This Year IS Different

There is a conversation that occurs annually in the Zieber household in the month of June. It goes something like this:

Me: I am really going to miss my students. This was my favorite year ever!
Husband: You say that every year!
Me: But this year is different.

I have been bragging about this group of students to anyone who would listen since the first day of school. They are so kind, they are such good leaders, they are so responsible, they are so brilliant... and on, and on, and on...

As the year comes to an end, I have been thinking about why this year truly feels different than past years. When I was separating your students into 5th grade classes, I had this strong urge to take them all and put them into one class. Not because I wanted one particular teacher to have them, but instead because I didn't want to split them up. And thinking about that made me realize that this year is indeed, different.

Every year I have unique students with unique needs, strengths and personalities, and every year I inevitably grow to love them and care so much about them. But this year something unique happened that I have never experienced in the classroom before... these students brought out the very best in one another; these students became this cohesive unit that supported, encouraged, challenged, and simply enjoyed one another. That is something that no teacher can teach, but rather something that happened throughout the course of the year independent of anything that I was doing. These kiddos had this desire to learn, and they sparked each other's interest. These kiddos had a desire to help, and they encouraged others to do the same. These kiddos became leaders within the walls of our classroom, and then showcased what amazing human beings they are throughout the community. These students had fun, silly personalities, and they brought laughter and joy into our classroom on a daily basis. These are things I could not have taught, and these are things that do not happen in every classroom, everyday. And yet, everyday in our classroom these incredible moments were unfolding, and filling me with a sense of pride that is absolutely unparalleled.

So, yes, this year IS, in fact, different. Because this group of students will not be within the same walls again (or at least it is highly unlikely), and the things we have shared throughout the past 180 days cannot be repeated. I know that next year, as they head into 5th grade, they will take the love, laughter, intelligence, ingenuity and complete awesomeness that they had in 4th grade, and share it with their 5th grade teacher. The 5th grade teachers will adore and love them inevitably, but no one will ever experience this class the way that I have.

 It feels me with such a sense of joy and happiness that I got the opportunity to teach this particular group of students because this year, these students, can never be duplicated. This year is different.

4th Grade Slideshow

Just in case you wanted to check out the picture slideshow I made of this year, the link is below! Enjoy=)

4th Grade Movie

Un-Birthday Party

Don't forget that the un-birthday party is tomorrow! Students need to bring their gift for the gift exchange!

Zieberonian Rap

I swear I did not put these students up to this, and had nothing to do with the creation of this rap. I wish I had! This is incredibly adorable and well worth checking out!

Zieberonian Rap

The FINAL Update of the Year...

And we are finally here at the last three days of school (big sigh and teary eyes...)

Tomorrow we will be having our class party from 11-1. If you are able to make it, please do. Not only do we have a really fun activity for the kiddos, but they will be viewing a class video, and I will be handing out awards to each student.

On Tuesday, we have our un-birthday party from 11-1. This will also be a super fun day, and we would love for you to join us for that as well.

Finally, on Wednesday, we have our awards assembly followed by field day. Again, join us if you can; it should be a very fun (but also very sad day... for me at least!).

Thank you so much for all of your support, encouragement, dedication, hard work, and trust throughout this year. I have the best job in the world, and I am so thankful that I get to spend my days with your students. They are extraordinary human beings, and I love them all so much. Thank you for everything this year!

Mrs. Zieber

Upcoming Events

Room 13 families,

Just a few things to note:
1. Tonight is the Spelling Bee! Come support the returning champion, Noah, at 6 in the Lions' Den!
2. Tomorrow is the talent show! We have a handful of kiddos from our class performing, so come check that out, too.
3. On Friday, we will be having a fun filled day! First thing in the morning students will be having their multiplication VIP party. I encourage all of our awesome students to wear  their best "rock star" outfits! The same day students will also be popping a countdown balloon, and the treat is to have games in the classroom (think family game night). If your kiddo would like to bring games on Friday, I highly encourage it! Just make sure your student's name is written clearly on the game!
4. The last day for AR testing is Friday. If your kiddo reaches his/her goal, there will be a reward, not a party (and the reward does not involve food!). The reward will be given during class, so your kiddo does not need to come before or stay after school like I would normally have them do for reaching their goals.

Whew! That's a wrap. Already dreading the last day of school... I am going to miss this group SO much!

Mrs. Zieber

Updates for the week of June 3rd- June 7th

Room 13 families,

            With 8 days of school left, we have a lot of fun things going on! Please contact me with any questions you have about any of the events or end-of-the-year odds and ends.

            Your kiddo should have brought home a paper with information about a student in room 13. Please use this information to purchase a gift for the student for our un-birthday party. Please limit yourself to spending between $5 and $10.

            We our doing a 10 day countdown in our classroom, so as not to ruin any of the fun surprises, I just want to ask parents to make sure their kiddo brings a hat and/or sunglasses to school on Monday because many of the surprises involve being outdoors and also breaking a few rules and allowing students to do things I wouldn’t normally allow in the classroom;)

I hope you have a great week!                                                                            -Mrs. Zieber

Important Dates:
June 5^th: Spelling Bee 

June 6^th: Talent Show

June 7^th: Multiplication VIP Party (in class)/ Summer Send Off Picnic

June 10^th: End-of-the-Year Party 11-1

June 11^th: Un-birthday Party 11-1

June 12^th: Last Day of School/ Field Day/ Assembly