Don't Let the New Kid Blow Away, Super Sale, New Favorite Song

Our New Friend, Newton:

Yesterday Jen asked me if I had read Farley's post about wrinkles. I hadn't (can you believe it?) so I quickly hopped on and read about how she introduced a new student to her class. The goal was to model how when you are hurt by someone else you are "wrinkled."

Today we had a new student, Newton. I set him up this morning with his own seat and everything. I even included a math workbook and a journal in his chair pocket.

I didn't introduce him to anyone and waited until someone noticed that the blue table had a new friend. One of my little pudding pops came over and asked me why I had taped a stick person to a chair. I told them it was our new student. He said "okay", and proceeded to help Newton with his morning work AND he introduced him to the rest of the students in my class. 

I was shocked. All I did was tell my kids that this piece of paper was a new student and they immediately began taking care of him. There was an argument over who was going to "get" to take him out to recess, to the bathroom, and lunch!

I kept listening in on their conversations and waiting for the opportunity when I would be able to wrinkle him. You know, the whole point of the new kid was to show the kiddos how people become damaged when you hurt their feelings and it can never really be smoothed out again. 

Well, I didn't have to give a wrinkle until after math when someone made fun of his part blue and part orange arms. I then had to give him another wrinkle when we were lining up for lunch and he was poked in the mouth. 

Here I was trying to teach them a lesson and it completely backfired. I know that my kids damage some of the other students in my class sometimes. I am just going to have to figure out a different way to teach them. 

They simply won't go after the new kid.

Here is Newton's after picture from the end of the day. You will notice that he now has clothes on. One little dreamsicle whispered to me that Newton would probably feel better about being at school if he had clothes on today.

And, if his after picture doesn't look so fresh it is because he got hit by a ball and because he was blowing in the wind at recess. :/ 

Super Sale:

I also wanted to announce that I will be taking part of the Teacher Appreciation sale over at my Teachers Pay Teachers Store from May 6 - 8. 

New Favorite Song:

I dare you not to like this song. I makes me happy. :)