Spring has sprung!

A quote for today:


So spring is in the air.  This year we've even had a spring.  It seems some years we go from cold to hot in just a few days.


So teacher friends what are you up to this week?  It is that time where some of you are packing to move to a new school, some of you are thinking of your family and what summer holds, and all of you are thinking about packing for the end of school.  I believe that  the challenge, at this time in the year, is to keep learning flowing, but also be ready on that last day of clean up to pass all checks on the check out sheet and to turn in your keys.  Not all of you are on the same time schedule, but you all have a schedule.

So many years ago I decided it made sense to find a few things to engage the kiddos around that also created a need for space that allowed us to put away some of our less used items a little at a time.  Planting is one of  my favorites things and the children loved it too.

Think about what you can plant and how you will plant.  I often offered different types of planting and we planted different items and different ways.
I can't find a picture of a large under the bed storage tub, but I'd use that on top of a storage piece of furniture.  The outdoors turtle planter is kind of the same idea.  It is a larger group planting space.  The carrots pictured are a growing experience without seeds.

Think of what you'll plant.  Think of the materials you will plant in and plant with.  Ex:  Baggies, clear cups, seeds, small seedlings, dirt, cotton balls, paper towels....maybe all of the above.
Next, think of your children and how you will notice and keep data on what you see.  Will you use a big chart that has paper you fold over the top?  Will each child have a science journal to draw/write what they see?  Will you put pictures on your website?  There are so many options.

Now I'm sure some of you have planted already this year.  What can you add to what you've done with the children before?  What books will you read?  Can you do art with seeds?  Don't plan a craft....set out some glue and seeds in the art area and see what happens.  Maybe read The Carrot Seed first.  With the seeds, it is a good idea to have an adult in the area for those who might eat seeds or put them in their noses. 

I love to see those faces the day the seeds begin to sprout.  That joy never gets old.  I hope this blog entry brings some joyful thoughts to you.  I hope that if planting isn't your thing that it will sprout in you another engaging end of the year adventure.

Enjoy your last weeks of school.   Make each day count.  Plan for adventure and clean up and packing at the same time.  You can do it.  Spring has sprung.

Wishing you well,
Teacher Debbie

Something to share between blog posts

Sir Ken Robinson breathes life into this teacher and hopefully you too!

Today's Quote:  

This week I was sewing an outfit for my granddaughter and I had the morning news on the TV.  On the CBS morning news they had Sir Ken Robinson on and he has a new book out for families. (My daughter, Elizabeth, got to hear him in person when she was at NAU...I'm still jealous about that.)  I am posting some links in case you didn't see the morning news that morning.  Watch the video about the book on YouTube too,

https://www.cbsnews.com/video/sir-ken-robinson-on-how-to-encourage-creativity-among-students/

https://www.youtube.com/user/sirkenrobinson

I am also posting the link to his TED talks.  I listen to him often to fill my teacher spirit and now my retired teacher spirit along with my advocate for children spirit.  I hope you'll listen too.  We have to advocate for what is best for all children and what we see schools offering is not always what is best for our children.

https://www.youtube.com/user/sirkenrobinson

I recommend you visit the YOUTUBE Sir Ken Robinson site and listen, laugh, and learn.  He is a wise and very funny man.  When I listen I often laugh and cry with in moments of each other and I always come away filled with renewed hope and a feeling of joy.  If you are a parent, a teacher, a grandparent, an auntie or uncle, it is worth your time.

Schools have not changed in major ways in years, but he one change that we all can see is the focus on testing that often overrides the focus on learning.  I believe the love of learning and learning how to think is above all in importance for our children.  We need blocks in primary classrooms along with ramps and pathways.  Dr. Christina Sales was in Mesa recently and reminded us how important it is to encourage learning through problem solving.  Creativity is key to problem solving.  Good creative people know that sometimes they will fail and they know that is part of the process.  Much of the school experience children have niw is that they are to be correct and that failing is not an okay thing.  

I believe we need to be vocal in our schools, to our school boards, and to our politicians that a time for big change has arrived.  Speak up and let those in charge know that it is time to do what is best for our children and what is best for children isn't teaching to the test or taking recess away for more teaching time.  

I'm going to order :

You, Your Child, and School: Navigate Your Way to the Best Education

Sir Ken Robinson, PhDLou AronicaMarch 13, 2018

Penguin Random House Audio

I hope you will too and that we can talk about it over the summer.  Anyone in on a book discussion?  If you're in for a summer book discussion please reply.

Wishing you well,
Teacher Deb

Today is Friday March 22nd and my book just arrived.  I also ordered It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It by Robert Fulgum.

No one has replied or commented that they'd like to read and discuss You Your Child and School.  Am I the only Sir Ken Robinson fan?  I know there is stress about things in the district I retired from, but I know that we have to keep our spirits fed to be strong teachers who give themselves each day to the children in their care.  Did this catch you all at a bad time or are you needing something else to feed you spirit.  Let me know how to support you, that's my heart. <3

Deb