT proper English."
Giggling, they do so. One clever child says, "Yes, it is. It's in the dictionary."
I say, "No way, really? Show me."

Sad, but true...there it was...poking it's ugly head out.

From Merriam Webster dictionary: http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ain't
Contract: Am not: Are not: Is not

Gosh (in the dictionary?), I had to swallow my pride and clarify. It is not proper English in this Century, but yes, it is a word."

My students are so smart!