Brothers.
May 05
Joey has an older brother. In fact, his older brother goes to our school. Sam is in fifth grade so the age difference is pretty big, but the way he takes care of his little brother is something to be admired. Last week, the book fair started in our school’s library. The day it began, Sam popped in to see me. “Hey, Mr. _____, I have some money… can I bring Joey to the book...
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Feb 14
I know, I know, some folks don’t love Valentine’s Day. For me, in kindergarten anyway, Valentine’s isn’t about romantic love, but all about being a kind and caring friend. That’s how I present it and they really do love each other and want to show it. We had a hectic, but fun filled day. I made heart shaped waffles, we sang our Valentine’s Day song a few...
Free Hugs
Jan 18
I have a ‘Free Hugs’ t-shirt and wore it to school a few weeks ago. I didn’t think much of it. My class loved it and over this last week, a few of them have been asking me to wear it again. Yesterday, one little boy came out and just said, “Mr. ______, please wear the ‘free hugs’ shirt!” So today, I wore it. This morning, as they...
Ms. C.
Jan 13
From time to time, I’ve written about Ms. C. – the amazing Ray of Sunshine (Ed Tech) who peppers herself into my room from time to time, but I’ve never really given her the starring role in a post she deserves. When I first met Ms. C. last summer on the first day of school, she didn’t make the best impression on me. Her first words to me were something along the lines...
Forward.
Dec 28Well, Christmas is over and so the barrage of year end ‘best of’ lists’ has begun. It would be easy, and maybe even a little fun, for me to reminisce about the last year, after all, I did have some rather major changes, but instead, I’m going to try and look forward. In January, we’ll be starting a new PBL called Peace Week. Over three weeks we’ll learn...
Holiday Gifts.
Dec 22
This holiday season, as I often do, I received many gifts from my sprouts. Apparently, in their little eyes, I love nothing more than Dunkin’ Donuts and scented candles. Lucky for me, the real gifts are priceless. The gift of children who come in each day with a smile, offer a hug, and are genuinely ready to learn. The gift of a small school where meaningful relationships are built...
More love.
Dec 15Like many teachers around the world, last night, I did not sleep well. Tossing and turning all night, thinking about those kindergarteners, probably much like the ones in my own classroom, I woke up many times with different thoughts. First, I remembered reading about one teacher’s recount of her horrifying moments and how, above all else, she wanted her students to know they were...
Love.
Dec 14Today, as the afternoon started to wind down, Ms. C., my dear ed tech and friend came in with a look on her face that I knew wasn’t good. Clearly something was wrong. My students were reading with their third grade buddies as she handed me her phone with the headline of today’s tragedy. As I read the details of the horror that took place in that kindergarten classroom, probably...
The Season.
Dec 09I just realized I haven’t made a single post all week. Surely it isn’t because nothing hilarious, devastating, or poignant happened at school all week. More likely, it’s just the season. There seems to be more going on and less time to get things done as the year hurls towards it’s end. Report cards need to be finished. Gingerbread books need to be read. Hugs...
Greatness.
Nov 26
Oh what a day! When I got in my car this morning, as I waited a few minutes for my car to warm up (really, how long are you supposed to wait? I never get past two minutes), I took a sip from my tea (I start the week with tea and am stopping for coffee by Friday) and saw this on the tea bag: This was pretty deep for a tea bag, but I took it as reminder – a sign. What we...
