Ohana means family

This week is a special week in Mrs. Shadowen's class.  We aren't doing a story from our reading book because it's a short week and we are not doing Phonics since we ahead of the rest of second grade.  Therefore....we are doing some special things.

I grouped the students in groups of 4, and assigned a "group leader".  We began with a discussion of what a good leader does, how they treat other group members, and what kind of words would we use if we needed to encourage our groups.  Then I asked "Who has seen Lilo and Stitch?  In that movie Lilo uses the words Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind."  After we got over the giggles and the "we aren't family" discussion and talked about how we were a classroom family I told them how the week was going to run.

We will have a new group leader every day and that leader is in charge of materials for their group for that day. We are to encourage our group, help them finish work if they need to and pass out and take up all materials for the day. Your group is your family and "Ohana means family and family means no one gets left behind".  I saw some great attitudes and group participation today.

 We are doing an author study (Kevin Henkes) and activities with one of his books. Today we did a plot activity, a vocabulary activity and made amazing words posters.  The students earned stickers for working well together (all of them,) and  finishing their work (all of them).  I forgot my camera but hope to have pictures later of more things.

The students were FABULOUS.   They even helped each other at times they didn't need to.  They were so excited about stickers on their charts (and we haven't even decided on a reward yet) and they kept the floor clean too.  - and that is the biggest problem in my room..the messy floor.

What a great day.  I can't wait for the rest of the week.  Planning was crazy figuring out all to do but the day was one of the easiest this year just because they worked and I just facilitated their learning.

Have I mentioned I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!!!!

disappointments and decisions

I mentioned in an earlier post that I had trouble praying things for myself.  I have actually in the last few weeks spoken aloud to my school prayer group and to a couple of friends a prayer request I had for myself.

In that vein, I was excited to see what I thought was an answer to that prayer.  However, circumstances have shown me that either the answer is not what I wanted (YES) but either NO or WAIT.  I'm not doing so well with those answers...go figure.

Anyway,  I have to make the decision that God knows best.  This is easier said than done but I will work on that.  I guess if a disappointment leads to a decision to listen to God it can't be all bad,  right?

On another note, I have had some pretty intense God moments working on some camp things and that is exciting.  When I get these ideas I first write them down and then pray about them and discuss them with people who serve in leadership with me at camp.

I guess at this moment in time I will chose to work on camp and have some answers I like and keep praying the desires of my heart.  God will either give me those desires or change my desires.  If you are a praying person throw one out for me now and then if you think about it, both for my "heart's desire" and for camp planning.

Thanks

yeah...that's me

I'll put it here in writing.  I'm a procrastinator.  One of the world's worst.  I bring home stacks and stacks of papers to grade in a weekend when it would take me only a few minutes every day.  If I have a big project I start it and go great guns for awhile and then quit until a few minutes before that project is due.

But....I need to do better than the adrenaline rush of putting off a job and then doing it as well as it should be done.  In that vain, I was proud of myself..after grading those mounds and mounds of papers, I actually got my midterms done 2 days early...and forgot to send them home.

And I usually do my lesson plans sometime on Sunday night - usually 8ish or after and spend several hours.  But this week I had dinner plans for finished my lesson plans before 6:00.  It made such a nice evening knowing that when I got home from dinner my time was my own.

And I have bought a notebook to carry with me at all times so that when great camp ideas come up I can jot them down right then and have them all in one place so when camp time comes its all together in one place instead of "where did I put the notes on?"

So, in my old age, I am going to try to plan and do things in a more timely matter.  It will be less stressful and give me some free time hopefully.  You friends of mine...stay on me...