A Note to My Son's Teacher

Happy first day of school. It's such an exciting time of year... for the kids, the teachers and the parents.

I want you to know that my son has all of the required items from the list in his backpack... The pencils are sharpened, each item has his name on it (yes, each crayon, eraser and pencil crayon) and I put fancy laces in his shoes because he can't tie them himself yet. I went to three stores to get the right glue sticks. I got him to bed on time last night. 

He. Is. Ready. 

Or is he? 

You see, he has a lot of great skills.... But letters and printing and sitting quietly aren't on the list. I can't imagine him sitting through a spelling test. Maybe he will luck out and not get one this year. :) 

He is unique and quirky and will amaze you often. He loves to play and imagine and create. 

I ask that you please take the time to get to know him... To REALLY get to know him. Find something to connect with him. And I ask that you just love him. For who he is. Focus on his strengths rather than his weaknesses. I hope that you reserve a special place in your heart just for him. I hope he's "that kid" that you wonder about years later. 

Be good to my boy. He's precious beyond words. 

I know you understand, because you're a mom too. And you were probably up late worrying about your kids just like I was. 

And know that I understand. Because I'm a teacher too. And as much as I'm excited to meet my new students tomorrow.... My mind will be with my little boy.

I hope you're ready for him. 

Have a wonderful year. Thank you for taking him under your wing and teaching him to fly. 

- Sincerely, J's mommy

:)

Keep it Simple

2 more sleeps... I'm so essited!!!

I've been working in my classroom all weekend and am so pumped for the little ones to arrive.  I was looking around and it's pretty neutral and empty..... and that's INTENTIONAL.

I was thinking about what the parents will think when they come into the room.  I can hear their thoughts already. "It's so bare!" "Where's all the colour?" "Did she forget to decorate the bulletin boards?" "Turn the lights on."

But you know what?  All of that stuff is on purpose.

I used to get out my rolly cart of laminated teacher stuff and "DO" the bulletin boards.  Hmmm, what background colour?  What border will I use? What catchy phrase will I plaster on the hallway board with each child's name neatly written on a little icon.  Pinterest is full of ideas... they can help. I need to get my carpet seating plan arranged.

I'm not doing that this year.

I've changed.

And I'm excited about that.

Here's how it looks now:

Clean, crisp and ready to be filled with THEIR stuff.. not mine.

Last year I was talking to someone very wise and she said, "When you walk into a space you should know who lives there."  And I've never thought about that quite so much.  It's true.  I'm leaving the canvas blank and letting the kids take part in filling it up.  With things that reflect THEM and things that THEY have created... not me.  And THEY don't "live" there yet... so it's pretty bare.

The classrooms below are a few things... but ready to take on the personality of those that take up the space they are not!

Happy DECORating.

:)

Lil' Workin' Man

This little guy is so lucky to have parents that will let him have experiences like this.

Maybe some of you are thinking, "it's too dangerous," "what if he screws through his arm?" or "He should have plastic tools."

But the truth is... He has been shown how to use these tools and he is given permission to be brave. He has adequate supervision and parents that trust him to know what to do.

It's magical to watch. He makes a hole in the pallet, puts the drill in reverse to remove the bit. Then he gets a screw and screwdriver and screws it into the wood. Repeat this process till bedtime and you've got one happy kid.

Moments like these make my heart do a happy dance. Not only is he strengthening his fine motor skills... He's asserting his independence. He's "working" and his work is REAL... Much more real than if he were using a plastic toy hammer. He's being creative and thoughtful. It's awesome.

Kudos to his parents.