Billboards

While looking for a skit for our class, Mrs. Mallinak came across this funny poem. We laughed so hard! Hope you do, too!

Billboards

As I was walking down the street one dark and gloomy day, I came upon a billboard and much to my dismay, The sign was torn and tattered from the storm the night before, The wind and rain had done it's work and this it what I saw:

Smoke Coca-Cola Cigarettes -- chew Wrigley's Spearmint beer -- Kennel Ration Dog Food keeps your wife's complexion clear; Simonize your baby with a Hershey's candy bar -- And Texaco's the beauty cream that's used by all the stars!

So take your next vacation in a brand new Fridgidaire -- Learn to play piano in your winter underwear -- Doctors say that babies should smoke until they are three, And people over 65 should bathe in Lipton Tea! (slowly) ....in flow-thru tea bags.

30 Days of Giving: Day 5

Everyone knows that November is "Thanksgiving Month." This is the time of year when we especially remember to praise the Lord for all of his blessings.

A short while back, I Corinthians 15:10 struck me as an extension of that focus on thanksgiving. The verse says, "But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I but the grace of God which was with me." The grace, or the extra blessings from the Lord,should be passed on to those around us, so that it is not in vain. Boy, do I have my work cut out for me! If anyone has seen the grace of God, I have. God has been so good to me!

When my sister told me of her idea of giving to someone else every day in November (Thirty Day Challenge!), it was as if God was showing me how to apply my newfound knowledge about passing on His grace. So, I took the challenge.

Here is an excerpt from my journaling about this challenge:

Nov. 5th-It happens every time, and every time it is so amazing! Giving does something special for a person. Yesterday, my day ended with a little disappointment, my throat hurt (agh! Was this the beginnings of the H1N1 flu that everyone has been getting?), and I just felt lousy. Just as I was about to shut myself up in my room for the evening, with a cup of hot tea and a book, I remembered that Plan A for giving to someone had not worked out.

So, I had to implement Plan B. I had been wanting to take some pumpkin chocolate chip muffins, [made them myself (shocking, I know)], to my neighbors. So, four plates were made, and I began walking them over. The ladies at the first three houses were glad for the muffins. I think it shocked them a bit, though. While we are friendly with each other, they know that I am an active member of my Baptist church (Horror of all horrors!). The Mormons have this amazing way of being terribly nice in an icy, “you’re-not-of-our--Mormon-faith” sort of way.

With the fourth plate, I went to meet a neighbor who lives several houses down. She is probably in her late fifties or sixties, but she was out raking the leaves. Meeting her was very nice. Her first words were, “Where do you live again? Ok, I’ll be sure to get your dish back to ya!” Mmm…I have a new friend…Marilyn! And, once again, I have rediscovered the cure-all for any time that feeling of “I feel lousy,” comes along! Do for someone else!

My Kids!

Last Friday, I only had the five boys in my class, as the other student was sick. We were gathered around the back table, coloring our banner for the Talent Show later that night. One of the boys did something that they have been doing recently. He said "mom" instead of "ma'am." So, I answered the same way that I usually do, when they say that. "I'm not your mom." And, they laugh!

Well, they were allowed to talk while we were coloring on Friday, so they continued the conversation.

One of the boys said, "But you are a mom, right? Just not my mom."

"No, I'm not a mom."

Then, someone who was proud of their superior knowledge said, "You have to be married to be a mom, don't you?"

"Yep, you do," I answered.

"But you will get married some time, won't you?"

"Yes, I'll get married some time, hopefully." Then, I don't know if Ike thought that I needed to be comforted or something, but he made an attempt anyways.

He said, "But, even if you aren't a mom, you can still be a grandma, right? You can be a grandma when you get older?"

I did not want him to feel bad, but I could not completely keep from laughing. "Thanks, but you have to be a mom before you can be a grandma." Very cute!

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas!

For those of you who have not heard, our family will be having Christmas at Andrea & Dustin's house in Pennsylvania. This official announcement is intended for all those who were planning on coming out here to Utah, those who have already bought tickets to come here, and those who would feel bad about being the last one to know such information.

I've been teasing Andrea about "stealing Christmas" from me, as we were originally planning on meeting here at my house in Utah...hence, the title. This picture was very appropriate, too, I thought.

My Students Love Tchaikovsky!

In our classes, especially during seatwork times, we play classical music to help the students focus on their lessons. In a sense, it acts as white noise to help them block out other distractions.

Well, the other day, one of my 1st-3rd students raised his hand and asked, "Ma'am, can we please listen to something new that we haven't listened to before?" Since we have five boys and only one girl in the class, I thought we could listen to Tchaikovsky. I mean, the 1812 Overture with its battle theme and canon shots would be great! His Piano Concerto No. 1 is also very powerful. So, that was what we listened to that day. The kids loved it. They can now recognize the tune of the 1812 & the Piano Concerto No. 1. In fact, they like to race to see who can identify the song first.

Then, yesterday, the first question of the day was, "Ma'am, can we please listen to Tryclopsky again today?" I could not help a laugh! My kids love Tchaikovsky! What have I done?

This poem is an excerpt from the book How I Know God Answers Prayer by Rosalind Goforth. Quite a challenge!

I cannot tell why there should come to me

A thought of someone miles and years away,

In swift insistence on the memory,

Unless there is a need that I should pray.

We are too busy to spare thought

For days together of some friends away;

Perhaps God does it for us -- and we ought

To read His signal as a sign to pray.

Perhaps just then my friend has fiercer fight,

A more appalling weakness, a decay

Of courage, darkness, some lost sense of right;

And so, in case he needs my prayers -- I pray.

Favorite Teachers: Part One - Elementary

Since I've been truly immersed in teaching for the last couple of months, I have become so very thankful for each of my teachers. As that appreciation grows, I begin to wonder, 'What is it that elevates a teacher from "okay" to "amazing" status? Why are some hard to remember, and others seem to have a tremendous bearing on the direction of my life?'

So, I have done a mental case-study of the teachers who stand out to me, and here is what I have come up with.

[Disclaimer: To be fair, I do not remember much about teaching style, etc. before 5th grade, or so. I know that I had some great teachers from Kindergarten to 4th grade. There was Mrs. Gordon in K-3, 4. She is still a good friend. We were Mrs. Brater's first K-5 class. I remember learning how to cut with scissors in that class, but that is about it. However, I do have a very good foundation in phonics. This I definitely attribute to her, as well as many other things. I remember Mrs. Hady vaguely. We enjoyed the class, and learned a lot, that I know.]

When it comes to personal recollection, though, my best (and favorite) elementary teacher would have to be Mrs. Gonzalez. Any other students of hers are joining in a hearty "YES!" at this point, I'm sure! I remember my two years in her class, 5th & 6th grades, as a major turning point in my life. That was a time when I really awoke to an awareness of what was going on around me and my relevance to those things.

In comedy, I remember the red sweater/green headband days. Her "explosions" were so expected, dreaded, anticipated, and helpful. I remember being the "Burger King Class" in 5th grade. Why? It was because we followed their motif: "Have it Your Way!" And Mrs. Gonzalez would say, "No! You can't always "have it your way!" That was when we learned that the world was not revolving around us. I also remember the lectures on common sense. Mrs. Gonzalez would say, "The Bible says to ask for wisdom. Do you know what wisdom is? It's common sense! Ask for it!" Wow! Such a practical application of a whole book of the Bible.

She also taught us how to treat adults, and how to treat the one in our class who struggled. She showed us how to describe something around us, and how to control our bad attitudes. She had great PTF programs, too...Hugh Idle & Mr. Toil, Peter Rabbit, the Olympics ("It's been tremendous, I mean stupendous...I hate to see it end."), and more.

Then, there were the things that she could have never taught us with words, only by example: the patience (oh, such patience!), the love for the Lord and His work, the smile of approval and encouragement. There was the extra effort she put into visuals, Candy Sale boards, and contests. Along with that, there was the extra effort she required of us and the rewards for such excellence. I remember the 'Award Certificates' that meant so much. Most of all, there was the genuine interest in what we had to say, what we were excited about, and what was going on in our lives.

To crystallize so many thoughts and memories into workable principles is hard. Naturally, the key element would be her love for the Lord, His work, and His people. Yet, I would have to say that her interest in our lives as people was the practical application of that truth. We were not just students taking subjects in school. We were children to be molded into servants of Christ.

While many of her students have taken separate paths, most will always carry the impressions made by our 5th-6th grade teacher. What a challenge for the next generation of teachers, including myself! When it is more necessary than ever, may we make the same lasting impression on our students.