GETTING OVER BEING SICK, VALENTINE'S, ETC | Week in My Teacher Life

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE! :)
My name is Kim Huls and I am a 2nd grade teacher in West Michigan. On this channel, I share a variety of teaching vlogs and some lifestyle content as well. Please take a moment to subscribe & turn on that post notification bell so you are notified everytime I post a new video. My handle is @ElementaryInTheMitten just about everywhere (Instagram, TikTok, etc.), so please follow along with me over there as well!
MENTIONED IN THIS VLOG:
○ Amazon Classroom Wishlist: a.co/aHfZWCH
○ Love Bug Headband: bit.ly/3vb7oi6
○ Valentine's Papers/Coloring: bit.ly/3H2mDfB
○ Valentine's Science: bit.ly/33FfTqE
○ Valentine's Math: bit.ly/3s5AXjy
○ Valentine's PlayDoh Stem: bit.ly/3JAidOO
○ Love Monster Directed Drawing and Writing: bit.ly/3s1lLUs
○ 100th Day of School Set: bit.ly/3BD4FQ4
○ italki: bit.ly/3H5pkxh
○ Puzzle Table sign: bit.ly/3sWdFeS
○ The Starbucks drink I got was a shaken brown sugar oatmilk espresso with 2 pumps of caramel!
** All links with the asterisks (*) are affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission when you shop from those links.
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Remember that you are BEAUTIFUL and LOVED!
- - "Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed" Proverbs 16:3

[@BekahPlays]

I'm trying to get back into learning Spanish as well. I work at Dollar Tree, and where I am we get a lot of Spanish speakers coming in who don't speak English that well, or not at all. This one time a little girl came in probably about 6 or 7 and I spoke to her in Spanish for the first time since High School Spanish class in 2010, her face just lit up with this big smile, and it was so sweet. It made my day working retail that much better, and it was at the end of the night. I think it's cool that you're trying to learn Spanish or brush up on it. I honestly think learning a language should be required in public schools especially Spanish just because it's so common here in the US.

[@kelseyc203]

I love the bit about the "cool card," and I will definitely be using that with a class of my own in the future. 😂 One thing I love about not being a cool person is that I find a lot of people wind up thinking I'm "cool" because I just don't care and have fun, if that makes sense. A lot of the teenagers I work with at my job think I'm great and come to me with anything and everything and love to talk about how fun I am, and I think it is so amazing and sweet of them to regard my uncool self so highly. 😂 They are even all so excited that I've decided to earn my teaching certification and all of them have told me they know I'll be a great, super-fun teacher --- all because I've never once acted like the cool 26-year-old I am "supposed" to act like at work. 😂 Long story short, I think YOU are super cool, and I can't get enough of your vlogs. Any kid out there would be a lucky duck to have you as their teacher -- I'm sure you are one the kids never forget.

[@maggiegregg5533]

Hi Kim! I hope you get some time to relax and do your own thing. You seem to make your classroom so fun. I am a retired 1/2 teacher (2001) and have so such empathy/sympathy to what issues you are dealing with today. The kids need you sooooo much! ❤️❤️❤️ I had your love for teaching! (Maggie)

[@tfrizz2050]

I’ve been wanting to pursue a master’s in the same thing. I currently teach English to adults. 🙂 I hope it all works out for you!

[@rachelmasini1212]

I have learned American Sign Language most of my adult life. I started at 16 and now I’m 25! Taking classes really helped, but the one thing that really makes the biggest impact with learning a new language and becoming fluent is using the language and diving into the culture as much as you can. Taking your classes and tutoring is definitely the right direction!!

[@littlebigharvest6893]

I admire your commitment to learning Spanish! I have many bilingual and ELL students (Burmese, Spanish, and Arabic mostly), and am just in AWE of anyone who knows more than one language. I tell my bilingual students all the time that they have a gift. ♥

[@ClaudiaSanchez-1991]

I teach 6th grade Dual Immersion and Spanish 1. I love your enthusiasm in learning the language, I was born in Mexico and had to learn English as an eight grader, so I do tell my students that it’s very important to learn now rather than as an adult or older teenager!! I am always self conscious about mispronouncing words in English because it’s my second language. I would like to get a masters to teach Spanish at the high school level though! Love you videos! Glad to hear you are better!!

[@ButtonNose3]

I loved celebrating with my first graders, I got some board games and puzzles that incorporated reading and math skills. We had a Star Wars themed party. :D

[@ButtonNose3]

OMG I recently have been learning Spanish because my fiancé is a fluent speaker. I'm not signed up to a class but what helps me is putting on subtitles when we are watching tv or listening to music, constant practice daily :D I've been having fun with it.

[@readsandeats2263]

Glad you are feeling better. Great that you are doing so well in your Spanish. I have been trying to learn Scottish Gaelic but am finding that with doing Uni work, I don't have the inclination - will go back to it once I am finished with Uni. Hope you find the Masters you want to do.

[@torihopperplans]

Not a teacher here, but I have fallen down teachertube and I'm a children's and teen librarian and your vlogs are always a treat! Admire your ability to always smile and love the cool card concept. Glad you feel better! Also plan to implement the puzzle table in my children's section soon, with the puzzle table flyer.

[@espanolfacilmp4269]

Glad that you´re feeling better.

[@brittanyterlinde7231]

I love the oatmilk brown sugar drink! I don’t like the cinnamon in it - but caramel sounds good!

[@scientific_teaching]

Corn syrup is a good liquid to use too, super dense and many things will float in it

[@luciamancini3815]

Hi Kim! I'happy you are ok now, I love how you always smile and are full of energy. I'm Italian, a primary teacher. I studied English and German at the university, and Spanish about 15years ago. As you said, it's totally different! I love languages!!!

[@MichelleGayScienceTeacher]

You are such a fun teacher Kim. I am glad you are feeling better.

[@adrianaalvarez3498]

Felicidades por tu aprendizaje. Me da gusto que estes avanzando en español.

[@kaitieharty5634]

So glad you’re feeling better! I recently found you’re account and followed immediately. I’m currently going to school to become a teacher and I find you super inspiring and fun and encouraging! This blog had so many cute ideas for Valentine’s Day. I love watching your videos!! I love the love bug crowns and all the stations you created.

[@CatAndrina7]

So happy you’re feeling better Kim! I love celebrating with my kiddos too. Valentines Day is so much fun 😀🥳

[@cassiejob6709]

I think you’re doing great learning Spanish! I’ve been in process for years-took classes, did a service mission for my church, minored in Spanish education, and my brother teaches Spanish and his wife is from Mexico. I think the best “trick” is just to jump in and try. I think doing your conferences in Spanish and having an interpreter there just in case is great; that’s what I did my first year teaching. Even after all this time, I’ve gotten out of practice, so I ask my students for words or how to say something all the time.

[@marisolmartin1329]

I’m so glad that you are on the mend. One of our PreK skills is to write our first name. So I had my kids do the same thing.

[@riellysmith7072]

If you haven’t already, try watching some Spanish television or movies!! I’ve been learning Korean off and on for about 5 years and listening to the language as it is naturally spoken and not just through vocabulary or small sentences helps SO MUCH!! I’m in my bachelors program for secondary Ed and I want to get my master’s in TESOL too!!

[@johnlopez3996]

You are doing the right things with learning Spanish. You are showing your students that you are eager to learn and they are being helpful with the subtle nuances of the language. Remember that it takes a couple of years to learn any language and you are making great use of your time. Have you tried watching cartoons or movies with Spanish subtitles? That would also work as well.

[@kristinjaklitsch4803]

My brother has his administration degree (he has taught 2nd, 5th and 3rd grades) and he will never be an administrator he says. too many extra responsibilities and longer days/working in the summer. he wants to spend time with his kids and he said that was the best decision he made. i teach spanish and french. a great way for you to also pick up new words is reading!

[@adriennehilll]

So glad you’re feeling better 💛

[@chattychanny5048]

You should do a video comparing 5th and 2nd grade.

[@angeekay6021]

Hey love your channel you are a huge inspiration. I found your channel at time in my life where I seriously consider leaving the teaching profession and you helped get back into my groove. Thank you 😊 I am trying to build my classroom library, and I was wondering if you could do a video featuring all your pictures books for women history month.

[@M3LANAT3D]

I used to be a big on puzzles in my classroom but last year a kiddo knocked all the puzzle pieces off the shelves during a tantrum which mixed them up. So after that I decided maybe puzzles weren’t the best in my classroom. 🤣 Now I only have puzzles with the really big pieces!

[@victoriaLL345]

Glad *you're feeling better.

[@Ms.SpookyNerd]

Great vlog!

[@maggiegregg5533]

You ARE never to old to have a good time to have a good time! ❤️❤️❤️ (Maggie)

[@chelseajanette19]

E ven ifyou mis pronounce words in Spanish or has mihaps, I promise just the effort is tremendously appreciated from native Spanish speakers. You will only get better by making mistakes , thank you for taking time to pursue Spanish, makes my heart happy for your students and parents

[@caffeinecutie472]

I think it was because there was a shortage of valentine cards. At least in my area there was. It was crazy! All stores were out of cards, candy and bears! I'm a type A person lol so I shopped early and had plenty for my kids and had a lot left over so I donated it to other moms who needed some. I love the science project and crown I am going to use it. Thank you for sharing it!

[@angelal2723]

I don’t want to be a Debbie downer, but a few weeks ago I came down with [that which shall not be named] and I tested negative for 3 days in a row. It was not until I woke up with a fever (102) that I finally tested positive. I had a horrible headache for days, only a fever for that one night, and I was congested. I slept for 2 days straight, and then I was pretty fine for the rest of the week. Just tired and laid around in bed. I am vaxxed so I know I had mild symptoms compared to many. But it could still have been that, but you just didn’t test enough.

[@katieblanton9293]

I’m also a Michigan teacher who’s interested in learning more Spanish and a TESOL Masters. I’d love to hear any updates/ideas you have!!

[@maggiegregg5533]

Hang in there, Kim! ❤️ (Maggie)

[@aliciaulrich5157]

Glad you're feeling better! 💛💛 Love to see the realities of teaching and messy classrooms 😅 That was one of the most challenging thing for me last year, a messy and disorganized classroom.

[@thatteachernextdoor2422]

Good job keeping up with the language learning. I would like to hear you speak Spanish in a vlog. Maybe one of the summers will afford you some time to travel to one of the many Spanish speaking countries for immersion.

[@Erin_C1010]

Kim, there was a number game you talked about in a video once and I played it last year with my students but I forgot how to play! Like they’d guess a 3 digit number but I can’t remember the rest. Can you help?

[@mariemolloy2392]

I teach 5th grade and I encourage my students to put there ¨cool card"away when we do fun things.

[@rinawalter5402]

I have a huge question--do your students wear masks? Do your students sit next to other students? I am just very confused. Thank you for clearing things up for me.

[@lizzyliz672]

Hi!!!

[@richardkimball1962]

I’m going to board to Keith

[@lisajarusiewicz4732]

As a mom I would love ❤️ my daughters to have you as a teacher. You seem dynamic, knowledgeable and fun. As a teacher, I dislike the fact that you go to school on the weekend as it sets a bad precedent. It reflects poorly on other teacher who do not. It also and validates the community’s belief that teachers have so much free time and don’t need to recoup from the demanding job. What does your union think of this?

[@avianaendress4705]

Hi I am good morning 🌞☀️😃 I am doing ok thank love you 😽 love 💕 good 😊 love 💕 baby bye ✌️ good 😊 bye 👋 good 👍 thank love ❤️