Celebrate Link Up: Prayer.

Oh Friends.  For nearly a year I've been contemplating how to celebrate.  What to say when I've struggled.  What to say when it was good. 

It's really become an act of worship to do so. 

Let's start at the beginning shall we?

So, I'm teaching in a school that is attached to a church.  I'm not a Called worker, meaning I don't have formal church worker training.  I have a four year degree in education, and a Master's degree I earned about 2 years ago. 

But boy to I feel unequipped most days.  And that's what it has been for the past year.  Not trained to do this type of work.  When I look back on what is really bothering me, that is what it is.  I mean, I love to love people, but am I really qualified to do this?

So where is the celebration? 

It's in the prayer.  Especially of the little ones.  I celebrate today how prayer has worked in my classroom this year. 


Just like many of you do, I have jobs in my classroom to promote leadership.  One of my jobs is a prayer leader.  The kids usually choose familiar prayers, but once in a while there is a student who will branch out and let the Holy Spirit work, and just let it all out. 

In December, we had a student from our small class who was out for a health issue.  She needed to be at home healing.  But she came in one day with her Mom and Dad one day and rested in the office while some work was done. 

Right before lunch, one of my Littles broke into a prayer.  "Please God, let her come back to Our School." 

And then we left for lunch. 

And there she was in the stairwell to say a quick hello. 

The part that made me smile?  My class immediately erupted. 

"It worked!" 
"You prayed, and it worked!  She's here!"
"God answered your prayer."
"That was fast!"

Now, we could have a theological discussion about prayer and how God works.  I will say briefly, I don't think that we are puppets.  I don't think God manipulates situations.  But I do think that He uses our daily lives to show His Love for us.  And I think that was recognized by some tiny people who love Jesus that day. 

I celebrate being able to watch seeds of faith growing everyday.  It is cool to watch James 5:16 in action:


Joy!
Kendra

Friday Favorites

Hi Friends,

As we think about this first week back, I have a couple of things I want to share with you that I love.




Book Stands.  I've really been challenged to get my kids to access books this year!  Some years they do it automatically.  Other years, not so much.  I put these book stands out today and put some books from my reading corner on it.  The students noticed right away, and they were thrilled to get permission to pick up the books!
Also, we love The Hello, Goodbye Window.  If you aren't familiar with it, it won the Caldecott in 2006.



SeeSaw.  This digital portfolio app is really groovy.  I knew this, but had been struggling with how to use technology authentically.  I don't have one to one, and when I started using tech in the classroom, I did.  This friend is showing me tens and ones after counting a collection of blocks.  Having 3 devices that I've fashioned into classroom devices, using SeeSaw is helping me get my groove back in using technology to amplify my student's voices.



This devotional was recommended to me by some of my wisest friends.  I'm 5 days in and I love it.  It is challenging, yet accessible.  I'm anxious to read more of Tripp's work.

Rest up Friends!  Have a great weekend!
Joy!
Kendra

When the Second Day Back is a Wee Harder...

Okay, let's be honest.  We all know as educators that the second day together after an extended break is a wee harder. 

So with our two hour delay here, my kids came in a little restless.  Before we entered our circle, we had some bumps in the road.  Rude words.  Not Listening.  Shouting. 

Ugh. 

So I know.  We circle up.  We review the expectations.  We discuss. 

But.  Then I prayed for us. 


Well.  Not quite like that (but I am an awkward "Out loud prayer"), but we talked about how these moments didn't have to define our day.  An opportunity to use our resilience. 

I prayed for open minds.  For focus.  For a patient teacher.  :) 

And you know.  It worked.  We moved on.  We had a beautiful morning of discussing a classic while working on story maps and then coming up with ideas for our own stories after reading our mentor author. 

I'm newer to an environment where I can share my faith with my students.  I often feel like I'm stumbling over it. 

But I do love these moments where Lord Baby Jesus steps in and shows me that it doesn't have to be perfect. 

On to Friday. 

Joy!
Kendra

When the First Day Back Works!

So.  Welcome back to school.  You've been out of routine for 2 weeks.  It's this cold, and so you haven't been playing outside much.  And now we are headed back into the classroom.  And yet it worked.  It was a good day.  Tonight I'm reflecting about why:

1.  An ease into the day.  As the kids came in, there was a chance to play, to chat, to choose how to begin.  

2.  Some routine.  There was a little handwriting.  A little math.  

3.  Chapel.  Being in a school that has chapel once a week, there is something about anchoring spiritually to start the day.  We sang one of my favorites:

4.  Time to back up and review.  We spent a lot of time talking today about how to choose books to read.  And then we practiced and chose books.  (And read them!)

5.  Snacks.  I offered some choices for snacks, and later in the day our principal stopped by with a small sweet treat to end the day.  

6.  Time to talk.  First graders have adventures.  All the time.  So we spent some time in circles just chatting about our breaks.  

7.  Time to play.  Blocks, a new Lego wall, art supplies, Smash Pong, Hot Wheels, and Animal Figures were a hit!

8.  Water.  Lots of chances to drink water.  

9.  Quiet Time.  Sometimes it's important to engage in that passion by yourself.  We try to do a little bit everyday.  

Have you started school yet?  How was your first day?

By the way, I've decided to go on a 31 day writing spree for January.  :)  Anyone else?

Joy!
Kendra

Must Read in 2018! The Fabulous 40!

Happy New Year Reading Friends!

My goal?  40 books!

Why?  Because last night I was sitting with my 9 year old in the living room.  It is -7854 degrees here in Iowa, so we aren't spending a lot of time outside these days.  But we had just returned from the book store.  I asked him how many books he thought I should read this year.  Without missing a beat, he says, "40.  Because you need to celebrate that you are 40 more."  Why yes I do.   I think it's a lofty goal for me, but I'm going to try for it.

Lots of adult reads on my list.  I'm still working through titles people, mainly my sister, have shared with me.  I know I'll go off course, because I also love to see what you are reading, and sometimes titles will just grab me, and I know I can't wait.  I think that recommendations are important, and will try to honor those as they come up this year.

Let's get to business!  The list:



I'm starting with these two first.  Why?  Because Little 9 asked me to.  He's in the living room reading them now, so I can have them.  I will always read what my kids recommend.  Always.

Some Young Adult and Middle Grade:  (Mostly recommended by my Big 13, but some gifts and recommendations as well.)


Nonfiction:



Adult Reads-Recommended or Gifted or Shared with me by My People:






Finally, Through No Fault of My Own by Coco Irvine. 

This year, I'm also going to keep track of the picture books that I check out and read, as well as cookbooks.  2 genres that I look at a lot, and when I was chatting with a colleague, we decided that this is important reading to document as well.  So while I'm not going to count them toward my 40, I'll be keeping track on Goodreads. 

Happy Reading Friends.  Thank you again, Carrie, for your efforts in this community!
Joy!
Kendra

One Word 2018: Abide.

The past few years have revealed these words to me:

Strong
Enough
Thrive
Fearless

Phew!  All that work has made me look around and say what is next? 

It's time to Abide.  (The sassy girl in me wants to write here about how I'm 40 now, and need a year to rest.  ;)  But I won't.) 

Abide:  To continue without fading or getting lost. 

It's time to look at what is really important after these years of reflection. 

Am I upholding what is important to me?  Am I upholding what I've been called to do?

In the past few years, as I look over these words, I've held to family, neighbors, health, goals, faith. 

It's time to stay and abide with my family, my neighbors, my health, my goals, my faith.  I can continue on without fading.  

John 15 reminds me that I need to continue doing what God says, which seems like important work these days.  The big one?  Relating to others in love.  

Stay tuned to see where this might take me.   It really might be a call to rest a bit, and reflect on what needs to happen next.  It might be a call to continue with some goals and not fade as I get busy.  

In year five of One Word, I feel like I'm stumbling as I write this.  But let's continue on...

Joy!
Kendra