Ready, Set, Snow

Sometimes after the fog of adulthood sets in, we tend to forget the value of time, especially “found” time.  Snow days are perfect examples of “found” time.  A snow day is when real wealth can show it’s face:  a day when we can simply enjoy an unscheduled day of enjoyment that needs no justification, an amazing excuse to stop and play.

What components come to mind for your snow day today:  trying to stay warm and watch the storm unfold ... the need to shovel or plow or dig your family out in some way ... and with that, the need to bundle up and go outside ... which for kids means the opportunity to run around, make snow angels, throw and taste snow, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, play with parents even ... which for parents means the opportunity to run around, make snow angels, throw and taste snow, have a snowball fight, build a snowman, play with children even ... its an amazing opportunity that none of us should pass up ... its totally fun and super fantastic for your mind, your body, your family or whoever else might get involved in snowplay.

For me, I will enjoy a day filled with life-sustaining trivia that keeps my feet on the ground:  catching up on laundry, really cooking, watching my precious grandchildren enjoy their unexpected free time, a little down time to read, and maybe even a nap!

Martin Luther King Jr.

On Tuesday we studied about Martin Luther King Jr.  We examined m & m's and discussed how they were different on the outside, but were the same on the inside and likened that to how people are.  We read a book about Martin Luther King Jr. and discussed his I have a dream speech.  We discussed our own dreams about how to make our school and community a better place.  Then I made profile pictures of the students and they wrote down their "dreams".  They turned out so cute.  The dreams ranged from "puking in their bed" to "cleaning up all communities and the whole state". 

Snow Day, Grow Day

 

Snow day today! What a glorious day spent in total awe at the magnificience of our Lord. The snow cleansed the air and calmed my spirit. The day was spent with my precious grandchildren, Braeden and Haven. Braeden chilled in the house all day. Haven and I managed an outting to make a snowman. We worked until we were frozen. Then came in for hot cocoa and cheerleader practice. Dinner, homework, baths and snuggle time. All made me calm beyond degree and reiforced just how incredibly blessed I am to be sharing the responsibility or raising these precious babies. I love them so much. Today has given me everything that I need to sail through the remainder of the school year. The love I feel for my babies will spill over to my students and all will be well.

New to Blogging

Well, the "old dog" is going to try to learn a new trick:  blogging.  I hope that this will become a way for me to share what I do with others who are interested:  colleagues, parents, students, friends, etc.

I have been a lifelong learner and hope that as a teacher that is what I inspire in my young students.  I initially chose to teach kindergarten because I wanted to give students just entering school a positive experience on which they could build and learn to love the process of learning as much as I do.  I wanted to be able to mold motivated, excited learners.  And where better to find them than in a kindergarten classroom. 

Later, I went on to teach a Transitional First grade class for students who just were not ready for first grade, but did not need to repeat a whole year of kindergarten.  I believe that all children can learn and my job is never to underestimate their abilities, but to expect each child to do his/her personal best by giving them opportunities in the classroom to develop their own individual capacity of learning and then hold them accountable for doing their personal best.

Education is ever changing and evolving.  My students are ever changing with many various strengths and weaknesses; therefore, I must be ever changing and evolving by finding new ways to change and adapt my teaching styles, lesson plans, and activities so that I am confident that my students leave my classroom prepared, knowing that they are somebody special and that they a valued, respected, and very much appreciated.