Achievement: SAP groups organized
Respect: my favorite question..."Can I come with you?"
Fun: alfresco lunch with Paula
Freedom: a walk in the sunshine
Wednesday, September 23, 2015
Wednesday, September 16, 2015
AARF
Achievement: K-3 art work display in hallway
Respect: hugs and waves and smiles all day long
Fun: littles chiming in as I read aloud "The Dot"
Freedom: singing all the way to Kalispell
Respect: hugs and waves and smiles all day long
Fun: littles chiming in as I read aloud "The Dot"
Freedom: singing all the way to Kalispell
Monday, September 14, 2015
Dot Day Lesson
Our school is celebrating International Dot Day tomorrow by wearing and making artful dots. To get in on the fun, I have offered to extend the celebration by going into classrooms and reading the book that started it all, "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds.
The book begins with a young girl who tells her teacher that she can't draw. With only two words the teacher influences the girl to explore her creativity through color and shape and design. The girl discovers her ability to create and ends up encouraging another young student who insists he can't draw a straight line even with a ruler.
With encouragement from our art teacher, Heather Epperly, I read "The Dot" to Jill Morely's 3rd graders today. Then I shared my own story of learning to do something I thought I couldn't do.
Years ago, after many failed attempts at trying to grow a garden, I complained to my neighbor, Kathy. Kathy creates beauty with flowers, and I hoped she could help me. I said, "I need some advice. I can't grow flowers." She answered with two words that inspired me: "Start small." I took Kathy's advice, and with help from family and friends, I created a beautiful flower bed that gets bigger and more colorful every year. I know which flowers need sun, which will thrive in the shade and which ones will survive the neighborhood deer. And I always have flowers to share.
After telling my story I asked the students to think of something they can't do now that they want to be able to do someday. Answers ranged from dong the splits, to driving a car, to flying an airplane. Then they drew themselves doing those things on big white dots of drawing paper.
To end the lesson, I wrote some take-aways on the board. If you can't do something yet:
1. ask for support
2. start small
3. enjoy the process
4. share what you learn with others
What do YOU want to learn to do this school year?
The book begins with a young girl who tells her teacher that she can't draw. With only two words the teacher influences the girl to explore her creativity through color and shape and design. The girl discovers her ability to create and ends up encouraging another young student who insists he can't draw a straight line even with a ruler.
With encouragement from our art teacher, Heather Epperly, I read "The Dot" to Jill Morely's 3rd graders today. Then I shared my own story of learning to do something I thought I couldn't do.
Years ago, after many failed attempts at trying to grow a garden, I complained to my neighbor, Kathy. Kathy creates beauty with flowers, and I hoped she could help me. I said, "I need some advice. I can't grow flowers." She answered with two words that inspired me: "Start small." I took Kathy's advice, and with help from family and friends, I created a beautiful flower bed that gets bigger and more colorful every year. I know which flowers need sun, which will thrive in the shade and which ones will survive the neighborhood deer. And I always have flowers to share.
After telling my story I asked the students to think of something they can't do now that they want to be able to do someday. Answers ranged from dong the splits, to driving a car, to flying an airplane. Then they drew themselves doing those things on big white dots of drawing paper.
To end the lesson, I wrote some take-aways on the board. If you can't do something yet:
1. ask for support
2. start small
3. enjoy the process
4. share what you learn with others
What do YOU want to learn to do this school year?
Wednesday, September 9, 2015
2nd week of school.
The pencils are still sharp.
The markers still fresh with wet ink.
We are still hopeful it will be a great year of teaching and learning.
Achievement: 3rd grade ARFF posters hung.
Respect: Firsties eyes and ears intent on my reading of "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse."
Fun: Lego creations in the windowsill.
Freedom: Purging old files.
The markers still fresh with wet ink.
We are still hopeful it will be a great year of teaching and learning.
Achievement: 3rd grade ARFF posters hung.
Respect: Firsties eyes and ears intent on my reading of "Lily's Purple Plastic Purse."
Fun: Lego creations in the windowsill.
Freedom: Purging old files.
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
ARFF book
One of our social/emotional needs is personal freedom. What is it and how do we teach it? Asking questions can help clarify the concept for all of us. Here are a few:
If you could choose any book to read, what would it be?
What would a perfect day be like for you?
If you could be famous for something what would it be?
and my favorite... Do you have plenty of time for YOU, or are you over-booked?
Children's literature is a great way to explore the idea of freedom with kids. "My Garden", a picture book by Kevin Henkes, is a fun read-aloud that encourages kids to imagine what they would grow in their make-believe garden. Garden posters would be a lovely follow-up activity.
The girl in the book grows chocolate rabbits, seashells and flowers that never die. What would you grow?
If you could choose any book to read, what would it be?
What would a perfect day be like for you?
If you could be famous for something what would it be?
and my favorite... Do you have plenty of time for YOU, or are you over-booked?
Children's literature is a great way to explore the idea of freedom with kids. "My Garden", a picture book by Kevin Henkes, is a fun read-aloud that encourages kids to imagine what they would grow in their make-believe garden. Garden posters would be a lovely follow-up activity.
The girl in the book grows chocolate rabbits, seashells and flowers that never die. What would you grow?
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Back to School
Achievement: completed the Bigfork Buddies schedules. 26 high school students are paired up to mentor our elementary students. It's a win-win for the bigs, littles, and their classroom teachers.
Respect: had a great conversation about ARFF with Mrs. Morely's 3rd graders. They were good listeners and shared lots of ideas on how they fill their ARFF.
Fun: I'm reading Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse to the first and second graders. What a fun book! Some of the things she loves about school...pointy pencils, the privacy of her own desk, and the sound of her shoes on the shiny floors. Me too!
Freedom: I have a wide open schedule right now. It will fill up in the next couple of weeks but it's a treat to have the freedom to just help out where needed.
Respect: had a great conversation about ARFF with Mrs. Morely's 3rd graders. They were good listeners and shared lots of ideas on how they fill their ARFF.
Fun: I'm reading Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse to the first and second graders. What a fun book! Some of the things she loves about school...pointy pencils, the privacy of her own desk, and the sound of her shoes on the shiny floors. Me too!
Freedom: I have a wide open schedule right now. It will fill up in the next couple of weeks but it's a treat to have the freedom to just help out where needed.
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Spring ARFF
Achievement: the bulbs I planted last fall are about to blossom.
Respect: Teacher Appreciation Night at Glacier High with Sky and Sammie
Fun: Irish tunes with Patrick and Sky and Amy on Easter
Freedom: Spring Break sleep-ins
Respect: Teacher Appreciation Night at Glacier High with Sky and Sammie
Fun: Irish tunes with Patrick and Sky and Amy on Easter
Freedom: Spring Break sleep-ins
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