Three Visitors in TK

On Tuesday Slick the Snake visited my class. My co-teacher Ms. Berry brought her in and walked her around and then each scholar had a turn to sit up close for a photo opp. A mom came during centers to help with wood piece letter writing and then a dad came in to read a story at the end of the day. Three visitors for our class today! Great way to end January, being the last day of the month!

After school the white car died. The kids called Ross and he talked them through what to do. Eight people stopped to help them and when they opened the hood there was white powder, from the battery. Things didn't look good. During two piano lessons Ross worked on the battery and whatever was holding it, disintegrated. He Geri rigged it so we could drive it over to the car shop, hoping it wouldn't die in the middle of the journey. 

We drove the kids to youth night and then took the car to the car shop. Abby skipped the varsity basketball game and worked on her mountain of homework. Luckily there is no seminary on Wed morning. When we went to bed we had a plan that Ross would take the older two and I would take the others to school with me.

100 Days of School

 100 Days of School-- crowns and dot markers. I told the kids at the beginning of our day to "put their s-s-s Seatbelts" on ("that starts with S, our letter this week!) because it was going to be quick ride and they need to"stay with me" because we were hoping to move fast.

After school I had an induction meeting. My goal is to have every student legibly and independently write their name so they are prepared for kindergarten. I have to collect data and document. When we came home I taught two piano lessons, made noodles and chicken salad for dinner to go with croissants or spaghetti sauce send them wet saw Emma play basketball. When we got home we watched the recent ep of Miss Scarlet.

Here are clips from them game...

https://youtu.be/WtftB_7InJ4

Camp director

Today I got sustained as YW ward camp director. I heard an audible gasp and later I found out it was my girls. My twins were really surprised because I hadn't said anything about it. This afternoon was nice to sit and read church materials and a new one I was given last Sunday, As Sisters in Zion, about the backstory of that hymn. 

Ross made More in the Oven Casserole and lemonade after a long walk. We watched three youth broadcast and had Come Follow Me and I won a round of 13 Dead End Drive.

Dance Chaperones

 Saturday, the day for CTEL 1.

Ready or not, here it comes. My test was at 5pm. I woke up and studied a little in my pajamas and then got ready to go to the library and studied there until lunchtime. Then I went home for lunch and then to Jill's indoor soccer game (where she scored a great goal, scoop kick over the goalie on an indirect kick -- and it was a game against two former Orange Crush softball team players) and then I came home to study more while Ross took girls to the park and then I went to the test. I THINK I did okay, at least better than last time. At least it's over and now I wait for three weeks for my score and next Saturday I take test 2 and the Wed after that I take test 3. Fingers crossed I can pass at least two of them.

After an hour after I got home and we sorted laundry and I did the ironing pile, Allen left to pick up pizza and Ross and I went to the stake center to chaperone the youth dance. Abby came to the dance with a friend and we took them and another friend home after. Our job was to sit in the corner by the door and tell those coming in the door that they needed to go down the long hallway and sign in at the table by the front door, to direct people to the bathrooms, and shew people out of the hallway and not let them go out the backdoor either. Ross raided the snack room and got us some snacks and water periodically to keep up awake. Youth were sure funny to watch. I think they relaxed the dress code because we both had never seen so many belly buttons at a stake dance.

Our corner, with chairs barricading the hallway and someone walking out of the bathroom. Over ten girls will fit in that tiny bathroom. We kept seeing people go in and in ... and out and out. Funny to people watch as your chaperone.

Friday Fizzle Out

On Friday morning I tried something new. I had new toys I wanted to introduce to the scholars so I quickly created 6 stations -- ice cream, bat cave, R books, fishing, puzzles, and toy box. I set a timer and they rotated to each activity with their table groups. It worked really well. The parent helping was excited and said, "this is so much fun!" with a big smile. The aide said that the kids really liked it.

We had PE (musical hoops and scooter relay) and library (The Hat book and only a few book buddies) a full day of fun. We did math and Heggery in the first class time, snack and storytime and then the 6 stations after recess. After school there was a luncheon and presentation by the board (I had lots of pizza and salad to munch on while I listened), Juntos group (11th chapter of Pollyanna) and then I stayed at school to plan ahead, made two videos and did some study. I came home and Ross and I got dinner at The Habit for our date. Many times we'll go to The Habit before a temple trip but the temple is closed for the next few weeks for cleaning. I went to bed exhausted, knowing I would have to get up and study hard so I could pass a test.

Compliments from TK Parents

Thursdays are days when TK folders go home so it's extra work to get the Tucker Tidbits printed and in folders along with all the classwork (done and extra) to send home. Tonight was the high school basketball game against West Park. So close... only lost by 2. It was close the entire game. Ross took Emma to her basketball game and hosted men's basketball at the church. The picture below is a scholar whose week it is to shine. They all took a poster home at the beginning of school and we've been learning more about each other a week at a time. They present their poster and then other scholars get to ask them 5 questions, because they are 5 years old. Works really great! This kid especially is creative. He makes up new handshakes everyday when it's time for our one-on-one greeting. I don't think he's every done the same one twice. He's a cutie and I've got a 24 other cuties with him. I'm very blessed. The admin sent me an email with compliments from parents... it made my day!! The email is down below.

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Good Afternoon!   We wanted to share that we are not the only ones who see how amazing you are!   Check out the good things families had to say about you! J Our daughter Logan absolutely adores Mrs Tucker. My wife and I have seen so much growth in her not just with her intelligence, but also her personality, curiosity, critical thinking, and self confidence. Mrs Tucker has been wonderful with keeping us updated with what the class is currently learning via posts on here, videos, and photos. We truly could not be happier with how this year has gone so far and would not hesitate in recommending John Adams and Mrs Tucker. Phenomenal work.

Mrs. Tucker has been wonderful in her communication with parents and clear expectations of scholars. We have been involved in the classroom and love seeing all the updates from their activities.

My child has learned so much from Mrs. Tucker in such a short period of time. She talks about how much she loves Mrs. tucker every day when she comes home and she repeats things shes learned in class. My child can be very introverted and shy and to hear about how she participates in class shows how much she trusts and feels safe in Mrs. tuckers classroom. We can not be more grateful for the environment and education shes has provided our child over these last few months.

Mrs Tucker has been the sweetest teacher to our son. She has fostered a love for learning in him and continues to keep him excited about school. I feel comfortable and safe with him in her class.

Mrs. Tucker has great communication and my daughter loves her. She has learned so much and is always excited to see her. She is very positive and patient, I love the little videos she sends out each week and the practice work she sends home!

I feel like she knows our son and is invested in his learning. -Assistant Dean of Roseville Elementary

Rabbit

 R is for rabbit. My cough syrup made me feel loopy. Luckily it wore off before my class came. Kids listened very. Adding real phones to the kitchen was a hit! One piano lesson, volleyball practice, resting and testing for CTEL 1.

Raccoon

 Tuesday

Raccoons, running fast, interview, Placer High game and overwhelmed

I dressed like one and showed the kids the video of my back porch in Virginia. No aide today

Plant parts

 Monday

At school we're working on that letter R and four parts of a plant. I had an induction meeting, two piano lessons, Abby had volleyball, Emma has basketball and I worked on clothes and caught up on PBS.

Waffles after Double Ward Conference Day

I felt so crummy this morning. How was I going to attend two ward meetings (both Sacrament and RS and teach 10 min in the RS lesson each time)? I took a covid test just to make sure it wasn't that (it wasn't) and took medicine and just made myself go.

The other ladies took more time in their messages so I had about 7 min. I had a nice handout with quotes and scriptures and then I had gathered in preparing. I passed that out. Our theme was about building a relationship with the Savior and sacred spaces and waiting on the Lord. The whole presidency shared personal stories of heartache and trial.

When I got home Emma had made waffles and eggs and made me a plate! Yum!

Then I came home and slept and also caught a few winks during come follow me. They had left to go play hide and seek and when I woke up, no one was there. Haha. That's how crummy I felt. Well, 2 ward conferences down and 7 more to go.

Starlings Beat the Sirens!

I did not feel well on Saturday. I took the twins to their softball umpire training clinic. Then I sat in the car and talked to my mom on the phone. When the library opened I went inside to do a practice test and study. I got 50% correct...oops! I took the girls home and Abby's driving instructor came. I tried to study more later, but with a cold coming on I had to lie down. Ross called and they were on their way home and needed Jill's uniform for her game. Ross and Jill had been to a big outdoor "Alice In Wonderland" escape room birthday party, followed by a pitching evaluation and then her indoor game. This game was against the Sirens, a team that they had already played 3 times and tied or lost. The team almost forfeited with four players, but then had five and we came a few minutes into the game and Jill just ran onto the field. A parent walked her water jug over to the coach booth. There were NO SUBS so her teams played the full time. The coach had the goalies swap in the middle of the game so the goalie had a quick break before changing to right forward. The Sirens had 2 subs. Turns out Jill's team won by one right near the end and held on for two minutes. Whew! Nail bitting game!

They were so tired after. She had a busy Saturday. I came home to study and would sleep off and on. It's hard to learn and think when your head feels foggy.

Birthday Reader

 On Friday we had art and music. It was day two of Wild Things and they kids got to use watercolors.

Then I threw my hair back and put glasses on for A's birthday guest reader.

Finished our Q board. People brought more things than I had imagined.

Playdough in the afternoon

Ross picked up the girls (see his silver car going around the bend? I took this from my window)

I stayed late and worked ahead. He went to a parent track meeting, we had dinner at Jack's and then did initiatory at the temple.

Car Seats in a Row

What does a 1st grade fieldtrip look like on the inside of school? ... a line-up of car seats. That's right. It's parent drivers, not a bus.

We have a new bulletin board up! 

Jill drew some cute creature on my board she wanted a photo of

Ross and I went to back to school night at Oakmont. I was exhausted after 4 classes. Their teachers were interesting, rooms were cluttered and I'm glad I'm not back in high school. I felt for them and the pressure they have.

Love Note after the dentist

 I had a dentist appointment at 7:50. I just parked and walked over to the office and then headed back to school. Found out I have to get a crown on a broken tooth. Ugh. I had a little extra time before I had to go in so I worked on my RS message in the car and walked back in school with teary eyes :) This cute girl from morning wanted to write me a message!

Our class theme today was queens -- we had a question of the day about a queen, a story book, a project project and we practiced all the curvy letters until learning S. 

I had a piano lesson after school with Ada. Then Ross took Emma to her game and I took Abby to hers.  Here's video clips of her game --- https://youtu.be/Gnsbnxo_14A

Hoverboard fun

 Back to school. My class struggled with listening. Aide and CO teacher were sick and backup made me feel I was being observed. My class was not good. After school I was exhausted and made rice dish and butter dips. Emma and Jill enjoyed our hoverboard (family Christmas gift). Allen took for girls and him you church for youth activities. His quorum for leather working and the girls made vision boards. The girls had fun playing with guineas when they got home. I did some CTEL studying.

Sometimes the girls play with toys after school waiting until 4, when I can leave.

See new tricks here --- Hoverboard video

MLK Day

Day off means sleeping in, late breakfast while watching new ep of All creatures, wedding jeans and comfy clothes, listening to the rain outside, lighting my last smelly candle, garage organizing, leftover lunch, study time or screen time, guinea love, one pound of candy at WinCo x 7, early dinner at BK, new ep of Miss Scarlet, Emma's basketball game, practice tests and hopes of being in bed by ten.

See a little here