Teachers, Parents & Kids

Well I survived after cooking with 50 second graders, and actually had a ball! The kids learned about abbreviations, fractions, writing directions, drawing illustrations and much more. However, I think the highlight was when I asked how many children actually cook with their mom or dad. I was pleasantly surprised! A ton of hands shot up which made my heart go "pitter-patter". Just when you think a lot of parents have checked out when it comes to spending time with their kids, this happens. I was thrilled, and it gave me some hope that maybe the pendulum is starting to swing the other way. That maybe more parents are sitting down with their kids at the dinner table and listening to what their kids have to say. Or ... are getting involved in what interests their children. Or ... inviting them to join them in making dinner so they can share some time together and share baking secrets. Regardless of what that time consists of, the important thing is that it is happening. As a teacher, you can pick the kids out right away that have parents who are involved and spend time with them. There is almost a glow of confidence that is apparent and a secure undertone that makes them more apt to try new things. In contrast, the kiddos that don't have support at home tend to be more insecure and less likely to participate in discussions. No matter what type of home a child comes from, it is our job to make them feel comfortable, safe and give them the best education we can. Imagine what would be possible if educators, parents and students were all working together toward a common goal. The possibilities are endless! Why don't we all give it a try?

Let the Ideas Flow!

There are times as a teacher that you need a little nudge. An inspiration for your next lesson. Well, yesterday I found myself wandering into a library and filling out an application for a new library card. As I walked away from the circulation desk, I felt like a little kid ready to give my shiny new card a try. So I spun around, and after a few steps I found myself entering the children's department where my mind just started spinning. Looking around the library and taking in the new released books, the concept books and the graphic novels to name a few, immediately ideas were popping into my head. I honestly have no idea why the public library was so very different from the school's media center, but it was! Could it have been the fact that the books were arranged differently, the inventory was varied or that I was in an environment not influenced by all the pressures of a school? I'm guessing it had to do with the freedom of exploring with no constraints, time or otherwise. If you find yourself in a similar mindset as you start this new school, rev yourself up with a new perspective on children's literature.

I'm back! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted on my blog, but a whole lot has changed in my life. The greatest change is that I retired from teaching. Yep, I decided I needed to step down and take care of myself a little bit better. So now I am writing fun, educational units for my fellow teachers that are still in the classroom. In my spare time, I will be heading back into classrooms to cook with kids and teach them about amazing inventions. The way I've got it figured, I'm kind of like a "Classroom Grandma"! I go into the classroom teach the children in a majorly fun way, and then give them back to their real teachers. In other words I get my kid fix and then leave without completing a single lesson plan. It's the BEST! I highly recommend it! If you would like to see what I am up to now, please click the link below: 

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Paper-Clips 

 Well that's it for now! I will be posting again VERY soon, so please return to see what's on my mind. I have all kinds of topics related to education 
in store for future blogs.