Writing Woes

As a teacher, I have found that teaching writing is challenging to me. I have really gotten on the kick of using story starters to get my class's imagination going. So, I thought I would share. Here are 40 story starters that I came up with:

40 Second Grade Story Starters

 

If I were the president I would…

I woke up one morning. I looked in the mirror and I had turned into a…….

As soon as I arrived, I could sense that something was out of place...

I decided to go for an evening stroll.  I walked about three blocks when I felt it...

Sometimes I think my friend has strange powers. Every time he's around...

Every year on the first of April I take out my shoe box.

I was playing my favorite video game, and suddenly I was inside it!

I was stuck in an elevator with…

In the backyard, my dog found a mysterious necklace…

My best friend was just elected President!

I just found out my teacher used to be a…

My family just won the lottery!!!!!

I found a hidden treasure map…

I just got back from the zoo. I opened my backpack to find a monkey.

At the beach, I found an unusual seashell

An alien came to earth, and…

I was walking on the beach, when suddenly a genie popped out of an old lamp…

It was going to be the best day ever!

A fairy appears and tells you that you can have 2 wishes….

On a dark and stormy night, I looked out my window and saw…

On my way home from school one day, I found…

When I woke up this morning there was a…

It was a warm and sunny day when all of the sudden…

Last night I had a dream that…

I couldn’t believe my wish had come true…

I found a pair of magic tennis shoes…

My teacher had a surprise for the class…

It was field day and I was so excited to…

It was finally summer break and I was going on vacation to…

My friend invited me to a sleepover…

One day, I caught a leperchaun…

I found a lucky 4 leaf clover and you will never believe what happened…

One day while watching the clouds, I saw a…

One day, I noticed there was a door in the hall that I had never seen before.  I decided to open it…

If I could go anywhere in the world, I would go to…

One day, no teachers came to school…

Last night, it snowed 2 feet!

I found an old suitcase, inside it there were…

At my grandma’s, I found a strange looking mirror…

My teacher announced that today was a free day so I…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Be Thankful for What You Have

As most of you know, there was a destructive EF5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma. I live in Northwest Arkansas so they are covering the story extensively, like most news stations. Every time I see someone from Moore being interviewed I'm amazed at their resilience and appreciation. This town has been through 2 other tornadoes. One of which had the highest wind speed recorded on record.

One man was interviewed, he had been filming the tornado and got into his storm shelter. When he came out of the storm shelter, his house was gone. He didn't get upset, he didn't break down and cry. The first things he said was that he was glad his family made it out safe. Two days after the tornadoes, there were storms and flooding rain that came through the town of Moore also. A lady was standing in her living room, parts of her roof had been ripped off and it was raining in her house. She said she was lucky, she knew other people who were worse off than she was. Now, think about half of the people you know...would they be standing in their living room while the rain was coming in through a hole and call themselves lucky?

We all need to learn a lesson from these people. They don't see the things they don't have. They see and appreciate everything they do have. In this day and age everything is "want, want, want". We need to step back and say "wow, look at all these things I have".  I am appreciative of everything I have. My car is 11 years old and it's broken down a few times, but, I'm glad I have it. My house may not be as big as I want, but, I'm glad I have it.

Tonight, my boyfriend, Joe was complaining about the grandparents always wanting to see our daughter...REALLY!?!?!?!? I am so thankful for people wanting to be in our daughter's life. I'm happy we have parents and grandparents who are still alive and want to see our daughter. Again, be thankful for what you have and don't take it for granted. You never know what will happen tomorrow.

Lunch Lady Land

As a part of teacher appreciation, we wrote letters to the cafeteria ladies telling them thank you. Ever since we did that I couldn't get this song out of my head. Enjoy:

We actually have a lunch lady that kinda looks like this at our school :D.



Random Acts of Kindness

By the time I was 8, my parents were divorced. During Christmas, weekends and other holidays, my time was spent between my parents. I remember one particular Christmas with my dad. I was so excited to go to my grandmother's house because that meant more presents. But, on the way, there was a car pulled over on the side of the road and there were a few elderly people standing outside the car. I remember my dad asking me "You think we should go back and help them?". Being 8 and ready to open Christmas presents, I absent mindedly said "nah".  Inspite of what I wanted to do, he said "come on, it's Christmas" and made a U-turn in the middle of the highway.  He got out and asked what was wrong and if he could help. It turned out he knew the people in the car and they wern't in an emergency, they had just pulled over. Although everything was okay, that day taught me a lesson. I learned that you should try to "do good" everywhere you go.

Everyday when I'm driving home from work, I always see this homeless guy on the corner of a busy intersection. I see a sleeping bag, a chair and a bunch of stuff that I see as trash. One day I got to thinking, "I wonder if he sleeps out there, on the ground?". Sure enough, the next morning when I drove by, he was on that same corner, asleep on the sidewalk. In an earlier post, I commented that it snowed during May. During this morning, I drove by the same intersection like always. This guy was asleep on the ground and there was a layer of snow covering him and his sleeping bag. I contiuned on my way to work, I had forgotten my breakfast and drove through McDonalds. I ordered what I usually order for breakfast. The thought of that guy sleeping on the ground in the snow just took a hold of my heart, I couldn't stop thinking about him. When I got to the window to pay, I asked "Can I add to my order?". I ordered him the same thing I always get, a sausage biscut and an order of hash browns. I drove back to where he was sleeping and left the McDonalds bag right there on the ground in the snow. I haven't told anyone until this post.

That Christmas day, when I was 8, taught me a life-long lesson. It doesn't take much to help someone. When I was 26, I learned a life-long lesson.  It might take $2.00 and 5 minutes, but it might help somone. I hope I can teach my daughter the same things my dad taught me about helping people. I want to lead by example.

It doesn't take much to help somone.

Teacher Appreciation

It's that time of year again! It's teacher appreciation week! Olivia's teacher is a first year teacher this year and she has done a great job! Olivia is growing into a smart young girl! Here are the gifts Olivia and I got for her teacher during teacher appreciation week!

Monday:

We got marble finger nail polish, glitter finger nail polish (Olivia's Choice) and matching manicure set.

Tuesday:

Olivia's teacher loves animal print and sweet tea. So, we got a insulated cup, coaster and individual sweet tea packets.

Wednesday:

Since Olivia's teacher is a new teacher, I decided to get her some books and a book basket. I also threw in some stickers, dye cut letters and some shapes posters.

Thursday:

Olivia and I got her teacher a card with a gift certificate to the local teacher store.

 (it was too boring to post a picture)

Hopefully this has given you some good ideas for that special teacher in your life!

Arkansas Weather Update

It snowed in Arkansas during the month of May, not once, but twice! It has never snowed during May in Arkansas. We made history!!! In tribute to mother nature's mix up, here are a few pictures:

Not all of the trees have sprouted leaves yet. The snow on green leafy trees is beautiful.

Here is another picture of the playground at my school, covered with snow!

I just thought I would share!!



Arkansas Weather

In Arkansas, we talk about typical "Arkansas Weather". Today is May 1st. The high temperature today was in the 80's. Tomorrow it's forcasted to rain and Friday May 3rd it's forcasted to snow!!!! People always say "Well that's just typical Arkansas weather for ya". I saw today where Denver, Colorado had a similar weather pattern this week. At any rate, my house was hot today. SUPER HOT. I cooked dinner in the crockpot all day trying to decrease the house heat. That didn't quite work. So, I opened the front door, the back door and some windows (because there is no way I'm turning on the air conditioner when winter weather is projected later this week). I wanted to create a vacuum to get some of the heat out. I was cleaning the kitchen while the windows and doors were open, I looked up and saw a strange dog in my living room!!!! Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not a dog person. So, I walk this dog out of my open front door.  I saw this hippy guy a few doors down. I said "Hey! Bro! Is this your dog?"(because that is totally how I talk all the time). He  was like "Yeahhhhhhh". The dog went away to be with his owner. I am telling this story for two reasons: 1. I need a screen door of some kind on my front door. 2. Don't piss off the garage band two doors down. Lesson Learned :)