Happy New Year!

The start of a new year contains so many possibilities. For many people, it is when people resolve to better themselves so they will have a more fulfilling life. However, most New Year's resolutions don't make it past January. Here is one resolution I know I will keep this year and beyond: I will remember that educators DO make a difference.

This story has been making the internet rounds. I hope you enjoy the message it contains.
Happy New Year!

 

From A School Principal's speech at a  graduation.. He said  "Doctor wants his child to become a doctor.........     Engineer wants his child to become engineer......     Businessman wants his ward to become CEO.....     BUT a teacher also wants his child to become one of them..!!!! Nobody wants to become a teacher BY CHOICE" ....Very sad but that's the truth.....!!! The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?" To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie.  Be honest. What do you make?" Teacher Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...) "Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 min. without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make? (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table) I make kids wonder. I make them question. I make them apologize and mean it. I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions. I teach them how to write and then I makethem write. Keyboarding isn't everything. I make them read, read, read. I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man-made calculator. I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know about English while preserving their unique cultural identity. I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe. Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life ( Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.) Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant. You want to know what I make? I MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ALL YOUR LIVES, EDUCATING KIDS AND PREPARING THEM TO BECOME CEO's, AND DOCTORS AND ENGINEERS..........   What do you make Mr. CEO? His jaw dropped; he went silent.

 

Summer seems to be flying by way too fast. I came across this today:

 

 

 

So, remember, enjoy every moment with your children!

 

I love making memories with mine.

 

Colorado vacation : July 14 - 19, 2013
 

 

 

Summer's Here

Summer's here!
Another year of school is at an end.
We've learned a lot and grown a lot
and made a lot of friends.
We'll say goodbye,
now summer's here,
it's time for us to part.
But we'll remember all our friends
and keep them in our hearts.
-Helen H. Moore

 

this poem was found on http://forums.atozteacherstuff.com/showthread.php?t=19355

Happy Mother's Day!

Today is a beautiful day!

No...I'm not referring to the weather...it is a beautiful day because it is Mother's Day.

I hope this book reminds you of the beautiful relationship between a mother and her child.

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch is a story about the changing relationship between a mother and son. I was first introduced to this book at a Mother's Day tea in my oldest son's Kindergarten classroom.

 

This book always manages to bring me to tears. So, have the tissues handy!

 



Listen to the author read this book

 

The official Robert Munsch website contains information about the author and lots of special stuff.

Graduation Day

Today is a milestone for me.

 

 

 I graduated from Northwest Iowa Community College with my Associate of Arts degree in Pre-Professional Education.

This picture is courtesy of Northwest Iowa Community College.

Summer--time Fun

I've been thinking about how to keep my kids entertained this summer.
I came across this list of homemade recipes in my files.
Now, I will be armed when I hear cries of "I'm bored" or "there's nothing to do".

Egg Yolk Paint

1 large egg
1/2 tsp water
Food coloring

Crack open the egg and separate the yolk from the white. Put the yolk in a bowl and add the water.

Mix the yolk and water well and then add some food coloring until you reach the desired color.  Make several bowls of this mixture to create different colors.

Uses:  Egg yolk paint can be used to paint designs on sugar cookies before they are baked. You can also use this mixture to paint pictures on heavy paper.

Face Paint Recipe

1 tsp cornstarch
1/2 tsp cold cream
1/2 tsp cold water
Food coloring

Mix the ingredients together and paint away! This will wash off with cold cream.

Homemade Finger Paint

2 cups flour
2 tsp salt
2 1/2 cups cold water
2 cups boiling water
Food coloring

Mix flour with salt. Add the cold water; stir until smooth.  Gradually add this mixture to the boiling water. Boil unti the mixture becomes smooth and thick.  Add the food coloring until you get the desired color.

Milk Paint

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk
Food coloring

Mix the sweetened condensed milk with desired amount and color(s) of food coloring.

Note: Apply this paint in a thin layer because it will take a long time to dry.

 

Puff Paint

1 cup salt
1 cup sugar
Food coloring
squeeze bottle

Mix ingredients together and put in a squeeze bottle.

To use: Squeeze paint out of the bottle onto the paper.

Spray Paint

water
food coloring
spray bottle

Mix together water and food coloring in a spray bottle.

To use: Hold the bottle about a foot or two away from paper and spray.

Painting with Shaving Cream

Materials:

• Foam Shaving Cream
• Food Coloring
• Aluminum Foil

Instructions:

1. Give each child a sizable sheet of foil or make a huge long one and give each child a section. Be sure the kids are past the stage of putting things in their mouth as this is not as tasty as it looks (you could try it with aerosol whipped cream, though).
2. Give each child a large dollop of the shaving cream in the center of their foil. You could fold up the edges of the foil to keep the shaving cream in place on the foil, if desired.
3. Let the child choose colors from food coloring. Encourage mixing and combinations of several colors.
4. When they are done, their “art” can be allowed to dry and you get a flattened gummy version of their work.

Happy May Day!

The view from our front door
 

 

I did notice that our tulips have buds on them...in the snow! We're having some crazy weather in Northwest Iowa.