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

SOL: Late Night Slicing. Thoughts on Learning Something New.

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

Oh Man, it's the end of day one.

My head is spinning.

I'm new.  I've taught before.  But I'm definitely in a new place.  I understood all the requirements.  I know what I'm supposed to do.  I can tell you.  But am I really ready to do this?  I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, and I'm not ready to jump.

Tonight,  I've been thinking about our precious learners.

They can tell us what they are supposed to do.  They understand.  Are we helping them feel ready to show us what they know?  No matter what that is:  reading, writing, speaking, "mathing"...

I'm in a heightened place.  I've been asked to do things I do know if I'm ready to do.  Dear Precious Learners, I know what it's like to step out and show what you think you know.  I'm staring at the edge of that cliff right now.  I promise you, I'm writing this slice because I don't want to forget this state of being a little uncomfortable.

I can't wait to meet you Precious Learners.  We'll stand at the edge of this cliff together.  We won't jump until you are ready.  But I promise you, whatever it is that you need to learn, we'll "Jump" together.

Joy!
Kendra

Celebrate: A Full Bucket.

Dear Friends, every weekend you can link up at http://www.ruthayreswrites.com/  for a celebration!  Head on over there to check it out!  And join us!

Yesterday, I went to an early childhood conference for the first time in ** years.  :)  

I can't even tell you how at peace I am with being a teacher right now.  The theme of the conference was "WONDERful."  The idea being we stop and see the wonder in what we are being called to do everyday in our work with kids.  

So, I have a few ideas and thoughts I'm celebrating this morning.  

From our keynote speaker, Drew Gerdes, on celebrating the Wonder of Each Child: (@ddgerdes on Twitter.)  

"Hug First; then Teach."

"Don't teach the class; teach the kids."

"Get to know your kids so well, they feel you are teaching just to them."

"Less is more!  Be intentional."  

"Social Emotional Intelligence trumps Academics."  

"Jesus isn't just for Jesus Time; He's for All the Time."   (This quote I'm going to fancy up and display in our classroom somewhere.  As I'm new to a faith-based setting, this was just what I needed at that time. ) 

I hope some of these little pieces of his keynote that jumped out at me can bring you some inspiration as you start the year.  

After attending 3 sessions, here are some take-away ideas that I wanted to celebrate and share with you today.  

Exploring the Wonder of Nature:   Create a culture of play and exploration.  Creativity comes from being outside.  So many ideas from this session, but tomorrow we could start with this:  Go outside, pick a sit spot in the field.  If you have them, bring along magnifying glasses, binoculars, etc.  If not, just go and sit, let the kids watch, listen, dig, bring you things.  Then, have each student share a story of the day.  "What did you see?  Tell us about it!"  It was interesting to note, the naturalist really encouraged story telling here, and not necessarily journaling at this time.  Let the kids just tell their stories. 

Exploring the Wonder of Kids' Health:  Here is a simple game I took away.  It it a version of "Drive the Car," a game I learned from watching a Responsive Classroom.  You will need hoola-hoops.  I was thinking enough for 1/2 my class to play at a time.  When the students wear the hoola-hoops around their waist, they are now in their car ready to drive.  Then the students simply move around the classroom, careful not to bump into each other.  An active way to promote body awareness in our young learners.  

I celebrate a full bucket.  I hope you do too.  

Joy!
Kendra

Thoughts on a Sock Scamper.

This post really will reflect on how our 1st Annual Sock Scamper went.  But first a story.

I don't usually share a lot of stories on places where God is moving myself or my family to Do Something.  But this is a story about how God was messing with me (and my family) in a Big way. (For us.)  And in the spirit of learning, let's share and see what we've learned.  

About one year ago, a friend of mine invited my family to come and run a local 5K to benefit CISS.  Central Iowa Shelter and Services is a shelter for homeless adults with a goal to support self sufficiency.  What's special about CISS to us is they have a 14 bed transitional housing unit that supports Veterans.  

My family rolls downtown on a muggy July day.  We begin to run the 5K along the river.  My then-9 year old begins to see tents under the overpasses, and the questions begin.  I do my best, but I'm sure I messed it all up.  Afterward, he begins to ask, repeatedly if we can do a 5K for homeless veterans as well.  Honestly?  I was brushing him off for almost a year, because who can really organize a 5K and all that?  

But God kept messing with me, and I mentioned this idea on the side to just 2 people.  That is really how things started rolling.  From there, a community of people came together and this conviction from a now 10 year old's vision started becoming a reality.  And on July 25th, we held our First Annual Sock Scamper.  

What Was Noted that We Loved:

The Fellowship and Community.  People lingered.  Members of my church family sat on a trail and encouraged our Scampering folk with joyful words and water at the 1/2 way point.  These people provided joy and safety for our participants.  People stood and sat in the parking lot and just enjoyed each other before and after the race.  

It was great that I was able to walk with my Mother-In-Law at the end of the scamper.  We were able to see who was left on our trail, and met up with some of the team at the turn around point.  A good safety point.  We want to make sure no one is out there struggling without support available to them.  My favorite part here?  My Father-In-Law helped a tired mother who had been pulling kids on a tandem bicycle by taking the bicycle and riding them the rest of the way back to church.  

Gifts were being used.  There was a committee of people who worked to provide a lovely hospitality table for when the scamper was over.  Chocolate milk, Gatorade, granola bars, fresh fruit, lots of water!  Any leftovers were donated to CISS.  It was delightful and plentiful.  (On a side note, we used 100 pounds of ice to keep all our refreshments cool-we'll use some of that next year to keep the granola bars cool for everyone so they don't melt!)  We had a committee of people who organized registration and ordered backpacks for everyone.  

We collected approximately 260 pairs of socks for CISS.  Why socks?  Because when asked what was most needed, new socks and undergarments were at the top of the list.  Just let that sink in for a moment.  They asked for new socks.  It's just something I buy, and sometimes huff at the price because they seem so menial.  It was a whack over the head for me to be sharing and reaching out with what we have.    

What about Next Year?

It was the 10 year old who came up with these visions for next year:  How can we partner with Pastor Guerra and Iglesia Luterana El Pastor del Valle to promote more community?  Can we make signs for the members to take and hang up around the community to promote the Scamper?  Let's make flyers and pass them around the neighborhood.  :)  

Some other ideas that were mentioned to myself and my family:  Could registration and refreshments be on the south side of the building in the shade?  What if breakfast was served for people who just wanted to fellowship, but not scamper?  Could we have it in June, maybe close to Flag Day?  

A return sign coming off the trail would ensure people would turn left and not go straight when it was time to come back to church, and next year we will stake the signs into the ground.  

Who else can we Reach Out with to support CISS and get them basic needs for our community members who need them?  

If you were there, we would love to hear your thoughts below.  Any of them!  

If you weren't there, why not?!?!?!  :)  Just kidding.  We would love to have you join us next year!  If you are interested, let me know and I'll start a list for next year to communicate the details with you.  

Joy!

Kendra