Report Card Season

It is the time of the year that teachers not so affectionately refer to as report card season.

Writing report cards has been really tricky for me. Mostly, planning, teaching and wrapping up the day takes all my time and energy. Somehow I have to add in the extra tens of hours that report cards take me. Up until this time, it has really been a difficult experience for me. I seemed to always forget some important assessment that I'd have to quickly figure out how I was going to squish in. I'd sit and wonder how in the world I was going to write all the comments. I suddenly realized my linen cupboards were in dire need of organizing. Books start calling my name. I will do practically anything to avoid the work I need to do to get the report cards done, it seems, at times.

Well, not this time baby!! I made a plan early and while, if I had followed it perfectly, I would be finished by now, I am light years ahead of where I have been in past report card seasons.

The interesting thing is that I have actually enjoyed the process this time. I have enjoyed getting a better picture of where each of the kids are at. I have enjoyed wrapping up things that have just been sitting around waiting for me to get them entered in my grading spreadsheet. And I have enjoyed thinking  about each of the children in the class.

I really do enjoy the kids I am teaching. They're a unpredictable bunch at times. They are impulsive and silly and smart and kind. They're needy and confident and mature and at times, a typical 8 year old. I really do hope I can make a difference for them. I really feel blessed to be able to spend my days with them.

8 Months of Walking

I have now officially been a regular exerciser for 8 months. Go figure?!

I feel like I have really come a long way. I started because I realized I was getting really unhealthy. Parts of me were starting to wear out. I was  uncomfortably heavy (I can't quite say the f-a-t word....hate it). I was always too tired. I really had to change something.

The irony is that when I first started walking, I'd have to go back to bed when I got home. I started in July. I walked with a friend each morning. She walked way further than I ever would have - which was a good thing. It pushed me to do more sooner, and I think it expanded my horizons a bit. I was a little worried about how I'd continue when school started up again - but lucky for us we were still a one car family at that point. Most people wouldn't think that is very lucky - but it gave me the chance to walk. Allen did all the running around with kids after school and I'd walk home from school (well, most days). It has honestly been life changing.

This is what the numbers have looked like over the past 8 months:

I love looking at that graph. I look at it a few times every day actually (I know. I know....neurotic!) I kind of hoped that by now I'd be able to say I'd lost some wonderful amount of weight. I haven't. I have, however, lost almost 20 pounds! That is quite exciting. And really, over 8 months, that isn't that bad. It's better than not having lost it!

I have a friend who posts on Facebook quite regularly to keep me accountable, and I do the same for her. This month we are both going to try to do 100 km. I know I can do it! And the best part is, it's going to feel so great. I'm proud to say I really am an exerciser!

Alberta Opera - Sleeping Beauty

Today our school enjoyed an amazing production by Alberta Opera. It was a funny and entertaining version of Sleeping Beauty. I am always amazed at these performances how the children just sit and are totally absorbed in the story. I didn't see a teacher, even once, have to get up, tap a kid on the shoulder, and remind them to behave. I loved what the kids said they learned:

Don't take your own anger out on someone else.

Don't try to get revenge when your life is bad – talk about your feelings instead.

Marry someone that you love, not just for their money.

Marry someone for who they are, not their money.

You have two choices in life:  you can be mean, or you can be good.

Change begins with yourself.

If someone says they don't want to marry you, just take no for an answer.

Don't hurt someone just because you don't like them or their family.



At the end of the play the actors sang a song. Our brilliant music teacher had taught the whole school the song and so they just automatically started singing with the actors. It warmed my heart! The words are beautiful:

“Just One”
One word can spark a moment, one song can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest, one flower can herald spring.
One vote can change a nation, one sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness, one laugh can conquer gloom.
One voice can speak with wisdom, one heart can know what’s true.
One life can make a difference. Change begins with you.