YOUR WORLD CAN CHANGE FOREVER

A few weeks ago we listened to, discussed, and painted the lyrics of a song, Raconte-moi un histoire by M83. Now those words and pictures encircle our classroom, each student having contributed their artistic idea of the lyrics they were given to paint. We also traced over-lapping hands in groups of threes, each group having to find things in common with each other. A modern spin on a Venn diagram. I like projects that are made together, a team effort, because really, you can't do everything on your own, and that's a good lesson to learn when you're little.

I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR PICTURE

Eighty pictures strung up in my classroom. I read this article that talked about how some teachers think that if students are caught looking off into space during lessons, they're not focused. Teachers need to give students 'busy-work' so that they don't lose their concentration. But it also said that sometimes we need to give kids time to look off into space, to distract themselves with imagination and ideas, and maybe if they're not focused on the lesson they're just thinking about something else that is more important. Inspired by this opinion, I thought I might give my kids something to look at if they do so choose to look off into space during class. They have the opportunity to see themselves in a picture, or see a friend or classmate, working hard or having fun, or just being apart of our classroom community. I hope it inspires them to keep doing what they have already been doing, being respectful and responsible kids, overcoming challenges and creating unimaginable projects, things I could have never believed any grade ones and twos could do until I met this bunch.

Dress: Zara, Shoes: Sam Edelman 

AND YOU KEEP LAUGHING AND LAUGHING AND LAUGHING

Shirt: Gap, Ring: Kate Spade

Being around kids for my job always makes me realize that the key to life is finding joy in the little things. Like ice skating and home-made Christmas cards and discovering a great new song. This one, for sure, reminds me of my students - M83: Raconte-Moi Une Histoire

 

AND WE BECAME THE STORIES

Jeans: Gap, Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger, Blazer: Talula, Ring: Kate Spade

Cookie-Decorating Day, we treated it like an art project and that prevented a lot of kids from

just eating their icing.

STEALING MY HEART AND BRAIN

Shoes: Mango, Pants & Shirt: H&M, Ring: Kate Spade

Finally. Leather pants. Finding they go with everything in my wardrobe. I wonder if my students will notice if I wear them every day this week...

Sometimes I dream up art projects and they don't always turn out how I imagined them. At first looking a bit like that freaky symbol from The Blair Witch Project. But eventually, snowflakes made from sticks, painted and glittered, strung up near the winter doilies and Christmas lights, glistening in the late afternoon sun, can't believe how patient and detail-specific my kids were, taking the utmost care in arranging each tiny sequin onto each delicate little branch.

I DREW A LINE FOR YOU

Shirt & Sweater: Gap, Pants: American Eagle, Ring: Kate Spade

Had each of my students come up one at a time to put sequins on their ornaments with me, took the whole day. Not often I get to spend individual time with every kid, so important. Why can't we have art every day...

YOUR MIND IS RACING LIKE A PRO NOW

After a few days off from school, came back to cheery faces and lots of questions. Always amazed by my students that they are so compassionate and understanding, more patient than I am sometimes. Spent twenty-five minutes of my lunch hour calming down a student who refused to put his jacket on to go outside, then going through the same ordeal at the end of the day as well. Sometimes I wonder about the benefit of a child who is forced into an environment that honestly cannot accommodate him, wonder this every time at least three times a day where the simple act of putting on a coat instigates a screaming and crying match that I cannot settle, nor can the other number of adults who come to help. Realize I have to keep my cool and carry on with twenty-one other students, explaining art-project directions with a smile on my face. And thank goodness for art, all we did for the whole rest of the afternoon, where small moments of peace and kindness resonated between six- and seven-year-olds who painted Christmas ornaments for their parents, helping each other and gazing up at decorations in awe.

YOU'VE GOT A CHESHIRE CAT GRIN

Dress & Shirt: Gap, Coat: H&M, Bag: Kate Spade, Scarf: Club Monaco, Socks: Calvin Klein, Shoes: Nine West

Kinda glad I wore a bit of a ridiculous outfit today because it gave me something to smile about. Finding out that the people that are supposed to make things easier are actually making things harder, and realizing that working with six-year-olds is sometimes so much better than working with adults.

MADE ME THINK ABOUT THE WAY THINGS ARE, MADE ME THINK ABOUT THE WAY THEY COULD BE

Sweater: Gap, Dress: Talula, Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

An odd day at school yesterday, felt like I was on a bit of rampage calling my students out on things they shouldn't be doing - tattle-tales, budgers in line, a sudden need to go to the bathroom when it's time to clean up the class... Little kids are funny because they try to figure out what they can get away with. We had just finished having a 'big talk' about everything when another teacher stopped by my class and pulled me aside. "I just want to say that whenever I walk past your class, your students always look so interested in what they're doing!" Gahh then I felt like a big meanie and a strict ol' teacher, gettin mad at my kids when they don't put away the Lego properly. Gees they're just kids. Sometimes it takes someone else's kind words to put things into perspective.

THE WORLD IS A VAMPIRE

Eight little pumpkins carved last night went to school this morning. A day of treats and costumes and a scary story and a creepy movie. Happy Halloween! 

NO THINKING FOR A LITTLE WHILE

Jacket: Lucky Brand Jeans, Shirt & Jeans: Gap

So so rank. One of the pumpkins we painted in class went bad over the weekend, spilled a big gooey mess all over the counter and onto the floor. That smell was nothing like I'd ever smelled, had to keep the windows open until the end of school, good thing I wore my fur as the classroom turned into an icebox. Thought I was in the clear until we found another pumpkin oozing its' guts out everywhere. So foul, just awful. Bed early for me tonight, if only I could get that stench out of my mind...

YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES AND HOPE THAT THIS IS JUST IMAGINATION

My answer to the question one of my students asked me, why I put Caution Danger tape on the classroom door: because there's kids in here! Ain't nothing scarier than that.

PS. how great do those painted pumpkins look?

Pants & striped shirt: TNA, Tank top: Wilfred Free, Shoes: Nine West, Necklace: American Eagle