Let's Have a Look-See

When this school year starte, with all the sadness and death in my life, I did not think I could do one more year. But these little people were a blessing to me. They were a good group of kids. I truly enjoyed teaching 4th grade and am ready for another year.  I keep saying that I am a lame duck teacher, but I have some new ideas for math and I will have all the newcomers next year so I can focus lessons on ELL techniques.   I always post my favorites of Summer but toda I'd like to post my favorites of the school year.  Florida with all my kids. If I had the money I would do this every year.  Billy Joel concert. What a great way to spend a weekend. Santa in the Principal's office. Made my day. He is her father. Sitting in the sun on after snowy day.  And after a long Winter came Spring. Hope. Wind. A commitment to do weekly temple service. A feeling of peace.  I have plans for this...

With one week left of school I can start thinking about a break.  I went to my favorite nursery for the third time this year. I couldn't help myself.  If the wind stops blowing. I hope to get them in soon.  When I looked there were bees working on them.  I'm happy to let the bees work while I stay home.  What a blessing to have this class. I also got the happy news that I get a class full of Newcomers and ELL's next year. Bring it on. This news was a sign of God's love. It's what I love to do. Teaching ELL's is my favorite.  So bring on the Summer.  Keep buzzing......  

This is my first Mother's Day without a mother. She was old enough to go home, but I miss her.  I've thought of writing about my journey with her at the end of her life, but not today. I will say that the last time I saw her alive she was in so much pain and uncomfortable.  I told her that better days were ahead...thanks Elder Holland.  Because Wes had Covid I never went back to see her.  Although she was a good mom, I have had so many friends who have helped me along the way. It is safe to say that they have come into my life for a reason and I love them too. The other mother who influences my life daily is Wes's mom. I will not pretend to to say she was a good mother in law. Her influence that I feel daily is how much Wes acts like her. It scares me sometimes.  Her ability to talk about things that are not important.  Her OCD'S. Her desire to go to the temple. Sending cards to people that she didn't talk to. Watching sports with th...

This is my student that came here a couple of years ago from Guatemala. He has Downs, was none verbal and had never been to school.  I had him in my Kindergarten group the first year. He was a 'wild child'. He mostly sat on the floor or played. The kids and I would make a color matching game for him and he would come and play it. They would clap when he did it right.  Through many hours of Speech he can talk. Someone got him a bike and he lived to ride around town. He now sits in a chair and can copy his name. Some times he gets a book...always snakes or spiders... and sits on the floor next to my desk and looks at it.  I am sad to say that they left Wendell this week. I will miss him. He is a sweet kid. The family had to take a younger sibling to the ER and CPS was called in. This little mom was scared to death and took off. It was my understanding that CPS tried to rell her that they would not take the kuds, that they were there to help make some changes, bu...