3rd Grade Stories

First lets start with my transient class. At the beginning of the summer I had 26 kids in my class. Then I got my class list in August. I was down to 22. I added 3 and lost 1 all before back to school night (24 for those of you keeping track.) Then on back to school night I lost 2 (22.) Two days after school started I gained 1 (23.) I then had the one student who never showed up taken off my rolls (22.) Then this week one that left on back to school night came back (23.) Am I done with the changes. At least for a little while. We have 101 in our grade, and right now I think I am the lowest or tied for it. If there are any move ins or if my one who never showed up comes to the school, I will be at 24 again.
Notes: I was pretty good at catching 6th graders catch notes. I know that some of them still passed through the cracks. . . apparently my surprise party was all planned in notes. Imagine. . . sitting in my classroom. I am reading aloud to my class when I see a note pass from the back of the room to the front. I go to the student stick out my hand they hand it to me. What they don't realize, you crumple it up I really want to know what you didn't want me to read. You don't I still am curious but I don't have to read it. I have intercepted such gems as, "You should tell ___________ that you LOVE her." "Do you like me or my bruther?" (Spelling is exact.) "You stol it. You should give it back!" He, He, He.
Casanova, is the one who needs to tell one girl he loves her, while asking another girl if she likes him or his brother. I've been watching this boy flirt for 4 weeks now. Honestly, it is kind of funny. I don't want to ban flirting in my class, but for heaven's sake they are EIGHT! At least most of them are. They don't need to worry about boy and girl stuff. But, then I think about me at that age, and the boys I liked and I realize it goes with the territory. What is the most that can happen. . . they play with each other at recess, and I intercept notes. I'll have to keep you updated on this kid. You can't but help to like him. He is a cutie and there is a reason why all of the girls flock around him.
The question everyone keeps asking me, "How are you liking 3rd grade." It wasn't until about a week ago I said I liked it without the explanation of, "It is good. But totally different from 6th. My class is really cute. I'm not used to it yet." I am still not used to it, but the kids are REALLY CUTE. The best part. They listen to me and follow my directions when I tell them something. It isn't a fight to get it done. I still miss the 6th grade attitude. But, I'm enjoying what I am doing and my kids are so much fun.
Okay. I know this was longer than 24 hours. And I haven't finished the rest. But, I need to go to bed. I will finish all the non-school stuff later.