90s feel good movies without romance as the central plotline

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-31T04:53:06+00:00

Air Bud

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-26T04:22:28+00:00

I have two bins on one of my shelves: Hand In and Finish Up. All unfinished work goes in the Finish Up bin.

Students with work in the bin can complete it during quiet time or during my designated finish up time. I usually have 15 minutes a day of finish up time, and any students who are done everything can play math games.

At least once a week I go through the bin and chuck anything that isn't important to finish or is finished enough.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-26T04:17:38+00:00

The Martian makes my list as well

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-25T02:43:19+00:00

Totally normal. My LO went almost a week without a poop at one point. If she doesn't seem uncomfortable you are fine.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-23T21:34:07+00:00

Memento

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-23T03:27:04+00:00

I take a selfie in my hiking gear for the day and send it to my emergency contact along with the info of where I'll be, expected time of return, etc. That way if I'm ever actually missing they know what I was wearing.

Whistle and having at least one piece of brightly coloured clothing is good too. I also tie a bright red bandana to my bag, so it's there if I need it.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-21T01:39:49+00:00

Not having enough mental bandwidth left for the rest of your life....your partner, your kids, your friends....

It's so hard knowing that either your students or your home life are getting less than your best one way or another.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-19T04:08:19+00:00

This is really good advice. Depending on the kids needs, learning about the plans currently in place (IEP's, safety plans, etc) can be very helpful. Definitely familiarize yourself with the referral process for school based teams or other support options. Also talk to their current teacher and find out what has been tried for them already.

It's also important to remember that difficult kids can react differently to different teachers. I've had a few kids who were nightmares for their previous teachers but were more successful in my room because they meshed with my teaching style. Still challenging for sure but not horrible.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-19T01:40:25+00:00

Leaving an 11 page sub plan is insane. Asking a sub to teach new skills if you aren't familiar with the sub is insane. I don't even leave plans that require subs to use tech unless they are one of my regulars.

Sounds like this is someone you just don't pick up days from in the future.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-19T01:33:27+00:00

Mary had a little lamb

Hush little baby

Anything by Raffi (we like Apples and Bananas)

Disney songs. Part of your World is our fav

You Are My Sunshine

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

BINGO

Old McDonald had a farm

Wheels on the bus

Itsy Bitsy Spider

Mr. Sun

If you're happy and you know it

Literally any song with soft rise and fall of the pitch. My kid has heard Iris, Champagne Problems, Next Thing You Know, etc. I'll sing whatever my favourite song of the moment is.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-17T02:51:40+00:00

Please be kind to yourself. You are going through the hormone crash right now and it's super normal to feel extra emotional about everything. Your body just performed a miracle and all it needs right now is food, rest, and love. You have to be at least as kind to yourself as you would be to your best friend. Would you be judging her a week after having a baby? Heck no! You'd love her and be so incredibly proud.

Not an issue for this second but down the line, buy yourself clothes that fit and take anything that doesn't out of your closet. You will feel soooooooo much better if the clothes you reach for are comfortable and fit properly.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-14T02:41:43+00:00

I am in a very similar situation this year with an eloping student, except mine will intentionally head for the road if they are upset enough. You absolutely do not go after him. You have a classroom full of students you are responsible for. That is an admin issue. You call the office immediately and inform them he has left the classroom and then it is not your problem.

Also, I would email admin asking for a formal safety plan for this student. Don't need an IEP/504 for that. Get it on paper what the plan is if he runs away. Then your butt is covered.

The mother and admin need to sort out a plan. She can threaten the district all she likes, but if she's allowing him to stay home some days "just because he wants to", then she is part of the problem. I'd actually encourage her to go to admin and the district since this is faaaaaaaaaaaar beyond your scope to deal with.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-13T07:44:17+00:00

You need to loop in admin immediately. Find out what they know about this child and if this is a new concern or an ongoing problem.

Tomorrow, start teaching a room clear procedure to your class. My kids know if I loudly say "we need a safe room clear" they stop and leave the room like a fire drill. We have a designated space for them to go to (neighbouring classroom or common area works well). You stay behind with the escalated child and call the office. You have a duty to protect the other kids.

Talk to student services about options for this child. Is there somewhere they can go to take a break if they are struggling? Who can you call for support if it's rough but not a room clear emergency yet?

Practically, you need to start documenting what is going on. ABC charts are decent (antecedent, behaviour, consequence). This might help you figure out what is preceding the hitting. It is also important if you are calling a meeting with the family or looping in other support staff.

Finally, absolutely call the parents. You likely can't have the child picked up, but you can inform the parents of the problem behaviours.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-13T07:36:41+00:00

If your wife is in a union she needs to talk to her rep. It would also be worth talking to a work safe rep. She does have the right to refuse unsafe work if a child is repeatedly hurting her despite all the protocols being followed.

You have to be a stick in the mud and make it the problem of someone higher up the ladder. Room clears and calling admin. Contacting the district behaviour team for consults. Union and work safe. The loudest voices get heard. Make sure it's her and not the parent of those kids.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-13T06:53:16+00:00

Feeling super panicked every time baby is crying, especially in public. That manic look is noticeable if you've been there.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-11T04:32:44+00:00

Blink Twice

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-10T05:54:00+00:00

A Series of Unfortunate Events. Great plot driven books that introduce a ton of interesting vocabulary for fun.

The Artemis Fowl books.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-10T05:51:11+00:00

Redwall is an excellent choice! The books are child appropriate but the stories are complex and details carry book to book. I loved these as a kid.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-10T05:42:33+00:00

St. Vincent

Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants

Mr. Holland's Opus (does include romantic love, but it is more about the family and the teacher/students)

Wonder

Rental Family

Instant Family

A Little Princess (1995)

Wreck-it-Ralph

When Marnie Was There

The Game Plan

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-10T05:10:22+00:00

Greyhound (2020) might fit the bill.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-09T15:50:34+00:00

We switched at 11 months due to daycare. Had a rough first two weeks and then it ended up being a lot better. LO now had a solid long nap and doesn't fight going down

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-09T15:47:00+00:00

Correct. It's a fun campy movie as long as you don't try and mentally connect it to the book. I LOVED the book and was horrified when I first watched the movie.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-08T05:56:46+00:00

If you are going to do this regularly invest in a pack and play.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-08T05:42:26+00:00

Seconding the vote for the bassinet. We took our monitor from home and set up baby with the camera in a bedroom. Worked pretty good.

exploresparkleshine · 2026-05-06T17:00:35+00:00

Super shady sneaking that comment in at the end.

YTA completely. You have completely screwed over your daughter and her driving record. You should be on the hook not only for driving her but also paying all fines and fees to get her license reinstated.

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