Wendy Says

Season’s greetings, teachers! Before this month is over, you will have finished the first semester of your school year. Each day has been filled with its own agenda, and now the holiday season is here in full force. Due to the cultural diversity in the classroom, new challenges have been presented to you on how to talk about them.

In front of many stores are the Salvation Army Santas, and inside places of business, you will find collection boxes for everything from food and toys to hygiene items. We are in the midst of the “giving” season, and what could be more rewarding than to do something for someone else? No matter what anyone’s circumstances are, it is possible to perform an act of service for another individual. The gift of self is a powerful thing, and this is a wonderful time to demonstrate the power of this principle.

What kinds of things constitute the gift of self? There are many gifts that do not require any monetary investment but rather, your time. It is so important for children to learn that they have the capability to make others happy by lending a helping hand, whether that be raking leaves, carrying a newspaper up to the door, or just being friendly with a cheery smile and a wave of the hand. I think we have all noticed that in general, people are kinder and more tolerant of one another at this time of year. What more valuable lesson could be taught than by pointing out to them that we could do this on a daily basis?

Let us all ask this question of ourselves and to our students, “Have I done anything nice today?” You might just start a revolution of “niceness” without ever knowing it, and those simple acts could change your world!

THE GRATITUDE CHALLENGE

Happy fall season, teachers! Besides me, has anyone noticed that the end of the year is almost here? Now is the time when we hit the ground running as fast as we can so that we will be prepared for the upcoming holidays. We look forward to creating some great memories with friends and family, but can we do everything that is expected of us and keep our sanity? The good news is that we can!

For those of you who manage to check out Facebook once in a while, there has been a game going around, referred to as the Gratitude Challenge. For a period of 5-7 days, you are asked to post three things each day for which you are grateful. At first, it seems a little silly, but by Day 3, you find yourself thinking harder about those things you appreciate in life. Come the end of the allotted time, you realize that there is much to be grateful for, and those things take precedence over all else. 

What this little exercise accomplishes is that it encourages us to think about what’s positive in our lives. The unexpected benefit is that it frees us from much of the negative pressure that surrounds us, and we feel better able to handle the stress of each day, thereby allowing us to be more productive. Who can’t do with a little less stress?

Have you ever thought about doing a Gratitude Challenge in the classroom? I know it is a common practice for many teachers to have their students keep a daily journal, and it would be very simple to have them write down three things (or even one) each day for which they are grateful. Do this the week prior to the Thanksgiving break, and encourage them to share their lists with their families. You could even take it a step further and invite them to share their experiences when they return to school. 

Let’s make it a personal goal to play our own Gratitude Game so that we can enjoy the things we have, as well as do, in our lives. The positive feelings will spill over into all facets of our goings-on, and we will be able to conquer the stress monsters that would rob us of our joy. We can do this!

It’s about that time of the year, when elementary students begin asking about Valentine’s Day parties and older students start whispering about their latest Valentine loves. Have you heard it yet? Sure, exchanging cards and small gifts (and of course candy) is fun, but this year why not opt for a less tangible and more meaningful show of love in your classroom?

Who needs calorie-laden chocolate or sticky candy when you can show students how much you care—and how to show it themselves—in quality learning activities. And really, they may not even know they’re learning! Here are some ideas for you to get started:

Educational Game Day
What kid doesn’t love to play games? Take a break from the monotony of teaching and host an educational game day. Students can choose from a variety of math or reading games that you already have in your classroom, or bring their own. Some excellent—and even unexpected—educational choices include Monopoly, Life, Jenga, Sequence, Scrabble, Blokus, Battleship, and so many more!

The Language of Love
What better way to show love than a sonnet or poem? Teach the basics, then have your students write poems to one another. Don’t worry so much about rules and perfection; simply getting their ideas down on paper is enough for a quick writing activity.

History of Love
Yes, love does have a role in history. Research the role of marriage in society, from cultural perspectives to modern rituals and traditions to arranged marriages. How might have history been altered if Marie Antoinette wasn’t forced to marry a man she never met, the future King Louis XVI? Discussions are likely to raise questions and offer more opportunity for research, and give students insights into how times have changed over the years.

How Does the Heart Work?
Forget about love and embark on a discussion about how the heart—literally. How does our circulatory system work? What is the biology behind the body? Use the thematic tie-in but take it in a totally different direction.

Chemistry of Cooking
If you have access to a kitchen in your school, give a lesson on chemistry—the chemistry of cooking. Simple cooking lessons allow you to teach the properties of matter and chemical reactions, and your class will have a nice Valentine’s Day treat when you’re done.

The Cost of Dating
Do you teach older students who are potentially looking to take someone on a date? Do they know the cost of a date? Do some real-life math with functional text such as menus, art center programs, etc. Have students plan their ideal Valentine’s date and calculate the real cost, including tax, tip, and incidentals.

As a teacher, Valentine’s Day always seems like a wasted day. Too much time spent on love notes and silly crafts (not to mention the sugar-laced treats that are sure to fill up the classroom!) can really put a damper on learning opportunities. Show your students some love this Valentine’s Day and find new ways to celebrate the holiday. What are some ways you’ve found to incorporate learning into your holiday?

The links I’ve provided here are just a small sampling of the thousands of learning opportunities found on the Internet. Spend some time exploring ideas, and please share what you find!