Happy 2013 and Currently...

As I am typing this, the clock is ticking toward midnight and the end of 2012. In less than an hour, it will be 2013. I am anxious to see what the New Year has in store for all of us...

So, of course, a new month means it's time to join in on Farley's Currently. I've been worried about this one. I knew it would be time to pick a new word for my One Little Word (OLW). I've been thinking a lot about "perseverance." Sometimes I need to remind myself to hang in there when the going gets tough--because it almost always gets better (and sometimes I don't even have to wait very long.)

Then I moved on to "appreciate." I NEED to stop and be more appreciative more often. I need to slow down and be thankful for the MANY blessings that I have. Even when things are difficult, I should be appreciative, because I know it could be worse (much worse). My struggles are few and my joys are many.

Then again, I've thought about the word, "consider." Consider the possibilities, consider the consequences, consider how lucky I am, consider how to persevere and appreciate... Nah, I just can't tie it all together that easily!

So I think I will consider it a little longer and commit by the end of the week. (That IS one more vote for consider, I see!)

I have truly enjoyed this vacation. I decided to just stay home and appreciate (heeheehe) the quiet, restful tone of no school. Get up when I want, stay up late, do school work, don't do school work... So many options! Aside from Starbucks, I haven't needed all that much to make me happy.

I want to design a "Stay Organized" plan. I know I am much happier when I get things done "on time." Why, then, am I often scrambling to finish report cards at three in the morning or looking for lost math tests under the couch when I am already late for school? Hey! Maybe my OLW should be "organize"! {Shudders} No, that's too much responsibility. I need to take smaller steps to success!

Well BloggyFriends, YOU have added to all that was wonderful about 2012. I wish I could e-mail anyone who has ever read one of my blog posts and say THANK YOU! But I'm having trouble getting one blog post finished and one little word chosen...

So, instead, I hope you will just know that I DO appreciate (keeping track?!) the connection that is built in the BloggyUniverse. Thanks for being a part of my little slice of it.

Three minutes left, so I will click "publish" for the last time in 2012...

                                                                                        

All of these cute New Year's graphics are from Ashley Hughes on TpT!

Warmest wishes for a wonderful 2013!

Now, it's your turn to link up with Farley, to share your own "Currently," to follow the Rule of Three, and to make some new connections...

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Joyful Day!

I am wishing you all things bright and wonderful on this special day!

Merry Christmas

  

Have a JOY-filled day!

I hope that you enjoyed a day filled with friends and family, love and laughter,
and plenty of JOY... 

P.S. Thanks to Ruby Slipper Designs for the happy graphics!

Teaching Kindness

I don't know about you, but I was SO glad to see my students today!

We start each morning with a handshake (with a different variation for each day of the week) and a "Good Morning." I have to admit I probably squeezed each hand extra tight!

We limited discussion about the events of last week and we got on with our day, but we were all a little subdued. It could have been because it was Monday. Or maybe it was the rain. Or maybe it was because it was just hard to forget what happened less than seventy-two hours ago...

And, still, I loved them a little bit more today. I was grateful to see their "tweenager" faces and I felt blessed to be their teacher and to be there, with them, on this day.

We have been trying to be more conscious of the thoughts, and needs and feelings of others in these twelve days before vacation.

      Font by Kevin and Amanda; Digital Paper by Surfin' Through Second (TpT)

Each morning, I have started the day off with a "challenge" of sorts--a suggestion, a prompt, a request to be kind to the people with whom they share their school day.


With a few sweet Melonheadz elves, two of my favorite Jen Jones fonts (HelloBasic and HelloFun), and my happy heart, we started with something easy: Sharing a smile.

The students were a little reluctant at first. I think it seemed odd to actually TALK about the need to be kind... yet alone the need to BE kind. After the first day or two, however, they got into the spirit and they tried a little harder to remember what we were practicing each day.

I am proud to report that they have really stepped up to the challenge! Today we worked on sharing kindness by making an effort. It was an "All Thumbs Up" day in PE--which means that ALL of the kids demonstrated good sportsmanship and worked hard in during their PE time with the PE Coach. No one got in trouble for an attitude problem or for talking too much. I couldn't have asked for a better start to this day!

With just four days to go, we continue to think about ways to be kind to each other and to other students and adults at our school. Just so you can see our journey, I've included the cards below. They are on our classroom door too to keep us focused on our path to kindness....

I hope that kindness is filling YOUR classroom today. And if you are lucky enough to be out of school already, I hope that you encounter kindness wherever you go today!

Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary

Learn How to Join in a Tribute to Sandy Hook Elementary on Sunday, December 16, 2012

In a few more hours, my giveaway will be over, and in a day or two, the winners will be announced.

And as I excited as I am to give away gift cards and celebrate some winners, it seems oddly insignificant as my heart is aching for those whose lives were touched by the tragedy in Connecticut.

In the end, I think we were ALL touched by this tragedy in one way another. I think that teachers across the country have been running scenes through their heads, wondering: How would this play out in my school? Are we prepared? Would we know what to do? How would I respond? What about my students?

And I KNOW that parents EVERYWHERE have responded similarly... Holding on to their children a little tighter, considering what if, and then hugging their children once more and LOVING them.



I could write a thousand lines or three, and I would not even be able to hint at the ache that is felt by those of have read or heard about the loss of the lives of so many children.

And then that sadness would pale when compared to those families and friends who experienced first hand yesterday.



So, tomorrow, we will FEEL many things. But in honor of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary, we will say nothing. We will look at the heart that will be posted on countless blogs, and we will remember, and pray, and honor and reflect.

If you are a blogger, please join us. Go to Farley's blog (Oh Boy Fourth Grade) to get the artwork (designed with so much love by Michelle from 3am Teacher) and the directions for joining in this tribute.

Title your post for Sunday, December 16th: Silence for Sandy Hook Elementary and post the heart (and nothing else) on your blog.

Join us as we hold each others' hands and hearts--and those of the people in Newtown, Connecticut...

It's Like Getting Free Money (With JOY!)

Recently I read a post at Oh Boy Fourth Grade about focusing on the JOY. As usual, I think my friend, Farley, is on to something.

Based on the name of my blog, people often think my name is JOY. My name is Kim, but I don't mind being confused with JOY. It's a part of who I am in many ways.

Like Farley, I am making an effort to find the JOY at school--even when that is not an easy task. Here's my strategy: Before I leave school each afternoon, I sit down, close my eyes, and try to think of one good thing that happened that day. There is usually at least one good thing, so I can almost always head for home on a positive note. My general outlook has been remarkably improved!

I am blessed to have lots of JOY in my life. LOTS. And after thinking about all of the things I've been given, I've decided to give some away!

Elf from Bilingual Scrapbook (on TpT) and digital paper from sonyadehartdesign.com
and "HelloAli" font from Jen Jones-Hello Literacy (on TpT)

I've never done a "formal" giveaway or used Rafflecopter before, so there are a few "firsts" in action. Mostly, I am excited to pass along some JOY to some BlogReaders this holiday season.

So here are your options....

Maybe you'd like a $25 dollar gift card to spend at Target.

You could use it to buy decorarons, or a (lovely) holiday sweater.

Or treasures in the dollar section or some presents!

Or maybe you'd like a $25 dollar gift card to spend at Starbucks.

You could treat yourself to something tasty while you shop or wrap presents.

You could even trade it in and buy gift cards for your coworkers!

Or maybe you'd like a $25 dollar gift card to spend at Amazon.

You could buy a book or two to read over vacation.

Or you could buy books or lots of other things for presents!

Or maybe you'd like a $25 dollar gift card to spend at ToysRUs.

Maybe you can get some toys for some little cherubs.

Or games or puzzles for your classroom!

There will be four lucky winners. And each of those four people will win a gift card. And each person can choose which gift card they would like--even if all four people choose the same card!

So, come on, join in! You could win some JOY of your own!

Hey! I got this sweet little candy cane from Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah Designs! 

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Currently... It's December!

I have often thought to myself: It's a good thing that Sweet Farley does her Currently postings... Otherwise I would never know what month it was!

So December is here and I am thrilled. I'm not sure why November was so incredibly long, but I am glad it's over...

I feel like my class is ready to take off and learn.  We had struggled so much with behavior, and apathy, and a lack of empathy at the beginning of the year... and now things are beginning to fall into place. Every time someone raises his/her hand to offer a comment, the joyful applause goes off in my head. It's not frequent, but it's BETTER. And I will take better--happily.

Hello Sketchie font by Jen Jones; Heart paper by Lauren Thompson on TpT

Still my heart had to hurt a little last week when we needed an extra volunteer for our Kindergarten Recess Helper program.  "Is there anyone from the Monday squad who would help out on the kindergarten playground today? Tuesday squad? Is there anyone from ANY day who will work an extra shift?" Not.One.Volunteer. Not one! I sat there in stunned silence willing myself not to cry (or worse!). Finally, one of my shyest (and sweetest) kiddos raised her hand and offered to help supervise the kindergartners. I said, "Your kindness has won you an evening of no homework..." (Odd that I felt the desire to reward her--Clearly I have some learning to do as well.)

Of course, then I had several volunteers. Obviously, I declined. I said that this student had volunteered because she was being kind--NOT to get something in return. She saw a need and decided to step up...

I believe that acting with compassion can be learned. I don't think my kids lack heart... they just haven't been called upon very often to think with their hearts. Overall, their lives are pretty comfortable and they are fairly fortunate.

I think that learning comes from opportunities to practice. So, I am going to incorporate some talk about Random Acts of Kindness into our schedule at some point in the next three weeks. If you haven't read the story about the police officer who bought new shoes for the man who was homeless, check it out here.  I think that will be the opening of our RAK discussion. (A side note: Maybe I because I wish so desperately for kids to care, I have read the story and watched the video FIVE times--and I still cry every time. I hope I can keep it together long enough to teach the lesson in a meaningful way...)

So now you get a chance to be inspired through the BlogFriends you meet and/or check in on at Farley's Currently. She's asking you to list your state when you link up, so don't forget. And, as always, remember to leave some love with those who link up before and after you.

 I hope that your December will be filled with happiness and the joy of random acts of kindness...