P.S. to Kid President: We're still waiting...

Mrs. Brown's and Mrs. Keaney's fourth grade classrooms are not giving up the campaign!

Last Friday, we were able to continue to share our commitment to our service project when Chelsea, from the Children's Bureau, Inc. came to talk to our kiddos and accept our donations. As you can see, KP, this was no small undertaking. The students really stepped up to your challenge and decided they were really NOT ok with children's homelessness in Indiana.

As our students sat and listened to our guest tell of how many children the bureau can/does care for on a nightly basis, you could see their wheels turning that, although it may be a lot of kiddos "living under one roof," it is certainly not enough kiddos from across Indiana that are being helped into a better situation. They wanted to do more. Almost the first question out of their collective, questioning mouth was "How old do you have to be to volunteer at your facility?" It is amazing that they are trying to find their "What are you going to do about it?" step in the giving of themselves. When they heard the dreaded age of 21 (Ugh! Are you serious? I'm only in fourth grade! That's too far away!), you saw the shoulders slump on 60+ students...and then the determination set in their eyes, that there had to be a way...any way to help to continue to fight for this cause. Students ended up loading 2 boxes of fleece blankets, 3 boxes of hygiene kits, and 8 bags of t-pillows into Chelsea's car for delivery, before she left...

Again, Kid President, the invitation is extended. Can we Skype? Can we FaceTime? You want to stop by for a visit? Let's make it happen...the students in Room 25 and 27 at Geist Elementary are determined. Kid President, we want YOU!

Dear Kid President

Dear Kid President,

Challenge accepted! Back in "Sock"tober, you challenged the nation with three questions...

1. What can you not live with?
2. What do you have?

3. What are you going to do about it?

Well...as I started to think about it, I knew I couldn't live with how much homelessness was affecting children in my state (research shows approximately 4 out of 10 adults have children with them). That's heart breaking! I'm a (fairly) new momma and a teacher of many...so this one hit a little too close to home for me, knowing that sometimes, the kids couldn't help what environment they were in.

As a result, I went to what I had...31 students. This, plus a Partner-in-Crime teacher that added her 30...61 kids and a willing friend are definitely a lot to have in this situation. :) From there, they went to what they had...guardians, neighbors, and friends that travel for business. We talked to coworkers and put notices in our class newsletters...

And we all decided together, what we were going to do about it. Our 61 fourth graders researched which homeless shelters allowed children to stay or participate in their programming, in our area. Out of three, they discussed and voted on a specific center that they felt we had to help...had to support...and to encourage those kids.

Brainstorming ideas was easy...looking at the wish list, they knew that the traveling adults in their lives could provide us with enough items to create hygiene kits for the kiddos in need. But they took it further...everyone wants something of their very own. Whether you can afford it or not. Whether your situation is in your control or not. Whether you are a kid or not...to have your own possession makes a difference in many people's lives and esteems. Our students helped us decide that they wanted to also give the comfort of warmth in their possession - they made t-shirt pillows and fleece tie blankets. Many of our students owned these themselves, and they wanted to make their donation personal. Our goal? 50 kits...not even a kit per student...and maybe 10 blankets and 10 to 20 pillows...no problem, right?

Very right. Our students have currently put together 115+ kits (still counting), 20+ blankets (a few more to tie), and 50+ pillows (about 10 left to stuff and sew)...they BLEW ME AWAY. The hearts of our students and their parents were so big, that I had tears in my eyes most of the time. These kiddos so close to my heart, now want to develop programs and volunteer and reach out past their own classroom bubble and see what they can do to make life better.

KP...this is where the kiddos initiated their own challenge to me. If we reached our goal, I said I would try to contact you. Can we Facetime? Can we Skype? Can we chat and get words of wisdom from you? COULD YOU STOP BY FOR A VISIT??? 

You are inspiring a whole generation of fourth graders who are ready to change the world...shoot, you've inspired a whole generation of fourth grade TEACHERS who cannot wait to HELP their kids change the world. (We know based on your 2014 wrap up, that it was a top event that you graduated fourth grade!!! It's a tough one. ;))

Help me out Kid President...the invitation is open to come visit Mrs. Brown's 4th grade classroom at Geist Elementary. #huggersgonnahug #bemoreawesome

Book Banter: January Edition

At least I know when I am at a total loss of what to write, I always have books to fall back on. This little posting has actually held me accountable to READ...in a world that is busy with so many other things, the time is scarce! Ha! (Please note...January edition is coming LITERALLY on the last day of January! :))

My school recently acquired several book sets from our intermediate school, who was updating and cleaning out their frequently used sets. See this little gem by E.L. Konigsburg? It really is a good one...definitely for your older readers who can comprehend subtleties and social metaphors. The View from Saturday is a wonderful book to teach characterization and character traits that are deeper than a typical intermediate novel. Your characters come from all walks of life (The teacher is disabled, a student is from India - but grew up on a cruise ship! Another student feels in the minority due to his Jewish heritage, and then our last leading lady is a red-head.) Konigsburg did a great job bringing these "Souls" together to represent their school in the state academic competition. Each brings a special spark to the team from their various life experiences. all of the characters face discrimination and social injustice, but always have each other - together, they find a way to continue being victorious. I know this year, I don't have any students that are able to read at this deep of a level, but I look forward to finding some kiddos who enjoy the diversity and social overcoming. 

I am very much a Gregory Maguire fan...but his book, Missing Sisters, is not at the top of my list. I enjoyed his books prior to The Wicked Series...then, fell in love with Elphaba and Fiaro and all that Oz had to offer. Maguire's ability to show the "other side" of a situation and change your point of view completely is great. Missing Sisters is about a pair of twins separated at birth and reunited at a summer camp. It seems to be a Parent Trap situation in the making, but neither girl lives with their biological parents. I was very frustrated with the attitude both characters had, and was not impressed with the action taken by the sisters. Although they were probably meant to come across as brave, I felt they were careless and cavalier. Made it difficult to enjoy the book, when I was constantly worried about their stupidity. His typical descriptive style was in full effect and it was difficult to follow the story at times, based on the picture painted of the setting around them. The book states it for ages 8-12, but I wouldn't keep it in my classroom. Some of the situations are inappropriate for my 4th and 5th grade readers. 

My most recent interest has been in the Maze Runner series. I'm forever an advocate of reading the book before seeing the movie, hence my delay in getting around to this one. When I realized I wouldn't be able to get to it, prior to the movie staying in theaters, I let it sink farther down my stack for other priorities. Most advertisements stated it was for Divergent and Hunger Games fans...I agree. It didn't disappoint. The typical government control was ever present, but you really don't know who is "in control" until very near the end! The suspense was good and it made me want to continue to figure out the ending. Similar to the cliff hanger endings of the other series, you're left with an incomplete picture and a feeling of "WHAT? WAIT! TELL ME MORE!" at the end. I literally finished the book, found my iPad and looked up the next book in the series, just to get a sneak peek of the first chapter (which did nothing but make me wish I already had it in my possession)! - Side note: Lucky for me, my kiddos had a MASSIVE book order this past month with Scholastic and I was able to order $30 worth of books for free...was able to get the entire rest of the Maze Runner series plus books for my classroom. Score! :) One of the junior high students I tutor actually chose to start a book in James Dashner's other series, The Mortality Doctrine (first book is The Eye of the Mind).  It was interesting to listen to the similarities (and vast differences) in the two series, as we started to work on his response journals. Great for mature readers, as well as older (intermediate and junior high) readers...some of the scenes are graphic, but are used sparingly to set scenes. Wouldn't keep in my fourth grade classroom, but would definitely share with my older tutoring kiddos who are reluctant to read. 

Still have these guys sitting on my bedside table; I'm waiting for the winter days to not be so dark so fast. Hehehe.

What's on your bedside table?

Happy Reading,

# 1 Parent Communication Tool of the Semester!

I'm struggling getting back into the "blogging" routine, but it's been nice to look back through the semester and reflect on some of the things that have worked and some that haven't. It may be a little exaggeration (we work on hyperbole in the second semester :)) that this is the number one communication tool, but it has truly given me great insight into my parents and families, and to see their perspective on the exact same classroom situations that I have lived for the past few months.

Midyear Parent Survey

At the beginning of the year, I ask my parents to write a letter to me telling me their family story - information they'd be willing to share about their family make-up, siblings, occupations, goals and dreams, as well as how they view their kiddo academically. Midyear, I conducted a survey that asked specific questions about academics, but also social and emotional needs and how they feel I am doing as a teacher. You'll find this jpeg linked to a word doc in my TPT store, so you can save, edit, and use as you see fit.

Don't be Nutella

NOW...I forewarn...don't ask what you don't want to hear. Some of my parents were brutally honest, and some, I know, were too easy. BUT, I was also amazed at how parents viewed certain activities, tasks, homework, testing, etc. and I had not thought about their viewpoint at that time. I have received amazing insight on homework amount, tasks being too hard/too difficult, and even assignments or projects that I find "ordinary" were a source of much enjoyment!

The lack of communication was eye-opening for me, as well. I was surprised that many parents or guardians did not take the opportunity to share their thoughts on how the year has gone. I may be taking it personally, or I should know that timing at the end of the semester is quite hectic - what was I thinking, sending this in the middle of the holiday rush? :)  Something I may change for next time? Give it at the beginning of second semester. Parents and students have had a break, and have been able to enjoy time away from the "scene of the crime." They also will not be feeling the hustle and bustle in the air, and may take time to give more details and specific examples to help for future classes. 

In the beginning of the calendar year, we tend to reflect and look over what we have achieved in the past year. Hopefully, this survey can help you in your classroom and give you additional perspective on the families you work with! 

Happy New Year,

Character Matters - A Thank you to my "Nathan"

Eye-opening. That's what I would call Sunday's service at Heartland Church. We are going through a series, entitled Character Matters, that focuses on one influential person in the Bible each week...Abraham, David...we know these guys, right?

Dr. Wayne Schmidt spoke about the prophet Nathan...my first response was "WHO?" (I turned to my husband and said "Is it bad that I didn't even know there was someone in the Bible NAMED Nathan?") As the sermon went on, I couldn't help do what any good student would do...learn what I didn't know, take some notes, and of course, make connections to what I was reading. :)

Nathan was not only a prophet and adviser to King David, but he was also his friend in the best and worst of times. He was able to affirm David at the high points (Keep building! Keep defeating your enemies!) and had to confront David at the low points (Adultery and murder have been frowned upon since ALWAYS). We started out the message with an example of statements that should be in our thought process, when looking at our Spiritual Friendships. Friendship Survey as follows (check all that apply)

* "I have close relationships with other Christians who influence my life."

* "I want other Christians to hold me accountable for my actions." 

* "I have spiritual friends who speak truth to me and don't hold back."

* "I am committed to mentoring or helping others grow spiritually. 

I thought to myself, "Does this only apply to my spiritual life?" In all honesty, it's probably EASIER to find these people in other areas of my life - most certainly my professional one! As a teacher, I look for influences, accountability partners, teammates who will hold me accountable for what I am doing in my classroom and in my students' lives, and hopefully, I can do the same for others in their classroom, if possible. I'm online learning from hundreds of YOU across the globe and seeing what you are doing in your classrooms and in your students' lives. I question what works and what doesn't. I evaluate if it applies to what is expected of me in state and district standards and guidelines. Simple...right? (Professionally, it's pretty black and white, in my opinion.)

As luck would have it, my original assigned mentor teacher at Geist Elem, was both a Spiritual and Professional relationship. D.C., you are truly an inspiration to me (even if you did go off and become administration at another school :)). As a newbie, I was (and in some ways, still am!) very rough around the edges...D taught me that our "business" is about people; not procedures or grade books or cute projects and beautiful bulletin boards. It is about the students, the parents, the hugs and smiles we give or the new directions we have to guide them in. It is the WAY we talk to people and HOW we respond to their "stuff." I am black and white...D showed me there are shades of gray. She called me out when she needed to and helped guide and facilitate when she saw I was floundering a bit. D is a wonderful professional mentor in that aspect...but...

...this also applied in my spiritual journey. D cried with me over the loss of a personal friend. We have served dinner at the Ronald McDonald House together. She allowed me to hangout with her kids for a weekend and experience taking them to basketball practices and wrestling meets. D invited me to the Great Banquet and I experienced a weekend that brought me closer to God, deeper in faith, and made me look at all aspects of my life a little closer. She had fierce conversations with me and asked if what I was doing, was the direction I was supposed to be going. The impact she made in the first few years, have lasted way beyond what will occur in any classroom.

My challenge to all of you; find your Nathan.  (Both professionally and spiritually!) Do you have someone who holds you accountable? Are you willing to take direction and constructive criticism from them and learn what changes need to be made? Do you have someone that affirms that you are on the right track - being the best you can be - encouraging you to continue to pursue your excellence?

And to my Nathan...I say thank you. With a new year of school just around the corner, I wish you a successful and productive one! Your role, no longer in one classroom, but in many, is invaluable. Your role, not in one life, but in many, is amazingly profound!  I hope someone expresses that to you this year. I  hope to aspire to be a Nathan to someone, as you have been to me!

Have a great week, Friends!