The new year brings a time of reflection, hope, and bright beginnings.

Thankful for times with family, friends, colleagues, faith, good health, hope, peace, happiness, lessons learned, writing, teaching, and educational opportunities.  Most of all, teaching moments to involve our students as reflected in the following Native American/Indian Proverb.

Here’s hoping your new year is filled with many blessings.

Teaching Moments Helps With Changes

     Ever school year is different.  Our 4th grade students participated in what is known as “a wheel” approach by going to a different teacher for each academic subject, similar to middle school.  However, it didn’t quite work out.   In the best interest of our students, a different arrangement worked out better.  

     Teachers reflect on learning outcomes and opportunities to further student engagement.   With some faith and positive thinking, I recalled a memorable event last year in front of my classroom door.  My students and I were amazed to see a chrysalis attached to the outside of our classroom wall.  Even so, we were surprised to see a butterfly emerge in front of our eyes!  The metamorphosis was an enlightening experience.  We can learn from change by looking around us, having faith, and thinking positive.

Memorial Day commemorates the many veterans who have served our United States Armed Forces.  Thank you to our nation’s military service men and women who continue to serve and keep our country safe.

For Military Appreciation Month, here are some Read Aloud Picture Books:

   Red, White, and Blue Good-bye

by Sarah Wones Tomp

Illustrated by:  Ann Barrow

Walker Books for Young Readers

 http://www.amazon.com/White-Blue-Good-bye-Sarah-Wones/dp/0802789617

Author website:  http://sarahtomp.com/  and http://writingonthesidewalk.wordpress.com/sarah-wones-tomp/

  The Wall

  by Eve Bunting

  Illustrated by Ronald Himler

  Publisher:  Sandpiper (reissue edition, 1992) – (Reading Rainbow Book)

  http://childrensbooks.about.com/od/productreviews/fr/the_wall.htm

Patrol:  An American Soldier in Vietnam

by Walter Dean Myers

Collage by Ann Grifalconi

Publisher:  Harper Collins

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Patrol/

Maya Lin

  by Amy Stone

  Raintree Publishers (Biography Series)

  *  Maya Lin won the design competition for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

  http://jebenajen.wordpress.com/2013/02/19/a-to-z-books-for-africa/

  and  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Lin