Make Your Mistakes Count

I say it often... "It you're going to make a mistake.... at least make it count."

Today we put that into action.

Let me tell you the story.....

In an effort to save money and create AWESOME experiences for the kids... I decided to use the City Bus as a way to get around town for a few of our field trips.  Now I know that it's not smart to take a city bus to the pumpkin patch out of town or to the opposite end of the city.  But you'd think that a trip downtown to the public library should be pretty simple.  I assured our parents that it would be fun and they'd learn a lot.  I got the transit route map... we phoned to tell them that we were coming... we confirmed our times and our routes... I typed out a detailed (to the minute) itinerary for us... we went to the stop early and froze our butts off.

The kids had a wonderful time at the Public Library... John the Storytelling guy is so incredibly perfect for that job.  He has a gift, there's no doubt.

We met a few interesting characters on the bus.  Who knew that you could fit an entire social studies curriculum into one city bus ride?  One guy had a plastic bag of empties to take back to the recycle depot... maybe he works there too... I'm not sure.  The bag was leaking mystery liquids onto the bus floor.  The guy was practicing his stand-up comedy routine on us.  And telling me how he hopes none of the kids are his... ha ha ha... I assured him that they were all accounted for.  :)  When he stood up, the smells from his bag wafted the area... yucky rotten beer smell.  My little buddy B got SUPER excited and yelled out, "I SMELL BACON!!" Hahahahahahaahahaahahaah...  I think I peed my pants laughing... although nobody noticed because of all of the other liquids on the floor.

In the morning it worked perfectly.  Exactly as planned.

We have 2 classes.  22 morning kids.  16 afternoon kids.

The afternoon... well,  that's another story:


We went to the bus stop early (as indicated by the itinerary).  We stood outside, kindergarten popsicles.  We waited.... and waited... and waited.  Finally I called the Transit line.  My call was important to them. And they were experiencing a high volume of calls.  I hung up after 6 minutes.  I don't think my call was all that important to them.  I saw another bus on the other side of the road.... and I gave him the "what the heck?" signal.  He stopped and told me I just missed the bus.  I tell him that isn't possible... we had been standing out there for twenty minutes.  He says, "NO! you have not." I assure him that we had been and had the cold noses to prove it.  He says, "I tell you, flat out, NO, it is not possible."  I had all sorts of things I wanted to tell that man.... but out of respect for my school and the lovely children entrusted to me... I refrained.

We got onto his bus.  Going in the wrong direction.  But to a terminal that would take us downtown.

Well... Mr. slowpoke rude pants didn't tell me it would take us a whole hour to get downtown.



What do you think happened next?


I bet you're just dying to know.... or you're just dying for the Reader's Digest version.  Either way, you're still here.


We got to the mall.  Instead of transferring to another bus... we decided to make a field trip at the mall.  I called the Library and told John we couldn't join him.  :(  I called the school secretary to tell her that we weren't where we said we would be (that was responsible of me).

We had exactly 8 minutes to get to Santa's Workshop before he left for his afternoon nap.  We HUSTLED to see Santa.  Santa was THRILLED to see us!! We got into the line right before another school group... phew!  Mrs. Clause sang carols with the kids that were waiting.  1 kid sat on Santa's lap and said, "I have to go peeeeee."

It was awesome.  We were rolling with the punches.  We were going with the flow.  We were making lemonade when life handed us lemons.

Then... yes... there's more.... THE POWER WENT OUT AT THE MALL!! SERIOUSLY?!?!?!  It's like the whole day was some kind of joke.

Santa kept seeing kids.  Mrs. Clause kept singing.  The skylights provided just enough light to get the pictures.  Somehow, Mrs. S found a flashlight to take the "I have to go peeeee kids" (there were 3 of them by now) to the bathroom in the dark.

Again, we were rolling with the punches.

When it was all over we left.  Surprise, surprise.. Mr. Polite bus driver was the one taking us back to school.  We met more interesting bus friends.  It all worked out.

The moral of the story:  Do more fundraising.  Book less trips.  Whatever you do... don't take the city bus with a group of kindergarteners on a time limit.

The end.

A New Spin on an Old Favourite

Quick share:

We've been playing an old game a new way in gym.  We call it "What letter is it Mr. Wolf?" (although I'm sure there is a more witty name out there).  The kids really like it.

Just like "what time is it Mr. Wolf?", the kids ask what letter and take one step for each letter.  It forces them to say and move to the alphabet in a rhythmic pattern.... not just following the beat of the ABC's song.  They are starting to realize that elemeno isn't one letter.... and they are learning where letters are placed in the alphabet by seeing how far they go once a certain letter is called and having to choose a letter that is appropriate for the distance (ie.. if they're close, you can't pick 't').  We haven't quite figured out what to say when it's "LUNCHTIME..." for now we say "ALPHABET SOUP!!"

We also change it up by doing crab walks, bear walks, bunny hops or crawling instead of taking giant steps.  Anything to get those little guys sweaty.  ;)

It's not up for game of the year or anything... just wanted to share it with you.

Happy Albhabetting.  :)

Rushy McRusherson

This morning I was driving to work and noticed a guy... a fence-building kind of guy.  He was walking along freshly placed fence posts (a project that started about a week ago).  He carefully took the time to wiggle each post... making sure it was secure.  Then he checked to make sure that each post was level.  Whatever happened next is unknown to me... I kept driving.  I guess I'll see the progress when I drive by again tomorrow.

I started thinking that if I was ever having a fence built, I would hope that the "builder guy" (as Jake calls them) would have that same attention to detail.  I would be upset if they just rushed through the job and my fence blew over in 3 years.

Then, it struck me.... the "AH HA MOMENT!"

In the workforce we want employees that ensure a job is done PROPERLY.  That people are paying attention to those little details.  That things are not rushed through just to get it done quickly.

But in our classrooms, well, mine anyway.... we tend to rush through everything.  GO... pray, GO.... snack, HURRY.... late for Music, QUICK... to the bathroom, No time for a story at the end of the day.... etc, etc, etc.  We even have a fast version of our goodbye song (for when the parents are already there and we aren't quite done).

YIKES!!! How am I training these little TIKES?

What kind of workers will they be?

Will they be rushing the day away task by task, feeling like they haven't really done a decent job of anything.

Is life a series of checkmarks on a to-do list?

For me, it seems to be (lately anyway).  And it's the kids that are missing out.

WERE missing out.

I'm going to change my outlook.  I'm going to focus on slowing down and REALLY experiencing things.  We'll take our time getting to music (the kids can't tell time anyway.... they don't know we're late).  I'll let them glue on that last piece of ribbon, even if I already called for clean-up time.  

If we don't get to everything.... I'm going to be OK with it.  If an idea exists... and it doesn't happen... the kids won't know.  They won't care either.  And at the end of the day I'd rather them have one hundred QUALITY experiences than 62 Bajillion rushed experiences.

Enjoy taking time with the short people in your life.  They deserve it.... so do you.

Plan C

"Plan C" will forever be known as "Plan Carolyn."

This lady is amazing.... and, well, that is a gross understatement.  Carolyn is "the speech lady," but as anyone who knows her knows, she is sooooooo much more.  Carolyn brings excitement and learning to EVERYTHING.  

Let me tell you about how she saved the pumpkin patch day..............

Our initial Pumpkin Patch farm visit had to be cancelled because of a school scheduling conflict.  We begged a local pumpkin farmer (can't name the farm because I'm sure they wouldn't appreciate every Kindergarten teacher in the city calling them for tours and free pumpkins).  The date was set... I couldn't go (meetings)... so "Mrs. F" (the sub) was up for the challenge. 

Everything was set up.  Nametags out.  Bus booked.  Reminder bracelets sent home.  Gardening scissors ready.  Camera battery charged.

And then... it rained.... and rained... and rained.  

I sent the Plan B plans and moved on.... knowing that this just wasn't our year for pumpkins.  :(

And then, CAROLYN GOT AN IDEA (I love when that happens).

PLAN C.

Send 2 moms out to pick up the pumpkins from the farm.

Move the tables out of the middle of the room.

Lay down a giant tarp.

Skipping ropes for vines.

Everyone cut out a paper leaf to attach to the vine.

Read "It's Pumpkin Time."

Kids take a pumpkin and attach it to their leaf.

Smile for a picture.

Read another pumpkin story.

Everyone takes their pumpkin home.

Free.

Easy. 

AWESOME.

Thanks Mrs. Carolyn.  I am so blessed to have you on our team.  

Thankful is an understatement.  

SAME isn't FAIR

Look at these leaves... same plant, same vine, same climate, same hours of sunlight per day, same amount of precipitation...... but VERY different otherwise.

I've been admiring the changing leaves a lot this fall.  But over and over again, I find myself pondering why certain leaves and trees change sooner than others.  I'm sure that a Horticulturalist could explain the process to me using fancy terms like photosynthesis and chlorophyll.... but I prefer to use this 'phenomenon' as an analogy (I kind of have a thing for analogies... maybe you've noticed).



The group of trees represent different cities.  Each Tree represents one school.  Each branch represents a classroom in that school.  Each leaf is a student in that classroom.

By now you're either thinking that I'm nuts or you're intrigued.  Either way, you're still reading... that's positive  ;)

It's amazing how closely nature represents humans in this scenario.

2 leaves.
Side by side.
Both getting EXACTLY the same thing.
Both facing the same "elements."
But both reacting TOTALLY differently to their environment.


Same goes for students in a classroom, classrooms in a school, and schools in a city.

It is POSSIBLE to give each student EXACTLY the same programming (not smart... just possible).  But even when doing so, each child will respond differently to the teaching style, the physical environment and the social situation.

So, instead, I challenge you to treat every leaf on your trees as beautiful and unique.  Give each one of them exactly what they NEED... not exactly what everyone else is getting.

One Down.... 178ish to Go!

Well.... the moment we've all been waiting for... THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!

Last week was "Staggered Entry" where the kids came in small groups for 30 minutes each.

But today was the REAL DEAL!

The FIRST DAY.

I'd be lying if I said it was smooth sailing.  Or if I said I wasn't stressed.  Or if I said everything went as planned.

But according to the short people... all of them would agree that it was awesome.

I just LOVE the looks on their faces on the first day of school.  It's comparable to the faces you'd see at Mickey's House in Disneyland.  They are fascinated.  Everything is so magical.  They don't notice that the teacher feels frazzled.  They don't notice that their moms are leaving with tears in their eyes.  Those things don't matter when you've just found a little chair at a little table with YOUR NAME ON IT!

My reality: I only have 3 hours a day with these little ones... I need to make the most of it.  Which, to clarify, DOES NOT mean that we are doing flash cards and worksheets all day. Actually, it's the opposite.  I want to create QUALITY experiences that will teach much more than any worksheet ever could.  It became obvious IMMEDIATELY that we have some issues with scissoring and hand dominance... and maybe a few "my way or the highway" attitudes.  ;)   The typical things... and more will pop up as we go.  But overall it was fun... It was great... and we dove right in.

I'm looking forward to the rest of the school year.

Let the games begin!

Inclusion... beyond the classroom

I've been thinking about the topic of "INCLUSION" a lot lately... and I just wanted to get some of my thoughts out there. 

As a teacher, Inclusion means that everyone belongs and everyone will have their needs met while they are in my care.


As a parent, Inclusion means that my children are all different and I need to treat them as such.  


As a Christian, Inclusion means that I need to see people as Jesus sees them... PERFECT in every aspect.


As a member of society, Inclusion means that we must respect the human RIGHTS of others and enable EVERYONE to be a part of the world we share.


What does "INCLUSION" mean to you?






So many people think of this buzz word "inclusion," as a school thing.  But, stop to think about it... no, REALLY THINK about it... INCLUSION is actually a HUMAN thing. 


Wheel chair accessible parks and trails, Handicapped parking stalls, Welfare programs, our Canadian medicare system, drug rehabilitation centres, various occupations requiring various levels of education, TTY phone systems, Gluten free menus, etc, etc, etc, etc... the list goes on and on.  Little accommodations to make the world (or our country anyway) accessible to all.


Just as ALL people have a right to exist and have their needs met in society, so too do ALL children have a right to an education.  It might not look the same as the student sitting in the desk next to them... but FAIR does not mean that everyone gets the SAME treatment.  FAIR means that everyone gets what they NEED. 

I leave you with this wonderful poem.  If you have ever loved anyone with a disability, hidden or not, you will be touched by these words:




The Misunderstood Child
A poem about children with hidden disabilities
by Kathy Winters
I am the child that looks healthy and fine.
I was born with ten fingers and toes.
But something is different, somewhere in my mind,
And what it is, nobody knows.
I am the child that struggles in school,
Though they say that I'm perfectly smart.
They tell me I'm lazy -- can learn if I try --
But I don't seem to know where to start.
I am the child that won't wear the clothes
Which hurt me or bother my feet.
I dread sudden noises, can't handle most smells,
And tastes -- there are few foods I'll eat.
I am the child that can't catch the ball
And runs with an awkward gait.
I am the one chosen last on the team
And I cringe as I stand there and wait.
I am the child with whom no one will play --
The one that gets bullied and teased.
I try to fit in and I want to be liked,
But nothing I do seems to please.
I am the child that tantrums and freaks
Over things that seem petty and trite.
You'll never know how I panic inside,
When I'm lost in my anger and fright.
I am the child that fidgets and squirms
Though I'm told to sit still and be good.
Do you think that I choose to be out of control?
Don't you know that I would if I could?
I am the child with the broken heart
Though I act like I don't really care.
Perhaps there's a reason God made me this way --
Some message he sent me to share.
For I am the child that needs to be loved
And accepted and valued too.
I am the child that is misunderstood.
I am different - but look just like you.

[Kathy Winters is a part-time writer and full-time mother of three. She has a 14-year-old son with Asperger Syndrome and an 11-year-old son with ADHD/Tourettes Syndrome.