Help From Debbie

Spiderman Wears a Mask, So Can You!

2020-07-02T09:39:00.000-04:00

In the past few weeks, I have listened to parents, teachers, students, and experts about the need to open up schools. I agree. I want to be at school with the students. Yet I have also heard cries from some parents about how their child is not capable of wearing a mask. I am here to say, give your child's abilities more credit than this. Of course, they are going to complain to you about it. THAT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE NOT CAPABLE OF DOING IT!

Wearing a mask at school does not mean wearing one continuously throughout the day. Most schools and teachers have a plan where students would mask up when social distancing is not possible; for example, wearing a mask in the lunch line, when the teacher is helping you in a one on one or small group situation, and on the bus. Students who have been taught to wear seatbelts for safety can be taught to wear a mask FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME.

School prioritize the safety of students and faculty. That is why we have active shooter drills and fire drills. Why we require closed-toed shoes, and why we insist that students walk and not run from place to place. Many schools have no tolerance for bullying, bringing weapons, and aggressive contact between students. All of these rules keep people safe. Wearing a mask KEEPS PEOPLE SAFE.s

I do not know of a parent who does not want to raise children who are kind. Kindness is the basis of good character. Teachers emphasize this value during class. We all pitch in to clean up after a project because it is kind. We put things away so that other students can find them, because it is kind, and we use quiet voices because it is kind. We are in an unusual time and we need to protect ourselves and others by wearing a mask BECAUSE IT IS KIND.

As a parent you can help so that the transition to going back to school can be a smooth one.

Practice wearing a mask at home. Wear one during enjoyable activites such as baking or food preparation. When the treat is ready, take off the mask and eat! Wear one while playing computer games, kids will forget they have one on and become used to the feeling of it. Find ways to make a game out of wearing a mask.

My three rules are BE KIND, BE SAFE AND DO YOUR BEST. Wearing a mask comes under all three. Tell your children that by wearing one they may be saving a life. Let them know they are heroes. For goodness sake, Spiderman wears a mask, so they can too!

2020-03-22T13:07:00.000-04:00

I'm Bored!!!

What parent hasn't heard this utterance from their child. "I'm booooooorrrrred!" It comes out as a whine, a complaint, a plea, a demand and you feel the need to entertain, amuse, or give in just to make it stop.

Well, I am here to tell you that boredom is good. Boredom is space. Space that can be filled by entertaining the child or by giving him or her the opportunity to create something new. I read on Facebook that Shakespeare wrote King Lear during the plague while he was isolated at home. Now he did not have TVs, computers, electronics, and easy access to mindless activities. Will S. put his boredom to good use. He wrote a brilliant play.

Now I don't expect that your 8 year old will write King Lear, but why not give her a chance, the space, and the time to create her own brilliant masterpiece?

This is a challenging time and we all have the need to find things to occupy our time at home. My favorite memories of childhood include building a fort by turning the furniture over, covering it with blankets, and crawling in with a flashlight and a book. I recall my 3 year old brother pulling all the pots and pans out of my grandmother's cabinets and playing the drums with a wooden spoon. My sisters and I would take old magazines and make collages. I would close the door to my bedroom and belt out broadway show tunes. I would draw, write, paint, build things out of old cardboard boxes.

As a teacher I love to create games for students to use that reinforce learning. I think my love of doing this comes from my parent's letting me find my own pursuits when boredom set in. We find our talents in the moments we are bored. Art, music, game, literature, writing, designing, building, engineering, cooking, let your child try out the ones that call to her.

So next time the words "I'm bored" send chills down your spine, respond by giving them space and time, no direction, access to everyday stuff, and let them create their own masterpiece.

2020-03-18T13:56:00.001-04:00

In the Time of Coronavirus

Many of you are being granted the opportunity of "homeschooling", whether you wanted it or not. But it is an opportunity! Working with your children is a privilege I experience every day. I am here to support and be a resource to families in this "new normal."

The first thing I want to suggest is to have a schedule.

Include online academic learning time, outdoor time, practical life skills time, creative/building time, reading/writing time, puzzle time, and challenge time. Below is a sample schedule:

Sample Weekly Schedule while School is closed. Use the time blocks daily. Be flexible.

Wake Up, Make Bed, get dressed, eat breakfast, clean up breakfast dishes

30 minutes Academic Time -Online academic/assigned work.

20 minutes Practical Life - Teach the child a chore they can do independently, wash dishes, empty/lodishwasher, fold and put away laundry, wipe down surfaces, sweep

40 minutes Academic - i Online academic/assigned work.

20 minutes snack, have student prepare, eat and clean up

45 minutes Reading Time -Chapter book Reading-Choose a project to do with a book you read. Create a new book cover with artwork and author bio. Ask others who have read it to write reviews. OR create a board game to go with the book. OR Write a play to dramatize part of the book.

30 minutes Pet Care - play with, brush, cuddle, walk, read to, observe, be present with your pet.

Lunch Symposium - students prepare, eat, clean up. Take turns choosing a topic to discuss. Post the topic the day before and encourage some research about it. Such as, What would you want to see if we took a trip to Paris?

30 minutes Outside time -Go outside, take a walk, observe nature, help with outdoor chores

15 minutes Memorizati on time - use this time to memorize a poem, math facts, states and capitals, speeches, order of Presidents, monologues from plays etc.

45 minutes Writing Time - Writer's workshop - journal, write stories, poems, songs, plays, and then read, perform, or illustrate your work

45 minutes or more Creative Time - Work on a new skill - use YouTube videos and on line tutorials to learn a new language, dance, instrument, recipe, craft, or do one of the STEM projects on the Homework site.

15 minutes or more puzzle time - work on crossword, word search, rebus, sudoku or other types of puzzles

*Limit screen time that does not fall into the academic category.

Throughout the day: Be Kind, Be Safe and Do Your Best to help others!
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A wise friend told me that it is more difficult to work at home with your children then it is in school. That is because you and your home are your child's SAFEST PLACE! They feel free to express anger, frustration, and annoyance; and they will! When you find yourself frustrated with your child's emotions, it is the time they need you most so be prepared to give a lot of hugs. Tell your child how lucky you feel that you have this chance to work with him or her. Be present when you are needed to help with something. Rely on advice from the schools and classroom teachers. You got this.

Caretakers of the Earth

2018-12-30T11:37:00.002-05:00

When children come into contact with nature, they reveal their inner strength. – Maria Montessori

Caretakers of the Earth

Montessori students come to the realization that they are

Caretakers of themselves and others, caretakers of all living things,, and caretakers of the earth.

Our class has been discussing ecology and the care of the world they are inheriting from their ancestors. The students are exploring the idea of being “caretakers of the earth.” LE 8 has started a Green Team to help us clear up any refuse on the campus.

Montessori students are taught to leave an environment in better condition than when they arrived at it. In order to achieve this, the students have been learning about the effects of plastic on our oceans, fish, and birds.

Here are a few ideas the students are hoping to establish as routines in our class.

Bring a cloth napkin, placemat, and your own silverware every day, even if you are getting hot lunch. (This is basically a reminder, as we asked for this at the beginning of the school year.)
Bring a refillable water bottle, not a single use bottle.
Bring food in reusable containers, not plastic Ziploc bags.
Buy in bulk and avoid single use plastic such as yogurt containers, lunchables, and fruit cups.

These may seem like small differences but it will have an impact on our environment. Join your student, be a caretaker of the earth.

National Neighborhood Day

2016-11-21T09:31:00.001-05:00

Did you know that National Neighborhood day is the third Sunday in September? To be honest, I didn't know this day existed. My feelings throughout this election season is that so many decisions, actions, and protests are fear based. Perhaps this fear comes from not knowing our neighbors on a first name basis.

I wanted to start a movement to encourage people to get to know the others who live in their immediate vicinity, whether it be a neighborhood, an apartment building, or the street where you live. Growing up, I knew all my neighbors, had been invited into their homes, had meals with them, played whiffle ball in the street with them. I felt comfortable talking and visiting with the neighbors. We were there to help when needed, lend tools or baking ingredients, and support each other. We went to different houses of worship, came from different backgrounds, and attended different schools, but we all knew each other.

When I was 10 or 11, there was a horrible car accident on our block. My best friend's younger brother crossed the street to call on a friend. She couldn't come out to play so this young boy rode his big wheel down the driveway and into the street being hit by a car. It was tragic to watch all the parents, friends, and siblings. All of the kids on the street went to a neighbor's backyard while the adults helped and supported the family in any way they could. That is how neighborhoods should work.

These days many of us don't even know the names of the people on our street. There was a tragedy on the street here I live a few years ago. I wanted to help and support the parents but didn't know what to do or how to help as I had never spoken to them previously. I have also had to call the EMTs a few times but have never called a neighbor to come wait with me.

I think that if we leave the fear behind and get to know our neighbors without judging their political ideology, their religious views, and their ethnicity it would go a long way toward a kinder world.

Visit the website and start a movement in your neighborhood. Think about the benefits to the world and to your own life of knowing your neighbors.

nationalneighborhoodday

You Can't Please Everyone

2016-09-11T13:11:00.001-04:00

Educators have to answer to many different groups of people. Sometimes it will make your head spin if you try to please them all. It is a feat an expert juggler would find challenging. Many of these group want outcomes that are polar opposites. It is said that teachers have to make more decisions in a work day than any other profession, many times in a split second. It is no wonder many leave the profession after a few years.

First we have the school administration. The focus of the administration is how the whole school functions and how it looks to the public. Teachers must be mindful of keeping the school at a "high functioning" level. This includes ensuring good test scores on standardized assessments, differentiating instruction for the multitude of learning styles in the classroom, handling student discipline, meeting standards, and attending meetings and training sessions. Each of these requirements are met with varying degrees of success by individuals according to their strengths. However, keep in mind, the school administration is counting on you to do all of these things in order to be considered "adequate" at your job.

We are also judged by the other teachers and staff members. The judgement of the faculty targets your ability. When a student moves from one grade to the next, you know they are judging you on the students you once had. Questions such as "why doesn't this student know how to do x?" or "how can these two children be put into the same learning environment?" come to mind as a teacher is trying to normalize her classroom. The faculty also looks at your success with types of students. "She did so well with the child who was behind in that subject, let's put all the kids who are failing that into her class?" These types of questions can disadvantage teachers by stacking the deck against them.

The parents of your students can be particularly judgemental. Of course their child is the focus of their need to give the teacher advice and criticism. I have had parents tell me they never get any communication from our class when the truth is, we update our website every Friday, we send home a text reminding them to check it, and we often send hard copies as well. I have had parents tell me that their"gifted" child should not have to turn in any assignments. I have met parents of second graders who are struggling with reading tell me their child was meant for other creative endeavors and should not have to learn to read. Many parents make excuses for children instead of holding high expectations of the child. Parents expect that you see their child as the most special one, and will instantly know what this child needs to be successful.

Let's not forget the students. Their focus is their immediate needs. "I need help, a pencil, a band aid, a drink, a tissue, another math paper, the bathroom..." The list is endless. As educators we must answer questions, take care of needs, keep students safe, and on task. Even when they feel sick, are hungry, scared of something, dealing with the death of a pet, having a disagreement with another student, or just having a bad day. We are expected ro have all the answers, stay focused on the common core, and make everything better. Not always an easy job.

Our most stern critic and judge is often ourselves. We stay up late and spend time over weekends and vacations, planning, evaluations, strategizing, buying supplies, reading the latest journals, meeting with parents, and thinking about our kids. And they are "our kids." We care about the well being of each and every one of them. We often replay our days wondering if we had the right words to help and inspire the future leaders of the world. We often think that we must find new ways to reach these precious lives.

The truth is, this is a balancing act. If we look at all these different factions as part of our team we begin to work together to benefit the students. All of these groups come as part of the package in education. Don't try to go it alone. Use all of the judges on this court, learn who you can count on to be in your corner. Finally, take care of yourself. You have to come to the classroom as a functioning adult. Do what you love, nourish your soul, open your mind to new things, and above all remember, the most teachable moments may not be on the lesson plan.

Work or Play?

2016-07-08T10:18:00.001-04:00

If you ask a child if they would rather work or play, most of the time they will chose play.

"Play is the work of childhood."

In the Montessori learning environment we use the term "game" to describe many lessons. We have the stamp game, spelling games, grammar games, geography games, and science games.

"In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. You find the fun and snap, the job's a game." - Mary Poppins

The term "work" has a negative connotation and therefore children resist doing things that fall into that category. For example, take Legos, I know children who will spend hours, days even, building incredible Lego relations. The child sees this as "play" but it truly is work. Children are using trial and error, imagination, planning, building and many other thinking skills. Why do we look at "play" as frivolous and "work" as industrious and virtuous? Let's shift our mindset and consider all of it as play.

It is easy to make any learning experience seem like a game or like play, especially in this day and age. Using manipulatives, hands on activities, and technology are tools that help our children enjoy practicing skills. Including arts activities and music appeals to the child's imagination and aids in memory. Arts education should not be removed from the curriculum because without creative experiences, imagination stagnates. And without imagination, new discoveries, technologies, and ideas cannot de elop. where will that leave the human race?

So I have decided to change the students work plan into a game plan. Why not? It will appeal to the students and encourage their educational journey. The educators will post a variety of lessons (games) and the students can choose the ones that speak to them. There will be lessons, which we will call "coaching sessions", and daily activities such as reading, warm ups, and math practice which we will call " the triple threat".

I have high hopes for this shift. anyone want to try it with me? Let me know how it goes.

Help From Debbie: Thoughts on Faith, Spirituality, and Religion

2016-02-28T09:45:00.001-05:00

Help From Debbie: Thoughts on Faith, Spirituality, and Religion: Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi Those of you who think you have found the one and only path to God, please STOP reading now. I don&...

Thoughts on Faith, Spirituality, and Religion

2016-02-28T09:39:00.000-05:00

Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi

Those of you who think you have found the one and only path to God, please STOP reading now. I don't want to offend anyone but there are many divides I think we can unite if we think about faith, spirituality, and religion in a different way.

There are so many religions that have the same underlying principles. Be kind, do your best, and work hard. Treat others with respect, especially your elders. Appreciate silence whether it is through meditation, prayer, or introspection. Contribute positively to your community. Encourage children to become balanced adults.

I see faith as believing these things are right and should be how to conduct a positive life. Spirituality is acknowledging that there is a higher power, whether it is God, the universe, nature, or your soul. Religion is a set of man-made rules that have divided us into the "right" group and the "wrong" group.

I have to go with John Lennon in this case. Countries are divided by imaginary lines called borders. Religion divides us with imaginary lines called hatred, bigotry, racism, and other uncomfortable words. I see from the news on TV and in the newspaper how religions are preaching competition on the path to God. You are going to hell if you are gay. You are going to hell if you get an abortion. You are going to hell if you eat meat on Fridays, if you use birth control, if you don't support the church.

These divisions don't make us better people. They don't promote problem solving and conflict resolution. They force us into feeling superior to others and to engage in conflicts, even though they all preach the same things.

So what if we got rid of the man-made rules? What if we all lived are lives being the best, most helpful, and courageous people we can be. Allow people to celebrate and worship God, the universe, the soul, nature in any way they choose, We should be able to tolerate diversity. Actually we should celebrate it. Learning from differences rather than condemning them.

I have faith in others, even when they disappoint themselves. There is always another chance. I believe in spirituality, the higher self, the universal idea that we are all united and here on earth to make a positive difference. I have to say that I don't believe in religion and the rules you must follow to be a "good" parishioner. Look at the animal kingdom. They do not attend church, They protect their children, they help the herd, they kill only for food. We have no reason to kill for food, so what are we killing for?

I apologize to those who may be offended by this, I don't discount history or Bible stories. Buddha, Mohammed, and Jesus were teachers. What if we all taught love instead of "My religion is better than your?"

I can only think it would be a better world.

Travels Within, Travels Without

2015-08-02T10:14:00.001-04:00

I have always loved to travel. The world offers adventures and experiences. It deserves to be explored. Every year Bill and I would load up the car and set out on a road trip. I have seen most of North America because of him. I am grateful that we had the chance to explore everything from the deserts of the southwest, the coastline of California, Victoria BC, the Canadian Rockies, Across to Maine, down to Florida and everything in between.

This year I ventured to the beautiful country of Italy. I went with a friend and we explored from Lake Como to Verona, Venezia, Pisa, Firenze, Assisi, and Rome. I could not have packed more into the trip if I had stayed there for 3 weeks on my own. I appreciate the expertise of Insight Travel and our wonderful guide, Chris.

I have to admit, it was scary to venture out without Bill. We enjoyed planning and taking trips together. Every time I do something by myself that we used to do together it takes my breath away for a minute and I deeply feel his absence. So although I traveled without him, the trip was one of travel within myself and learning to trust my choices when out in the world.

I am grateful for my friend, Sany, who came with me on this adventure. We were two widows winding our way through the world. Talking about the husbands we missed and having memorable adventures on our own.

So what do I take away from this trip. We made new friendships, experienced laughter and discovery of new vistas, inner strength, inner peace, and self actualization. All the things I hope my students take away with them at the end of each year. So as I get ready to start another school year, I will remember that we are on a journey in the classroom together. Let's make it memorable and let's discover our hidden strengths.

What's Your Purpose?

2015-06-24T20:24:00.000-04:00

Recently I had the opportunity to attend a workshop that helped me define my purpose in life. I found this a valuable exercise. There are so many people who are wandering around day to day, moment to moment without a true purpose. This gives me pause. Are we doomed to randomly live our lives like two atoms floating in space until we bump into each other in order to fulfill our true potential?

Part of the job of the educator in a Montessori environment is to guide her students to move with purpose, to be intentional about their choices, their associations, and their movements. Much of this work happens in the Early Childhood three year cycle. The Practical Life lessons help a child develop her will, her focus, and her readiness for future learning. These lessons give the child a gift. The gift is that each activity results in an accomplishment of which the child can feel satisfaction. Shouldn't our lives be filled with accomplishments in which we find satisfaction? It is that simple, having a purpose and living your life in pursuit of that purpose is the way to intentionally reach your true potential.

As an educator of older students, I was able to encourage each of them to start defining their purpose in life. I was in awe of some of their ideas. All the statements began with "I want to contribute to a world where..." The students took this lesson to heart. Some expressed wanting to contribute to a nonviolent world. Others focused on a world where children and animals have happy homes. A few of the students expressed their wish to contribute to a world where there was peace between all countries. I loved reading their work and was so proud of their thoughtful responses. Wouldn't you want to live in a world where all children felt purposeful. It gave me confirmation that I am on the right path. I know that my purpose is clear and I am working toward fulfilling my potential.

What is my purpose? I want to contribute to a world where children are educated to be self actualized humans who take care of the earth and it's living things and to have fun while I do so!

2014-08-24T16:13:00.003-04:00

A Different Year

It has been a year since my heart attack and triple bypass. My life has changed completely in many ways. My dear husband Bill passed away after I was able to go back to work. I miss him more than I can say. My family and friends have gathered around me, helpful, protective, loving and kind. I would not have gotten through this year without their support. It has been a year of changes, a year of growth, a year of grief, a year of learning, a year of vulnerability, a year of strength, and a year of blessings.

Most of all, it has been different.

There are things that truly surprise you after you lose a partner of many years. Coming home to an empty house (even though my dogs are barking to greet me) shakes me to the core. Even now. Cooking for one is not fun at all. And I love to cook. Not having someone to talk to, laugh with, argue with, and share with makes me very lonely.

But through it all, I am grateful. I am grateful that Bill was part of my life for so long. We loved to travel together and saw many beautiful and memorable places. I miss that.

Most of all, I miss the things that used to annoy me. These are things I didn't understand at the time but now have a greater appreciation for his fears, his anxieties, his point of view.

It used to annoy me that he would only dry his hands with paper towels. Now I miss seeing the paper towels on the counter.

It used to annoy me that he wanted to know when I would be home and if I wasn't there he would call me 5 minutes after the time I said I would be home because he was worried.

It used to annoy me that he would call me every day at lunchtime. I miss this most of all.

I miss that I don't have him to take care of and that he can no longer take care of me. I miss his love and don't quite know what to do with my love for him.

Most of all I don't think I appreciated him as much as I should have, let that be a lesson to all of you. Life can change in an instant.

Bill brought many lessons into my life and I am blessed and grateful that he was my friend, my partner, and my love.

I am moving on with my life. Ready for new adventures and new lessons, new teachers, new vistas, and new experiences.

So I will start writing again. I am getting to know my new students and enjoying their ideas, personalities, and smiles.

Life goes on, it just takes a different or new direction.

An oldie but goodie, 1087

Affairs of the Heart

2013-09-17T15:59:00.000-04:00

There was no pain at all. But I knew something was not right.

I was short of breath walking from my classroom to the parking lot. I was more tired than usual. I had gained weight for no reason at all.

But there was no pain. There was no racing heartbeat. There were really no warning signs other than the vague symptoms mentioned above.

I didn’t want to miss school so on Saturday, August 24 I went to a walk in clinic. I could not find the first one I looked up so instead of going home I went to a second clinic.

I described my ambiguous symptoms and the Doctor said she wanted to take an EKG. There was one little blip that was not right. She would not let me leave. She called an ambulance and they took me to the emergency room.

I was admitted on a Saturday. They told me the cath lab would not open till Monday unless someone had an emergency and then they would get me in.

I settled into my room. My husband was there and my sister. The next thing I knew, I threw up. After that I became the emergency.

I had a heart attack.

I don’t remember much about that day. The surgeon did open heart surgery, a triple by pass. There was a 90% blockage in one of my arteries, the other two were 70% blocked. My endocrinologist told me I broke his heart because he thought they were going to lose me.

Turns out, I was one sick puppy. My kidneys stopped functioning too.

I was in Cardiac Intensive Care for 9 days. My legs were so swollen I could hardly bend them. I was full of fluids and had all sorts of tubes coming out of me. I was delirious from some of the medication and imagined seeing things on the ceiling. That was the scariest time. The nurses were extremely compassionate, gentle and caring.

I had dialysis 4 times. The dialysis team was wonderful.

I was in a room for 9 more days, waiting for the kidneys to kick in. They finally did and now I am home. The nurses, once again, epitomized caring, compassionate individuals.

I had many visitors. My husband, my family, and my friends made an effort to come see me. They certainly kept me cheerful and hopeful. Friends sent gifts. There were lots of flowers from family and friends.

I had over 100 cards from family, friends, and students. I have read them over many times and am grateful for each visit and each card.

My chest is twist tied together with metal bands. I am building up my strength. I started walking 5 minutes 3 times a day and am now up to 11 minutes. I am on a low salt, low fat diet.

But there was never any pain.

I am deeply grateful to be alive. I am amazed that I followed through and went to the walk in clinic, if I hadn’t I wouldn’t be here. I have immense love and appreciation for my family. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of how much we all care for each other. I am so grateful to my husband who came to visit frequently and took care of the dogs for 18 long days.

My priorities have shifted. My family is number 1 and I intend to spend more time with all of them. I miss the kids at school and am grateful to the school for making this as easy as possible.

Hard work is ahead. They say every week in the hospital will take you three weeks to recover, so I have about an 8 week period until I feel like myself again. I probably won’t be ready to go back to school until Thanksgiving.

So please take this away from my story. There was no pain. If you don’t feel right, get it checked out. Don’t put if off. It saved my life.

Should School be FUN?

2013-08-12T17:58:00.001-04:00

Did you enjoy school when you were an elementary student? Did you have wonderful experiences that helped you connect what you are learning to the world around you? Were your favorite subjects recess, PE and lunch? Did you look forward to going to school every day because you knew there was something interesting waiting for you?

Well, if you went to a Montessori School this may have been true for you. For most of us, school was a time to be with our friends, not to experience the world.

Learning should be natural. It should sweep the learner into a flowing stream where time and space do not exist and where the learner is one with the lesson. This happens in Montessori schools because students have uninterrupted time to engage with the lessons, they have freedom of choice within the limits of the environment, they have encouraging adults who observe the students and bring them the right lessons at the right time.

If a child comes home and you ask what he learned today, you will often hear the response, "Nothing." In a Montessori school that means that the learning was just the natural part of the day and life unfolded in a seamless and smooth way bringing the appropriate lesson at the right time.

Laughter should be part of every day at school. Lessons should delight the student.

If this is missing from your children's education, send them to a Montessori school.

What I have learned this week

2013-08-04T14:59:00.000-04:00

It has been a tough week. Ziggy, my 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel mix had an accident. It was my fault.

Ziggy is an energetic personality. He loves to be outside or go for car rides. He is happy, protective of his family, and adventurous.

We were at a friend's house. She has a lot of property so I thought it would be safe to let the dogs off leash. Ollie stayed near me and Ziggy kept venturing a little further every moment. I had to stop to pick up Ollie's poop and Ziggy got too far away. I called but something was more interesting to him and he kept going. Before I knew it he was under the fence of the corral. I didn't even think that the horse would be out. Ziggy saw this big animal and started running. The horse started running, Ziggy got under his feet and before I could get there he screamed.

The gate was locked so I climbed the fence and picked up my baby to check for broken bones. All seemed fine until I saw his right eye.

It just started to swell and I knew it was filling with blood. Ziggy would whimper if anything got near it. We headed straight to the vet. She was in surgery but the tech took Ziggy in and they sent us right to the ophthalmologist. After a look over we knew he would lose his eye. It has been a week and he is recovering nicely.

What is most amazing is that Ziggy is still Ziggy. He leads us down the sidewalk as fast as he can. He hops up onto the back of the couch so he can see everything that is going on, and he is first into the kitchen for a treat.

It makes me think about the students in my class. We put them into this situation called school where they are expected to conform to the rules of education. They are expected to all be on the same page at the same time. They are expected to all know the same things. How crazy is this?

Personality does not change it adapts. We need to allow for this in schools. Children will learn the things they need to live a successful life. This is inside the child from birth. Ziggy is still Ziggy and has adapted to his new field of vision.

No matter what, your children will be fine. They will adapt to the expectations of others. But think of the possibilities for your child in a school where they can construct their own learning, where they can fulfill their own potential and not be judged in relation to others. Where they are accepted for who they are.

I know you would all accept Ziggy without his eye, so why not accept children with differences and adjust to meet their needs rather than forcing them to fulfill someone else's expectations.

Cursive Handwriting

2013-07-17T10:42:00.004-04:00

From what I understand, many school districts are no longer teaching cursive handwriting. I find the sad, and frankly a mistake on the part of school boards who continue to add curriculum that can be tested to the school day. (But that is another story.)

Learning to write in cursive, is so much more than having good handwriting. Here are a few example:

Concentration - lack of focus and concentration have always been issues. Maria Montessori even wrote about children who are labeled as "naughty" because they are unable to concentrate on anything. Like any skill concentration needs to be practiced. Cursive practice gives students the space and time to develop focus which can then be transferred to other lessons.

Directionality - Rarely do children write their letters backwards while using cursive. The letters are always formed left to right. In print the letters begin in all sorts of different places and you may have to go left or right or up or down. This can be confusing. In cursive all the letters start on the line and you then move to the right.

Reading skills - Cursive can improve reading skills. It practices seeing words from left to right. Cursive letters are connected to form words. In print the letters are spaced and then there is a larger space between words, this can be confusing to a child. Children can read cursive words because the letters are connected to form a single word.

Perseverance, Patience, Pride - Cursive practice teaches children to persevere until they master the correct formation. Patience is developed by working at something that becomes easier over time. Pride in one's work and finished products are internal motivation. We do it because we want it to be beautiful not because we want a sticker. These three benefits are often overlooked by school boards.

I think cursive should be taught when the child is learning to write. It is easier to learn. Many people many say but we need to teach print so children can learn to read. Well that is true. But learning to read and learning to write are actually different skills. We can teach children to read print but to write in cursive with no detriment to the child.

There are many fun ways to learn cursive too.

Sand Tray - Using a tray of sand or oatmeal with a pinch of cinnamon is a fun way to practice letters. It engages sight, smell, and touch.

Painting -Writing with a paint brush and water on the side of the house. Make the letters and swoops really large to get the movement into the shoulder muscles.

Rainbow writing - using highlighters to trace cursive letters or words.

So we do need to have a signature, this means we must learn to write in cursive. Writing in print is actually becoming old fashioned as we use computers to compose, complete application, and send mail.

Cursive is a necessary art form. Young children want to learn how to write in cursive, it is mysterious and very grown up. If you wait until 3rd or 4th grade it could be too late!

Seeing the REAL Child

2013-07-14T18:20:00.001-04:00

When I was growing up, I faced situations where I was unsure how to behave or act. I questioned how to be a friend to someone or make a good impression. Being a child of the 1960s and 70s, my parents would say, "Just be yourself."

I would think, "Just who is myself?"

There was the IDEAL me. The one that longed to live up to the expectations of parents, relatives, teachers, and friends. She was a good girl, kind, helpful, diligent, and considerate.

There was the SECRET me. The one I wanted to be; popular, funny, pretty, talented, and one who always knew the right thing to say.

But who was the REAL me? I am learning that children, like seeds, contain all their potential at birth. Well intentioned adults put their expectations on the children they love. Educators put expectations on the children in their care. Often this confuses the child. Am I me or am I someone's idea of me?

As an educator, I am rethinking how I respond to children. Children learn naturally. I do not want to get in the way of the developing potential of the child. If I am the REAL me and respond the the REAL child, then I must give the child space and time to make connections with the world around him or her.

I guess the REAL me must live up to my own potential and my own expectations. We must all be free to decide who the REAL person inside of us is.

Our experiences are what feeds our potential. Do you know the REAL you?

Video for Star Spangled Skewerw

2013-07-02T11:00:00.000-04:00

Here is the link to the video for Star Spangled Skewers:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aArgU6vUZ8g&feature=em-share_video_user

You can cut and paste the address into your browser.

Thanks to David, Buddy and my young helpers for this one. I am going to get better at the video thing....give me a little time.

Enjoy!

Peach Cobbler recipe and videos

2013-07-01T15:38:00.000-04:00

Okay, so today I spent the day trying to capture a peach cobbler recipe and some kitchen tips for working with children in a video to put on my new YouTube channel, Help From Debbie.

Haha, I have been working on it for 5 hours now. I am not able to put all the videos together in one smooth shot...so there are 5!

The cobbler is delicious and here is the recipe.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Ingredients:
Fresh peaches
1 C. brown sugar, plus 2 tablespoons
Cinnamon
1 C flour
1/3 C melted butter
1/2 C milk
1 egg
lemon zest

Wash, peel and cut peaches into chunks, place in buttered 8x8 inch pan (I use a cast iron skillet).
Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of brown sugar and cinnamon.
Combine other ingredients in a bowl, mix till smooth.
Pour over peaches.
Bake for 55 - 60 minutes.
Serve with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream or a dash of heavy cream.

If you would like to watch the videos, my youtube channel is
http://www.youtube.com/user/HelpFromDebbie/videos

They are labeled peach cobbler 1 - 5.

Star Spangled Skewers

2013-06-28T17:37:00.001-04:00

This is a great cooking activity to celebrate the Fourth of July. And it’s healthy!

Before you begin any cooking project, here are a few tips:

Cover your kitchen table with a plastic table cloth, this makes for easy clean up.

Put a kitchen towel out for each child. This defines their workspace.

Have a roll of paper towels ready to use if needed.

Have all of your materials, ingredients, utensils, cutting boards, etc. ready to go.

I call these “Star Spangled Skewers”.

Most important is the preparation of the child.

Everyone has an apron, and everyone washed their hands.

For this recipe you need

12 inch skewers

Blueberries, strawberries, bananas

Mini marshmallows

Wash and dry the berries.

Cut the tops off of the strawberries and then cut each one in half.

Cut the bananas.

Children can help with the cutting. Use plastic knives. I like to cut down one side of the banana to make it more stable on the cutting board. Make small cuts in the banana where you want the child to cut through. Show the child how to hold the fruit on the cutting board with one hand and press with the knife until it goes all the way through to the board.

Have a bowl on the table for garbage. Thanks to Rachael Ray for that.

Now we assemble.

Seven of the skewers need to have the strawberries and bananas alternated so there are 13 pieces of fruit on each one, start and end with a strawberry.

The other five skewers need to have strawberry, banana, strawberry, banana, strawberry

Then finish with alternating the blueberries and marshmallows.

To display use a flat board like a cutting board and arrange the skewers to look like the American Flag.

Everyone who cooks can help clean up.

So assign jobs.

Shaun will you please take the cutting boards to the sink, one at a time.

Lily will you carefully dump the contents of the garbage bowl into the trash?

Ava will you collect the towels and bring them to the washer?

I will collect the knives and the table cloth. Wrap all the table mess in the plastic table cloth and clean up is easy!

These Star Spangled Skewers are fun to make, but they are even more fun to eat!!!

We will soon put a video up of this segment, check back to see the fun!

YouTube

2013-06-27T19:06:00.003-04:00

I have started a YouTube channel! I just put up a test video. I will be shooting a cooking video with some of my nieces and nephews tomorrow. When it is up, I will let you know. We will be making Star Spangled Skewers!!

Kindly take a look and check out Ziggy the day after we got him.
http://www.youtube.com/user/HelpFromDebbie/videos

This one's for you, Dad. - CAMP!

2013-06-25T10:19:00.002-04:00

Camp!!!!

Camp is a great way to spend the summer. To be honest, I believe that some unscheduled time is vital for children to develop their own interests, learn to entertain themselves (not with screen time), and learn to be who they are.

But 12 weeks of unscheduled time is a lot for a child. It is said that students tend to forget about 40% of what is learned in school during the summer months. This means teachers cannot just dive in with new and unexplored curriculum. Time must be spent REVIEWING! No fun for anyone.

Camp is a good way to continue learning and exploring in a supervised manner.

There are many types of camps.

In every community there are camps that specialize in activities. This is a good way for a child to explore something they have an interest in whether it be a particular sport or a visual or performing art. Lego camps have become very popular. The key is that it is something that interests the child. The child should be part of the decision making process when it comes to choosing a camp.

Day camps can provide a variety of activities too. There are camps that give children sports, arts, games, and nature activities throughout the day. These are great camps for children who have a wide field of interest.

Sleep Away Camps are great for older children. Children who choose a sleep away camp should have experience staying overnight at the houses of friends or relatives. The first experience should be for a short amount of time, whether it is a week or two. You can increase the duration if your child has a positive experience. I would not send a child who is under the age of 10.

All camps should have the following:
Experienced and qualified staff members
Clean and comfortable facilities
A planned schedule of activities
Staff certified in first aid and CPR

I highly recommend students attending camps. It helps students grow, it leads to self confidence and self discovery, and it can be the source of wonderful memories.

2013-06-13T15:51:00.001-04:00

No Math For Me

It is often challenging for parents to get their children to practice academics over the summer. The truth is, children forget about 50% of what they learned the previous year during summer vacation. Teachers spend 4-6 weeks reviewing information that the students knew last year. Seems like a faulty plan. (That's why I am for year round school.)

So I have a new blog at http://nomathforme.blogspot.com, please take a look. It is a fun way for elementary students to read and practice math a little bit. I will add to the blog every day or two. Students can send me their answers in the comment section.

I will include the name of the first responder with the correct answer in the next episode. So send the blog to students, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends. Let's see where the No Math For Me adventures take us!

What's the Rush?

2013-04-21T18:28:00.002-04:00

I haven't written a post in a while due to the fact that I am working on my Master's Degree! A little late but I am determined to get it done. Which brings me to this blog...What's the rush?

I have always considered myself a late bloomer. I didn't find my career until I was in my 30's, I didn't get married until that decade either. There are a lot of things I did not do until I was past the average age for many things. I even wrote a play called "Confessions of a Late Bloomer", but that is a story for another day.

I am so surprised when parents say to me, "My child is growing up too fast." When I observe the "child" in question (and there are many, this is not a blog about any specific child), I notice the child has pierced ears, fingernail polish, a facebook account, an i phone, wears extremely short shorts and revealing tops. These are children who are not even in double digits yet. For boys it's more about the language they use. They begin calling each other "Dude", using phrases such as "Wasssup?", talking about violent video games, and TV shows that even though animated are clearly filled with adult content.

So, if we don't want our children to miss out on their childhood, don't start providing items and opportunities that they can work towards. Many philosophers say that play is the highest form of expression in childhood. Yet I see children who are bored on the playground because they are so used to being the passive participant in entertainment. Childhood is a time when children should be out doors, exploring nature, growing gardens, flying kites, hiking, swimming, skating, sledding. Children should be actively engaged in childhood.

It does go by in the blink of an eye, so why allow a child to do more grown up things? It doesn't hurt to say:
You can have that when you are 15.
You can watch 30 minutes of TV, after you ...(play outside, ride your bike, do an art project, build with legos, play with friends, walk the dog, do your homework, do your chores).
As your parents, we think you are too young for that.
It doesn't matter to me what your friends have, wear, do...as your parents we will make decisions that are in your best interest.
Thank you for your input, I understand what you want, what I want is for you to have a childhood that is filled with wonderful memories and magical experiences, so we can save that experience for a later date, now let's bake cookies.

As parents you have the controls, you can make childhood last a little longer. It is not something you get to have back. It is a gift your child will thank you for....later.

What to do when someone you love has ADHD

2013-02-23T18:18:00.001-05:00

I have worked with many students and families who have heard the diagnosis of ADHD. As a classroom teacher, I do not feel comfortable telling parents which route they should take with their child as each situation is different. But if I could give advice to someone I love, I would say:

Take a deep breath. This is a journey, there are no quick fixes. Take another deep breath, this will not ruin your child's life or impede your child from becoming a self sufficient, functioning, responsible adult. As a matter of fact there are many successful adults with ADHD, we just call it ambition, creative thinking, and energy.

As a parent, your job is to raise a child who can be a functioning member of society. Although your heart is breaking for your child's situation, you have a job to do. Be honest with the professionals in your child's life. Don't be afraid of your child being "labeled" The label of ADHD is better than the label of naughty, unruly, and discipline problem.

If your child had diabetes, or needed glasses you would certainly get your child the help she needs. It is the same with ADHD, Your child has an interference with normal focus. It is like watching TV in the 1950's. There are some channels that are fuzzy and full of static. That is what your child's brain is like. The ability to tune in clearly is not there. Another example would be the Charlie Brown TV specials. The adults talk "Whaa, waa, waa," that is what your child hears. She cannot adjust the controls in her brain to make the message clear.

Take a deep breath. Your child is unique. Love your child. Then get your child what she needs to be able to focus, to control impulsivity, and to be successful.

As a teacher I have not seen cases where natural remedies, diet changes, and behavior modification work consistently. I have seen parents go through these steps on the journey with their child, this only seems to delay the inevitable.

I do recommend medication. It may take awhile to find the right dose and the right brand, but work with your teacher and pediatrician to keep on top of it. Find teachers who have experience and can be supportive. Find a school where the child does not have to sit at a desk for long periods of time, where they teach self reliance and responsibility, and where children are allowed to socialize and move about within limits.

Find a school and stick with it. Taking a child from school to school is a disadvantage. Each time you move the child they need to reestablish relationships and adapt to new rules. Not easy for an ADHD child.

A child with ADHD needs freedom within limits. The boundaries must be clearly defined and consistently enforced. The child who is allowed freedom within these boundaries with the help of the right medication, the right school and the love of a strong parent will thrive.

Take a deep breath, love your child, then help her cope with this challenge. Be grateful for the joy this child brings to your life.