Friends,
It feels callused and awkward to move on to a different topic than my last post, but…move on I will. Healing is going to start with me claiming back my job and my students from the fear that has gripped everyone in this country who calls themselves a teacher. I am going to live with the knowledge that the role I play in the lives of my students is precious and sacred. It is not only teacher, but, mom, nurse, comforter, and even defender and protector when it calls for it. So, although there are some of our ranks that have fallen in the line of duty, I will carry on knowing that the children in front of me need me to do so with courage.
I will choose to celebrate the stories of those wonderful teachers…and rejoice in the legacy that they have left behind for us to be encouraged by. That said, my first grade team will be wearing green and white on Wednesday. We’re not planning on discussing the tragedy with our students…they are only in first grade, but we wanted to have a show of support for those teachers and students in Newtown. I’ll post the picture here so that you can see us, and celebrate the strength of those good people who are also moving forward as best as they know how.
In my last post, I mentioned that I’d be doing Kind Kids Club. With the events that happened on Friday, I thought it might be a good idea to focus first on being kind to one another before we are kind to others outside of our classroom. The kids and I will be completing this ‘anti-bullying’ project together on Monday. It was created by ‘The Primary Techie’ out of Arizona. I will be celebrating each one of them for the sweet and unique little people that they are. I am looking forward to their creative ideas for each other’s strengths. Should be an eventful morning! 🙂 Click on the link in the caption if you’d like to try the project as well. 🙂
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| *The Primary Techie’s Anti-Bullying Project Link* |
It was tough to stay focused on curriculum writing, but after a while, ideas started coming and I started to feel much better. Of course, that was after I’d turned off the news. 🙂
I’ve been working on a literacy unit for ‘The Chick and the Duckling’ by Mirra Ginsburg. I’ve paired that text with It Started As An Egg. Both books are within the first grade lexile band, and are a great compliment to each other.
Once the ideas started coming…they just kept on coming. I’ve got six days of plans for the books, a science demo, two centers and a writing plan as well. My teaching partner and I have been really enjoying working through the common core initiatives with the kids. It’s challenging, but they are learning so much, and it’s wonderful to see how well they are embracing the complex text.
If you are still in school, I trust that you will have a good week with your children. I am looking forward to all of our crafts and projects! 🙂 It’s going to be a good week! 🙂
