December 15, 2018: Tis the Season

You're not doing Christmas in first grade right until you're covered in paint and glitter. 

December 14, 2018: Christmas play day

Our campus was transformed into a winter wonderland today.  The PTA put on a Christmas play day for the kids.  I went down early with my friend Kate so she could get a family photo of her and her two kitties in Santa's chair.  The place was decked out.  Here's just one little corner of the campus, where they had a cute little snow village. 

Also, I missed seeing our head of school dressed as Santa, but I saw pictures of him the next day.  I am PRAYING there is another reason for him to be in costume this year, because the Santa beard our school has is the most hysterical beard I have EVER seen.  Please pray with me that he dresses up again so I can snap a picture and use it on this blog.  You will never forget what you see.

December 13 and 14, 2018: Soccer tournament

I chaperoned the 4th and 5th grade soccer tournament trip to Cairo this weekend.  I took other pictures, but they all had kids' faces in them, so I'm combining yesterday and today's post.  I've never taught older kids, but have done lots of youth group and tutoring with them in the past.  Our first grade class has a buddy class of fourth graders and we love doing activities with them.  Big kids are a whole different type of child!  There are some things about older kids that I really enjoy though, and there were a few really great moments on the trip.  I appreciate that I got to know a bunch of the these kids (many of whom are my kiddo's siblings).

December 12, 2018: mystery cookie

I went to the bathroom and when I came back, this cookie was on my desk.  No clue who put it there.  I asked my assistant, but she didn't have any idea either.  Obviously I ate it.  If it was from you, thanks!  It was tasty!

December 11, 2018: fake stained glass

I love making "stained glass" with students.  Last year we made Alaskan animal stained glass by melting crayons.  This year we made them using tissue paper.  I'm officially starting a collection of fake stained glass.  From here on out, I will choose to live only in places that have a heavily stereotyped animal associated with it.   Yes, it may limit the choices I have in the future, but we make sacrifices for the things that are most important.

December 10, 2018: World Cafe

Tonight our school hosted a "World Cafe" so that alumni, teachers, students, parents, and board members could have open discussions about various aspects of Schutz.   It was a really great evening of collaboration and vision casting.  Every table had a talking stick with Mohamed Salah's face on it.  Clearly this was one highlight of the evening.  I can't wait to take it back to my classroom and use it during morning meeting times!

December 9, 2018: a little Christmas moment

It's not much of a tree.  But it's something.  And if you squint a little, it kind of looks like the reflection of the light on my balcony window is actually snow falling.   Either way, when I got up in the middle of the night to pee, I felt a little cozy inside.