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.
Category: Learning Differences
A Lark and a Prayer: Music in the Classroom
Last week, I was reminded of the importance of music. This reminder came in the form of a six-year-old girl named Lark.
Putting in Pencil Miles
I know to get good at anything, you must put time into it. “Practice makes permanent,” as the saying goes. Recently, I read David Sibley refer to his development in drawings birds as "putting in pencil miles.,” which is a term used by nature journalist to describe the practice that goes into honing their craft.
Cultivating a “Make Lemonade” Mindset
Cultivating a “Make Lemonade” mindset is very appealing to me. I work with children who have learning differences and developing this kind of mindset is essential to them keeping motivated and engaged. I want to provide them with a path that says, “Okay, it’s hard for you to do this one way. What other ways can you create to help yourself? What can you do with what you know to be successful?” Presenting children with a “Make Lemonade” path, is very empowering.
Small is Beautiful
This week, the first week of my summer vacation, I have been thinking about embracing small things in life: small moments of joy, small moments of beauty, and small moments of gratitude. E.F. Schumacher, a British economist and writer, best known for his book, Small Is Beautiful: A Study of Economics as If People Mattered, … Continue reading Small is Beautiful
Working in the Wonder Studio: Sewing up Some New Friends
The girls learn about sewing, making mistakes, and perseverance. I learn about how these students approach a task: how they plan, how they organize, and how they problem solve. I also learn how to help them when they are stuck and what motivates them. I have come to understand how important this half-hour is for them as students and for me as a teacher.
The Incredible Events in the Life of a Teacher
Being open to possibility is the key to life-long learning, and life-long learning, I believe, is the key to happiness. It gives one purpose, and a sense of purpose is what keeps us humans strong and resilient.
Mentoring Gifted Readers
As Parker Palmer says, “Teaching is a daily exercise in vulnerability.” Sharing my struggles and successes with students help them to take a risk and share what is easy and difficult for them. Then, together we plan next steps to reach our goals.
Working in the Wonder Studio: Finding Our Dreams & Voices
This month, the 4th graders have taken over the studio. Some of them are painting on small canvases, some are making spring wreaths, some are learning to sew pillows, and a few of them are exploring how to turn boxes and tubes into working machines.
Writing Alongside Children
This week, I began working with two fifth grade girls on writing. I created digital notebooks so they could more easily type their thoughts and ideas. I also wrote alongside them. We talked, we shared our writing, and we laughed. My intention was to build a small community of writers...
Word Dancer: Literature, the Arts, & Education 