I found myself humbled twice today. First, by my grandmother’s idol: the Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell. A few days ago, I sent an email asking if he could perhaps contact her. She just turned 94 and recently entered palliative care. Within hours of receiving my request and her contact information, he telephoned her. Despite his busy schedule and likely many, many requests, he took the time to make a 94 year-old’s day. In fact, she was so elated I think he added a decade to her life!

I was humbled again today when I met a family who lost their home to the Fort Mac fire two weeks ago. The two young children played happily despite the trauma of the last few weeks, protected by those who love them. The husband and father, a firefighter, was reunited with his family a few short hours before I arrived. He has been fighting the fire the last two weeks despite being separated from his family and losing his own home to the blaze. The children’s t-shirts say it best: “I’m proud of my dad.”

“For a true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart.” Hercules

 

What’s the latest definition of synergy? 350 students in a gym, screaming excitedly as their teachers perform a variety of challenges: a dress-up relay, a basketball free-throw (complete with silly string and confetti distractors), and a couple of whipped cream pies in the face.

Why, you ask? To raise money. Students worked together to raise over $1700. Teachers therefore had to perform these challenges. Win-win I’d say.

To all those who have pulled together to put out fires, welcome and house volunteers, donate items, provide comfort and relief, you inspire us. Thank you for your compassion and synergy.

Last fall I transplanted some perennials. I was curious how they’d do this spring. Sure enough, they’ve survived the winter months. They’ve poked through and found sunlight. I also planted a container garden today: some seeds, some seedlings. There’s something satisfying about gardening: the anticipation of what’s to come, the observable growth, and the plants’  dependence on our care.

The parallel to teaching doesn’t escape me. This profession is satisfying for the same reasons: the anticipation of what our students will become, the incredible progress they make, and their dependence on us as teachers and guides. I feel blessed to be a small part of their journey.

Audrey Hepburn once said, “To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.” After all, the flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today.

 

I recently read Pay it Forward. I had seen the movie years ago but had never read the book. I appreciate the premise of challenging kids to make the world a better place.

Coincidently, each day last week on my way to work, I saw a senior picking garbage in the community. She obviously wasn’t doing it for the fanfare or attention, but simply to make her neighbourhood a little cleaner. She found her own way to pay it forward.

Pay It Forward Day is coming up on Thursday. Remember, in Aesop’s words, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” What’s your plan to pay it forward?

As I watch the news and see the extreme weather facing other parts of the world, I feel especially fortunate to live where we do. The grass is turning green, the trees are budding, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Good-bye winter: hello spring!

Be sure to find some time this week to enjoy the weather with your students. You just don’t know when it might snow…

 

 

Last week I was inspired by the old Oilers. As I watched the farewell game at Rexall Place and the subsequent ceremonies, I was reminded of the excitement, pride and cohesion of the 80s dynasty. The word ‘family’ surfaced time and again during the interviews.

Mark Messier’s words in particular stayed with me: “…the stage is big enough for everybody. You’ve got to make everybody feel that their contributions are just as important as the next guy’s, whether it’s thirty minutes a game or two minutes a game. Everybody’s got to feel they’re important.”

Yes, I know he’s talking hockey. But truly, what wise words for all areas of life, especially a school or classroom. The result of everyone feeling valued is sustained effort, dedication and strength of character. Synergy at its best!

Imagine the same in our school family: the stage IS big enough for everyone…

 

Spring Break comes to an end, the snow has melted and we have arrived in April. I’ve never been one to count down until year end but experience has taught me that we have reached the home stretch. From this point on, the school year simply seems to fly.

My goals over the next few months: be deliberate in my instructional planning, work smarter not harder, maintain balance, and most of all, enjoy the time with the kids. They are the reason we do what we do!

When I was a student in school, our desks were in rows. We sat one behind the other listening as the teacher spoke.

In our schools today, some of our students have bicycle pedals under their desks. Some sit on ball chairs. Some listen to classical music while they work. Others use fidget tools to occupy their hands.

Over the last few decades we have broadened our thinking to allow for various learning styles. We now understand that students sitting in quiet rows is not ideal for most. “Every student can learn and succeed, but not on the same day in the same way.” William G. Spady

Why do you teach your students to read and write? Is it because they are outcomes in the curriculum? Or, do you see the benefit of these skills within the classroom and beyond?

You may ask: What does it matter the reason I teach those skills as long as I teach them? Maybe. I would argue though that your approach would be different depending on your ultimate goal.

This week, challenge yourself to find an authentic reason for your students to write. Not an assignment strictly for the purpose of handing it in: a real writing experience. For instance, have you had a guest speaker recently? Ask students to write a quality thank you letter or card. Is your Demonstration of Learning approaching? Ask students to write a letter to their parents explaining what they’ve learned this term. Use these real life situations to teach appropriate format and content.

Mem Fox put it this way: “Giving unreal writing activities to our students is about as useful as giving occupational therapy for stroke victims to people who are in perfect health.” Well said.

Last week I was reminded of the importance of play. The source of the reminder may be somewhat surprising.

Early one evening, I sat on the couch and watched as four rabbits raced across three yards in what appeared to be ‘play’. They ran at full torque as if they were playing follow the leader. They engaged in what looked like a game of tag, leaping and jumping over top of one another. They would be still momentarily and then their antics began again. What was most remarkable: this lasted over 20 minutes. I have never before seen anything like it.

Moments of play add a spark to otherwise run of the mill days. How will you play this week?