Saturday, May 26, 2012

Bringing Up the Rear... *Awards Freebie*

Hey Friends!

I feel like I'm bringing up the rear here.  Our last day is the 14th - but I have to remind myself that we don't start until after Labor Day here in Michigan!  Luckily, my kiddos haven't checked out too much.  Popular belief seems to be that we teachers are showing videos and doing extra recesses at the end of the school year.  Yeah, not so much around here.

The name of the game next week is wrap up and assessments.  I can't even believe it's here - the end. I'm not all that thrilled with saying goodbye to this group.  They've been such a sweet bunch!  Combine not wanting to part ways with the laundry list of to do's ... I'm feeling a wee bit overwhelmed. Our principal showed this video at our last staff meeting and I keep asking myself "Is this a pebble or a rock?"


Look past the shoulder pads and you'll be reminded of something important!


We were asked to talk with our teammates about what pebbles we can remove from our lives right now to make room for the rocks.  I'm not usually a Negative Nelly but honestly, what CAN be removed this time of year?  Assessments?  Seems like a rock to me.  Report cards?  Another rock.  Taking down my classroom?  Rock.  Placement cards?  Another BIG rock! 

So what do you do when it seems that nothing can be shifted or taken away?  I decided it was my response to it all.  I decided that I'd keep my eye on the prize...the slow days of summer.  That's what  keeps me sane.  Still, the video sends a good message.  As always, balance is the key to life.

I've seen a lot of class awards floating around blogland.  I decided to create some of my own to match the language I use with my kiddos but maybe you might find a few that will work for you too!  I tried not to use too much color - I've got the printer police both at school and at home, so I've got to be frugal.

Click {HERE} to grab 'em!

Clipart: Scrappin' Doodles









For my friends who are still hanging in there - remember, they may all seem like rocks right now, but those slow days of summer are almost within reach! 

Drop me a note if your barely hangin' on like me! You know what they say about misery...

17 comments:

  1. ...lovely awards! :)
    Wow the 14th...I will have to put you on the prayer list!

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  2. These awards are awesome! Thanks for sharing them.
    Good luck with the next few weeks. Next week is my last week and then we have to come back on Monday for our last day. It will be really hard to get up that morning!
    ~Andi

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  3. love the video...good reminder, especially for those of us who are parents and spouses as well as teachers and friends. It really is all about relationships! Good luck with the last few days, and hang in there!!

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  4. I'm not too far in front of you. My last day is June 8th with the kiddies. Hang in there! Thanks for the awards! They came out great. :)

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

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  5. I'm hangin' in there too! Our last day is June 22nd! I can't wait, and am looking forward to the slow days of summer! :) Thanks for the reminder!!!

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  6. My last day is June 14th also. I'm doing fine though. My Dragon Unit is really making it awesome.


    Kimberley
    First in Maine

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  7. I am right there with you!! I have until the 11th, but my kiddos have started to check out. It is getting interesting. Got luck with the to do list.
    Jessica

    Apples and Papers

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  8. Our district goes to the 14th also. However other schools in our county are done or go until the 8th. . . We are in Southern Michigan.
    I see you just opened a tpt store. You'll have to let me know how it goes. I'm still thinking about making one, but haven't yet.
    Good luck!
    Patty
    Second In Line

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  9. We go until the 15th! I feel like every other district in MI gets out before us. It's a half day, but we are still there! My kiddos have been done for a while now, which is tough. I think maybe because "summer" has been here since about March. We didn't really have much of a winter or spring. There is so much left to do, but we can do this!

    Andrea
    Stepping Into First Grade

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  10. Super cute awards. I was done on Friday but my summer master classes started so I dont know which is worse!!!

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  11. Oh wow! I can't believe you go that far into June. I'm not jealous about that. I'm your newest follower :)

    Casey
    http://www.coffeetalkwithmrbrewer.com

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  12. Holly, I am so glad that I found your blog! I am a new follower :)
    Love the awards! I cannot wait to see my kids in their big end of year celebration!!

    Chelsey♥

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  13. I love the pebble or a rock....I think we need to watch this at the beginning of the year about too many meetings! =)

    Your awards are cute!

    Enjoy the time with your sweet class and remember us when we go back in August! =)


    Heather
    Heather's Heart

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  14. I love your work, thanks for sharing!

    http://fromafirstyearteacher.blogspot.com/

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  15. Well, it looks like I'm a little late! I also made some awards for the my class. Please check out my
    Awards!


    Brenda
    You Might Be a First Grader...

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