I have been teaching kids to read for nearly 20 years. It is my love to see understanding light up their little faces. It is my joy to watch their eyes shine with recognition of newly acquired words. As part of this passion of mine, I get to teach Greek and Latin affixes, which helps … Continue reading Word of the Day
Education
Last Day of School
We have a tradition at my school. On the last day, after the buses are loaded, we all meet at the end of the bus circle and wait. When they pull out, as every single bus goes by, we wave and cheer. I swear the buses are all leaning to one side as all the … Continue reading Last Day of School
Children are not Widgets
Making widgets is a complicated business. The environment has to be just so. The machines and technology must work properly. Those on the line must do their jobs with precision. Quality control must check and recheck each product to assure all are up to standard. If one wire isn’t attached correctly or if one plastic … Continue reading Children are not Widgets
First Day
They come with eager faces, and new clothes. They come with nervous almost-teary eyes, and shiny full backpacks. They come with smiles and hugs for their friends. The floors shine like mirrors. The paint is fresh, the rooms are colorful with new paper and themed posters. Teachers look rested after a long summer break, but … Continue reading First Day
Lessons Taught by Blue Birds
To remind us that teaching is about far more that testing.... There is a blue bird house outside our classroom window. A favorite pastime has been watching the continuous activity around it in the spring each year. The male is the first to appear, checking out the place to see if it is fit for … Continue reading Lessons Taught by Blue Birds
My Friend Mildred
I first met my 93 year-old friend Mildred nearly a decade ago when she answered an ad in the paper I had placed for help with a project for my students. We became fast friends as she cultivated a love of poetry in my students. Before I knew it she had uncovered a depth of … Continue reading My Friend Mildred
True Heroes
With any disaster there are stories of heroes that emerge. I have noticed in the past couple of disasters a new group that has emerged for performing courageous actions. They are the teachers. It may be surprising to some, but repeatedly we hear of teachers standing between their students and life threatening circumstances…literally laying down … Continue reading True Heroes
An Inspirational Moment
You know those inspirational moments? The ones where you are just moving through life, and suddenly something happens which makes time stand still? Something which you know will be remembered amidst the ordinary days as a stand out? I had one of those on Friday. A few weeks ago we had a poetry reading with … Continue reading An Inspirational Moment
Michelle's Mosaic 