Pay It Forward challenge

Over Christmas break (while I complaining about being single), I headed to Target because I (since I'm single) can do whatever I want, pretty much whenever I want. As I walked in, I noticed a co-worker...she was so excited to see me! She had forgotten to turn off her lights, so her car's battery was dead. She asked if I had jumper cables...of course I do! What single woman doesn't?

We proceeded to wait for a car to move...I showed her how to jump the car and voila...she was off!

She e-mailed me this week. She went to Target (again) and forgot to turn off her lights (again), but THIS TIME...she went inside, bought jumper cables, had the lady next to her use her car and in the process taught her how to use jumper cables! Two ladies now know how to use jumper cables because I took the time to show her how.

The next time either someone does something nice for you...I challenge you to pay it forward. You might never know the impact it has on this world! Happy paying!!!

Blogging

What do you write about when you don't know what to write about?  Does anyone ever have that dilemma?  I feel like I should post something...but what?  This week has been so wacko that I don't think there is anything I want to post from school yet.  Personally...um...do I really want to go there? :)  I was complaining that my life just doesn't seem to change.  I feel like I am on a hamster wheel and it just keeps going around and around.  My friends' lives are changing...but mine isn't.  But that isn't true.  I am learning more about who I am.  I am training for a mini-marathon and have upped my running to 4-5 times a week depending on the weather (still not ready to run when it's 10 degrees out).  I am trying a new reading curriculum in school and have to completely redo my train of thought.  I just got a mentor through church and am committed to that for the next six months...but due to confidentiality, won't be sharing...but am really excited.  I am going on a spring break trip and going to brave the train and see my stepsister and her family.  I am going through a Bible study on Daniel and future times...interesting.  My brain often hurts afterwards.  So, my life isn't staying the same...it's just my perception sometimes.  I need to take a step back and see who I was two years ago...and know that I am becoming who God has created me to be and that is an amazing woman who has a lot to offer and no one else can offer what I can.  And the same goes out to you reader...there is no one else who can offer what you have.  Stop listening to lies that you are not good enough or whatever they may be and know that you are amazing!  Get out there and make a difference!

Looking for a Blog?

I have so many blogs that I check out...but my friend's is trying to make the B-list...with all of their postings and ideas, they should make the A list. She co-writes with another teacher who is out east. Talk about support! It's called Two Writing Teachers. BTW, this was my first link to another webpage...I'm so excited!

Friday blues

Friday was a tough day for me teaching wise.  I am working with kids on non-fiction books (writing) and getting ready for reading.  I showed the kids four different ways to write and a lead and why it's important in writing and reading.  Because we had a shortened day, it was a little unconventional for the workshop agenda.  I had them try a lead and reread their pages they had written already to try and add a lead.  When we came together for a sharing circle...oh, btw, during our no walk, no talk..had several kids that got up and even interrupted me in my writing.  During the sharing...only 4 kids had tried a lead.  How frustrating.  And this past week while I was conferencing for reading...one of the rules is to be prepared.  That means having your notebook out to write down your questions (that's the strategy we're working on).  How many kids had it actually out that I conferenced with?  NONE!  I sat the kids down on Friday and had a SERIOUS discussion with them.  I told them I wasn't mad at them...I was upset with myself as a teacher because I don't know how to get them to do what I ask...Monday is a new day, but I would really appreciate any advice from you educators that read this.  You have become a true support group for me and I enjoy the friendships and just knowing there are others out there!  

My Cherubs

I have a few stories that I would like to share so you can delight in the brilliance of my students.  And plus, I have a few parents who read my blog and I thought they'd get a kick out of reading them...btw, parents, how did you find my blog?

• We were creating the -ell family this week...keep reading.  I had the kids share as many as they could think of and while they thought of it...they didn't say it!  Of course, several kids pointed down to the floor and said...you know where.  I found on our word search the word dwell and I wrote it on the chalkboard.  I wanted the kids to be able to use the word so I was trying to think of great sentences to use that they might understand the meaning...one of my boys said, "You know, in the song it says, glory dwells" (referring to God)...Yes, that's absolutely right!
• I greet my kids every morning...they have learned lots of ways to say hello: German, Spanish, French, Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, Hawaiian.  After reading through a poem about how animals talk...one of my girls said, "Miss Laker, I can speak Dove."  I asked, "Do you mean Dutch?"  "No, Dove."  Okay, curiosity got the best of me..."How can you speak Dove?"  And all of my kids starting cooing and rolling their tongues.  Yep, they can speak Dove!
• We are starting an encouragement project for the troops.  I asked the kids to wear patriotic colors on Wednesday..."Kids, what colors would you wear if you were supposed to wear patriotic colors?"  - "Green?"  Wow...had a small lesson about Fourth of July and what colors we wear then.  However, my boys want to wear camo for the picture...I said we'll take another photo in camo.  

The Most Amazing Person

So who is this amazing person?  She would happen to be my sister, Karen.  She is 3 years younger and this is her first maki roll that she rolled herself!  She is so amazing that she (and her boyfriend) crawled into a dumpster to find my Mac box that I left in Indy to throw away...why would I need it?  To get my rebate for my printer!  Her boyfriend, Justin, is great because while she was at his apartment, they drove across town and literally (pictures are coming) went into the dumpster and FOUND my box.  She's so great!  I've been so blessed by her and thankfully, over the past few years, we have actually become friends I think.  So, cheers to Karen for being amazing...Leave as many comments as possible, because I am going to send her a copy of this link!

They're Coming

To all who read my blog,  I am in the process of putting the links on...I know, it's about time.  It'll take me a little bit, but I have LOTS of blogs that I look at and LOTS of links to put on...just give me some time.

Hope everyone's new year is starting off well!

Woo hoo!

What a title, huh?  This is my first posting off of my OWN computer that I bought!  I got a Macbook, which i absolutely love so far.  While it's taking a little time to figure out some things, I have been able to do a lot!  

A book every teacher should read - Don't Forget to Share by Leah Mermelstein.  It's a quick read and showed me how important the sharing time and what kinds of teaching can STILL occur during the sharing.  I know I have been really lax on not letting kids share, but this book has reemphasized how important it is and how I can turn the time into something that is useful for kids and teacher!  I highly recommend it.