Excitement for iPads

So, my excitement at learning the iPad earlier this year has been passed on, not only to my students but to my own boys as well. Through birthday and Christmas money they each now have there own iPad. It has been amazing what they have taught me. Over the Christmas break alone I have learned what amazing math and language arts apps there are to enrich my children and my students learning, as well as how to make a movie about how my basement cleaned itself.  The app that made this miraculous thing happen is iMotion. My boys spent hours learning to plan, organize, create and yes, think critically. All on how to make the basement clean itself. (or at least make a movie where it appears the basement is cleaning itself). The other amazing thing that happened was that for roughly 4 hours my boys didn't argue, complain or bicker with each other. The were both directors and cinematographers. Amazing!!

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How did I bring this into the classroom you ask? In grade 3 we are currently working on Building With a Variety of Materials. We discussed blueprints, and planning a structure etc. The students then went on to create their blueprint, build their structure, and have someone else build their structure according to the blueprint while making an iMotion movie. It was incredible to see how the students could see the structure being built before their very eyes. They were able to see the hesitations their builder was making and reflect on the changes that they had to make more easily watching it in fast time.

Great fun and learning was had by all. I learned that the case for my iPad may need changing. I also will be purchasing a tripod for other lessons like this. My greatest lesson though, is that the enthusiasm you have for something can only grow once you pass it on!!

Saying No.

About 4 years ago we went to a friends house about a week before Christmas and played the Wii for the first time. We all had a fantastic time. As soon as we got in the truck to go home, my then 5 and 6 year olds collectively said, "Can we get a Wii?" My husband and I looked at each other, knowing what the other was thinking, we can't afford it right now and the presents have all been bought, but that was a lot of fun. We talked to the boys and said with a heavy and torn heart, "No". We were about to go into a guilty feeling parents speech about how maybe next Christmas or for your birthdays, when they said "Is there any way we can make the money to buy one ourselves? Again my husband and I look at each other, communicating with our eyes in the way only good friends can, and asked what they had in mind. They boys began a discussion about all the ways they and they alone could save, collect and work to earn the money they would need to buy a Wii.

For 6 months my boys had shovelled driveways, went on weekly walking trips to collect bottles, and saved ANY money they had received from birthdays and weekend visits from grandparents. They had reached their goal. $500.00 had been made by my 2 little boys. We had never been so proud. They promptly purchased the Wii, and it still resides, in great condition, downstairs.

Shortly after this purchase, the boys, still excited about their earning potential, changed the label on the jar from "Wii" to "Vacation". The boys took on a flyer route and soon after had 2 routes. We do this with them. For an hour or so on Friday nights, my family works together to save money for a family vacation. I am beyond thrilled to say that I have booked our family trip for 2 weeks in Hawaii.

One of the best things my husband and I have done while raising our children is said No.

Mom, I have question.

This year for me, as a mom, has been interesting. My oldest, Connor, has been coming home with words he has never heard, singing songs he doesn't know the meanings to and asking questions that leave me thinking on my feet. When I hear the words, "Mom, I have a question" I feel excited that my boy is growing up, nervous about the issue that may about to come up and proud that he feels comfortable coming to me with his questions.

This morning he came to me with his letter to Santa. As he handed it to me, he says " Mom I have a question". Oh boy, here it comes. "If you never saw this letter, would Santa bring me the things on the list?" Vowing not to lie to my children, I asked him, " would you really like to know the answer"? He said yes (please consider he is 10 years old and I have been expecting this question for a couple of years). I replied that "no probably not", he squealed " I KNEW it!" I then pondered, "even though the mystery has been solved I still believe in the magic of the season".  My special boy then looked at me with the kindest, sweetest eyes and said "the magic of family and giving".

Never Let an Opportunity........

My first year teaching is complete and wow, what a year!! I am not only a better teacher after this year but am also a better person. I have met so many wonderful people and have been taught by so many wonderful children.  This year a colleague said to me, "don't let an opportunity slip away, you never know where it might take you".  So true and I am glad that I took the opportunity.

This year has inspired me and given me enthusiasm and hope for the next teaching year. I look forward to the next opportunity.

The Leader in Me Part 2

As the school year came to a close, I asked my students to reflect with me on the successes of the year and what we could to expand on those successes and how we could add new ones. Their responses were surprisingly similar. The students felt that the most learning was done during the work on the map. They felt that the most interesting was the work on the map. They concurred that the most fun was the map.

Learning + interest + fun= success in school

Yes Day!

Every year during Spring Break we celebrate "Yes" Day. This is the day that I am required to say "yes" to everything my kids ask for. Now, when we started this day we had some discussion and the kids helped to come up with the criteria for acceptable "yes" requests. The criteria that they came up with was really very usable, they couldn't ask for things that involved spending money, it had to be a reasonable request and it had to be doable within the day. Having younger children, the requests were usually focused around things like certain foods they liked or staying up later. This year was another successful "yes"day and this year it included making dinner for family members and a food fight.

What impresses me about my kids is that they developed criteria for the events including the food fight. We had to use food that wasn't usable any more (so that we weren't being wasteful), we had to do it where we wouldn't make a mess(outside), and we had to clean it up so that we weren't littering. My boys decided that stale buns from our grocery store would be ideal. They would stand up to throwing repeatedly, wouldn't cost much money and be easy to clean up.

Taking the time to let my boys enjoy a "yes" day is a great way to not only spend the day being the fun mom, but I learned that my boys are becoming great critical thinkers .

The Whole Group

I love the word synergy. It roles off the tongue, sounding smooth and easy, much like how I envision synergy to be. Easy and smooth. These past months working along side a new staff really has been these things and more. Every member has given me a piece of the puzzle to making my life and experiences at my school and with the students seem like a well oiled machine. I admire the wealth of skills and knowledge they have shared with me. I respect the information and resources they have provided me. I am honoured to call you my friends and valued colleagues. I am so glad I took the time to get to know you. Thank you for your wisdom and guidance in a world where time is a commodity, thank you for making things so easy and smooth.

“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.”
― Aristotle