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joy and sorrow

There isn't much that I can do,
But I can share an hour with you,
And I can share a joke with you...
As on our way we go.
Maude V. Preston

Today was my fourth day of running a grief group with an intern from the Tamarack Grief Center. The group members are all elementary students who have lost a parent, grandparent, or other close relative. Today we each shared a picture or an object that reminds us of our loved one. I shared a picture of my dad and I in front of the cabinets my dad built in my kitchen in Alaska. I also shared a picture of my mom on her 85th birthday. As we each shared our memories, we were brought close to tears, but in the sharing there was also much joy and laughter. What a gift it was to hear the children's stories.

So often in my teaching or counseling I want to do some tangible thing to help a student do better. Today's group reminded me that sometimes there is nothing I can do but be there with them as they make their way in the world. And in that there is joy.

The Gift of Time

I met with a 7th grader this week who seems so much happier this year than last. When asked what's better she said her grades in math were A's and B's instead of D's and F's. When asked what has made a difference for her, she said this year she gets to work at her own speed in math. "Last year it went so fast I was confused a lot. This year I get to take the time I need to learn it."

I wonder how many students feel information is coming at them too fast to absorb? And then what about the students who tune out because new information isn't coming fast enough? How does one teacher meet the learning needs of both students?

I would love to hear how some of you do that.

tracking positive

Our staff is having an experiment to see what happens if we take a month off of complaining and keep our conversations positive and solution focused. Will it change the culture of our school? Will it give us more time and energy for the things we love? Will it have a positive effect on student learning? Will it stifle legitimate criticisms?
February is the perfect month to do this since it tends to be a bit dreary. It's also the perfect month to play in the snow, ski, catch snowflakes on your tongue and take dance lessons. And that's just what I am about to do!

Sub Zero Memories

It has been sunny and COLD and I love it. Some of the best memories of my life were on sub zero days, so when the temperature drops I get nostalgic. I'm going to sound like an old-timer remembering days gone by but I guess I am!

I was in 5th grade and my teacher was Mr. Gilbertson. He was one of those teachers that can inspire a person for life. We worked hard in his class, but we played hard as well ( singing, square dancing, bombardment games, newspaper drives, and field trips).

One Saturday during mid-winter he invited his students to spend the day bird watching at Fort Snelling State Park. About ten of us signed up to go and we were given instructions to dress warm and pack a lunch as we would be outside all day.

Saturday morning arrived and the temperatures had dropped overnight. The high for the day was expected to be 10 degrees below zero. Mr G. called each of our parents and said that with their permission he would still be willing to take us out for the day. He had one requirement for us... NO COMPLAINING AOBUT THE COLD! All ten us of agreed and we bundled up in our wool jackets and pac boots and took off into the sub zero temps.

I remember the day, a beautiful blue sky, crisp cold, and lots of winter birds including a piliated woodpecker. I remember being amazed at how hot we got hiking in the snow, and I remember feeling proud that I could "tough it out". I learned that day how to be prepared for cold weather. To cover your ears, dress in layers, stay hydrated with water, not snow, and hike with a buddy.

I used all those winter skills when I moved to Alaska and have many many more great memories of sub zero fun from those days. So when recess closes down due to cold temperatures, I just want to say, "Bundle Up! Take the Kids outside! Let them learn how good and empowering it feels to weather the cold!" It's a good life lesson to learn to dress for the weather, and what better way to learn than feeling the cold on your face and in your hands and feet.

Thank you Mr. G. for taking a risk and letting us experience the joys of winter.

bigforkschools.org

Big Achievement for the Bigfork School district today. Our new website is officially launched! At the staff meeting this morning Mrs. Boshka challenged us to visit our colleagues' web pages. She said when she did that, it gave her the sense that our staff members have more in common than we might realize. It is just a beginning but it has the potential to unify staff as well as publicize all the good that goes on throughout our district.

Visit bigforkschools.org to see what I mean!

moonshine

A 5th grade teacher asked me to teach a lesson on honesty. I taught it today and it went pretty well.

I started by reading the book "Sam, Bangs and Moonshine". Moonshine is another word for imagination, and in the story a young girl learns the difference between "good moonshine" and "bad moonshine". After reading I asked the students to give examples of each type of moonshine. Some examples of good moonshine: using your imagination to make up poems or stories or inventions. Some examples of bad moonshine: lying to make yourself feel better, to get out of trouble, or hurt someone else. I shared some examples from my own life when I used bad moonshine. Like the time my teacher said he saw me riding on the handle bars of a bike and I said it wasn't me because I didn't want to get in trouble.

I asked the students to write about where in their lives they are in the habit of using bad moonshine. I assured them I would be the only one to read what they wrote. They admitted to using bad moonshine at home, school, and with their friends. Several of them said they lie when they get nervous or scared.

I asked them to write two more things: An area of their life where they would like to be more honest, and an example of how they like to use good moonshine. They want to be more honest when they get in trouble, when they get bad grades, when they are at home and with their friends. They like to use good moonshine when they are acting on stage, writing, playing, and drawing.

I felt like the lesson was a success because their responses seemed genuine. I told them I would check on their progress next time we meet to see if they are having success being more honest. I will be curious to see if the teacher notices a difference.

Teaching this lesson makes me wonder, how can we encourage others to be honest? I'm thinking that people need to feel safe enough to tell the truth. I would love to hear your thoughts about this.