Sometimes near the end of the school year, teachers, parents, and students begin to get tired of each other. I know this isn’t new information. Maybe you’ve developed an eye twitch, or you’ve been drinking more wine than usual, or you want to repeatedly smack your head against your whiteboard. Whatever your symptoms, they might…
The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated. – Mahatma Gandhi April is Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month! The cats in the photo are my two furry boys, Ralph and Rufus. I adopted them almost a year ago from a center that takes social kittens and adult cats…
I’ve been on a streak reading books about adventurers, particularly adventurers who tried to reach the poles. I’m currently working my way through Endurance by Alfred Lansing, the story of Ernest Shackleton’s attempt to cross the Antarctic continent. What a frozen land full of trials and pain! And I get frustrated chipping ice out of my…
Friday, March 24 is the International Day for Achievers: a day to celebrate people who set goals and do what it takes to meet those goals. And I would say that’s exactly what we’re trying to teach our students! To be honest, there are days when I need to work on this as well! We…
This Friday, February 17, is Random Acts of Kindness Day. Normally, I kind of scoff at days like this because it makes it sound like the remaining 364 days of the year you can treat people any way you’d like. However, I like the idea of bringing this day to students’ attention with the goal…
I’m going to make a broad and sweeping statement that I wholeheartedly believe to be true but can’t back up with fact: empathy is the most important “skill” children can learn. The current world climate, and particularly the political climate in the US, reinforces this in my mind. But next comes the question, how do…
September is National Courtesy Month. I’ve noticed, and I’m sure you have too, that people on social media can be less courteous than we normally might be. The knowledge that no one is staring at us when we post a snippy comment or share a nasty meme makes it easy to be impolite. Fortunately, I…
Do you know of any grown-ups who can’t apologize? Sure you do! I do. Apologies are difficult, even for adults. That’s why getting a decent apology out of a child is near to impossible. Kids are pros at the insincere apology. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the apology accompanied by an eye roll,…
This week is American Education Week. The weeklong celebration spotlights public education and the village of individuals who work tirelessly to make sure all children receive a quality education. Events are slated for each day of the week. Tomorrow, parents are invited into classrooms to experience what a school day is like for children. On…
Happy November, y’all! Here in North Carolina, it’s raining cats and dogs. So I figure it’s a great time to share a puppy tale! Last week, Lexie (pictured here) and I participated for the first time in pet therapy. We, along with four other pets and their owners, visited a senior care facility. The reception…