How to tell first graders I'm pregnant?

MrsDeLovely

Hi Ladies! Need some advice from any of you teachers out there. I'm going on my 23rd week and starting to show. I think one of the little girls suspects something so I figure it's time to tell the class on Monday. Should I do it in a cute way so it's fun for the kids? Or just sit them down and tell them? How did you handle it? TIA

icyblueeyez19

Maybe this will help.

https://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbnInquiry.asp?r=1&ISBN=9780395604700&ourl=Our%2DTeachers%2DHaving%2Da%2DBaby%2FDiane%2DdeGroat

blendedfammama

Do you have a cute, not scary ultrasound pic of baby?  Maybe you could use a projector and have it at the front of the classroom when they come in Monday morning.  You could also use blue or pink note cards and let them vote on what they think the baby is, boy or girl.  Just a couple thoughts though.

AudioDoc

You should send a note home and tell the parents first. Some parents may not want you to explain the whole idea of what pregnancy is/means... Let the parents know that you're expecting, and that you're planning to tell the class on XYZ date. If they have any objections they should let you know.

There was a bit of an upheaval in a friend's school when she told her 2nd grade class she was expecting. One of the parents called the school complaining that it was not the teacher's place to introduce the idea of pregnancy to her child. 

I know it seems outlandish, even the principal was shocked at the parents' reponse...but you never know these days... 

autumnbride07

I had the kids play a game of hangman and the message that they would uncover read....

Mrs. ********** is going to have a baby!

annibes

LOL I Know this is no help at all, but my first thought was, "Well, it depends on whether or not you have tenure.."

Good luck, though- I liked the idea of sending a note home to the parents first.

iteachk

I sent a note to the parents at 21 wks, and right before I passed it out to my kindergartners, I said, "This is a note to tell you and your parents that I am going to have a baby girl around Valentine's Day."  That was about it.

MrsDeLovely

Oh yeah, I'm definitely not going into the whole "where babies come from" discussion. All of that info I'm leaving up to the parents, so maybe a note home to them first would be a good idea!

*Bee*

I played a game of hangman with my kiddos.  They were so excited when they figured it out.  I didn't send a note home to the parents, I just let the kids take care of telling them for me.  I haven't had any negative feedback yet.  In fact, the kids have told ME more about babies/pregnancy/birth than I would ever share with them.  It's interesting what parents tell their kids these days.

AudioDoc

MrsDeLovely:

Oh yeah, I'm definitely not going into the whole "where babies come from" discussion. All of that info I'm leaving up to the parents, so maybe a note home to them first would be a good idea!

Oh no, I didn't meant going into it like that! I just mean the idea of pregnancy in general. Some parents are sensitive about how that concept is introduced to their child, so maybe sending a note home first to let them know when and how you're going to tell the children would be the best idea.

MrsDeLovely

Thanks for all the feedback!

calex33

I read Our Teacher's Having a Baby to my class and had them guess why I read it to them. ?It took about 5 guesses, but one little girl figured it out. ?They were very cute about it. ?I sent a note to parents the same day letting them know the news. ?I've had a really positive response, so far! ?The only negative issue I encountered was when one student asked me how the baby was going to get out of my tummy. ?I told him that was a good question for his mom. ?He said that he asked his mom and that she told him she didn't know! ?Nice.

meandg

I'm a third grade teacher.  My students figured out around week 17 b/c other coworkers were making comments and one even rubbed my belly on the play ground!  This week I showed them the u/s pic just a head/tummy profile and his legs, since someone in the class asked if he had them. In my room many of my students parents are pregnant or just had babies in the past 1-3 months....the students in my population usually come from larger families so all this is not new to them. I didn't explain the birthing process and no one asked how he got there.  Their concern was primarily who would be there when I had the baby and if I would be bringing him back to visit.  I didn't send home a note before hand. If it makes a difference, this is my second year of tenure.

LoveEeyore

I would tell the students however you want- the books are a great idea.  You don't have to use the word pregnant- just that you are going to be a teacher AND a mommy.  On the same day I would send home a note to the parents or do you do a weekly newsletter?  Justt mention it in the newsletter "Ms Smith is excited to announce that she will be having a baby in March and she is working closely with administration to ensure your child's education remains undisrupted while out on maternity leave" or that though you are not due until Jusy you are working with admin to prepare in the unlikely event that you need to take early leave. 

Lissard4

I teach first grade too. I was trying to hold off until I was further along, but my kids were very worried about me because I kept going to the doctor.  I just brought them to the carpet and told them I had a surprise for them.  I told them I was going to have a baby and they all got really excited.  I showed them a non scary ultra sound too.  Now they all ask to touch my tummy and all have names picked out.  A lot of the parents have said how happy they were that I shared this with the kids.  I hope this helps.

kyra&jp

My kids are a bit younger than yours (multiage classroom with 3-6 year olds).  I was going to read that Eve Bunting book but I thought it was a bit over the heads of the younger kids.  So, I showed them my ultrasound photo & asked them what they thought it was (a few knew immediately, one guessed a wolf!).  After, I explained that I was going to have a baby & let them guess boy or girl & we made a graph to hang up on the wall.  I also told the parents in a newsletter that went home the same day letting them know that I told the kids & that if all went well, I would be there till the end of the school year & would be back for the first day of school next year (my kids stay with me for three years so I will have many of the same kids next school year).