December 16, 2011
Indulge in Music
Elisha's 'Featured Folks' piece made me smile when she shared that she likes to sing into a microphone when she is home alone. I'll bet we all smiled at Elisha, and at ourselves! I reflected back to when Jill shared that she has recently started listening to music again and how that has been a lift to her spirits. While dining with students on Wednesday, they shared what they are passionate about. More than one replied,"Justin Beber!" All School Meeting treated us all with a band and orchestra concert. Noreene increased my Christmas music library with Opie Gone Christmas and every building I walk into has music playing to increase the holiday spirit.
That got me to thinking about something I had read years ago in the book, Mutant Message From Forever, a novel of aboriginal wisdom. I remembered that the book had 10 messages it referred to as 'thou shalt' rules. One of them was - indulge in music.
Excerpt:
"If a human being was born alone on an island and had no other human contact, she would develop two very specific characteristics, something we are born with as certainly as the bird is born knowing how to build a nest. Do you know what they would be?"
Minendie shook her head no.
"Music and humor. A lone person would learn to hum, to sing, and perhaps even find a way to make musical notes. The lone person would also discover the feeling of her own voice laughing. Yes, both music and laughter are medicine for the body and for the soul."
Everyone is musical and is influenced by it. Music is your soul speaking.
After such a hectic week and the crazy pace of the week to come, treat yourself to the music that lifts your spirits or calms your soul.
Indulge!
This is such a beautiful Christmas song by Hilary Weeks. Enjoy!
(You won't be able to see the Youtube videos if you look at Friday Flash from school...you'll have to look at home!)
On the lighter side...the theme song from 'Christmas Vacation'
(another all time favorite movie of mine)
Calendar
December 17 - January 2nd:
Holiday Break!
January 3rd - 6th:
Tuesday, January 3rd
* No Students - teachers only (see details below)
Plans for Tuesday, January 3rd:
8:30 -9:30 a.m.
Meet and Greet/ Reconnect in library
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Classroom time
11:30 - 12:30
Lunch provided in library
Opportunity for us to have some time together with no agenda
12:30 - 3:00 p.m.
Professional Development:
* School wide goal on improving writing through genre studies
* Progress towards that goal
* Backwards Planning
* Genre Units
* Sharing
3:00 p.m.
Appreciation Circle for Mary Sue
* Disclosure: Plans could change some :)
Love and Logic
Teacher-isms
Wise Words for Teachers
Love and Logic teachers have been known
to ask, "Should I put up with that behavior
just because I like you?
Thanks for stopping."
Celebrations!
Round of applause for Doug....
Doug wrote a grant from the National Archery in Schools Program. He had to attend a Basic Archery Instructor class, and then write a narrative on how he will use the program in our school, the goals for the program, and what he expects students to gain from participating in archery.
Doug was awarded the grant! Bravo!!
He received $1,800 to purchase equipment and set up the range in the gym. He would like to get the equipment ordered in the next week so students can be shooting by February or March.
In spite of budget woes we move forward and continue to do great things!
Yeah Doug!
Round of applause for Eric....
I'm sure you've noticed that our building wasn't getting the love and attention from the evening cleaning crew.
Eric has been on top of that challenge and some how managed to work with the company that does the evening cleaning and convince them to bring Pedro back!!!
Yeah!
Thanks Eric!!
Round of applause for Pam...
Pam's Crayola Grant makes the news!
See link below for article in the Hub
Yeah Pam!
Featured Folks
Sadly, folks have been just too busy to write a feature article.
I know we all love this feature of Friday Flash.
Should you have some time over the break to write one, it would be great to continue with this when we return. (Hint....)
Peek Into the Life of our School:
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| Read Alouds are a hit at all levels! Lisa uses a Read Aloud as an opportunity to authentically increase vocabulary development. |
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| Isn't it great how we make important accomodations for students? |
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| All School Meeting Band/Orchestra concert as Special Event |
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| Orchestra students...so poised and confident. |
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| Lauren't Crew leads All School Meeting... or is that Lauren and her elves??? |
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| Field work... He was demonstrating authentic Native American ceremonial dancing and dress. He talked with the students about cultural changes that occurred as whites encroached on Indian lands, about differences between tribes, about how inter-tribal dancing was developed, about reasons whites misunderstand native culture, about symbolism of their dress, about the connection between dancing and native religion, etc. He has competed in the area of "fancy dancing." This form of native dancing developed during the era when the last tribes were being forced onto reservations. In addition to doing two solo dances, he sang songs in the Lakota language, demonstrated drumming, and led the students in a "snake dance." This links to our current expedition because we look at the interaction between European/colonial cultures and those of Native Americans.  |
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| VIP Lunch |
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| Isaac, a Reading Recovery student, reads a book about how to be a principal to me. |
So as we come to the closure of 2011 and leave to spend the holidays with friends and loved ones, I leave you with the lyrics from the song, These Are the Special Times, that says what I think is so important:
In these moments, moments of our lives
All the world is oursAnd this world is so right
You and I sharing this time together
Sharing the same dream
As the time goes by we will find
These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you
With each moment, moment passing by
We'll make memories that will last all our lives
As you and I travel through time together
Living this sweet dream
And every day we can say
These are the special times
Times we'll remember
These are the precious times
The tender times we'll hold in our hearts forever
These are the sweetest times
These times together
And through it all, one thing will always be true
The special times are the times I share with you
Have a very wonderful holiday!
Looking forward to the special times ahead.
See you in 2012!
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