Bowl For Kids Sake, Benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC

Hi Room 203 families,

On March 1st, I--along with several Claxton teachers and staff--will be participating in an awesome fundraiser called Bowl for Kids Sake benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC. I have seen the incredible impact that Big Brothers Big Sisters has on youth in our community which is why I'm so excited to be fundraising for them! My fundraising goal is $75 and all donations are greatly appreciated! If you're interested in donating, you can do so online at my fundraising page.

Thanks so much,

A Letter to My Second Graders

The following post was featured on Huffington Post Good News :) 

To my sweet, second-grade students,

I have some very important things to tell you. I mean, super important. You ready? Turn on your best listening ears. Open up those learning eyes nice and wide. Get that brain warmed up. Because what I'm about to tell you is something that I hope you'll always remember.

In fact, if you leave my class at the end of this year and forget some of what I've taught you except for this, that's okay. I know you won't remember everything.

But always remember this: You matter. You are loved. And you are a gift to this world.

Wait, I'm not finished. Not even close. So keep those learning eyes wide open and keep reading, kiddos.

You know how in the mornings we sit in our circle spots and talk about our days? We talk about the ups and downs, our dreams and our accomplishments. We talk about what we're excited about, scared about, happy about, mad about. We talk to each other. We listen to each other.

We've come a long way since the first day of school and now we are a family in Room 203. Anyone who visits our classroom can easily see that.

You are leaders who show love, compassion, kindness and bravery. I love you all so much, and that's why I do my best to be brave for you.

You know how every now and then you have days that just don't go your way? I'm talkin' about Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day kinda days. Yeah, those days. We all have them. Guess what? I do, too. And this week, I had a lot of those days.

On Monday, I was so sad that I just wanted to lay in bed all day and watch Food Network. But then I remembered that I had 17 beautiful faces waiting for me, and I smiled through the tears.

Every morning when I come into work I leave my worries at the door and put a smile on my face because I know that I have to be strong for each and every one of you. I know that you need me, and I'm always here for you. And you know what helps me smile? YOU. You turn my Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days intoThe Hungry Caterpillar's Saturdays -- you know, the day where he gets to eat cupcakes and candy. You guys know how much I love cupcakes!

So when you have those Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Days, hop out of bed and find something to smile about. There is always something to smile about.

Remember the first week of school when we read Have You Filled a Bucket Today?We talked about how everyone carries around an imaginary bucket filled with good feelings. And when someone does something nice for you, it fills your bucket (and their bucket too).

We spent days brainstorming ways that we can fill buckets through acts of kindness. I was so proud of you for coming up with so many great examples. Did you know that you fill my bucket each and every day? And because of that my bucket is now overflowing. Thank you for filling my bucket. Especially this week. I really needed my bucket filled this week.

All this time, I thought I was teaching you, but what I've realized throughout this tough week is that you've been teaching me. You guys remind me how to be a good friend, how to dream big, how to enjoy the little moments in life and how to make the most of any situation.

You see, I've wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. And I've been practicing since I was four. Of course, back then my students were stuffed animals, dolls and if I was really lucky -- my little brother. (I promise -- you are way cooler than any stuffed animals or dolls). I was practicing so that when I met you, I'd be ready to teach you to the best of my ability.

In college, I learned even more about being a great teacher. But what my professors never taught me is that I'd get to experience the greatest gift of all: life lessons from you. Sure I'm your teacher but you teach me, too. I learn from you every single day. If I could make a list of all the lessons I've learned from you so far, I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Because of you, I have the greatest job in the world. Thank you.

You matter. You are loved. You are a gift to this world. You are a gift to me.

Thank you for making my days so much brighter. Thank you for being you. Never, ever forget how important you are to this world and to all your teachers along the way.

Love,

Ms. Wertheim

Letters to Guatemala

Hi Room 203 families, 

This week we practiced our letter-writing skills as we worked on cards for kids in Guatemala. One of our classroom parents is currently down there for a medical trip and hand delivered our classroom cards. The kids loved writing and decorating them and I know they will be excited to see pictures of the Guatemalan kids holding their cards! :) 

Happy Sunday! 

Through the Eyes of Olympic Athletes

Hi Room 203 families! 

In honor of Digital Learning Day today, we "hit the slopes" using an awesome iPad app called Visa 360 Cam which allows us to see what it's like to be a Winter Olympic athlete. Featured athletes had a camera attached to them, allowing app users to see through the eyes of the athletes. 

The kids LOVED it! We discussed what it means to be an athlete and how to be a good sport, relating back to one of our 7 Habits of Happy Kids--"Think Win-Win." Check out the video below for a peek, and make sure to download the Visa 360 Cam app and try it yourself. :) Thank you so much to our awesome Instructional Technology Facilitator, Kimberly Eggett, for leading this Digital Learning Day lesson! 

Through The Eyes of Olympic Athletes from Ms. Wertheim on Vimeo.

Chinese New Year Lion Dance

Hi families! Yesterday we celebrated Chinese New Year right here at Claxton! Our celebration began with a morning filled with Chinese New Year stories and activities, and in the afternoon we went out into the hallway for the Lion Dance Parade. The celebration wrapped up with an assembly in the gymnatorium where students were able to watch another lion dance and have a question and answer session with the dance teacher. Check out our video below to see the excitement!


Chinese New Year Lion Dance from Ms. Wertheim on Vimeo.

Gung Hay Fat Choy! (Happy New Year)

Happy Birthday, Dr. King!

This week we will be doing several Martin Luther King Jr. activities. Last week I showed students a picture of MLKJ and they brainstormed their "wonderings." This week students will be doing research about his life to answer those wonderings. Jamie Allbach (the fabulous CLX media center specialist) will be coming in to co-teach with me as students use iPads and Big Universe to conduct research. Be sure to check back later this week for some of the highlights from our MLJK activities. In the meantime, I'll leave you with this powerful quote which I believe in, 100%. Character education in my classroom is just as important as intelligence education. :)

Photo Credit: Teach for America 

Happy Monday! Thanks for stopping by, 

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Room 203 families. This semester is off to a great start! This week we reflected on 2013 by writing about memories, lessons learned, and favorite moments. Then we learned about S.M.A.R.T. Goals. I believe that goal-setting is very important, even at a young age. Each student set a goal for the year and wrote down the action steps they will take to reach their goal. They also drew pictures of themselves achieving their goal to help them visualize it happening.Next time you're at Claxton, take a look at our newest bulletin board: "Swing into 2014 with S.M.A.R.T. Goals." I'm very proud of all my kiddos!