Monday Morning Musings: 2-4-6-8-Who Do We Appreciate?!

Principal pondering...

Even though the PTA celebrated staff appreciation week during the week before April vacation, this week is actually officially Teacher Appreciation Week across the country. It is a little funny to me that we appreciate teachers during a week in May. First of all, I know how this time of the school year is extremely busy, crazy, stressful. So maybe it does make sense to show some teacher love. But I also think...why do we only have a random week in May devoted to teacher appreciation?! Shouldn't we be appreciating each other all year long?

Of course, we appreciate our FloRo teachers so much! Here are some video clips from the hilarious Gerry Brooks. Hmm, wondering if I should consider some of his gift ideas?

While teacher appreciation is a great time for administration, parents, and students to let you know how much you are appreciated, I think it's also a great time for teachers to let other teachers know how much they appreciate each other. It's great that we work in a profession where help is just next door or just down the hallway. I read this post this weekend about teacher mentors: https://www.edutopia.org/article/every-teacher-needs-mentor. It is so true that every teacher needs a mentor and every teacher can be a mentor to someone else. Think about someone who you have mentored or who has mentored you. Be sure and let that person know how much you appreciate the support and connection.

In honor of teacher appreciation week, I want to share this short Ted talk with you. In just six minutes, this chemistry teacher shares what he feels are the 3 rules to spark learning. Be sure and find a few minutes to watch this clip:

And just remember...think of all of the students that you have made a difference for and all of the students that you will make a difference in their lives...

Haha, we all know that none of us do just one thing at a time!

Currently reading:
I am still really enjoying listening to Trevor Noah's Born a Crime. I also read some new picture books that I want to share with you. Josh Funk has been putting out several new books, and one of his latest is called Albie Newton. Albie is very smart preschooler who doesn't exactly know the best way to make friends until you see what he creates at the end of the book!

A perfect read aloud for teacher appreciation week is the one I just read called A Letter to My Teacher. I student decides to write a letter to her teacher thanking the teacher for understanding who she was and the kind of support she needed. I love that the character in this book is not an easy kid and it's a girl. Wait until you see who the character ends up turning into at the end of the book!

Events this week:
Tuesday - 4th grade canoe trips
Wednesday - 4th grade canoe trips, 3rd grade chorus practice at 2:20
Thursday - 4th grade canoe trips
Friday - 4th grade canoe trips, Liz and Melissa at SLT from 8:30-11:00

Great things I noticed last week:

1st graders in Mrs. Cragg's class were selecting different stations to work on geometry skills.
Mrs. Fournier's class was reviewing their reading behaviors before diving into their independent reading time. Helpful reminders as we finish the school year strong!
After reviewing reading behaviors, these 3rd graders got right into reading their biographies.
Mrs. Wilkins and her students were talking about using expression and acting out parts of fiction books.
These two 4th graders did an excellent job leading the pledge and presenting to School Committee on Wednesday night! Way to go Mackenzie and Jack!
Mrs. Pierantozzi's class had fun being reading buddies with Mrs. Kavanagh's class on Friday.
And thanks for a great assembly on Tuesday! Loved listening to the 4th graders singing that amazing song. Then I stood in the back of the PAC and cried as I watched the video of our Special Olympics athletes and listened to all of the students cheering for their peers. And then of course...getting turned into a human ice cream sundae...well that was certainly an unforgettable experience!