Photo

I started putting together some photos of our travels around the world from the travel unit.  Some of you wonderful readers have asked how to do it.  Here's the best I can do to support.  Let me know if I can make anything more clear!  HAVE FUN!

I'm printing each student a copy of their photo @ CVS.  Right now, CVS has .11 cent photos if you order 100 or more.  I've decided that each photo will act as a postcard assessment.  At the end of each week they will write letters home from their respective countries sharing what we've learned.  A great keep sake for a great unit!

Want

Ever since I can remember, I wanted to be a teacher.  The picture of teaching, when it first entered my mind was glitter, comfy stools, and changing a child's life.  I can attest to there being PLENTY of glitter in room 115.  We have lots of comfy stools and I pray daily that I'm doing good; that a child is safe and knows they are loved when they enter our family...I mean room.

My very first year of teaching, I don't think I received a single gift.  Nor, did I need one.  I was teaching in the poorest of districts, in the poorest of schools.  Hand made cards weren't really an option.  What I received was a lot of hugs.  A few, "I love you Miss, you're the best teacher I ever been havin'." And a lot of love.  That year was priceless.  I also received a cow piggy bank, and the cow was wearing red high heels and yes, it was awesome.

🐄

I digress.

Now that I've been in the game a while, I wanted you to know, what I really want. 
It can not be purchased at a store or even online.
You can not use glitter or enough glue. 
It does not require modge podge or laminate paper. 
It's not even a Teacher's Pay Teacher's gift card - though - let's be honest, that'd be cool -  love you. 
It does not come in a box or a bag. 
It is not a plaque like my teacher of the year award. 
Or even crystal like my recognition trophy. 
It is not written in pencil, pen, or marker. 
It is not an email. 
Or a letter. 
It is not nail polish or even felt tip pens...but again, if you already bought those...I mean. ☺☺☺☺

All I want.

What I really, really want.

Is to know.

Yes, just to know.

That while I've taught you.

You have learned.

I want to see you spread glorious kindness to others.

I want to stand in awe of the courage you show.

I want to smile with pride, beam even, at your show of infinite grit.

I want to step back and let you show your leadership skills, because you can.

I want to see you be the miracle I know you are.

You are perfect, just the way you are.

Even when you make mistakes, they are pretty perfect, too.

So, spare me the candle, no seriously, spare it, I have like a million.

And the gift cards, even though that's really nice.

And offer to read a story to a friend.

Or teach a friend a new skill.

Or show compassion in the face of unkindness.

You are the greatest gift I could ever receive.

Just the 18...19 of you, just the way you are.

Read

The holiday season has reached 115.

Many families at our school celebrate Christmas.

I happen to not be one of them (I mean, we rock those 8 crazy nights.)

;)

Regardless of what we celebrate, I want my entire class to be knowledgeable.

On customs around the world.

Not just in our neck of the world.

One great way to do this is to read books.

So.

My very first year I started collecting books.

Some were gifts to me or my class, some I picked up because I knew we needed them.

Kwanza, Christmas, Hanukah, Winter Solstice, and Winter theme books abound.

By December 1st, I wrap up one book for each student.

Not to give as a gift.

But to add to our classroom library.

They are all AR books, all levels.

Each school day I pull 1 or 2 numbers of a student.

That student opens the book.

I have a strong group of third graders this year, so when they open the books they also take my seat and read it to the class.

Two years ago, I had a third grade group that wouldn't have been successful (slash we tried one and it was pretty painful for that students, so I opted to read from there on out).

Still fun, still exciting.

And then best part is it's technically free.

I don't buy new books every year, I wrap up ones we already have!

Then once they are open they are back in the library.

My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE it.

Some of the books, especially the ones about winter will be kick off points for us for a winter activity.  The best part of that it is - I don't know which ones they will choose. 

It does take a little planning, but it's really fun.

I have all the activities ready to go, and when they are reading the book, my co-teacher and I get the activity ready.

Little Miss G. picked a poem book on Friday about a boy who wonders if the next day will be a snow day (even though it's summer).

The kids do a cute writing activity about if tomorrow were 100 degrees and it was a "sun day" instead of a snow day (we live in New England so snow days are much more likely.)

We served lemonade with a beach umbrellas while the kids worked.  They loved it!

Adding a little magic to the season is always my goal.

This year we added MAP testing Benchmarking and AR Benchmarking to the month of December, that's a lot of testing before  Winter Break.

I hope you can find time for a little magic in your classrooms this holiday season.

Our FAVORITE HOLIDAY reads:

Simon and the Bear

Winter Solstice

Lil' Rabbits Kwanza

The Night of Las Posadas

Totally Polar