August 31, 2023

This little box has been with me since Spring of 2017 when my North DAVIS Junior High kiddos gifted it to me after a particularly hard few days. It was full of my favorite things; Coke, Cadbury Cream Eggs, etc… It has been with me through NLJH, Moss, Taylorsville, Twin Peaks, and Plymouth Elementary Schools, and the first two weeks of William Penn and Monroe! When I picked it up and it broke and everything came spilling out, I cried a little, but then I laughed! It has been through so much, it was bound to break… like I broke. I threw it away, and that’s okay! It’s okay that I don’t have reminders of NLJH and the other schools that were rough! These elementary kiddos give me so much love and appreciation this year , that it’s okay! Here’s to making new positive memories at these two fantastic schools that not only have AMAZING kiddos, but incredibly supportive and loving faculty and staff! #dailyelementarymusings #itsgonnabeagoodyear #focusonthepositive

August 30, 2023

Of my seven classes today: Six won - Every kiddo left with a Dragon Ticket and a sticker. Of those six, two were able to get Jibbitz or a VINYL sticker (random generator selected three kiddos)!! One lost…miserably. #dailyelementarymusings #itsgonnabeagoodyear #focusonthepositive

August 29, 2023

Today, I learned something new! But I’ll get to that in a second… The scene: 30ish third graders sitting on their stars as I’m explaining who/what a Mime is… Me: …and oftentimes a Mime will have a sad face. 3rd grade boy: That’s because they’re always locked in a box! ☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼☝🏼COMIC GOLD 👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻👆🏻 Now, on to what I learned… I knew absolutely NOTHING about Pokémon. My kids never really got into Pokémon, so why would I? Well, apparently there is a character called Mister Mime; he’s not a bad guy, but he’s not a good guy either, he’s just Mister Mime. I’m glad I know this now, because my kiddos have a reference to Pantomime. #dailyelementarymusings #pantomime #mime #mistermime #marcelmarceau #pokemon #lockedinabox

August 28, 2023

Today, I’ve received more comments than usual on these adorable nails! The kiddos LOVE them, so do the teachers and administrators! So, here’s a picture of my current nails so y’all can see what everyone is freaking out about! Thanks @thequeenofnails2021 Queen of Nails More comments on this set than any other set I’ve had (which is a LOT). #dailyelementarymusings #crayonnails #crayonnailart

August 25, 2023

“Wait, if your last name is Salazar how come you’re white?” When Aaron and I first got married, I got this often. From grown-ups. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve heard it. Times have changed, thank god. Today I was asked this question by a fourth grader. I tried not to laugh. I just explained how I took on my husband’s last name when we got married. Trust me…I KNOW I’m white. It’s taken years for me to embrace my fair skin. I used to never wear shorts or even skirts without covering my white legs. I won a contest in 8th grade for having the whitest skin. The kids in Junior High teased me mercilessly, even had a nickname for me that they would say under their breath when I walked by…Al (short for Albino). But now, mostly thanks to Aaron and the fucks I have left to give, I’ve embraced it. Even though my last name is Salazar, I’m super white🤷🏼‍♀️. And I absolutely didn’t mind the question today…it made me laugh (on the inside). It’s gonna be a good year. #dailyelementarymusings

August 24, 2023

Sometimes, when your parents spell your name incorrectly, you spend way too much time correcting people’s pronunciation until you just don’t care anymore. Before you were a teacher, you always put extra effort into pronouncing people’s names correctly, because you KNOW the feeling when you’re called (literally) the WRONG name. THEN, you become a teacher and it really begins to matter…a lot. This year, I have over 1,000 students, I made the decision to use name tags, and I’ve made my own pronunciation guide for those kiddos whose parents spelled their names incorrectly, or have culturally different names. I also made a pronunciation guide for my kiddos so they know how to say my name. We also pantomime driving a car and playing a violin. These kiddos KNOW my name this year, and that makes me happy. It’s gonna be a good year. #dailyelementarymusings #itshouldbespelledcarlynn #pleasedonttellmyparents

August 23, 2023

Daily Elementary Musings First graders doing “movement” or “moving to The Neverhood Soundtrack” is literally one of my favorite things about teaching littles! I don’t like to use the words “dancing” or “dance” because it causes some kiddos anxiety, so I use the word MOVEMENT. Also, look at all the swings on this playground! There are 39! It’s gonna be a good year. #dailyelementarymusings #movement #movetothemusic “theneverhoodsoundtrack

August 22, 2023

Though a lot of the kiddos were wearing Crocs today, none of them were wearing Salt Waters. Apparently it’s super weird when a teacher happens to wear the same kind of shoes they do! Today, kiddos from each class told me they had sandals like mine. But…it was weird to each one of them that grown-ups can also wear Salt Waters. So I guess you could say I’m a kid🤷🏼‍♀️. It’s gonna be a good year. #dailyelementarymusings #saltwatersandals

August 21, 2023

First day of kiddos at my MWF school, and with the exception of a 6th grader dropping the F💣,it was a really good day. I did not realize that Crocs were still such a big thing. I mean, I love mine and wear then all the tie, but that isn't proof of anything. When I told all 6 classes, (will be 7 when Kindergateners start next week) that sometimes I will give out vinyl stickers or Jibbitz to reward exceptional behaiour, the excitement was AWESOME. They didn't really care about the stickers - which was huge last year - they all wanted Jibbitz! Apparently if they weren't wearing their Crocs today, they definitely have them at home. It's gonna be a good year. #dailyelementarymusing #crocs #jibbitzcharms💚❤️🧡💜💛 #jibbitz #jibbitzcrocs

August 18, 2023

I didn’t have kiddos today, I will normally, but specials (me) don’t start until Monday at my MWF school. BUT! I’m so excited about my happy classroom, so here’s some pictures.

#dailyelementarymusings

August 17, 2023

I want to post something each day this year about my day. I’m hoping it will be something funny said by a student, because sometimes what they say is pure GOLD, and I really need a good year, so I’m focusing on the positives. TODAY (my first day with kiddos): I have a Boxlight in my room. I’ve never had one of these before, AND when it comes to technology, I’m illiterate. I had my rules and tools up, and I said, “Let me see if I can figure this out…” A first grader raised their hand and said, “Do you need me to help you, because I can see you don’t t know what you’re doing.” So…a six year old helped me with my Boxlight. Ends up it’s SUPER easy. #dailyelementarymusings