Celebrate: A Classroom Reflection.

Dear Friends, You can celebrate too!  Link up at www.ruthayres.com.  I thank Ruth for sharing her space with us. 

Graduate School.  A new job.  Fall already seems like a distant memory.  I would like to start reflecting on some of the things that are going well in my new classroom.  This is what I celebrate today!  

Have you read this book yet?  If not, get it now.  I'll wait...

You are back then?  Okay, let's get started.  

When I was inspired to write about the work my classroom was doing, I knew I had to be thoughtful about it.  How could I protect them and yet share the stories that are impacting me as a teacher?  And then the words hit me.  Kristine and Christine could have been sitting in my classroom when they wrote this book, and they must have known how critical it was for me to read to help in facilitating the joyful mindset growth that is needed to facilitate growth.  This book was released a perfect time for me.  I loaned it to a friend, and then asked for it back, because I was referencing it so much.

Here is our journey so far.  

We started with Empathy.  We used interactive writing to create our charts.  This one sits at eye level, between a chart about loving each other and a chart about being kind.  We can see them perfectly from where we meet for our circle and carpet time.  Why the Bible verse?  I'm in a Christian based school now, and I'm also exploring how to authentically teach faith to little ones.  (Another blog post for another day.)

Then we had a conversation about persistence.  We know we don't stop when things get hard.  I remember one little friend who was looking for a challenge in math.  When he got it, he immediately wanted to stop and go on to something else.  I encouraged him to try again, and he completed the task.  At this point, it wasn't about the math.  We talked about how he didn't stop when it got hard.  

(And you guys.  I'm thankful for cover-up tape.  It took me until now to realize I have persistence spelled wrong on my chart.  #embarrassed.  There is my first job for Monday!  Whoops!  I'm thankful for time to reflect so I can see my own mistakes as well.)

I used the storytelling strategy to introduce resilience.  A little student allowed me to share the beginning of a tough day.  She had fallen down in our hallway to start her day.  She had been asked to sit away from the group for awhile. (By the way, I don't have a time out chair.  The kids drew all these visuals.)  But she regrouped, and ended up having a great afternoon.  The storytelling strategy was most effective with my group.  I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat more than once as kids shared how they were resilient during the school day.  This is a visual we return to often.  Most recently my son, who is in my class and gave permission for me to share, woke up in a grumpy mood.  Grunting, his behind in the air on the floor, not wanting to get up.  I just whispered to him, "I love you.  I'm sorry you had a bad start to your day.  It doesn't have to ruin the whole day."  He jumped up.  Got dressed.  We headed out the door.  He turns to me and says, "Mom, I'm resilient!"  There are multiple stories I could share with this trait.  But it's probably the trait that most of my students identify with right now.  

This is our most recent trait.  Not only are we being impacted by learning about a Mindset for Learning, we are also highly academically capable.  So, now that I've established a relationship with my little friends, I've started to up the expectations more academically.  Especially in math.  And the first time they realized that, it was pretty chaotic.  Again, we used storytelling to reflect on how we finished the task that day.  Some friends just counted.  Some needed to sit away in a corner to count.  Some needed color to make it more visual.  As we continue to work toward higher academic achievement (because I have observations that indicate they are capable of this), we will return to this concept again.  

I'm excited to introduce optimism next week.  The impact of our we view ourselves could be so powerful.  I can't wait to see what happens.  

I celebrate the work of Kristine and Christine.  It has brought about some positive changes in my group this year as they grow up. 

Go get the book.  :)

Joy!

Kendra

Celebrate! Thrive.

Dear Friends, You can celebrate too!  Link up at www.ruthayres.com.  I thank Ruth for sharing her space with us. 
I'm so excited to reconnect with all of you now that graduate school is over.  (It's okay.  I passed.)  :)  

I agree wholeheartedly with the idea of living with intention around a word.  When I set goals or consider decisions to be made, stopping to reflect on an idea or a concept has proven to be powerful for me.

This is my 3rd year of using a One Little Word.
2014:  Strong.
2015:  Enough.

2016:  Thrive.

Why?

As I get further into my new job, as my kids are growing up, I'm learning so much.

One thing I'm fascinated by is how God has taken a journey of graduate school and a new job.  I thought I was headed in one direction, and pretty much crash landed in another.  And I wouldn't have it any other way.  (More words are coming to tell this story.  I'm crafting how to share this journey, because it's not over yet.)

At the end of 2015, I was reflecting on how good the move was for our family.  And how we are starting to flourish and be healthy and vigorous again.  (Nothing bad was happening, just the ruts that we all fall into.)

More of that for 2016 please.  More healthy and vigorous growth all the way around please!  (Maybe not my pant size anymore though...)  :D

More blossoming personally and professionally.  I'm not sure what that means yet.  I think it means a return to half-marathon running, more cooking in the kitchen, professional reading that I'm interested in perusing, more writing, family nights, date nights, connecting more with my friends and neighbors, etc.

I'm excited to see how we Thrive this year.  I look forward to celebrating 2016 with all of you!

Joy!
Kendra

PS.  A song to get us started...

The Dust Flies...And She Writes a Post.

Link up at www.twowritingteachers.wordpress.com.  We are so grateful for this community. 

Watch out!  The dust you see flying is from the blog getting a good shake out.  September people.  No blogging since September.  Lots of life, excitement, and stories to share since then.  But no blogging.  While at first I was feeling bad, I figured I was just out collecting stories to share with you.  That's all.  

I'm so happy I saw this link on Twitter this morning: 

 http://literacyzone.blogspot.com/2015/12/ah-today-sol15.html.  

Michelle provided the inspiration for my short post.  But it was just what I needed to jump start blogging again.  Thanks Michelle!  

today:  I'll spend most of my day alone.  Writing, reading, planning, cleaning and sorting too.  I'm so excited for all of it!  (Fist bumps all around.)

today:  There is fresh snow in Iowa.  My kids are still on the farm, and so my backyard is a blanket of white.  I love that.  The perfect backdrop for where I'll be spending most of the day.  And I'll slip on some trail shoes and squeeze in a mile later.  

want to be:  right where Jesus would have me be.  What a ride this fall has been.  I've loved every minute of it.  (There's a blog post on that coming later...stay tuned.)

blessings:  My family, friends, teachers...the list could go on.  

thinking:  I have been given a way to use 45 minutes of my day at school differently.  Today I'll be thinking about how to use that time.  What would you do in a first grade classroom with a "new" block of 45 minutes?  The sky is the limit today.  Let's hear your ideas.  

planning:  for the rest of the school year as a teacher, and as a Wife and Mama.  

writing:  more now that Graduate school is over. (It's cool.  I passed, and there is a post brewing on that too.)  That's the plan!  

loving:  time to slow down and rest.  I'll work today, but I love working at a different pace.   

grateful:  for Faith, Family, Friends, and Time to reflect.  

and today {again}: i am thankful for time to slow down.  

Joy!
Kendra

Celebrate 100!

Dear Friends, You can celebrate too!  Link up at www.ruthayres.com.  I thank Ruth for sharing her space with us. 

At the pace of life, I promised myself I would blog today!  (It's still today--celebration #1!Almost-then a handsome 10 year old showed up and wanted to watch "our show" together. Once Upon A Time. I say, "yes" to all of his requests for time together.)

This is such a gentle space, a place to reflect and see the good that is in life, in the classroom, everywhere.  

I was inspired to use Ruth's top ten list as mentor text to connect to the quiet celebrations.  The ones that are worth having.  The ones without fanfare.

1.   A lightened load when my husband returned home from Connecticut to Iowa via Atlanta.  Phew!  This time his absence was really felt, and it was hard.  I'm sure I said 40,000 words on the way home from the airport last night.  

2.  Simplicity.  

The kids in the front row?  Some of my students.  Singing in the choir on an open house night.  This captures them simply as who they are.  And man do I love them.  

3.  To unwind.  It's been a long week.  As I write tonight, I have a small plate of nachos and honey chamomile tea by my side.  (Weird combo?  Yes.  But if you know me, this is a little bit of perfection for me.)

4.  Unhurried.  Funny.  Last night I was reading this article from Relevant Magazine.  I marked it for later to return to and reflect on.  These reminders to slow down keep showing up.  Hmmmmm.  I'm learning that people in ministry don't do that very well, which is interesting to me.  Because it's what everyone is called to do.

5.  My story is NOT hard even at my worst.  I am still given much to celebrate.  My heart is still heavy over the loss of a former student.  He was 13.  Cancer is Mean.  His beautiful Mama writes here.  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samlemar/journal/view/id/55f9952ba589b4c75173ebaa

It's worth logging in for the read.  It's heart wrenching and completely honest.  It reminds me, even today, that we were made to be Joyful.  I'll keep aiming for that joy everyday.

6.  Rewriting my story?  I don't know exactly what to celebrate yet.  I am in this new position, and don't feel settled yet.  I'm in the middle of the story.  But I know it's being rewritten and think I'll hang around to see what happens.  :)

7.  I celebrate Hope.  When stories are being rewritten, when purposeful celebration is taking place, when the celebration is a whisper.  There is Hope.  

8.  I celebrate the connections I've made through blogging.  I love hearing your ideas.  You are brilliant, reflective educators who are making a difference!  That is worth celebrating always.

9.  We've been called out of darkness into this marvelous light!  We can celebrate because we are called to! That pulls us to celebrate.  I find myself looking for the joyful pieces in all situations.  Sometimes it is natural.  Sometimes it is purposeful.  

10.  Celebration makes a difference.  You dear friends have made a difference in my life!  I reflect on your words often, and it has changed who I am as an educator and as a person.  Thanks for that.  You matter!

Joy!

Kendra

Dusting off the Blog...Again...And a Brain Dump with Missing Juju.

Link up at www.twowritingteachers.wordpress.com.  We are so grateful for this community. 


1.  I miss blogging.  I'm writing a lot for graduate class, but it's just hard to manage both.  I'm so happy for December 9th to come quickly.  (I'll have a Master's Degree then.)  :)  I miss letting the ideas come and then taking time to blog them out.  (Still keeping lists and notebooks.)

2.  Who has changed jobs before?  A wise friend told me a year before I feel like I have my "Juju" in my new place.  That seems very far away.  I need my "juju" back.  :)  I feel like I have no idea what is going on. It's really unnerving.  Everyone is nice and lovely, and I Adore the work and the place I'm at.  Growing pains?  Missing Juju?  Who knows.  I just feel out of sorts.  What is that?

3.  I've been playing the piano a ton.  I play for Chapel tomorrow for the first time.  I haven't played in front of anyone for 15 years.  Whoa.

4.  My class LOVES books.  Loves them.  I adore this.  They are learning what is awesome about Elephant and Piggie this week.

5.  My class is small.  12 kids small.  They make just as much noise as my class of 26 did last year.  I kind of like it, but I'm not sure that kind of noise is welcome where I'm at.  (You know, like where's my juju?  Last year noise wouldn't have even been an issue!)

6.  My family is playing a crazy amount of soccer this fall.  All my kids are scoring goals and that's just really fun to watch.  :)

7.  I had a run last weekend that made me feel like I had my running juju back!  Certainly more minutes to tick off, but we are getting there finally!  I've learned that if I'm going to run with a running app-there is a certain split I need to achieve to feel good about the run.  Misguided?  Probably.  True?  Yes.

8.  I'm messing with math again.  Stay tuned.

Alright friends, let's have a discussion.  What's on your mind?  Is your Juju okay?  :)

Joy!  (And I can't stop saying juju...sorry about that...)
Kendra

Celebrating Teachers, Students, Awkward Moments, and Faith.

Dear Friends, You can celebrate too!  Link up at www.ruthayres.com.  I thank Ruth for sharing her space with us.  

This blank screen keeps staring at me.  

I know there should be words.  But there aren't really.  

I attended a visitation for a former student Friday evening.  Yes, student.  

My heart is broken in such a weird way, I can't even say more about this experience to do it justice.   Except that Cancer is Mean.   

He was awesome.  When I read picture books to the class, he would laugh at the truly funny parts that first graders don't usually pick up on. From the beginning he was funny.  If you weren't paying attention, you would miss it.  He loved superheroes.  He was a superhero.  I celebrate his life and family.  You can read more about his journey here:  www.eyesteve.com.  The article is entitled, "What A Child With Cancer Taught His Doctor About Superheros."   His beautiful mama writes here:  http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/samlemar

Like I do, when I attend visitations, at that moment I could tell his parents what I thought, my introverted, weird self took over.  His beautiful parents fixed that in an instant. 

And I learned something:  Teachers, you make a difference.  We exchanged memories.  They were so gracious and kind.  The story they shared, I must confess I didn't remember!  But my dear friend who was by my side last night reminded me this is what we celebrate about our jobs.  You can make an impact and not know it.  But you do.  Keep doing that.  Last night I resolved to share more with parents about how beautiful their children are.  We need to keep sharing these stories.  

This week, we've been praying in my classroom a piece of Psalm 35.  It has stayed on my heart.  I don't know why, but God does.  (Because honestly, I'm not feeling the singing and shouting for joy...)  I'm learning to sit and wait when these things happen.  Here's the Beginning Bible Version.  :)

"May my friends sing and shout for joy!  

May they always say, Praise the greatness of the Lord.  

He loves to see his servants do well.

I will tell of your goodness. 

I will praise you everyday. "

Kendra

Celebrate: Teacher Reflection.

Dear Friends, Every week Ruth Ayres hosts a link-up to celebrate all that is good!  That link is here.

Join us!

 Yesterday, I had the chance to read a lot of your posts as I was going throughout my day.  Saturday turned into a "bucket list" day for us.  The Farmer's Market for me, and the State Fair for my family.  Along with dessert at a friend's house.  A perfect August day indeed.  

My brain has been on overload since I've started a new school year.  Yesterday, as I was reading lots of your posts, I was pondering the idea of reflection.  

I celebrate teachers who take the time to reflect when possible.  

I celebrate principals and leaders who grab onto the importance of time to reflect.  

Reflection that doesn't take place behind closed doors.  The kind where the doors are wide open and the wandering in and out with questions and ideas takes place.  

Reflection that happens in the early hours of the morning before anyone else is there to see the open door.  

Reflection that happens at night when you just need to plan out "one more thing."  

I have been given ample time to reflect in all settings in the past week.  With my staff, with teachers, with myself.  It's been amazing and has allowed me to feel prepared as I go into this week.

How important and helpful it's been to just have time to reflect on all things before school starts.  A few of mine have been:  room arrangement, time and how to spend it best, literacy practices and sharing those with new teachers.  I'm also in a Faith-based school now, and I'm thinking a lot about how to best share Faith with young students in a joyful, authentic way.  Right now, I'm reflecting a lot on the use of music and how that can play a part in the teaching of this piece.  

Happy August Friends!
Joy!

Kendra