Hello Readers--We have a lot in this post today! As always, stay current by reading our weekly newsletter by clicking the link below.
https://www.smore.com/rpkzt
I hope you all enjoy pictures! Our post today will be filled with pictures. If you remember a couple weeks ago our quote was about leaves falling and how it shows us that it's beautiful to let things go. I also mentioned last week that the tree was not very pretty. As I pulled into the parking lot this morning, it was if the heavens had opened and was shining down on that sassafras tree. It was so pretty that I had to take the kids out to get their picture. Enjoy the pic below, BUT please don't stop reading from there. We have so much to share with our readers today.
https://www.smore.com/rpkzt
I hope you all enjoy pictures! Our post today will be filled with pictures. If you remember a couple weeks ago our quote was about leaves falling and how it shows us that it's beautiful to let things go. I also mentioned last week that the tree was not very pretty. As I pulled into the parking lot this morning, it was if the heavens had opened and was shining down on that sassafras tree. It was so pretty that I had to take the kids out to get their picture. Enjoy the pic below, BUT please don't stop reading from there. We have so much to share with our readers today.
As you can see in the picture, our entire class participated for pink out day. All students had something pink on. I have been looking forward to this day for several weeks, as I knew it was pink out day and also a Monday. We have come to love Mondays in Room 16. Breast Cancer strikes a very personal note for me. I was nervous about how exactly I was going to approach talking to the students about this topic. I began with a personal account of how breast cancer affected my family. At 25, my big sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. I have never mentioned this to this group of students before, but several had questions because I had a special shirt on today. Our nurse, Mrs. Williams, is quite the t-shirt designer.
We talked a lot about what happened, how it happened, and my feelings. The students were laser focused. It amazed me how involved they were in my story. It was probably one of my favorite times as a teacher. For 45 minutes we forgot about curriculum, data, pacing guides, and that dreaded introduction lesson to division and instead, focused on life. My students saw a glimpse of their teacher they hadn't seen before. We learned from each other. Then it was time for the quote. The students for the most part each week enjoy the quotes, but for them, none have ever out shined the second quote. You can ask my students at any time what their favorite quote is and they will tell you to face the sun and leave your worries in the shadows. That quote struck them in a meaningful way and no quote since then has made such an impression....Until today.
"She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails."
Wow--There was silence when I read it. At first I thought they didn't get it, so I read it again. After the second time there were a couple responses. "This is my favorite!" "I get it, I get it!" We discussed in detail what the storms represented and what it means to turn their sails. I've said this every week. Students only go as far as you push them. They were only scratching the surface, but finally a student said the sweetest words. I can't quote what the child said exactly, because it struck me hard, and I was really focusing on holding the tears back. This was the gist though.
When people like your sister get cancer, that is terrible news for them. Storms are also terrible. Getting cancer is a hard storm. But when the storm stops and you realize the wind didn't blow you away all you have to do is turn and find the wind. The wind will push those people through.
Well shoot--snotty nose, watery eyes, and a quiet classroom was just thrown in my lap.
It was a beautiful moment. This student explained this quote better than I could have. Students listen and respond to their peers better anyway. I decided it was time to switch gears a bit. If you remember, last week I asked our readers to send me pictures of special people who have fought breast cancer. I pulled each picture up and we made personal connections. People they didn't know personally, I helped along the way until we made a connection. That even took a quick phone call to another campus!
Awareness days like today are meant to make us want to do things, to encourage others, and to lift others up. I couldn't help but sit back and soak in the curiosity, love for others, and urge to help other people that my students showed to me today. One hour later, we wrapped it up and the students wrote letters. They addressed it to :
Dear Breast Cancer Survivor
I'm not posting all the letters as some students asked me to keep it private. Some days are better than others. Today was special for me. Make relationships with your students. When you do, you see precious things like these letters. At the bottom of this post are the pictures that were sent to us. Enjoy!
Until Next Week,
Mr. B
PS--I really struggled getting these pics in this week. If a picture is cut off or you don't see the caption, just click the picture. Sorry!
Wow--There was silence when I read it. At first I thought they didn't get it, so I read it again. After the second time there were a couple responses. "This is my favorite!" "I get it, I get it!" We discussed in detail what the storms represented and what it means to turn their sails. I've said this every week. Students only go as far as you push them. They were only scratching the surface, but finally a student said the sweetest words. I can't quote what the child said exactly, because it struck me hard, and I was really focusing on holding the tears back. This was the gist though.
When people like your sister get cancer, that is terrible news for them. Storms are also terrible. Getting cancer is a hard storm. But when the storm stops and you realize the wind didn't blow you away all you have to do is turn and find the wind. The wind will push those people through.
Well shoot--snotty nose, watery eyes, and a quiet classroom was just thrown in my lap.
It was a beautiful moment. This student explained this quote better than I could have. Students listen and respond to their peers better anyway. I decided it was time to switch gears a bit. If you remember, last week I asked our readers to send me pictures of special people who have fought breast cancer. I pulled each picture up and we made personal connections. People they didn't know personally, I helped along the way until we made a connection. That even took a quick phone call to another campus!
Awareness days like today are meant to make us want to do things, to encourage others, and to lift others up. I couldn't help but sit back and soak in the curiosity, love for others, and urge to help other people that my students showed to me today. One hour later, we wrapped it up and the students wrote letters. They addressed it to :
Dear Breast Cancer Survivor
I'm not posting all the letters as some students asked me to keep it private. Some days are better than others. Today was special for me. Make relationships with your students. When you do, you see precious things like these letters. At the bottom of this post are the pictures that were sent to us. Enjoy!
Until Next Week,
Mr. B
PS--I really struggled getting these pics in this week. If a picture is cut off or you don't see the caption, just click the picture. Sorry!
Dear Breast Cancer Survivor,
"I hope that you have hope and strength. Keep on smiling. We are all with you. #staystrongandbrave "
"Keep on fighting and be brave and never give up. Stay strong."
"I think that you can survive. I think that you are strong and brave."
"You are strong, great, and beautiful. I hope you survive and stay strong."
"It must be hard to face breast cancer. Keep smiling and never give up."
"I'm so happy you survived breast cancer. You must have been so brave and confident. #yousurvived"
"You are strong and brave. I think you are perfect and great!"
"I hope you stay strong and be brave and never give up and I always will have you in my prayers and my heart."
"Keep on fighting and be brave and never give up. Stay strong."
"I think that you can survive. I think that you are strong and brave."
"You are strong, great, and beautiful. I hope you survive and stay strong."
"It must be hard to face breast cancer. Keep smiling and never give up."
"I'm so happy you survived breast cancer. You must have been so brave and confident. #yousurvived"
"You are strong and brave. I think you are perfect and great!"
"I hope you stay strong and be brave and never give up and I always will have you in my prayers and my heart."
In Honor of our Survivors
 Juliana Parker's Grandmother |  Tena Dobbins |
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