Category: Learning Differences

Working in the Wonder Studio: June Wrap-up

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The last  two weeks of school found the girls busy wrapping up their spring projects in the Wonder Studio.  Even though I warned them not to start anything new, some of them could not resist.  They spent their recess times painting, making, building mazes, sewing pillow, and making oodles of miniatures.

Finding Her Voice: Building a Tiny House

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As a learning support specialist, I appreciate the time and effort it takes to grow.  There is definitely something to Malcolm Gladwell’s “10,000 hours rule,” which states that it takes approximately 10, 000 hours to achieve mastery in a particular activity.  I have watched Coco put intense focus and energy into making small objects: tiny coconut people, small animal habitats, or tiny food replicas.  It seems that there were no plans.  Her objects would just appear, but as I watched her, I realized that she were very significant organizational processes going on silently in her imagination.

Working in the Wonder Studio: Creative Spirit

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I have noticed in the last few years that the 5th grade students love to fabricate small intricate items during their final Wonder Studio sessions. I’m not sure if it’s because they want to be able to quickly complete projects that they can take home as mementoes of their Primary School years, or that they are working on a math PBL unit on Tiny Houses, so their minds just naturally go to the miniature. However, most of the students are making objects other than items for their tiny houses, even though I bought materials that would allow them to construct tiny furniture and other accoutrements.

Stormy Weather: Celebrating Poetry Month

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I loved stringing words together.  I loved the way they formed in my mouth and rushed out into the air.  Poetry was magical, and I felt I had some of that magic in me. Now, as a poet and teacher, I enjoy bringing that love of the spoken word to children.  This month, Deborah, my friend and dear librarian at the school where I teach, invited me to be the guest poet during her library times with 1st through 4th graders.

Support Stuffies: Managing Test Anxiety

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There was a lot of anxiety in the room even though we had tried to make the students as familiar with the test as we could possibly do.  We also did not place a lot of importance on the test, but the children sense it is important, it does reflect on how smart they are, and it does matter.

Lessons from Lunch: Connecting with Students

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In my long teaching career, I knew that lifting kids up with kind words and a patient ear, was so very important. It made the difference between success and failure. I know that teachers have such an important impact on their students and that if we take time, see their strengths, and let them know we believe in them,

Mindfulness in Teaching: Be Where Your Feet Are

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The author, Suzanne Dailey, noted that she and her girlfriends play a game called “Where are your fee?” in which they send each other photos of their feet to check in with each other about what they are doing and how they are feeling. This game helps each person consider where they are in the present moment.  It helps them reflect and shift their attention. It’s a gentle reminder to “Be where your feet are.”

Sew Easy: A Heartfelt Journey

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Many things that my mother loved, I love - teaching, making art, reading, eating cheese and crackers, putting on bright lipstick, and sewing.  My mother was an amazing seamstress and dress designer well before she had kids and became a teacher.  She would hold a piece of fabric in her hand, fold it, cut it without a pattern, and make something wonderful to wear.  She had a gift, and it was magical.