Five More Days…

"It's the little conversations that build the relationships and make an impact 
on each student."  ~ Robert John Meehan

Wow, one hundred seventy-five days ago twelve wide-eyed, and a little fearful fourth graders entered my classroom.  It seems like yesterday that I looked at them and thought how young they seemed; just babes.  It took about a month before I started to see each personality appear.  The quiet one giggled and smiled at something as she read a book.  The hesitant one boldly answered a question.  The rule-follower gave an outburst, “Come on people, even fun has rules!” The teary one pulled himself together and pushed through his crisis.  And the bold one stated, “Umm, could you slow down a little?  We aren’t used to going this fast.”  

Well, I did slow down just a little, and it is true that fun does have rules.  My students have set and met goals, taken risks with their own learning, and a few times, came up short in the academic department.  I know what my students have learned from me, but what have I learned from them?

1.  One size does not fit everyone:  Learning styles come in all shapes and sizes.  Some of my students have to move around while they learn.  Other students draw concepts to help with their understanding.  A few students can not work in silence, while others find it difficult to work with noise.  Some students prefer learning multiplication using the standard algorithm method while others prefer the partial product.  The point is, in order to reach everyone,  I need to teach using a variety of strategies and methods.
2. Giving up is not an option:  Not every student wants to be in my classroom, or any other classroom for that matter.  Those students act out in so many hurtful ways; swearing, name calling, threatening, and refusing to do work.  It is almost as if they are daring us to give up on them just so they can succeed at something.  What I have discovered is that beneath every rough exterior is a person who excels at something.  Giving up would leave that future leader, athlete, or artist buried under a lot of anger, and that would be tragic.
3. Laughter is the best medicine:  Someone once told me my students laugh way too much.  My response was, you guessed it, laughter.  Sometimes you just need to laugh; at a difficult situation, at a corny 4th grade joke, and at yourself.
4. Relationships are vital:  I know it is an overused cliché, but students just want to know you care about them as a person.  Students want to share what they did last night and sometimes they need to share the fears they have after hearing their parents argue and talk about divorce.  Taking the time to listen and share forms healthy relationships which translates into a healthy environment for learning to take place.
5. Life is more than academics:  There, I said it and the world did not implode!  Take time to dance, sing a song, paint a picture, play a sport, gaze at the stars, or write a poem.  We need to feed our creative side just as much as our academic side.

My dad would always ask me, “Did you learn anything today?”  Yes Dad, I have learned something new about myself and my students over the past 175 days.  Only 5 more to go…..

Until Next Time,

Rita

 

Practicing Praise….

Have you ever sung a song over and over without paying attention to the words, and then one of the lyrics hits you?  I play auxiliary percussion with our Worship Team, and I am usually so focused on what I am playing, I really hate to admit this, but… many times I mindlessly sing the words.   I realized I was missing out on worship that ties so closely with hymns, and praise music.

Wanting to reconnect by worshipping through song, I have taken a sabbatical from playing.   At first, it felt strange and awkward to stand with the congregation.  But I have to honestly say I am now enjoying my time singing, praying, and worshipping.  Last Sunday, when my husband, who is the drummer, came down and joined me for the sermon, he commented how “free” I looked.  Free is a great word to describe what I am feeling.  Free to fully worship, letting the words sink into my soul, sometimes praying the words to Jesus, sometimes raising hands in agreeance or just reaching out in love.

Let Everything That Has Breath is a song that has been on continuous play in my mind.  What a powerful statement: let everything that has breath praise the Lord!  That doesn’t just mean people, it includes all living creatures.  What a beautiful choir that must sound like.  Imagine all the sounds animals and insects make joined together with the voices of humans; all for the purpose of praising God!

I pray that as you go throughout your day, you are able to praise God for not only what He is doing in your life, but for who He is as well.

Until Next Time,

Rita

An Open Letter to Parents…..

Dear Parent(s),

In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, I want to thank you for welcoming me, your child’s teacher, into your home and life for the past nine months.  Here are a few of the things I appreciate the most:

1.  your child thanking me for giving him homework.
2.  your child leaving me ‘secret anonymous’ notes of encouragement.
3.  your child asking you to be a chaperone and you arrange your work schedule so you can attend our study trip.
4. sending in extra snacks for students who may not have any.
5. offering to help pay for supplies for the classroom.
6. trying to help with the math homework, even when you don’t understand your child’s notes or my method of teaching.
7. your child giggling and playing and drawing and imagining places and things far greater than our universe.
8. your child being flexible when schedules change without notice and lunch or recess get moved to a different time.
9. calling or emailing me when you are upset or frustrated about something with school.
10. and last, but not least, thank you for raising wonderful children who make me laugh, help me solve my computer problems, and genuinely care for each other.  It is because of your child, I come to work everyday expecting the unexpected.

Sincerely,

Rita