Nature Inspirations

This year I have an amazing group of students. For the most part, they are well behaved, helpful, self-motivated, kind to each other, and respectful to all. I feel very lucky to be teaching such a great group of kids. When behavior isn't an issue, it's AMAZING what you can accomplish! I don't feel like a broken record and I feel more calm. I have been re-energized and reminded why I wanted to be a teacher in the first place. Such a nice feeling.

With this group of kids, I'm finding myself wanting to incorporate more fun activities and lessons. It seems natural, right? You behave well, you get rewarded. You complete your work, you get rewarded. You're kind to others, you get rewarded. So why not have a fun little art project combined with the beauty of autumn's nature?

I gave each kids a piece of large yellow construction paper. We did a step-by-step drawing of a turkey body. We colored it, then went outside and collected the most beautifully colored leaves and used them to make the tail! So simple, and so adorable!

What do you see?

What do you think of when you see this image? If you're like me, you're probably sweating a little under the brow, your blood pressure just went up, and you're looking around for a way out of the room. This seemingly simple image of an ear of corn can do that to an elementary teacher. Especially a lower grades elementary teacher. To the common person stumbling upon this image, one may think of summertime and BBQing ears of corn with a side order of ribs and watermelon.

But to a teacher, this image means so much more. It means reality has hit. It means summer is over and real work has begun. No more reviews of last year's standards, no more get-to-know-you games. And less time.

There I said it.

With the summer slipping further behind us soon the days will be getting shorter and our to do lists longer. This year the school that I'm teaching at does a Harvest Festival. This is a new concept to me and I hope my to do list doesn't get tooooo long. 

The talk in the e-mails the last few days is having a scarecrow contest. I'm not sure I'm up for that. Pitting classrooms against each other doesn't seem like a good way to build a community. Why not just have a pumpkin carving station. No competition, just plain old fun...and mess...outside of my classroom of course.

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