Bus Trips

I'm curious.  What do you do when you take your students on bus trips?  My school is 30 minutes out of town.  We have 6 swimming lessons in town - 3 last week and 3 this week.  That's 12 thirty minute bus rides.  This is our first set of outings all year.  It's really expensive for the bus to travel to town from my school.

Anyway, I didn't really put too much thought into the bus trips because my students travel on the bus to and from school every day.  Some for an hour each way.  I thought they would be bus veterans.  A lot of them require many reminders to stay seated and use quiet voices.  I am quite surprised.  The bus drivers (we've had 2) are regular bus drivers for these kids.  They too are surprised.  I guess it's the whole "exciting activity with my class" element. 

So today, while I felt like a horrible woman for constantly telling kids to sit down and be quiet, I wondered "what else could we be doing here?"  Some kids read books and were very quiet.  Some actually napped.  But, are there any whole class bus games to play?  What do you do? Just deal with the madness?

Moustache Theme!

The other day, when we were in Crystal's classroom for the SMART Math presentation a colleague (who just happens to work in the room next door to mine) noticed her Powerful Speakers and Respectful Listeners posters.  She asked me, "Where did she get those from?" and I said "me".  She gave me a shocked look when I explained I made them.  I do enjoy that look, it makes me feel like I have a very special talent, even though making files is quite easy once you learn how.  Anyhow, she asked for them, but I thought I would do her one better.  I made some to match her classroom!  She has an orange moustache themed class.  How fun is that? I can't wait to give her these posters on Monday!

If you want to see a preview, or you want your own copy, click here.  They are a steal of a deal at $1.50! 

Not your style? Then maybe you'd prefer Crystal's theme: Chalkboard.  Or mine: Bright.  You can get them for the same low price here.

Currently February

It's that time again!  A new month is upon us and Farley has posted her "Currently" linky party.  Two linkies in two days.  Can you believe it? I'm a blogging machine.

Listening: I've been watching "Psych" for about 3 weeks now.  It's all I watch.  I tend to randomly select a show on Netflix, watch the entire series through, and then move on.  This show is hilarious.  It's a crime show, but also a comedy.  Have you seen it? 

Loving: My puppies.  They aren't actually puppies.  They are 8 and 6.  But so cute and cuddly.  Who doesn't love dogs?

Thinking: Yesterday I went to a great Pro-D!  It was so inspiring.  You can read about it here.

Wanting: Okay, teacher friends.  How long do your work shoes last?  I feel like I'm constantly scuffing up the toes.  It's all the kneeling down to kids desks.  I am really really tempted to get a pair of Tieks.  They are so expensive though. This is the pair I'd go for I think.  They are plain and basic.  Go with everything.  A good "stash under your desk" pair of shoes.

 

Needing: We go grocery shopping every Sunday.  Today is Saturday.  I need to go today.  Seriously.  We are out of toilet paper.  There are no eggs.  We have no sandwich meat.  The choices around here are getting a little slim.

2 Truths and a Fib: First off, my kids love this game!  They ask to play it all the time.   You can probably guess which one my fib is.  I'm not feeling very sneaky right now.  I LOVE pajamas.  I'm wearing some right now.  I do not, however, wear them out in public.  That's just not right people.

Happy February!

Go see Farley and read some more Currently posts!