• parented.
  • ate.
  • created.
  • learned.
  • gave thanks.
  • About Me
  • Home

learning

A Letter of Admiration for Middle Schoolers

Posted by Carolyn on February 23, 2015 5 Comments

20141020_083044Dear Middle Schoolers,

I think you’re awesome.  I know that you might not care what I – a stay at home mom/ substitute teacher – think of you, but I just wanted to say it.  I get to spend most of my days with my two little tiny daughters.  I love my job at home with them.  But, I also get to spend a few days a week with you guys.  I have to tell you that I look forward to these days so much.  That is because you’re awesome.  You are caring.  You are bright.  You are funny. You are going to change our world.

20140418_142103When I get to step into your classroom, your turf, you welcome me with such enthusiasm. It is such a joy to walk down your halls and hear you tell me how happy you are that I’m there, or ask whose room I’m in.  You make me feel like part of the team, part of your team.  I love when you ask me about my kids, or tell me you saw me somewhere.  I love seeing you out in public, and seeing the moment of recognition on your face.  Seeing a teacher in public is strange (I remember), and I’m always so impressed with you when you take the time to say hello, or introduce me to your parents.

20140417_104931Having you care about me warms my heart, but seeing you care about each other makes it soar.  Bullying is a big thing in middle schools.  Always has been, probably always will be.  You are trying on different personalities, some good, some bad.  You will make mistakes and treat others poorly, and most of you will learn from it.  This is a time in your lives that you should be given some space to make these mistakes, after all, you are still children.  But, you are also becoming adults, so after you’ve made your mistakes, it is time to learn how to own up to them, and figure out how to make things right.

20140416_145602Every time I’m in your schools, I see you do this.  I see someone care for someone else. You are learning so much more than the Common Core, or the state standards.  You are learning how to be adults.

20140408_133406I love subbing in your schools, because it’s so much fun to see you learn.  You are at an age that you can read a novel, or a memoir, or an article, and have a well-informed discussion about the texts.  You are thinking on a deep level, adding inquiry to your conversations.  Your brains are soaking things up, your hearts are pumping ideas, and your mouths are sharing your ideas, opinions, questions, and realizations with each other.  You are all so bright, and intelligent, and you are all trying so hard.  And that’s what’s important.

20140320_134812I have so much fun when I am in your classrooms.  You constantly crack me up, even when I know I should be serious.  You are at such a fun age, an age when you really develop a sense of humor, and timing.  I know that I can give you a hard time sometimes, and that you will give it right back to me.  You are incredibly random, and that cracks me up.  You make of strange names for me, for no other reason than to let me know that you think I’m cool.

20141106_121005I have heard that some adults don’t really like you.  They think you’re rude, uninterested, self-absorbed, disrespectful.  I think they just don’t get you.  They don’t understand that you are becoming who you are, and that takes a bit of work.  I see that you are interested, and interesting.  If there is a cause that you believe in, I guarantee that there is no one who will work harder to achieve a goal than you will.  You have the tenacity, the motivation, and the energy of a hundred adults when it comes to something you believe in.  You seriously could change the world.   You seriously will.

20140501_123654I wanted you to know that, for whatever it’s worth, you are respected, admired, encouraged, and loved.  I think you’re awesome. I can’t wait to see what you do with our little world.

20140425_130224In Gratitude,

Mrs. Williams (or Carolyn)

20140930_133542

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: gave thanks., learned. | Tagged: admiration, gratitude, kids, learning, middle school, subbing, substitute teaching, teaching

Rainbow Magic Milk

Posted by Carolyn on July 17, 2014 Leave a Comment

My old preschool teacher posted a video of this on Facebook, so I thought we should try it.  I mean, hey, she never steered me wrong in the past!  (PS I love that my old preschool teacher is my friend on Facebook).

I saw the video while checking Facebook while the girls ate breakfast.  I pulled out the ‘ingredients’ then and there.  Why the heck not!?

Here’s what you need:

  • Plate, it has to be deep enough to hold a good layer of milk
  • Milk
  • Food coloring
  • Dish soap

Pour a good amount of milk in your plate – when I first tried it, I don’t think I had enough milk, and it didn’t work as well.  You want enough that the food coloring and dish soap can sort of float on the top.

Add drops of food coloring.

Add small drops of dish soap, and watch the colors spread and dance.  It’s really fascinating!

We used this as an opportunity to talk about primary, secondary, and tertiary colors as they blended and mixed.  Just kidding, that’s crazy.

We actually just used this as an opportunity to be amazed and have fun.  Cause that’s what childhood is.

So cool.  Thanks for the continuing preschool education, Mrs. Jones!

Do I need to add that you shouldn’t drink this milk?  No, I don’t think I need to add that.   Right?

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: a little moment, art, learned. | Tagged: art, color, colors, learned, learning, magic milk, preschool crafts, rainbow milk

Summer 2014 Bucket List

Posted by Carolyn on June 11, 2014 2 Comments

Being a parent these days is hard.  It is because everyone is so good at being parents.  In the world of Pinterest, blogs, Facebook, Instagram, we are able to see all the amazing things that everyone else is doing.  And we are all obviously doing it all so well.  Or at least that’s the vision of ourselves that we are trying to project.

I have been thinking about making a summer to do list.  After a quick Pinterest search, I saw what I’m supposed to do.  I’m supposed to create an ‘invitation to play’ everyday for my kids – some activity that I set up that encourages creativity and independence.  I’m supposed to make beautiful and creative meals that encourage my kids to eat only organic vegetables.  I’m supposed to make sure Alma learns how to write her name before pre-school in the fall – and can do that with organized home school activities everyday at home.  I’m supposed to take my girls on educational outings that they will enjoy without tantrums or naps.

Umm.  I’m not going to do that.

I mean, I might do some of that, but if I do, it will mostly be an accident.  I don’t have time, nor do I see the value in doing such perfectly planned things.  I’m not perfect, and I don’t plan on setting perfect expectations.  That seems like a perfect way to fail.

I’d rather set some goals that I know will be fun and easy.

I know that I can do these things.  No pressure.

I think I can get to the end of my days happy that I did these things.  I think I can get to the end of the summer happy that I gave these things to myself and my girls.  And if Alma learns to write her name along the way, that’s cool too.

What are you doing this summer?

Share this:

  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Google+ (Opens in new window)
Posted in: learned., parented. | Tagged: bucket list, learning, Parenting, summer 2014, Summer list
If God said, ‘Rumi pay homage to everything that has helped you enter my arms,’ there would not be one experience of my life, not one thought, not one feeling, nor any act, I would not bow to. -Rumi

Recent Posts

  • 3 for 1 Pumpkin Brew Fest (2019, 2021, 2022)
  • Pumpkin Beer Fest 2020
  • SEPTEMBER 2019: Currently
  • Dear Harriet, Age 6
  • OCTOBER 2018: CURRENTLY

Archives

Categories

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 and then they....

Theme by ThemeHall.

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.