What was your summer reading? Summer reading can be for professional development or personal enjoyment, and maybe even both. This summer I read  Mindset by Carol Dweck. It discussed expectations that we have on our children and students. It looks at how our thinking, our comments and our actions play a part on how others will react and value the need to do their best. One idea that I took from the book was that My words and actions will affect how my daughters view themselves and their worth as a learner. It makes me think about the words I use with them daily and if I had said something that has hurt their precious soul. Carol Dweck used the examples of a Fixed mindset ( this is all I got, I can't learn anymore, I am as smart as I can get) vs. the Growth mindset (you can always learn more, I am not smart today but can always continue to learn more). This simple but profound thinking will help Me, My students and My family- We are forever learning-I have a Growth Mindset!  Speaking of help...I read the Bestseller book, The Help, by a new author, Kathryn Stockett. There is a social debate about this book--It did not honestly show the pain and struggles that the black maid endured in Jackson, Mississippi, and it is racist in its depiction of white and black woman and how it holds no value in the life of woman today. Well all I know is that  I enjoyed the book! I felt the pain of the characters. I resented the treatment and prayed a thankful prayer for the job I have today and for what women endured in the past. A lifestyle that was only because of the family they were born to and their skin color. Stockett readers to see a life that we don't talk about in books during the civil rights movement. It hopefully shows how future generations have moved beyond the cycle of being a maid or the ignorant thinking of the wealth family. I honor the pride and devotion to do what is needed to be done for their family and their own survival. I enjoyed both books. I have grown as a mom and a teacher. I have grown as a black woman. I can appreciate what I have, where I came from and how I want to steer my beautiful daughters to go in the future.  I think I chose two books that were professional and personal growth for me. What reading journey did you take this summer?

Family -Grandparents

This year I lost both my grandparents. Grandma passed sleeping next to Grandpa in August and Grandpa left 10 months later in June 2011. I probably shouldn't call it a lost. I had the pleasure of spending every holiday of my 43 years with them. I have been able to cherish and honor their marriage of 69 years during my own wedding. I was allowed to care for my grandmother during her last 5 months of life. It was my honor to care for the lady that cared for our family for so many years. She called me Sweet-Patooty and my daughter and her first grand, Sweety-Pie. My grandmother loved being with her friends to play cards, travel, walk and even swim until she was 72. My grandmother loved to read and reading was pasted on to her daughters and myself. she loved mysteries and a daily crossword puzzle. Her humor and simple come backs were a joy to hear. My grnadmother started repeatng herslef and retelling the same stories when we realized she was failing. My heart pains just writing this. My love for my grandmother is only a tenth of the love my grandfather had for her. She protected us from his tempers. She soothed the beast when it got out of hand. She loved him beacuse he deserved to be loved! My grandfather weathered the depression as a child and supported his family as a pre-teen. He set high standards for working hard as a salesman, business owner and inventor. He was never rich. He rarely showed affection, but I know he loved his family by his demands and expectations for us to be together during hoildays. My grandfather taught me to ride a bike, influenced me to always do my best no matter how tough the task, the color of my skin or what others said about me. He taught me to investigate and never get cheated out of a fair deal. My grandfather walked me down the aisle  and said this was one of thes happiest day of his life. He was my only daddy. Today I honor my grandparents and their love for each other and family. Today I remember them and their laughs and lectures. Today I am missing my grandparents- Edward Todd and Theresa Jean Carson.

Teacher Blogging

"Never give up!" I tell that to the Parker Penguin kids everyday. "It may be hard today, but each practice it should get easier!"  Well I didn't take my own advice. I want to say hello and I am back to start this blogging thing again. I was a bit intimidated with all the wonderful bloggers out there. Then during my first reawakening moment, I realized I have to start somewhere and develop my blog to fit me and My Style. There are some beautiful blogs out there. First grade classroom teachers sharing their passion for technology, development of ideas and the chance to share it with peers around the world. There are discussion blogs that have sparked my own interest in blogging and then those crafty ladies with idea after idea to do at home or in the classroom. My style is to share the love I have for all the above. Today I share my blog with 6 friends but hope to expand. Any suggestions welcomed. Here I go again! 

Teaching is a passion. We teach for the kids. We teach to share a dream. We teach to contribute to someone else's life. We teach to educate. We share a passion of reading, math or science. Teaching has so many rewards that only the educator can explain.  Teaching provides a stable life that is rewarded with late nights, long weekends, judgemental parents, workshops, professional development and college classes for the life 20 + years. Teaching provides little salary increase over the life of our careers. Teaching can be stressful, saddening and satisfying all in one day. Teaching is rewarding. It is always changing-technology, best practices, and assessment requirements. Teaching must be done with a passion. If you don't have a passion for teaching and creating an environment that is rewarding and satisfying for each new group of youngsters then you are inthe wrong career. Teaching is a passion regardless of the government and its decisions to cut public education. Teaching is a passion and I love it!

Teaching Passion Part 1

Every morning I rise to a cup of Joe. I see my reflection in the dark drink and wish the rest of the day could move so clamly. I quickly carry my friend Joe around the house to find clothes that are appropraite for the day ahead- Will I see parents? Will I paint? How many times will I have to get on floor? Do I have an after school meeting?  I swallowed my last drop of Joe. As I am driving in my thoughts of my own health and family issues fade away. I wish I had one more cup of Joe but I never bring that quiet peaceful friend to school. My day doesn't move slow again until I am back in my car 7-8 hours from now. I forget to drink my water, I don't use the bathroom, and can't wait for lunch so I finish something I didn't have time to do in the morning. As a teacher we are moving so fast that we forget to take care of our own well being. I ran across this book years again but never took the time to read it. I plan on reading this book. I hear it gives a wonderful insight and reflection sof a teacher's everyday thoughts. Read it with me for the month of April my friends.

Learning Attribute of the Month

Promote your children to be thinkers. Encourge them to become independent learners through the action of thinking. Seems easy enough! What is a Thinker?  They must learn to ask questions about the world and their human relationships. Ask your students or child to say-- I think about the actions--they are my own desicions. I think about what I say before I say it. I keep intregrity and kindness in the fore front of my actions. It's important to give children various learning attitributes to be successful learners. We know about inquiring, taking risks and being knowledgeable, but it all comes with the action and conscious thinking of our actions and their effects on self and others. Today encourage your young learners to ask questions, examine their answers and thoughts. Encourage thinkers in the most literal but simplest from.  Today is the first of many blogs that will allow us to discuss learning profiles that they produce a well rounded citizen of the world --Thinker, inquirer, balanced, principled, knowledgeable, open minded, reflective, and more.  What are you thinking about today?

Stump The Teacher: I Resign From Teaching

Stump The Teacher: I Resign From Teaching: "To Whom It May Concern: Consider this my letter of resignation from teaching. After much deliberation and intense research, I now see the ..."

So insightful and refreshing to see teachers writing about their life in the classroom. Every minute we are making decisions that impact others. Teachers are continuous learners but stride to make our students the best learners of the world. We have to let them think, inquire, take risk and become knowledgeable citizens. I like this blog. I resign with him!! ok maybe not totally but you know what I mean!

Snowy Day

Sitting at home on a Snow Day here in Michigan. Thinkng of all the many projects kindergarten and first graders can do related to snow. A few favorites include Roll the Snowman, melting ice cube or snow in a bottle experiment, cottonball snow art, "How To" Build a Snowman and so much more.
I like to start our snow day or week with this great story or DVD by Ezra Jack Keats. Share some of your favorite snowy day projects that you do with your kiddos in class.

You Know you're a Mom when your child...draws a picture that is unrecognizable and you see hearts and words all all over it
You Know you're a Teacher when you... can figure out anything one of your student writes that noone else can.  (ihd a god tim at reses)
You Know you're a Dad when you...see that little girl of yours smile and you melt.
You Know you're a Good Cook when your... kids stop playing the Wii to come eat.
I Know you're a Friend when I...  call just to hear your voice.
You Know you're Poor if you... know what ghetto steak is. (husband's input  LOL)

You know you're a blogger when you want to share..just about Anything with strangers.   Happy blogging!!

Cultural Reading for the classroom

Ok it's a new year! Starting a blog, keeping family first and reading more. I took a class called Parents On You Side through Lee Canter. I took a few ideas from this class --- one that I thought helped me and my families would be to read more literature about cultural and traditions to better undersatnd my complea mix of families in the classroom. I have families from Germany, Middle-East , China and India and they all have different values in regards to family, education  and social interaction. I hope to learn more. So today I will begin my Inquiry into family life through books. So I  found one book that might be a great start...What do you think?

Day #1

Today is Saturday, Jan.29, 2011. I am so excited to be writing first blog. I asked my self what will I write about? I can share about teaching reading, places to go shopping, great deals, keeping a positive attitude when things are looking down, keeping a loving and faithful relationship with friends and spouse. How to work with a teenage daughter, a four year old learning to be independent in MY house and finally just a moment in my day. Today I think I will share that I am truely happy and excited to be able to share with my many new friends. Please post a postive encouraging comment to help me in my new adventure of blogging.
I feel accomplished today!!