Reflective Rainbows

I created this blog two years ago as another form of communication between our classroom and your homes.  It was short-lived partially due to my lack of expertise as a blogger and partially due to lack of interest.  It's not intended to be one more thing on your to do list or mine.  So with no expectations whatsoever I thought we could give it another try.  

Initially I intended to delete the older posts and start fresh....until I read them.  Admittedly nostalgia presented itself upon reading about Rockets from two years ago....one post mentions Sophie, a sibling of a current Rocket. After reading the posts I realized that some of the information still applies to my current Rockets and that some of you might enjoy reading them....your choice.   

Reflective Rainbows.....

I was given a rainbow maker several years ago by my father-a retired Physics teacher. It hangs on the window in our classroom and especially during bright sunny mornings it shoots rainbows across our classroom. This was great until the first time I was reading a story to the class and competing with children excitedly shouting out "There's a rainbow!" That was the very moment "rainbow reflections" we're created.  Your children have already experienced the rainbow maker and have learned about rainbow reflections. They probably won't recall these phrases off hand, but they do know what to do.....

On Friday upon seeing a rainbow sweet Adelaide started to shout out "there's a..." only to catch herself, stop, touch her heart and with eyes closed take a breath thinking about her mommy and daddy.  

Know parents that while we're busy at school you are frequently thought of during moments like these thanks to our rainbow maker.  

Shared Grandparents

It's been a busy start of the school year and no time to blog, but I'd like to report that the Rockets are becoming a well-oiled machine.

I was thinking back to funny things the kids have said and sweet gestures they make daily at this precious, sincere age and it reminded me of a story I had intended to share with you.

Back in September when we had Grandparent's Day and got to meet all of these most special VIPs one of the Rockets was talking to Ms. Gonzales about his grandparents. As they talked she shared that her grandparents had gone to Heaven and she longer would see them. Very concerned about this, the little boy offered his own grandparents to Ms. Gonzales. The next day he returned to school and after confirming the deal with his mom decided that he could share his uncle with Ms. Gonzales as well.

This is a sweet example of a virtue I truly value and hope to pass along to the Rockets- kindness. I recently came across this description- "kindness acts as the oil that makes the engine of our world move more smoothly and with less friction". In an effort to point out acts of kindness, several years ago I created a prop in my classroom called "Kindness Flowers"

Kindness Flowers are special in that they remain in the classroom and are simply moved from one container to another. While "receiving" a flower (permission to put one in the pot) is a joy, I know the real joy is in the giving itself. Initially the recognized acts are simple like helping a friend (or teacher) pick up spilled items or loaning a pair of scissors to a friend, but as the year progresses so do the acts.

For the past three years the Rockets have adopted DHS foster children (gingerbread friends) during the holidays. I'm always in awe of not only the kindness extended by the parents providing these donations, but in the response by the Rockets. Each year the children have responded the same- showing absolute exuberance in gathering toys for unknown children.

So whether it's an offer of grandparents or scissors, its clear that kindness expands the light within us and reaches out to touch the light in others as well, thus making the world a better place for all.

Hidden Treasures

Intrinsic Motivation
Definition: Intrinsic motivation refers to motivation that comes from inside an individual rather than from any external or outside rewards, such as money or grades.

The motivation comes from the pleasure one gets from the task itself or from the sense of satisfaction in completing or even working on a task.

When I picked my son up from school this afternoon he was beaming! He excitedly relayed the highlight of his day -going to the treasure box! He understood that his behaviors had earned him a special treat from his teacher. Have I mentioned that my son just started middle school? 6th grade? 12 years old this December? All important factors because your children won't be sharing stories about going to the treasure box....this year.

Let me be clear, it's not that I'm anti-treasure box. I get the appeal of having a box filled with cheap toys. I desire to be an effective teacher so naturally I've kept a treasure box before....until I realized how it worked or should I say didn't work.

In my experience, week after week, the same bunch of children celebrated with a trip to the treasure box, while just as certain the "other bunch" were denied the celebration...week after week.

I realized no behaviors were changing through the transaction of the treasure box. The children who had behaved generally did so because they knew it was expected behavior. The ones who didn't weren't "bad kids", but simply had forgotten ever so briefly how to behave at some point during the week and were punished with denial to the treasure box.

I want success for my Rockets.
I want ALL of our children to learn expected behaviors. I just recognize that at this young age they don't always remember why they did or DIDN'T visit the treasure box. I DO love to give treats- this week alone we've already made cookies, received stickers and silly bands. The difference you'll find is that when your child receives a treat, you can know that everyone received the same treat. You can also know the treat was just because I love them rather than attached to any behavior. I expect my Rockets to behave because it's the right way to behave, NOT because of a cheap toy at the end of the week.

I do have a "treasure box". Ask your Rocket what EXTREMELY valuable items are placed into my treasure box each day. It's something I know you'll find to be valuable too!

Forgotten Lunch

As you are probably aware by now we wash our hands a lot. We wash upon arriving. We wash before snack. We wash when we return from outdoors. We wash before lunch. And this doesn't even cover the times around toileting and nose issues. You get the point. We wash A LOT.

So a funny thing happened last week. During one of these hand-washing events sweet Derrick looked up at me with big, worried eyes and said, "Mrs. Runder, Have I had lunch yet?" Holding back laughter, I proceeded to assure Derrick that we had not yet had lunch, but fortunately for him that's exactly why we were washing THIS time. With great relief he rubbed his tummy and said, "Good, I'm hungry!"

Sorry I'm not sure about you guys, but I KNOW if I've had lunch or not!
Derrick's innocent question got me to thinking about other things 4-year-old children have trouble remembering...like what they did at school and if they made good choices or poor choices. The question I get the most from you wonderful parents is "Is my child behaving at school?"

I'd like to assure you that IF and WHEN we talk to you about behaviors, that's when we're ready for you to step in and support. At this point in the school year everyone is learning how to operate in their new environment. Is everyone making the right choices all the time? I assure you - No! But Ms. Gonzales and I are guiding and helping them to see the "right choices". We intentionally don't share every mis-step with you because just like lunch, by the time you are able to step-in it is probably long forgotten. So promise me this-until you hear otherwise, just assume it's ALL good.




* I would like to add that Derrick had already eaten breakfast and snack on this day....he'd just forgotten. :)

Tall Tales and Fragile Custodians

(I know that I just posted moments ago, but there's a funny that I must share...so tonight's a two-for-one. )

The Rockets are DEFINITELY enjoying learning how to work in centers. And as you can probably imagine during two hours of uninterrupted play, "new student" anxiety lowers and little voices rise. Okay enough....let's face it, the classroom gets LOUD!

In an effort to raise awareness of the increased volume, I've implemented a system of raising a rocket to the ceiling. The rocket hangs from the ceiling on a pulley with a sign at the top stating THROUGH THE ROOF!

Today the Rockets were introduced to this system and I confess to telling them a "tall tale". It began easily enough with my explaining the danger of pulling on the cords of the pulley and how they must not EVER do so or it would fall from the ceiling. Then a funny thing happened....our two wonderful (and bald) custodians, Mr. Fred and Mr. Montgomery entered the classroom. Before I knew it I'd told the Rockets how these two men had once pulled on the rocket, causing the ENTIRE ceiling to fall on their heads and therefore making them BALD!!!! The children's eyes were as big as saucers! And I felt confident that no one would be pulling on the rocket....or so I thought.

A good three hours later innocent Sophie gave cause for concern. Out of the blue she approached me and ever so serious asked the question, "Mrs. Runder, Do you think Mr. Fred and Mr. Montgomery are....fragile?"

Hmmmm.... good question Sophie.

Building a Rocket Family One "Brick" at a Time

A yearly goal of mine is to create a classroom family where my Rockets learn to respect their friends (and teachers) as "family members". It is for this reason that I choose to be known as the ROCKETS versus "Mrs. Runder's class". And I love that after only a week they KNOW they are Rockets and respond as such.

This week we've had the wonderful opportunity of sharing "Family Bricks". Do not, I repeat do NOT feel pressure upon reading this. Breathe....for truth be known I appreciate these home-made masterpieces trickling in versus you slamming us with all 20 the first week of school.

Three children have shared their "bricks" with the class this week. The single regret I feel watching them share is that YOU are not able to see them. What a special time indeed when they get to sit on our ultra sacred purple cow stool, "Bessie" and take the floor to tell about the MOST cherished people (and pets) in their sweet, innocent worlds. Beaming little faces share which can only read......P R I D E.