Recycling

Last week was "Be Green Week." I loved all the activities that we had going on around school. We had students picking up trash and planting. I enjoyed that our students felt a part of our world and knew that what they do today affects tomorrow. As a class we sanded, painted and decorated recycling bins. It was fun to see the recycling bins through that whole process. The recycle bins that were decorated by the entire school are now on display throughout SES. If you get a chance, come take a peak at them! It is exciting to see students learn more and more about what they can accomplish every day!

Saying good-bye

This week we will say good-bye to one of my students. It is my first student to have to say good-bye to and I am not sure that I am quite ready for it. All year we have been learning and growing with each other and it is strange that next week she will be in another classroom learning and growing with another teacher. Through this process I have learned how to say good-bye better though. I am having her give closure to her pen pal, her reading buddy and to her classmates. I am typing up notes for her new teacher and encouraging each of my students to make the time with her be precious. I am also planning a mini good-bye party filled with thoughts and snacks. Although I know the end of the year will bring many more good-byes and good lucks for next year, I am grateful for the time I have with each of my students right now. Remember that , hold precious the time you have before you say good-bye.

The big huge classroom!

Everywhere is a classroom. The more I teach, the more I find that there are classrooms hidden all over. The dinner table is a subtraction plate, subtracting peaches and pears as they are ate. The stoplight is a counting tool, where we count how many seconds we have sat there. The bed is a journey to any country you would like. The sandbox is a measuring bowl, and we can see how many small buckets fit into big buckets. The garage is a place filled with science discoveries. I want to encourage you today to use where you are each day to learn and teach and grow. There are places all over that will help us learn what we need to know. Enjoy your classrooms!

Break

This past week we received a wonderful break of five days. During this time I did a lot of spring cleaning, spent a lot time outdoors and even worked a little on my hobby, scrap-booking. Before I went on this break I did however spend close to six hours preparing for the coming week. My note to you today is that even as we approach little "breaks" in our lives remember to prepare for what is to come. Don't just sit back and let what happens, happen. Instead plan and prepare. In the end, this makes the break that comes a million times more worth while because you can just sit back and enjoy. As summer approaches make a plan as to how you will continue to learn and grow in reading, math, music, art, science, and physically this summer so that when the break gets here you will know how to use the break as best as you can.

Easter love and joy!

Easter! Easter is approaching and I thought a blog about Easter would be appropriate. About five minutes ago I walked through our library and overheard a story about the Easter bunny. What I noticed was that a student asked whether the Easter bunny was real or fake? The wonderful teacher in there responded perfectly. She said, "It does not matter whether the Easter bunny is real or fake, but rather think about what the Easter bunny stands for: love and joy with family." I want to encourage you today that whether you celebrate Easter with a bunny, with family, with Jesus, or any other tradition, that you continue to have love and joy. I am encouraged this week to teach my students how to show love and joy through stories about Pysanky eggs and through other Easter activities. They will learn language skills while learning life skills. Continue to use every situation to learn many different things. Enjoy your Easter break!

Success

Family Math Day was a huge success. We had many families here and ready to play math games and learn. The halls were busy as families made their way to over 50 math games, computer math, math in music, math in phy. ed., Spanish math, the book fair, hall games, and animal balloons. I believe that everyone that attended enjoyed the day. This being my first year I did not know what to expect. After the day happened I am glad to still say that it was a wonderful day and am already excited for next year. Success takes a lot of people. It took me, our principal, more than 30 community volunteers, more than 30 high school volunteers, five Kohl's volunteers, and our entire staff to plan and execute this wonderful day. Remember to think about that in any area of life...success is not just based on you, but rather, everything around you. Be successful today! :)

Family Math Day - March 23rd

There is an important event coming up at Spooner Elementary Schcool on March 23rd. Family Math Day is an event that involves parents, teachers, students, and the community. It is a wonderful way for students to learn practical ways to learn math. We will be having special features like "Math in Music," animal balloons, a book fair, and "Math in Phy. Ed." It will be a wonderful event and we hope to see you there. If you'd like to get involved just send me an email at smithm@spooner.k12.wi.us. I look forward to seeing you there!