Kids With A Heart

 One must talk carefully when bringing up the topic, tornado.  Our community was badly damaged by a tornado 3 years ago, and the memories are still very real.  I talked with my little ones this morning about Henryville (hiding my own sorrow at hearing the loss of 15 month-old Angel).  Our discussion led to all of the precious things that they value, that could be lost in a tornado.  When I talked about the Beauty from Broken Pieces project, they were "all about it."  We peeled some of our broken crayons together, then each child took several crayons home, along with our note explaining the project.  I hope to see many peeled crayons tomorrow.  One of our first grade classrooms is going to help after hearing about our project.  I am going to experiment tonight in my kitchen to find the best way to make crayon chunks (am a little worried about my smoke detector!). 
Tornado, sadness, loss of loved ones, compassion, acts of kindness, and yes, ISTEP. . . God has this all figured out.         Drama Queen

Beauty From Broken Pieces

In just a moment, lives were changed, priorities were changed, beliefs were changed.  Change.  Broken pieces.
On Friday, March 2nd, teachers and students in Henryville, Indiana were using every last instructional minute to prepare for the upcoming, highly pressured state-wide I-STEP tests.  By the end of the day?  Change.  Broken pieces.  As tornadoes charged through this small town, homes were destroyed, schools damaged, buses and cars tossed about and twisted, and lives were lost.  Broken pieces.  Broken hearts.  Broken dreams.
But yet, a small child was found alone in a field, now an orphan. Her family was killed. In my safe little house far from this insanity, I see her as a picture of beauty from broken pieces.  The hope for this brave community.
Tomorrow, I will invite my kindergarten students to stay in a recess and help me peel the  paper off of all of our "broken pieces" of crayons.  We will melt the colors together into beautiful little crayon chunks.  We will send pictures to the elementary school along with the crayons, so that the children can make "beauty from broken pieces."  Join us?

Just When You Think Your Day Was Bad

My son is a dentist in Louisville, so Friday, March 2nd I was on pins and needles as I waited for him to pick up on my cell call.  He was OK.  That's all I needed to hear.  He was OK.  For that very day, a ferocious tornado ripped apart hundreds of lives in the nearby town of Henryville.  I can't get it out of my mind.  Another lesson in gratitude.  My own daily complaints were blown away.

Give it a rest!

The Drama Queen's crown is off, her hair is in disarray, her back is screaming for a heating pad, and it is finally quiet.  The school week is over.  The little ones have gone.  Quiet.  Peaceful.  There remains a slight smile as she recalls a comment from a small knight today.  "This is the best day ever."  We celebrated the end our unit study of fairy tales and castles.  The K students were dressed as lords and ladies of Kelley Castle, with recycled curtain vests decorated with felt and jewels (love those hot glue guns!).  Was it worth the energy? Oh, ya. . . . . . . . . .

moment's notice: JUST THINK!!! To all of the new slicers out there ...

moment's notice: JUST THINK!!! To all of the new slicers out there ...: JUST THINK!!! To all of the new slicers out there (including me): This morning,I caught myself with that "blank" look that I of...

JUST THINK!!!

 

To all of the new slicers out there (including me):

    This morning,I caught myself with that "blank" look that I often get from my students when they say they don't know what to write about. I will turn to Dr. Seuss for some practical and witty advice!

 

 

 

Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!
Dr. Seuss

On With The Crown!

Yesterday my family celebrated our Mom's 80th birthday.  She is famous in our family for her sense of humor and endless love for all of us.  She has tenderly watched friends and family pass due to illness or age.
She is devoted to my Dad and cares for him in many ways.  She is a rock.  She is also a DRAMA QUEEN!
Growing up, I remember her breaking into a song or story.  She encouraged all of us kids to express ourselves, and I thank her for allowing the messes, the dress-up days, and the never-ending flow of neighbor kids coming and going.  Appropriately, we crowned our Mom last night.  She wore a tiara and a pink "birthday girl" sash throughout the party.  The party was over. . . we were finishing dishes. . .I noticed she still had the tiara on her head.  Thinking she forgot about it, I reminded her that she could take it off.  She quickly replied that she had great plans for that tiara.  Many more happy days for my mom, the original DRAMA QUEEN!