There is always a ceremony in my mind when I turn off the daily alarm for summer vacation, but this year I heard the Hallelujah Chorus as I turned off the alarm. (I did chuckle a little as I set my alarm for that time on Race Day!)
Even though I might not necessarily sleep late, I enjoy the pleasure of waking up slowly. That entails no immediate shower, an extra cup of coffee, and a leisurely reading of the newspaper.
The last week began with my retirement open house. I had the option of choosing what type of celebration I wanted. This was it. We had a light lunch, cake, and good company. I was blessed with visitors from my three church homes and so many other friends. One of my friends said, "Thanks for retiring so I could see my old friends." That was what I wanted--a chance to talk and reconnect.
By the end of the week, I felt like that athlete who retires and must be greeted at each stadium visited during the final season. It was a very uncomfortable.
Please don't celebrate me. Celebrate our God who took a girl from Nebraska who used the talents He gave her to tell His story and help His children learn how to read, write, and discover who they are. It's all on Him--I flew by the seat of my pants so many days.
What will I miss? I will miss the good people I taught with each day who lifted me up in prayer and had my back. I will miss the look in a little child's eyes when he or she discovers, "I get it!" I will miss the adrenaline that flowed when the "Back to School" ads come out.
Now, I say, "Thanks, God, for using me to glorify you."
Let the next adventure begin!
Tuesday, May 31, 2016
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Field Tripping
Last week, we went on our annual trip to Environmental Adventure Day at Southeastway Park. The children used nets to catch tadpoles, dragonfly larva, and a crawdad. They planted a tulip tree in the park, got within a few feet of a hawk and several types of owls, used binoculars to watch birds, and tried shooting an arrow from a bow. The parks department goes all out on this day and I love the science the children get to experience. If you know me, you know science was not my favorite class in school, so I work really hard on it so my students will learn to love science.
Monday, one of my students asked about my favorite field trip. That was easy. Many years ago, one of my parents invited us to the railroad yard in Beech Grove to watch the circus unload. A carny guy latched onto us and explained how the animal cages were designed to protect the animals as the traveled. He told us who lived in which train cars. Pretty soon, a local television celebrity, Cowboy Bob, came and asked us to stay. He was pretty excited that we were there. They filmed us and we were on his next show. This got an appreciative reaction from my current class.
In one of my first years of teaching, Pastor Bickel asked me to have my class do the service at the nursing home for him. I loaded all ten of my first and second graders into our 1968 Pontiac Bonneville and off we went. We recited Bible verses and sang songs we had memorized and came back. I don't remember if the parents even knew. In those days, it didn't matter.
There was an in-house trip that I remember. The Kroger pharmacist had student pharmacists from Purdue come into my class to talk to the students about safety issues concerning medicines. I remember one in particular. He walked in, showed his scrapbook of football pictures, and then showed the class his Rose Bowl ring. I was impressed, I'm not sure about the kids.
Another one that stands out for me was just two days after John's funeral. We went to Survive Alive! which is an outstanding fire safety class for the children. I have gone so often, the firefighters greet me with hugs and, "Hi, Sandy!" when we walk in. That particular year, they asked me if I would like to try on the firefighter's gear. Are you kidding? You can see the picture of me wearing the gear in the October 17, 2015 entry.
I remember one field trip from my own first grade, too. The teacher read us a poem about a jack-in-the-pulpit plant. I said that we had them in my yard, so we walked the block to my house to see it. My mom was pretty surprised to see us. We could not do that today.
Why take field trips? Here's your answer, they create great memories and learning experiences for students and their teachers. You can't measure that with a standardized test! So there!
Monday, one of my students asked about my favorite field trip. That was easy. Many years ago, one of my parents invited us to the railroad yard in Beech Grove to watch the circus unload. A carny guy latched onto us and explained how the animal cages were designed to protect the animals as the traveled. He told us who lived in which train cars. Pretty soon, a local television celebrity, Cowboy Bob, came and asked us to stay. He was pretty excited that we were there. They filmed us and we were on his next show. This got an appreciative reaction from my current class.
In one of my first years of teaching, Pastor Bickel asked me to have my class do the service at the nursing home for him. I loaded all ten of my first and second graders into our 1968 Pontiac Bonneville and off we went. We recited Bible verses and sang songs we had memorized and came back. I don't remember if the parents even knew. In those days, it didn't matter.
There was an in-house trip that I remember. The Kroger pharmacist had student pharmacists from Purdue come into my class to talk to the students about safety issues concerning medicines. I remember one in particular. He walked in, showed his scrapbook of football pictures, and then showed the class his Rose Bowl ring. I was impressed, I'm not sure about the kids.
Another one that stands out for me was just two days after John's funeral. We went to Survive Alive! which is an outstanding fire safety class for the children. I have gone so often, the firefighters greet me with hugs and, "Hi, Sandy!" when we walk in. That particular year, they asked me if I would like to try on the firefighter's gear. Are you kidding? You can see the picture of me wearing the gear in the October 17, 2015 entry.
I remember one field trip from my own first grade, too. The teacher read us a poem about a jack-in-the-pulpit plant. I said that we had them in my yard, so we walked the block to my house to see it. My mom was pretty surprised to see us. We could not do that today.
Why take field trips? Here's your answer, they create great memories and learning experiences for students and their teachers. You can't measure that with a standardized test! So there!
Saturday, April 9, 2016
The Power of a Sticker
I have found stickers to hold great power in the classroom. I have little charts hung up and when they are filled, the child gets a new chart, no prize or certificate, just a different chart.
Here is how to get a sticker in my class:
Turn in your reading paper on time and receive two stickers. Turn it in by the end of the day, receive one sticker.
My latest addition is to give one sticker if a child gets one or zero incorrect. This has boosted work habits immensely.
Follow the directions of the reading volunteer, get a sticker or two.
Say your memory work and claim two stickers. If a student has to go review the verse, he or she receives only one sticker.
I walk around the room and hand out stickers for being on-task.
When I realize that everyone is following directions or walking down the hall quietly, extra stickers!
When an another adult gives the class a compliment--stickers!
When a student overcomes a learning obstacle or makes an extra effort: sticker or two.
You may think that this only works in lower grades, but I have found that when I enlist eighth graders to help out they never refuse my offer of stickers.
St. John students receive special stickers on their baptism birthday. My students treasure those stickers and wear them proudly.
I was thinking that maybe adults should receive stickers, too. The world might be a kinder place.
Here is how to get a sticker in my class:
Turn in your reading paper on time and receive two stickers. Turn it in by the end of the day, receive one sticker.
My latest addition is to give one sticker if a child gets one or zero incorrect. This has boosted work habits immensely.
Follow the directions of the reading volunteer, get a sticker or two.
Say your memory work and claim two stickers. If a student has to go review the verse, he or she receives only one sticker.
I walk around the room and hand out stickers for being on-task.
When I realize that everyone is following directions or walking down the hall quietly, extra stickers!
When an another adult gives the class a compliment--stickers!
When a student overcomes a learning obstacle or makes an extra effort: sticker or two.
You may think that this only works in lower grades, but I have found that when I enlist eighth graders to help out they never refuse my offer of stickers.
St. John students receive special stickers on their baptism birthday. My students treasure those stickers and wear them proudly.
I was thinking that maybe adults should receive stickers, too. The world might be a kinder place.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
How to Draw a Crowd
There are several tried and true ways to draw a crowd in a classroom.
An injury: this takes at least three students. You have the injured party, the witness, and those who are helping the injured child over to the teacher. Most injuries can be cured by a bandage, a drink of water, or a walk around the playground.
A tattle: this can take a small army. You have the culprit, the slighted, the witnesses, and those who have heard what happened and who can testify about the culprit's reputation.
A dropped box of crayons: students who ordinarily sit stone-faced, will jump out of their seats and fly across the room to assist. No matter how many students help, it will take waaaay longer than necessary to clean the mess up. (Parents wonder why I limit the number of crayons and markers needed in school.)
Spilled milk: any number of students will rush over to stare at the milk as it flows off the table and puddles on the floor. There will be some who rush to get the super-absorbent paper towels always dispensed in schools across America. It will take unlimited trips to clean it up.
A lost pencil or crayon: this requires one child to find it. The finder will wander all over the room to ask each child if it is his or hers. Students join in the parade as it progresses only to find no one will claim the pencil.
A clod of mud on the restroom floor which looks like poop: I have a small toilet in my classroom. The entire class can crowd in when someone comes out and announces what he found on the floor. I was the hero in this event when I used a paper towel to pick it up. My announcement that it was mud was greeted with cheers.
Vomit: students will stand and watch the child vomit and hold their noses. Brilliant comments are made such as, "If I look at this much longer, I am going to be sick." I have also had a child announce that he didn't feel well and proceeded to throw up all over my desk. He was the hero because no one had to finish their work since all papers were unrecoverable. Yes, we discuss over and over that if they feel like they are going to upchuck, run to the trash can, sink, or best option, toilet.
My favorite crowd draw is a song. One child will start singing, pretty soon we all join in. My favorite was "Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama." We all were up dancing, clapping, and singing and then we went back to work. I wonder where that child is now and if he knows how fondly I remember those moments.
An injury: this takes at least three students. You have the injured party, the witness, and those who are helping the injured child over to the teacher. Most injuries can be cured by a bandage, a drink of water, or a walk around the playground.
A tattle: this can take a small army. You have the culprit, the slighted, the witnesses, and those who have heard what happened and who can testify about the culprit's reputation.
A dropped box of crayons: students who ordinarily sit stone-faced, will jump out of their seats and fly across the room to assist. No matter how many students help, it will take waaaay longer than necessary to clean the mess up. (Parents wonder why I limit the number of crayons and markers needed in school.)
Spilled milk: any number of students will rush over to stare at the milk as it flows off the table and puddles on the floor. There will be some who rush to get the super-absorbent paper towels always dispensed in schools across America. It will take unlimited trips to clean it up.
A lost pencil or crayon: this requires one child to find it. The finder will wander all over the room to ask each child if it is his or hers. Students join in the parade as it progresses only to find no one will claim the pencil.
A clod of mud on the restroom floor which looks like poop: I have a small toilet in my classroom. The entire class can crowd in when someone comes out and announces what he found on the floor. I was the hero in this event when I used a paper towel to pick it up. My announcement that it was mud was greeted with cheers.
Vomit: students will stand and watch the child vomit and hold their noses. Brilliant comments are made such as, "If I look at this much longer, I am going to be sick." I have also had a child announce that he didn't feel well and proceeded to throw up all over my desk. He was the hero because no one had to finish their work since all papers were unrecoverable. Yes, we discuss over and over that if they feel like they are going to upchuck, run to the trash can, sink, or best option, toilet.
My favorite crowd draw is a song. One child will start singing, pretty soon we all join in. My favorite was "Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama." We all were up dancing, clapping, and singing and then we went back to work. I wonder where that child is now and if he knows how fondly I remember those moments.
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Teachers are sneaky!
Today we were a little low key in class because we had a musical tonight; an awesome production I would say.
We were playing word BINGO. I give the students words to cut out and glue down on a bingo form. I call the first game, circling the words called on the smart board. If you have watched anyone play bingo, you know that many repeat what is called while they search for the word. Whoever gets the first bingo, reads back their words and gets to call the next game. When game time is up, students have read and reread the words many times.
In the midst of the concentrated game, one student said, "This is really fun."
I said, "Yes, it is. I am a sneaky teacher."
Those twenty-one shocked, innocent faces turned to me saying, "What?"
The answer, "We are doing reading. When we first started you had trouble with some of these words. Now, you are reading them very well."
I got lots of nods, but they don't know the rest of the story: this activity means there are no papers to grade!
Yes, I am a sneaky teacher!
We were playing word BINGO. I give the students words to cut out and glue down on a bingo form. I call the first game, circling the words called on the smart board. If you have watched anyone play bingo, you know that many repeat what is called while they search for the word. Whoever gets the first bingo, reads back their words and gets to call the next game. When game time is up, students have read and reread the words many times.
In the midst of the concentrated game, one student said, "This is really fun."
I said, "Yes, it is. I am a sneaky teacher."
Those twenty-one shocked, innocent faces turned to me saying, "What?"
The answer, "We are doing reading. When we first started you had trouble with some of these words. Now, you are reading them very well."
I got lots of nods, but they don't know the rest of the story: this activity means there are no papers to grade!
Yes, I am a sneaky teacher!
Tuesday, December 1, 2015
Making Memories
If you ever want to feel the true Christmas spirit, spend some time with a child getting ready for Christmas. The activities I do with my students and grandchildren bring me so much more of the true meaning of Christmas than it brings to them.
I put multi-colored lights on the Christmas tree in our classroom. The first time I did this, I had purchased some clearance lights and put them on my tree in school. One child commented, "We only have white lights at home, those are beautiful." These lights remind me that each of my children are different, yet they are strung together in one classroom for me to love and teach about Jesus.
I put out a couple of nativity scenes which the children can touch. Many are shocked that they can do so, because it is not allowed at home. They will travel all over the classroom acting out the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph had conversations I had not thought of, but those conversations reflect what they hear at home and from me. They also reflect the faith these little ones have.
It is my belief that other than the lights, all ornaments on the tree should be made by the children. We spend time making paper chains and decorating foam cutouts. The children drag in their parents to see the tree they helped decorate. They point out their ornaments with great pride. (I thank God for glitter glue. It ranks right up there with glue stick for ingenious inventions.)
You may have read about my disdain for Elf on the Shelf. This year one of my former cadet teachers, Keira Craig, pointed me in a new direction. We now have the wise men in a different place in our classroom each morning. They have the daily portion of the Christmas Story for us to read. I told them it was to replace Elf on the Shelf. None of them knew what I was talking about. God is very kind to this teacher looking at 109 days of school left, 110 if we don't get a snow day.
Today, we went on a field trip to President Benjamin Harrison's home. We make a wooden soldier ornament and tour the home. My own children did this when they were in their father's class and treasure those soldiers. I cannot tell you how many years I have gone there, but some years a parent will say, "I remember making these in your class. I still have it."
My grandchildren come to spend a night near Christmas with me. If my decorating is not finished, they help. Being the great grandmother that I am, I get several boxes of theatre candy, dump them into a bowl, and allow them each to fill their bowl one time. Then, we watch "Elf." My oldest is thirteen and I think he will allow this to happen this year, but as high school begins I treasure all the sweet memories we have made.
So, my advice for you, dear reader, is to make many memories with your children and take time from all the unnecessary craziness of Christmas and celebrate Christ together!
I put multi-colored lights on the Christmas tree in our classroom. The first time I did this, I had purchased some clearance lights and put them on my tree in school. One child commented, "We only have white lights at home, those are beautiful." These lights remind me that each of my children are different, yet they are strung together in one classroom for me to love and teach about Jesus.
I put out a couple of nativity scenes which the children can touch. Many are shocked that they can do so, because it is not allowed at home. They will travel all over the classroom acting out the Christmas story. Mary and Joseph had conversations I had not thought of, but those conversations reflect what they hear at home and from me. They also reflect the faith these little ones have.
It is my belief that other than the lights, all ornaments on the tree should be made by the children. We spend time making paper chains and decorating foam cutouts. The children drag in their parents to see the tree they helped decorate. They point out their ornaments with great pride. (I thank God for glitter glue. It ranks right up there with glue stick for ingenious inventions.)
You may have read about my disdain for Elf on the Shelf. This year one of my former cadet teachers, Keira Craig, pointed me in a new direction. We now have the wise men in a different place in our classroom each morning. They have the daily portion of the Christmas Story for us to read. I told them it was to replace Elf on the Shelf. None of them knew what I was talking about. God is very kind to this teacher looking at 109 days of school left, 110 if we don't get a snow day.
Today, we went on a field trip to President Benjamin Harrison's home. We make a wooden soldier ornament and tour the home. My own children did this when they were in their father's class and treasure those soldiers. I cannot tell you how many years I have gone there, but some years a parent will say, "I remember making these in your class. I still have it."
My grandchildren come to spend a night near Christmas with me. If my decorating is not finished, they help. Being the great grandmother that I am, I get several boxes of theatre candy, dump them into a bowl, and allow them each to fill their bowl one time. Then, we watch "Elf." My oldest is thirteen and I think he will allow this to happen this year, but as high school begins I treasure all the sweet memories we have made.
So, my advice for you, dear reader, is to make many memories with your children and take time from all the unnecessary craziness of Christmas and celebrate Christ together!
Sunday, November 1, 2015
Trifecta
This past week could have been crazy, weird, loud, and any other adjective that would describe a week with lots of excitement and anticipation.
This week was not. It was a week of hard work and students showing they knew why they were in school.
I was shocked!
This week we had rain pushed in by a tropical storm so no outside recess for a day. We had a full moon--ask any teacher or anyone who deals with the public about how life goes down during a full moon. Finally, we had Halloween. This usually pushes things over the top.
There are two things that could have made this week more on the positive side. First, we had parent-teacher conference. There is usually a humble time after this event which is thoroughly enjoyed by teachers. Then we had a week of no school because of fall break. Both the teachers and students came back rested and ready to see each other again.
People usually tell me that the kids must be awful after Halloween. This year Halloween was on a Saturday which I fully appreciate. Also, parents portion out Halloween candy.
I will tell you this truth. The classroom is the most bonkers the day after Easter. "Why is this?" you ask. It is because on Easter, the kids scarf down their entire Easter basket while the parents sit at the table talking and not paying any attention to what their kids are eating. I am thankful that Easter is the first Sunday of our spring break this school year. God is most gracious to this retiring teacher.
Medical professionals who insist sugar does not make a difference in a child's behavior need to observe a classroom exactly ten minutes after cupcakes with three inches of frosting have been consumed. I have timed it! Now, don't get me started on the effects of red dye or how I feel about poptarts and lunchables.
This week was not. It was a week of hard work and students showing they knew why they were in school.
I was shocked!
This week we had rain pushed in by a tropical storm so no outside recess for a day. We had a full moon--ask any teacher or anyone who deals with the public about how life goes down during a full moon. Finally, we had Halloween. This usually pushes things over the top.
There are two things that could have made this week more on the positive side. First, we had parent-teacher conference. There is usually a humble time after this event which is thoroughly enjoyed by teachers. Then we had a week of no school because of fall break. Both the teachers and students came back rested and ready to see each other again.
People usually tell me that the kids must be awful after Halloween. This year Halloween was on a Saturday which I fully appreciate. Also, parents portion out Halloween candy.
I will tell you this truth. The classroom is the most bonkers the day after Easter. "Why is this?" you ask. It is because on Easter, the kids scarf down their entire Easter basket while the parents sit at the table talking and not paying any attention to what their kids are eating. I am thankful that Easter is the first Sunday of our spring break this school year. God is most gracious to this retiring teacher.
Medical professionals who insist sugar does not make a difference in a child's behavior need to observe a classroom exactly ten minutes after cupcakes with three inches of frosting have been consumed. I have timed it! Now, don't get me started on the effects of red dye or how I feel about poptarts and lunchables.
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