In speaking with my sister, also a teacher, this morning, we talked about qualities we admire in our colleagues.
She spoke about Mrs. Hamilton, a colleague that truly inspired her.
As we spoke, I said, "I could reach for those qualities as the qualities Mrs. Hamilton emulated are attributes I admire and desire."
Later in the morning I spoke to number of relatives whom I admire greatly with respect to their parenting skills and abilities. One is always the empathetic, inspiring voice. Another holds the voice of reason, balance, and continued commitment to her children, and the third, always the optimist, ever seeks to find the fun and possibility in situations
As I think about this morning's conversations, I realize once again that it's important to find mentors in all areas of our lives. Who will you choose this year as your teaching mentor, parenting mentor, and life mentor? What people do you admire, and what qualities do those people exemplify that you can reach for, embrace, and develop in yourself.
As we journey this ever changing road of life, there's lots to navigate, wonder about, and choose, and our mentors will help us move forward with the grace, happiness, and love we seek. Onward.
Sunday, August 03, 2014
Simplify
Less things, more time.
Keeping and protecting the best things--the objects and materials you love, and those things that bring strength, comfort, and joy.
Setting the stage for greater thought, better action, learning, and growth by culling your spaces down to the most essential, meaningful things.
Starting small and building slowly and deliberately is the best way to reach simplicity, yet sometimes you reach a point where you have to work backwards by eliminating that which is no longer needed; giving away possessions that might enrich another's life and throwing away outdated things.
Simplify: a way of clearing the path towards better light at home and in the classroom making space for thought, collaboration, creation, and clarity.
Simplicity: not the most entertaining ideal to reach, but a necessary and valuable path.
Keeping and protecting the best things--the objects and materials you love, and those things that bring strength, comfort, and joy.
Setting the stage for greater thought, better action, learning, and growth by culling your spaces down to the most essential, meaningful things.
Starting small and building slowly and deliberately is the best way to reach simplicity, yet sometimes you reach a point where you have to work backwards by eliminating that which is no longer needed; giving away possessions that might enrich another's life and throwing away outdated things.
Simplify: a way of clearing the path towards better light at home and in the classroom making space for thought, collaboration, creation, and clarity.
Simplicity: not the most entertaining ideal to reach, but a necessary and valuable path.
Maker Station Coming Up
I will situate the Maker Station at the back of the room. I'll mainly use plastic shelving to contain the supplies. The supplies will include the following for starters:
- adhesives: scotch tape, masking tape, glue, glue guns, velcro, brass fasteners
- writing utensils: pens, pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils. . .
- paper: colored paper, white paper, lined paper, tracing paper . .
- fabric scraps: old sheets, clothes, donated scraps
- string, rope, pipe cleaners, wire, and ribbon
- recyclables: plastic bottles, bottle caps, cans, boxes. . .
- duct tape
- planting material: seeds, seed cups, soil
- model making materials: pebbles, mini trees. . .
- stencils
- building supplies: Legos, K'nex, blocks
- imaginary pieces: toy characters, buildings, spaceships. . .
- gems
- gadgets: old watches, electronics
- "Finadables" (Thanks Ira)
Over the year materials will be added.
The materials will be neatly organized and clearly marked.
We will build a list of protocols for use of the materials, and practice using the materials and protocols at the start of the year when we complete our first project, models of our favorite places in nature.
The Maker Station will provide tools for problem solving, self expression, creation, and invention.
We've always used many of these tools in the classroom, but this year with our STEAM focus we'll use those tools and materials with new knowledge and intent. Something to look forward to.
Note that this post will continue to be revise as the Maker Station develops. I'll add pictures of this simple supply station as well.
Note that this post will continue to be revise as the Maker Station develops. I'll add pictures of this simple supply station as well.
Saturday, August 02, 2014
Watching Cesar Chavez Film
“Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot uneducate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore. We have seen the future, and the future is ours.”
- Cesar Chavez
Friday, August 01, 2014
The Feast: Give As You Go
For months the little mice baked and cooked, cooked and baked the most delectable treats.
"The visitors will love my cheese trifle," Mitsy Mouse exclaimed.
"Yes, and they won't be able to put down my bread crumb appetizers," Melvin Mouse answered.
They cooked and cooked and cooked and cooked.
The finally it was time for the feast.
The famished visitors came, tired and weary from a time with little food, their eyes lit up as they looked at the tables and tables of fine foods.
"This is quite a feast," they agreed as they began to gobble up the food. Not long after their little tummies were full and they laid down to rest.
"But you didn't try my cheese trifle," Mitzy cried.
"Nor my crumb treats," signed Melvin.
"There's too much," the tired mice responded, "It's too bad that we didn't have these treats a little at a time instead of the hunger we felt during the past months."
That comment made Mitsy and Melvin think. "You're right, a feast is too much all at once. Let us return with you so we can treat you often to our delectable treats."
"Yes, yes," the little mice agreed, "That will be just right."
Moral: Don't wait to give for it might be too much, too late, instead share your wealth, knowledge, and prosperity as you go along to create happiness, satisfaction, and cheer.
"The visitors will love my cheese trifle," Mitsy Mouse exclaimed.
"Yes, and they won't be able to put down my bread crumb appetizers," Melvin Mouse answered.
They cooked and cooked and cooked and cooked.
The finally it was time for the feast.
The famished visitors came, tired and weary from a time with little food, their eyes lit up as they looked at the tables and tables of fine foods.
"This is quite a feast," they agreed as they began to gobble up the food. Not long after their little tummies were full and they laid down to rest.
"But you didn't try my cheese trifle," Mitzy cried.
"Nor my crumb treats," signed Melvin.
"There's too much," the tired mice responded, "It's too bad that we didn't have these treats a little at a time instead of the hunger we felt during the past months."
That comment made Mitsy and Melvin think. "You're right, a feast is too much all at once. Let us return with you so we can treat you often to our delectable treats."
"Yes, yes," the little mice agreed, "That will be just right."
Moral: Don't wait to give for it might be too much, too late, instead share your wealth, knowledge, and prosperity as you go along to create happiness, satisfaction, and cheer.
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