November 30, 2023

I feel I need to preface this: I have some issues with crawling, rolling, etc… on the ground when portraying an animal, I understand this is a ‘me thing’, but it’s not a ‘just me thing’. I will often (always) challenge my kiddos to try to portray their animals on a high level. This is a first grade class creating snakes.🐍 I thought they would create one long snake, but they created four because they needed a family. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 29, 2023

5th graders writing amazing character backgrounds for their puppets. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 28, 2023

Today we’re gonna talk about the fact that there is a Sodalicious two blocks away from my school. * They know my car * They know my order * They know what time(s) I could possibly be there * They know me I drive…it’s a steep two blocks. Five minutes tops. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 27, 2023

Today was a pretty good day, but this made it for me. This Principal was at one of my schools the 21-22 school year. Right when I was in the thick of my shit. When I found out she was principal at one of my schools this year, it was a glimmering light in the chaos of switching schools…again. As you know, this year has been great so far and having supportive faculty and staff (and having actual classrooms) is a HUGE reason why. This was in my box this morning. It’s so nice to be seen. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 21, 2023

The scene: 21 First-graders and me, sitting in a circle. I’m explaining that we will go around the circle and say the person to their left’s name and ONE word that describes them. I explained by saying the following; Someone might say, Ms. Karlyn, teacher. Or Ms. Karlyn, Drama. Or Ms. Karlyn, blonde. Or Ms. Karlyn, funny. Then! A boy raises his hand ,so I called on him, “Or Ms. Karlyn, not good at memory things!” Me: okay! Good! Ms. Karlyn, forgetful, because we just want one word. Another first grader: Ms. Karlyn, really, really, really, really, really old. Me: great! But since we’re trying to stick with one word, how about old? Another first grader: or, we could say, Ms. Karlyn, fun! Me: perfect! AFG: Ms. Karlyn always looks nice! AFG: That is not one word. Ms. Karlyn…um…how do you say Always looks nice in just one word? Coming from everywhere: cute…shoes…clothes…earrings..fingernails… First grader: (loudly) FASHIONABLE! Most of them: yeah! Me: awesome! You’re all so kind, thank you. Let’s get started… FG: Sloane, curly. Then we went around the circle…TWICE! #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 20, 2023

Daily Elementary Musings Today is going to be about Farts. More specifically, Kindergarten farts. Silent but deadly kindergarten farts. The kind that stink so badly, you try to hold your breath, but your eyes are watering, your jaw is tingling, and you’re gagging, so you can’t. The culprit had let it silently rip at LEAST three times when… Kindergarten girl: can whoever is farting PLEASE stop? #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 17, 2023

I’m on lunch, but I got a compliment (?) from my favorite fourth grade class today. The scene: me sitting in a chair in the front of class with my laptop on my lap, anxiously waiting to hit ‘purchase’ for my Alanis tickets. I was SO apprehensive trying to decide how much to spend (ended up getting reserved grass seats). Two fourth grade girls and 12 fourth grade boys come walking in. They could tell I was STRESSING about something. 4GradeGirl: Ms. Karlyn! Why you stressed? I won’t reveal the whole conversation, but they all now know how I feel about Alanis, spending money on tickets, and USANA (this was a very anxiety inducing situation). Different 4GG: How old are you? Me: 48. 4GB: You’re like a grown-up teenager! Then he turns to the class Isn’t she like a grown-up teenager? Then…the class lists the things that make me a grown-up teenager: *going to concerts *My top-knot (which, today was the first time this year I’ve done) *My outfit *The way I get excited about the little things *my shoes *my piercings *my tattoos *the “teenage” things I say… - Dude - Groovy - Rad It was a fun conversation. FTR- I purchased two tickets. I don’t know yet who will be accompanying me. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 16, 2023

Of 22 students SIX of them are “Swifties”. So much so, they wrote their I AM POEMS about ‘Taylor.’ I’m also pretty sure three of these Swifties dressed up as Taylor for Halloween. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 15, 2023

Today there were many birthdays. As I was setting up for an activity, this second grade class burst into song. I love it! #iwasntatschoolyesterdayorthedaybefore #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 10, 2023

26 kindergarteners and I had just finished up Rules & Tools, they were all in Actors Neutral on their stars totally paying attention, but about six of them had scrunched up faces… Me: Oh no! Are y’all okay? Then a few of those five year olds pointed at the board (pictured). Then all 26 kindergarteners were making the same face! Then we did a quick facial expressions with different emotions activity. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 9, 2023

26 kindergarteners and I had just finished up Rules & Tools, they were all in Actors Neutral on their stars totally paying attention, but about six of them had scrunched up faces… Me: Oh no! Are y’all okay? Then a few of those five year olds pointed at the board (pictured). Then all 26 kindergarteners were making the same face! Then we did a quick facial expressions with different emotions activity. 🤷🏼‍♀️ #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 8, 2023

Today was the day! The day that I was thinking to myself, “I guess I’m not doing a Daily Elementary Musing!” But never fear, I had after school duty. This student and I had a rough start, another situation where this poor girl had been through more than she deserves and would take her anger out on whoever was around, and for her, that was me for two weeks. I finally got a chance to have a one on one with her and now? We’re Besties. I saw her as I was heading out to my post and immediately noticed her shoes. Me: OMG! I LOVE your shoes! I want a pair SO badly. Her: OMG! I LOVE your face, I want one just like yours. BTW, I got them at Foot Locker! Made me giggle and smile as this conversation wouldn’t have taken place a month or so ago. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 7, 2023

The scene: 5th graders playing a quick round of What’s That You’re Doing in a circle. 5th grader: What’s that you’re doing? Another 5th grader: Sending a nuke to North Korea. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 6, 2023

Making Connections My last group to do connections. When group 3 wanted to connect with heads, I said to everybody, “try to think outside of the box with this one!” This group was trying so hard to connect their heads, but NOT in a circle! This makes me proud. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 3, 2023

Making Connections I love the creativity that comes from this activity! Creating Connections within a group using different parts of our body: knees, pinky fingers, elbows, etc… #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 2, 2023

Today we were “Building Bridges” (creating walkways, pathways, bridges), but the challenge was that the “bridges” had to have constant movement. After they built their bridges and figured out their constant movement they got to incorporate marigolds and other flowers. Check this out! #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive

November 1, 2024

Sometimes on the day after Halloween when the kiddos are tired and wild, we play Kitty wants a Corner because it’s super fun and easy and they love it. #dailyelementarymusings #itsagoodyear #focusonthepositive