March ~ Show & Tell

I'm happy to be joining Forever In 5th Grade for March's Show & Tell Linky Party.

This month I'm preparing for the much anticipated and very much needed ~ Spring Break! I had many ideas, but responsibility ultimately decided. I'll be taking an online course our district has required.  Nevertheless, I still plan to squeeze in some "therapy".

Fiction Therapy

A few months ago I was surfing through my public library website to see what books were trending and I noticed a title that was very popular, "A Fall of Marigolds" by Susan Meissner.  I checked it out, but it was a 2 week loan and I didn't get a chance to finish it.  It's a lovely story that links two women who lived in two separate eras with a lovely scarf.  I've checked it out again to finish it during my break. It's anxiously sitting in my reading cave, waiting for me.

One of my students came running up to me last week.  She couldn't wait to show me the book she had checked out of our school's Media Center, "A Song for Bijou" by Josh Farrar.  She told me it's about a Haitian girl in middle school.  I checked my public library and they had it available. She'll be so excited when I show her that I checked it out also.  It, too, sits expectantly in my cave, awaiting my full attention.

Book #3 shouted my name from the library shelf, "To Win Her Favor" by Tamera Alexander.  The summary in the back begins with, "A gifted rider in a world where ladies never race . . ."  

Looks intriguing, and waiting on line in my reading cave with the others.

Flower Therapy

I love flowers, I love gardening, but I my thumb is not very green.  So, I try to find plants that don't require too much of the gardening gift.  Last year, for Mother's Day, we bought our first orchid. 

It looks lovely in this picture, but just a few weeks later, all the buds wilted and I thought I had once again ruined another plant.  Even the roots started hallowing out.  In my frustration I threw it out ~ The next day a friend told me, "Why'd you throw it out, orchids resurrect!" So, I went home, dug it out, bought orchid food spray and decided to give it another chance.  

I'm happy to report, this is my orchid almost a year later.  It, in fact, did come back.  The buds are swollen and ready to bloom.  

Well, being that I'm now a professional orchid person, I purchased my second one.
I think I can do this now.

Art Therapy

My New Adventure:  

Bible Art Journaling with the Girls

I recently learned of Bible Art Journaling and I was instantly bit.  I love reading the Bible, I love art, and I love journaling. It was the perfect union of three of my loves. Then, I got the idea to invite some of my friends to jump in with me.  I wondered at first if any one would be interested, but I was excited to see that I did have some girlfriends who were in.  So, we had our first gathering a few weeks ago and it was just as amazing as we all new it would be.  We shared snacks, stories, and supplies.  We decided to make it a monthly gig.  Can't wait for our next one.  

Not Shown, But Told:

~ Manicure/Pedicure Therapy

~ Retail Therapy

~ Bicycling Therapy

~ Nap Therapy

and

~ Ice Cream Therapy

I hope I have time for my online course!  

Thank you for stopping by.
Stop by Forever in Fifth Grade for more inspiration.

I Wish . . .

____________________________________

____________________________________

I wish I could say this past week was amazing,
I planned creative lessons 

my kids were engaging
in content and reading, planning and writing,

growing and learning, exploring and thriving.

This is my passion, this is my goal,

this is my dream, I want them to grow.

But, some weeks are awkward,

In spite of the plans,

Unwelcome surprises,

Last minute demands.

One thing and another,

Charging with speed,

I drop everything,

and attend every need.

The good news is, next week is coming,

I'm hoping, expecting, believing and praying.

I'll teach, motivate, correct and mentor, 

Ignite, invite, inspire and capture

Their attention, their hearts, 

their drive and their minds,

And give it another real good try.

It will be amazing!

____________________________________

Middle School Rules

Most times people find out I'm a middle school teacher, I'm almost always given both a surprised and sympathetic look. Most people think that teaching middle school takes a very special kind of person. To tell you the truth, they're probably right.  

I never, ever thought I'd be a middle school teacher. I started at the elementary level.  That was my comfort zone. Older kids? Never! Until I had my own kids.  I learned that middle schoolers are people, too. When it was my daughter's turn to go to 6th grade, an opportunity opened up at the school she'd be attending. They were becoming an ESOL center and were hiring a Teacher/Department Chair to launch the new program. So, with much fear and trembling I applied, interviewed and was hired.  

On my very first hall duty experience, a fight broke out between two eighth grade boys right in front of me. One of my biggest fears of transitioning to middle school was the likelihood of finding myself in a situation that might be dangerous or overwhelming.

 To my relief, reinforcements were at my side within seconds and de-escalated the situation. Fourteen years later, I'm still in middle school. I was surprised to find out more than anyone else that I actually was one of those special kind of people.

Sometimes I get the thought, "Would you consider going back to elementary?" Other times, "How about trying high-school?"  Maybe one day at some point I may consider one or the other, but today I'm happy in middle school.  

I've always thought that each grade level requires a certain personality type.  I think this is true for middle school, as well.  If you're the nuturing type then 6th grade is your nitch.  If you're a life skills coach-like person, then seventh grade might be for you.  And, if you're a person who prefers more  independent students, most likely to lead themselves, then 8th grade is where you might want to be.  There's something for everyone in middle school.  For me, I teach all three levels.  I get to be nuturer, a life coach and prepare leaders.  

I think middle school rules are the same rules for any grade level. Teaching is both rewarding and challenging regardless of the students' ages. There are kids who meet all the specs for their grade level, those who don't and those who exceed on every level.  The most important rule for any level, grade, subject area, or school is that we must be certain that we are called to be teachers.  How will we know?  Regardless of the challenges we face each and every year, we still enjoy our jobs.  When that is fully known and secured within ourselves then we can overcome any obstacle or struggle that may come our way. 

Therefore, to all teachers, and especially middle school teachers, you are a special kind of breed in an amazing way.  You are appreciated.

Inspiriing from A to Z

Love, love, love this~

Connections Academy - Online School for Grades K–12.

~Visit Mrs. Laffin's Laughins for more Inspiration~

Add and Delete

The Art of Editing

I teach my middle schoolers to edit their writing by using these three steps:  

~ Read what you have written.

~ Delete what doesn't work or doesn't sound right.

~ Add something better.

As I reflect on the last 6 weeks of school, I realize I need to do a little editing myself. 

I've noticed that it's not only new district and state mandates that make my cup overflow, but I have my own mandates that seem to have similar effects.