Several weeks ago our classroom Bible lesson was covering Nicodemus and being born again by the Holy waters of baptism and the power of the Word of God. Then, as God would have it, the next Chapel was led by our pastor, and the Chapel lesson was preceded by....a second grader's baptism. Beautiful. Pastor went on to explain that there is much more happening in a baptism than what we each see with our own eyes. There are angels singing around this new child of God. There are praises in the heavenly realm of another added to the kingdom of God. Pastor demonstrated this by putting on a "special" pair of glasses. When he did this, he was amazed at what he could "see" and fell face down on the fine arts stage. Yes, quite a few lower school students thoughts this was a funny, unusual act. Most have not considered (or are unaware of) what falling down on your face in worship to God looks like. It looks exactly as the words indicate. The glory of God and His marvelous beauty is beyond what our plain eyes can see. When we catch a glimpse of His mighty works, His amazing grace, His unending love and forgiveness, it is an appropriate action to fall face down in worshiping the one true God. The glasses pastor had did not give him a special power to tap in to the Holy Spirit. You don't need an actual, special pair of glasses at all! We can each draw close to God, bow down, and fall to our knees in worship. This is an appropriate response to our all powerful, all mighty, all knowing God. He is there, as close as your heart. Praise be to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen!
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In recent weeks, we've stirred up some "magic" among the fourth grade classrooms. What am I talking about?
Have no fear, AURASMA is here! This technology "magic" is helping us extend our learning with some creative WOW! A picture trigger image brings forth an aura which is a short video clip of each student explaining their work. The parents pictured were experiencing this during parent teacher conference days. I know I had as much fun (or more!) sharing the students' work as the parents did when they viewed it. This TOO COOL technology was then featured in the school newsletter, the Eagle Express. Click the link below to read the article. You'll find out how it's happening also at the high school level. TOO COOL! There was a recent discussion in the classroom which actually started from an interesting vocabulary word, "fluke." This was a new word to many and so we had to do some investigating - seeing what we could glean from our context clues, checking what part of speech it was, and finally, looking up the definition to see if we were correct in our thinking. We realized that "fluke" reminded us of the work "coincidence." This prompted me to ask the students about the difference between a coincidence and the Holy Spirit working in our lives. People may talk about unbelievable things that happen or how lucky they are if things go a certain way, almost like magic. Magic? I don't think so! The Holy Spirit is at work in our lives, and it's a beautiful thing to see. I love hearing from students' experiences and talking about God leading the way in every type of situation. Was it lucky then or unbelievable or magic that Alex had a situation to share with the class that had just happened? No way! It was a Wow God moment. She told her story and that she had even typed it on her computer at home. She brought it to share a couple of days later. With her permission I am sharing it here, exactly as she brought it to me. Enjoy and smile at the beauty of the Holy Spirit moving among us! God Works in mysterious ways! One day my dad and I were at Ikea. We were looking for a
basket to go in my desk. We couldn't find it. So my dad was trying to take a picture of it so that he could show the people who worked there and they would show us where it was but his pictures were full so I tried to help him but he didn't let me. :( Finally a woman came up to us, and she had the basket in her hands so I asked where she found it and what do ya know it was right behind us. :) But then she asked if we wanted it because she didn't need it. So we got two of them and while we were walking I said I bet God sent that woman to us because he knew that we were having a hard time finding it, and I thought that because the lady just walked up to us, and she didn't even want the basket! So that is my story and it actually happened. :) by Alex As we learn and grow this year, it's important that each student knows they are an extremely important part of our classroom community. Each person is unique and valued because of that. How boring it would be if we were all the same!
One thing I'm doing this year to strengthen our classroom community is to have a prayer circle every day. There's always been prayer in the classroom, but coming together and placing one hand on the next person's shoulder makes a significant difference. We are not only connected as we pray, but we are literally connected. We share prayer. Each student is prayed for by name. It's really a small amount of time in our day that very well may be one of the most impactful. It certainly touches my heart! <3 Something special happens when we take the time to care for each other. We are given the message that we matter. We are given the message that we are cared for. We are brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks be to God for the gift of prayer and connecting with HIM. The school theme for the year is in place. Reaching Up, Reaching Out is easy to remember because HE is our source for everything.
We reach up to God for wisdom and guidance before we begin to reach out to others through teaching, as friends, and in service. He will set our feet on the right path. He places each of us in the right place, at the right time. We reach up to be filled. To paraphrase Mr. Hahn as he shared with the faculty, you can't share with others what's not in you. In order to reach out as God's hands and feet, we must be filled with Him first. Seek Him daily. We reach up in worship, we are humbled, we give Him glory, honor, and praise. And as we know the Good News of eternal life through Christ, we reach out with His saving grace. Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above, ye heavenly hosts, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. May God bless every day of this school year! Well, with no intention at all, here it is at the end of May, and my last post was last December! Oh my....time flies! And so, a wrap up of the year is most fitting for this post.
In thinking of the past year now, if I were to label it with one word, it would be "Communication." The fourth graders learned how to express themselves in words and writing across all subjects and through a multitude of media. There were many unique, memorable units of learning entailing "Communication." Extending many writing lessons for a final book project was an excellent way to end the year, one of our 4th grade specialties. It's an accomplishment that takes weeks in the making. When all is said and done, it's relief, it's joy, it's success, and it's a gift to the Kindergarten Book Buddies. I know from the past that these books are a keepsake - I hope forever! Many students talk about their Book Buddy years gone by, and many will bring the book they received as a Kindergartner to 4th grade. Lasting learning, meaningful communication handed down to others - an ideal educational outcome. Another unique event was Market Day, a 4th grade entrepreneur experience. Each student had to consider their market, make a product or provide a service, and promote it among classmates and visitors. This is a time when the importance of clarity in communication is realized. The kids have to "sell it" so others will buy. Words, slogans, and signs are powerful communication tools! We loved communicating by using our classroom iPads.
It's only kind of surprising to me to see that my last classroom blog post was in October. There's been a lot going on,, and it's time to share! In November, I was honored to receive a nomination for TX District Lutheran Educator of the Year (article in The Eagle Express below). What this brings to my mind is the many people (coworkers, school leaders, and students) and experiences (classroom & continued learning) that have helped bring me to this point in my teaching career. Many THANKS! I'm looking forward to more learning, growing, and teaching with educational changes in reaching students of this technological age (Generation iY by Tim Elmore). Since "a picture says a thousand words", this photo gallery says a lot! May you know the great blessings of God's love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!I attended one of the Dream Big capital campaign gatherings recently in preparation of the launch of the official campaign starting in November. I was impressed and am always proud to attend these vital meetings for school families and staff. As Mr. Hahn said, it's bigger than a building, bigger than a baseball field, and bigger than bathrooms. True! Yet through these needs for further growth and impact in the community for Christ, these few areas are extremely significant in creating an ongoing history of POPCS.
Speaking of growth, one of my favorite things about teaching is watching kids at the beginning of the school year, observing individual growth throughout the year, and marveling at the change that occurs during a short period of time. It's a blessing to be in the role of classroom teacher year after year. Besides listening at the Dream Big meeting and reflecting on the past and dreaming of the future of our school, I've had two incidences recently that give me pause for teacher reflection. I was walking our dog around the nearby park and saw a young lady coming towards me. I tried to steer around her because of our dog's eagerness to greet everyone with energy (!), but as our eyes made contact I saw that it was a former student of mine! What an absolute delight and joy to see her! We talked briefly; the chance meeting is long lasting! And just today at a checkout line, I heard someone say, "Did you teach Kindergarten?" It turns out that her two kids were each once in my preschool class and now in 8th and 9th grades at a different location. She said they were looking through pictures recently so my face was familiar to her.... after 11 & 12 years ago. Wow!! Dream Big for our wonderful school means many things. It is interesting to consider and talk with others about what it means to them, whether adults or children. Yes, I definitely consider aesthetics and needs of the school in my Dream Big. These are alongside my Dream Big for each student, current or former. My Dream Big comes true when I meet up with students and parents after years gone by and hear of the progress and success that has and is happening. All glory to God for blessings day in and day out, and many in ways that we may (or may not) see the fruits of effort down the road, ultimately for the glory of His Kingdom. Committed, Compassionate, Competitive"Belong, Grow, Become" has been our school's theme for years. It has been a solid coined phrase packed with meaning and repeated weekly by all lower school students and teachers at the closing of our Chapel time.
This year it was time to move on to something new. Now we end Chapel with "At Prince of Peace, we are.... Committed, Compassionate, Competitive." Excellent words in learning definition, spelling, and talking about what examples of these words may look like. After we finish our "PIRATE" letter meanings in our journals, we'll move on to writing about these Three Cs. I'll get a jump ahead here and start with an overall thought of the combination of the words. The word Compassionate is well- placed. In a way, it's the substance in the "sandwich" of the 3 words, or if you prefer, the "glue" that holds them together. If you're Compassionate about something, you'll find yourself Committed to seeing it through to completion. It's something that one cares about and won't give up, will stick through thick and thin, will have loyalty. I think you'll also find yourself Competitive as a natural result of feeling compassionate about what you're doing. Strive for the best! Make excellence your standard! More to come of these Three Cs; three powerful words making an impact among all of us at POP! What are your thoughts about the Three Cs? Please share! After some first week nerves behind the students now, we're all becoming familiar with routines and schedules for the school year. Our daily schedule is quite full! There will be a lot of growing this year!
As we all consider the needs to be accomplished in a day and the wants that jockey for the top of the list, it's pretty easy for these to be flipped around and before we know it, it's 2:30 recess and the day is wrapping up. The needs might have gotten overlooked! In the classroom, I certainly have to consider how to use time wisely each school day. I admit that I have lofty goals in mind to accomplish with the students.... sometimes beyond reality for a given day! On the wall by the door I have posted, "Be a Pirate", each letter in Pirate used as an acronym for character traits and qualities we're discussing and will be developing further this year. "P" - Prioritize is the perfect one to start with knowing that everyone's schedules have busy days, even more so now with school having started. To know what our priorities are for each day, we need to "Seek first the kingdom of God...." Matt. 6:33. I have this verse on our classroom wall to remind us all to give God thanks and praise daily for His blessings in our lives and to look to Him for guidance and wisdom. He will set our paths straight each day of the year. Live a life of thanks and Praise God! |
AuthorI find teaching to be enjoyable, rewarding, and ever-changing in today's world. Sharing my faith and guiding students in their personal walk with Christ is a privilege and joy every day! Archives
March 2015
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