Happy Monday! I’m writing this blog post at what feels like at least 9:30 or 10 pm. However, I look down and it is 5:38. The time change has me all messed up! However, it makes our quote for the week very relevant.
First things first!
Keep in the know: https://www.smore.com/vd548
Congrats to Taylor, our Star Student of the week. I want to personally thank my readers for your sweet comments, email, and text messages. The students feel like celebrities and that’s exactly what I want for them. In the past weeks I’ve had several teachers from across the US ask how to implement these signs into their classroom. So, here’s the answers to a few questions:
On to the quote for this week.
“However long the day, the evening will come.” --Irish Proverb
Our proverb this week takes us to Ireland. The literal meaning of this proverb is that even if you are having a long, difficult day, it will eventually come to an end. The evening is a time of rest and peace, and you will be able to sit down and relax. The proverb means more than this. After a little research, it is also saying that even if you are going through something very hard or challenging, it will end and better times will come. Nothing lasts forever. The proverb could be interpreted to mean the opposite as well--good times do not last forever--but in the Celtic tradition, nighttime is seen as the start of a new day, so the night is something to look forward to and enjoy.
Typically I will introduce the quote on Monday mornings and then before dismissal we reexamine the quote a bit deeper. However, today was a typical Monday. A chromebook decided to short out and smoke us out of our classroom shortly before I had scheduled to examine this deeper. I do not have a lot of student expression in this post as our time was cut short this afternoon. I do, however, have reasons why I picked this quote for my students and I will share our conversations we had this morning.
We started our conversation around the worse days we’ve had. I didn’t ask for them to say out loud what their day consisted of, just to think of it. I told them that I just didn’t know how many times I’ve found myself in situations where I just felt like giving up. A couple students very quickly stopped me and said, “No way!” It’s funny how students, even in the 4th grade, view their teachers as a creature that never leaves schools and never has to deal with life. I reminded them that I’m human and I have typical grown up problems and worries. I kept explaining. Sometimes life has a way of overwhelming you so much that you start feeling like things will never ever get better. I explained it to them that it's like a monster that follows me and creeps behind me until it makes me feel trapped. I could tell that several weren't quite sure what to think. I love to be honest and real with my students. I told the students that the best thing about these situations is that eventually evening will come. Rest will follow and a new day awaits for us.
I close tonight with a message to my students and readers.
I know for sure that tough times don’t last forever. Uncomfortable moments come – sometimes when we least expect it – and they are required to be experienced, no matter how unpleasant. There’s always something to be learned from challenges. Always. Life is not fair. Handle your problems day by day and hang in there. Eventually evening will come...and since the time changed...that will be sooner than expected.
Evening is here. Enjoy it with your family and rest well. See you all next week!
Mr. B
First things first!
Keep in the know: https://www.smore.com/vd548
Congrats to Taylor, our Star Student of the week. I want to personally thank my readers for your sweet comments, email, and text messages. The students feel like celebrities and that’s exactly what I want for them. In the past weeks I’ve had several teachers from across the US ask how to implement these signs into their classroom. So, here’s the answers to a few questions:
- All students will be recognized before Spring Break.
- The signs were made by our local Votech.
- No it doesn’t take a lot of time to do this. My coworker and I have 2 signs picked up and delivered to new houses in less than 30 minutes. Even if it did take more time than that, we enjoy it! It is just as much fun for us to deliver the signs as it is for the kids to receive one.
On to the quote for this week.
“However long the day, the evening will come.” --Irish Proverb
Our proverb this week takes us to Ireland. The literal meaning of this proverb is that even if you are having a long, difficult day, it will eventually come to an end. The evening is a time of rest and peace, and you will be able to sit down and relax. The proverb means more than this. After a little research, it is also saying that even if you are going through something very hard or challenging, it will end and better times will come. Nothing lasts forever. The proverb could be interpreted to mean the opposite as well--good times do not last forever--but in the Celtic tradition, nighttime is seen as the start of a new day, so the night is something to look forward to and enjoy.
Typically I will introduce the quote on Monday mornings and then before dismissal we reexamine the quote a bit deeper. However, today was a typical Monday. A chromebook decided to short out and smoke us out of our classroom shortly before I had scheduled to examine this deeper. I do not have a lot of student expression in this post as our time was cut short this afternoon. I do, however, have reasons why I picked this quote for my students and I will share our conversations we had this morning.
We started our conversation around the worse days we’ve had. I didn’t ask for them to say out loud what their day consisted of, just to think of it. I told them that I just didn’t know how many times I’ve found myself in situations where I just felt like giving up. A couple students very quickly stopped me and said, “No way!” It’s funny how students, even in the 4th grade, view their teachers as a creature that never leaves schools and never has to deal with life. I reminded them that I’m human and I have typical grown up problems and worries. I kept explaining. Sometimes life has a way of overwhelming you so much that you start feeling like things will never ever get better. I explained it to them that it's like a monster that follows me and creeps behind me until it makes me feel trapped. I could tell that several weren't quite sure what to think. I love to be honest and real with my students. I told the students that the best thing about these situations is that eventually evening will come. Rest will follow and a new day awaits for us.
I close tonight with a message to my students and readers.
I know for sure that tough times don’t last forever. Uncomfortable moments come – sometimes when we least expect it – and they are required to be experienced, no matter how unpleasant. There’s always something to be learned from challenges. Always. Life is not fair. Handle your problems day by day and hang in there. Eventually evening will come...and since the time changed...that will be sooner than expected.
Evening is here. Enjoy it with your family and rest well. See you all next week!
Mr. B
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