Who are you kids?

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Home : 2002 : February : 17

Who are you kids?
By Jeanne

Hi Michelle,
My kids were so hyper that this is what I asked them, "Who are you kids? I do not recognize you!" I have a pretty well behaved class. And now that they are on their way to 3rd grade next year, I see a lot
of maturity. But, this last week!! WOW!
Now, looking back to last week, I don't know if it even was the candy issue. The kids had been talking about and working at home on valentines for their classmates all week. The whole thing got away from me somehow.
No homework was done, but the valentines were done. Parents even sent flowers w/ glass vases to school for their child. The

kids thought of nothing else! Candy was everywhere and so where the wrappers!
I sure have learned my lesson this year with the Valentine's Day High! Our school does not allow to use the word, "party." We may use the word, "celebration," and I didn't even use this word, because we didn't have a Valentine's celebration. I just allowed the kids to share and pass out their cards to one another in the morning to get it done. Then I asked my kids to put away their bags and be done. Oh, it was not done. Bags kept appearing, candy kept appearing, warnings were told, cards were flipped, until I just wanted the day to be done. Like I said, I have learned my lesson for next year.
Valentine's Day is also our statehood date, (Arizona.) So, I spent this day making maps, sharing state facts, and writing stories about Arizona.
I want to have fun w/ my kids, and they wanted to decorate bags for their exchange of Valentine's and I thought, well, what's the harm it's O.K., at least I will allow this. Nope, not again, the whole Valentine experience did nothing but distract them from other learning experiences. And like you, I heard nothing but, "Can I just have one piece of candy?" Or, "Can we read our cards again, and again, and again?"
Next year, no bags, no hearts, no cards, no nothing that even resembles a valentine in the classroom. I do not care if I am considered a "mean teacher."
Now, I have been there with non focused, candy glazed eyes, fidgety, antsie, kids. I have learned my lesson.
Jeanne