Perspective week

 Some weeks life is going well...Some weeks cause you to pause.

This was a tough week...tougher for others but losing two woman was a bit of a mental health speed bump.

Saturday morning my sweet second cousin passed away from brain cancer.  A fellow mom and teacher.  I saw her once a year at reunions...maybe at a wedding or funeral.   I always remember her smile!  It was tough...I regetting not sending a note in January like I wanted to send.  We drifted apart with COVID and no reunions. 

Fast forward, Sunday I fought a mild stomach bug brought home by my 5 year old.  Thanks honey.

As Monday started, news spread of a dear mom in my community who suddendly passed away.  Her son a senior...I knew her as the kindest person.  Any visit to her food truck resulted in her trying to give me an extra.  Plus I worked a few nights with her over the summer.  I was doing a bit of waitressing and she was one of the cooks/fryer.  Her son was playing football and a senior.  She jumped in to fill the opening. What stands out most, her infectious smile.  Always putting others first.

Two smiling joyful giving women...loved others...gone too soon.

There is a beautiful message here...but writing is more therapy than inspiration. 

I just know that I need to live every day with no regrets...

So I am signing off to make home made poptarts, drive kids to musical practice, then build some memories in my home.

I have lesson plans to write for a new exciting lesson on dominoes...not the pizza.

Dominoes are the vehicle to a new unit on energy, kindness, heart health and more!

I like to post photos in this blog, but nothing fit but this quote. This is what stuck out to me as I was listening to my Catechism in a Year podcast this week...we need grace and we need each other! It spoke to me.

The last two minutes really was what I needed to hear...but this was the best nugget.

2023 - week 1 and 2

 I often write and re-write my blog post starters in my mind for a day or two before committing "pen to paper".  I have so many thoughts swirling in mind...I am trying to focus my ENERGY and use it for good in 2023...so I am going to JUMP into the main reason for typing up blog posts...sharing the awesome things happening in my STEAM room.  

Week 1 was a slow return to normal with a 4 day week.  Years ago, I found that this was a great time re-visit internet safety.  I have never explicitly taught kindergarten internet safety and usually skip it in first grade, but in our tech ridden world I felt moved to pull out some lessons from Common Sense Media.  I love the power points, videos, and take away papers.  This hopefully allows a few families to see that we are talking about internet safety in a safe age appropriate way.  

This is the link to the curriculum - it is free to sign up for educators.  Plus they have a parent section too!

Common Sense Media

Plus we talked about encryption and secret codes, revisited EduTyping, and some students did a creativity challenge.  

 

 

 

Week 2 was a return to more diverse STEAM lessons.

K learned about winter animals and return of centers.  We started to watch Sci Show kids, researched on Pebble Go, used shape/pattern blocks, and Keva planks.  

  

1 snowflakes (science, art, and engineering).  We watched Dr. Binocs, made a basic paper snowflake, learned how to make e-snowflakes, and then did some engineering :)

2 snowflakes - They also watched Dr. Binocs, made two different paper snowflakes, and also explored an e-snowflake generator.

3 snowflakes and edutyping.  Grade 3 made snowflake gears, made a variety of paper snowflakes, and then made some e-snowflakes. 

Here are some pictures of the paper snowflakes and e-snowflakes.  The website is E-Snowflakes

4 binary - I love show students how computers work and the idea of binary.  We start with the Zero, One song then watch a short Brain Pop video on Binary.  Then I use a worksheet from Code.org to decode and figure out the binary alphabet.  We wrap up with a bracelet with initials!  

I am moving more and ready for a new week.  I am busy editing a book, wrapping up the first semester, preparing for a new fun activity for February on dominos! 

Personally, my life is uber crazy with my kids in 3 different scouting groups, 2 in the high school musical, Sunday school (3 different times/days),  1 in middle school cheer, 1 in an elite choir, 1 taking shooting lessons, and then add it random play dates, PTO events, library activities, and family fun and it is a scheduling matrix.  But it is only a short time in life!

2023

 It is a tradition to start the new year with a deep post...

I pick my 1 word...I reflect on the past year...

However, my remaining two days of break demands that I keep this short and keep cleaning and purging.

2022 was about memories...I was 1 of the top 3 Computer Science teachers in Pennsylvania, we went on vacations and camping trips, day trips, reconnecting with friends, and more!

Here is my One Word post from last year to learn about this concept. One Word 2022

2023 is for energy...I have been on the energy struggle bus...aka I go in spit and spurts....run hard Monday through Friday and collapse most weekends.  This is great at work...but my family gets tired cranky mom who is addicted to baking shows and quick naps.  The goal is to focus my energy in more equitable ways.  Cleaning up my life will require a refocus of energy and time.

Here is my meme inspiration for 2023.

Here is my list of past 'words' :)

2022 - MEMORIES 

2021 - ENOUGH

2020 - ENGAGED
2019 - CREATIVITY

2018 - PATIENCE

2017 - TRUST

2016 - FOCUS

One way to track my energy use is my smart watch.  Below is my energy use for 2022.

I am curious to 'watch' my smart watch to compare 2022 to 2023!

Off to clean, start my friend's book that I am editing, write lesson plans, and maximize the next few hours before the evil nap monster tells me to stop moving ;)

What is your one word for 2023?

Goals, balance, thoughts, updates

 I am back...after 8 busy weeks...let me start with an ah ha...

I was reflecting why I stayed in education through the stress of a pandemic and so much more...the students...the community...the families who are part of my family.

I stay late to set up for holiday events, text co-workers when a former student tries something new (a life skills student is playing basketball and educators love to hear about former students), research new lessons, and more!

SO why do I keep writing this blog...to document my journey, the activities that we are doing in STEAM, and so much more...

I went through a short phase where being an Instagram influencer sounded like fun...but I really am a private person and have watched many educators struggle with policies and procedures using social media...no need to complicate life.

I plan on keeping to share the highlights of STEAM  :)

SO in STEAM, we have been busy with book fair, holiday concerts, and lots of lessons. 

The traveling mural was completed as well...we decided on large paw prints ... it was just mailed...

And now we started getting pieces back!

DeSTEMber is also in full swing...upcycled trees, marble runs, gingerbread people, paper circuits, reindeer, and more!

Tessellation trees

Gingerbread fun

Marble runs

Reindeer

Dusk jacket trees

Balloons over broadway from November 

Graphic design with vector (also in November)

Lots of fun...lots of learning...lots of reflection!

2 more weeks until Christmas...

Trying to keep the magic alive...

Let me know if you have new blog topics or ideas!