Originally posted on June 7, 2012

Wow!  Time flies when you’re having fun…or cleaning house…or taking care of things that you’ve let slide during the final weeks of school.  It’s hard to believe that my first week of summer break ends tomorrow.  Based on my methodical calculations, that leaves eight more weeks of summer to rest, reflect, relax, read, and any other R word that sounds good….

However, I’m typing this from an office at my church as I fill in for our church secretary while she’s on vacation.  It has made me think about “hats” that we wear.  Not real hats…with my “fluffy/frizzy” hair…hats aren’t my thing, but the hats or responsibilities which we take on.

My blue hat…that would be the hat of a teacher.  Now, even though I’m on summer break, I’ve worn this hat a few times this week.  I’ve organized the “teacher stuff” I brought home to work on.  I tore apart question cards of a game I can use for review next year.  I’ve gathered up postcards and mailing labels to send notes to my “new crop” of kids.  I’ve rescheduled my plans next week to support my students who have to take the I-Read test again.  Yes, even though it’s summer break, my BLUE hat isn’t far from me.

Then….there’s my old hat…the hat associated with my family.  Looking at these past couple of weeks, I’ve worn my sister hat to sing at my oldest sister’s renewal of vows’ ceremony.  I donned my daughter hat when I’ve spent time with my parents.  I’ve enjoyed my aunt hat as I’ve shared time with Connor or cheered him on at a ballgame.  In fact, today, I’ll be heading out at 2:00 to pick him up from basketball conditioning and staying at their house tonight to allow him to sleep in (which means…I sleep later too, at least in theory).  My OLD hat stays with me, though its look differs from day to day.

I can’t forget my pink hat which goes with Lacie, my little sister.  As I look at my calendar, I see our BBBS anniversary approaching.  On June 23rd, we will have been Big & Little Sisters for 2 years.  I’m supposed to pick her up as soon as I post this writing.  Today, we have lunch plans and then another adventure in the putt-putt arena.  I’m sure I’ll lose again, but oh well….  Yes, my pink hat even prompted me to add a few pink petunias in my newly planted flower garden (Thanks, Mom, Dad, & Connor…the best landscaping crew in town.).  I’m sure she’ll smile when she sees the pink at the beginning and end of my row of flowers.  Yes, pink may be far from my favorite color, but I do enjoy my PINK hat.

Today, I’m wearing my khaki hat.  Why did I pick khaki you may wonder?  Good question.  Khaki goes with everything.  It’s the hat that allows me to “become” what I need to become to help others out.  Right now, I’m sitting in as the church secretary.  Is this something I do often?  Nope.  I probably sub two or three times a year, but I know it alleviates a need and allows me to serve.    Well, my khaki hat comes off soon, so I better finish this post quickly.

Finally, I have my red hat.  Red is the color of the blood of Jesus…so my red hat is my hat as a Christian.  This hat, I try to wear at all times, and I am easily convicted when I forget to wear it.  I often wonder if the love of Christ shines through my actions and words.  That is my daily goal…to wear the red hat so truly that when people see me, they see Him shining through.

Well, my purple hat and I are heading out of here to go grab my pink hat and in a bit my old hat.  Huh?  My purple hat…it’s just me.  My personality, my abilities, my joys, and my sorrows…my purple hat is who I am.  We’re off to pick up my “Little Sister” for lunch.  Then, my red hat will bring me back for a VBS chat with our children’s minister before heading out in my old hat to pick up my nephew.

New hat?  Hmmm…wonder what new adventures God has in store?  I guess my “newest” hat would be that of a blogger….I wonder how long it’ll fit?

Have a blessed day, and whatever hat you’re wearing…wear it with a smile and for His glory.

Originally posted on Miss P’s Pondering on June 1, 2012.

I had lots of thoughts about what I should write today. Some of those ideas came from packing up my classroom and battling the “dust monsters” (Way too big to be dust bunnies!). A few of the ideas came from my favorite four-legged friend, Jasper, and his joy in me coming home “early” today. However, the topic I picked came from a short conversation at small group…. This discussion came from the “voices in my head”…. I honestly don’t know how it started…but somehow….during a time of us sharing concerns with which we wanted prayer. Oh, I know…I mentioned VBS…which led to my love of storytelling…which led to the “voices” I use when reading or telling stories.

A couple of the people in our small group (Andy & Martin) seemed to be new to hearing my voices, and they seemed to get quite a chuckle. Now, for those of you who don’t know me, let me take you back to the beginning. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” Oops, I didn’t mean that beginning. At 5:15a.m. on July 8, 1970, a little girl was born to Jerry & Sharon Pflaumer. Oops! That’s the wrong beginning again. Back in 1984 (I think), my sister started dating a guy on the MHS basketball team, so I inherited her babysitting gig. For whom did I babysit? The four daughters of the Varsity basketball coach.

Gary and Ruth went to our church, and Ruth was a stay-at-home mom. So, the only times she was away from the littlest daughter was during morning worship and basketball games. Let’s just say that Kylie greeted me with crocodile tears and screams as Ruth would head out to the game. So, I developed a routine. I would immediately take her back to check her diaper. As she lay on the changing table still screaming, I created noises and voices. I would keep at it until the screams and tears became a smile…and sometimes even laughter. Ahhh, a new talent was created…thanks to the love of a child for her mother.

Over the years, those noises and voices have come in quite handy. Whether it’s teaching my third graders, leading DiscipleTown, storytelling at children’s ministry events, or manning a puppet or two…those “voices in my head” have been polished and used. As each school year passes, Mary and I read a lot of the same “read aloud” books to our classes. Mary laughs as a lot of the book characters have the “same voice” year after year. “Mrs. Jewels” in “Wayside School” always has an English accent. “Mrs. Gorf” from “Wayside School” has the same voice as “Grandma” from “George’s Marvelous Medicine.”

Funnier still is the fact that my students begin to ask for “other people” to teach math. There were many afternoons when someone would ask, “Can Mrs. Jewels teach us math today?” These voices come in handy. A friend of mine from school and church has two daughters and a son. His son would never talk to me more than a word or two when he was little. Then, one Easter, the church had an Easter Egg hunt where age groups would rotate through stations. I was the “storyteller”. So, I came in as “Farmer Fran” and used the Resurrection Eggs to share the gospel with each group. That day, Evan talked my ear off. He didn’t see me as “Miss Jodi” the teacher…or the adult…he saw and welcomed me as “Farmer Fran” the lady who talked funny and talked about colorful eggs.

However, there’s a more important Voice for me to share, and that would be the Holy Spirit. In fact, the chapter we discussed tonight in small group talked about how we live/think/speak according to the flesh or according to the Spirit. When we live according to the voice of our flesh, then our default setting is “all about me”. According to Romans 8:5-8, living according to the flesh (or the world) is death. This mindset is hostile to God and is unable to submit to God’s law.

Lots of “good people” do lots of “good things” without being “good” in God’s eyes because it is not for His glory. However, when we live according to the Spirit, we are led to life and peace. As a Christian, I have peace in knowing that “there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”

What a gift of grace! Yes, God has given me the unique ability to develop voices and characters. He can use this talent to teach His children and to bring Him glory. But…these “voices” are nothing absolutely nothing when compared to the Voice that called me to be His child. The Voice who made me His own. The Voice that I hope will say, “Well done by good and faithful servant.” Until then…I’ll use the “voices” for His glory…and the entertainment of my elementary students not to mention my small group.

Originally posted on Miss P’s Pondering on May 31, 2012

I’m starting this post at 7:05a.m. on the last day of this school year…at least the last student day.  I must confess I have a whole array of thoughts and feelings going into the day.  First, I look at my classroom and see all the “stuff” I still want to pack away and organize before 11:30 a.m. tomorrow when my “official” 16th years concludes.  Then, I see all the “junk” on my tables which will soon be considered treasures and souvenirs to the 3rd grader who picks it when I pull his/her ticket.  Next, I see the memory/autograph books on the students’ desks awaiting their thoughts…and a bit of me dreads the 15-20 minutes when 100 third graders will be trying to get all their friends and the four teachers to sign their book.  I also think about which tasks I can save for my nephew and his sidekick, Robby, to take care of when they come to my room this afternoon.  I wonder if my cadet teacher will come over today and plan out what tasks I can have her take care of.  To be honest, with all those thoughts running through my head, it gets a bit overwhelming.

Yet, then I think of the 24 kiddos who will be entering my classroom in 30 minutes, and I get a little choked up.  Yes, I have a few “challenges” in this crop of kids, but…even my challenges are cherished.  I’ll miss these little ones God placed in my charge this year.  I hope that wherever the path leads them next fall…that their memories of this year will make them smile…that the learning from this year will be permanent…and the improvements they’ve made will only grow greater. Yes, I look at today with the excitement of the last day of school, the joy of seeing what has transpired in the past 179 student days, and the sadness of saying “good-bye”.   Well, it hasn’t been ten minutes, but I think this round of thoughts will end.  I’ll write more later…when my next “break” presents itself…

Well, it’s 5:20p.m, and I’m heading out in just a few.  I have a sweet little “fourth grader” sweeping my floor while her mom works in her kindergarten room.  Then, I’ll be off to Mom & Dad’s for dinner (favorite childhood meal…salmon patties and macaroni & cheese…Yes, I am spoiled.)

However, now I look at my classroom…without any students.  Desks stacked by 2s in the middle of the room…library packed away to force me to reorganize my books before August 3rd…pics of next year’s third graders are in my rolling crate to be posted in my home office to help me learn names & faces before I meet them in person  Yes, my 16th year is almost over…only a half-day in my classroom tomorrow…and I’m already contemplating year 17.  Some teacher texts and books are already home for me to “reorganize” and contemplate next year’s instruction.  Yes, I love my career…I love the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children…

BUT….

I’m also looking forward to sleeping in until 6:30….
Walking in the mornings to welcome the day God has given…
Reading books as long as I want without fretting over papers to grade…
Eating lunch for longer than 20 minutes each day, if the opportunity presents itself…

AND…

Thanking God for all the blessings He gave me this year….

Thomas, Jadyn, Ethan, Emily, Cameron, Natalie, Layken, Destiny, Bailey, Keith, Tyler, Joey, Chance, Jordan, Autumn, Zola, Miles, Lacy, Austin, Corrisa, Mark, Brady, Billy, Alicia, Zach, Jessica, Chelsea, & Hunter. 

May He watch their steps, guide their journey, and bless them & their families in more ways than I can imagine.

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 30, 2012

After 16 years of teaching, I still get anxious when a field trip is approaching.  I dream about various bizarre things leading up to the big day, and the night before…I don’t sleep well at all.  The “field trip woes” hit me last night causing me to wake at midnight thinking it was time to go to school.  I went back to sleep until 4 when I woke and contemplated heading to school.  However, I stayed in bed until the alarm went off at 5 and was at school a bit after 6. 

An e-mail from a parent who had some health issues last night waited on me, and I prayed that she’d wake today feeling up to the trip.  (Woohoo!  She was!)  Then, I finished organizing…and rethinking my day…and praying for my students and the adults “taking care of them” today. 

At 7:45, 23 excited students entered my room with my 24th absent.  Thankfully, 11 adults also arrived with my final two showing up in the minutes preceding our departure.  We were off!  Heading to the Louisville Zoo to observe and reflect on how plant life is foundational to animal life.  With scavenger hunt in hand, my 23 students went off into six groups manned by at least two chaperones.  And me?  I experienced my first field trip without students in my direct eye of supervision. 

For those of you who don’t me, I like being “in control” of the situations I experience, so this was a test for me.  However, as I saw my six groups throughout the visit enjoying the day, looking for answers, and excitedly sharing about the animals antics…a peace overwhelmed me.  The anxiety had passed…even as I waited for the six groups to make their way to the entrance.

Guess what?  All 23 students returned and after 3 were signed out from the zoo…the other 20 and I loaded the bus for home.

As I sat there, I thought of all my “Field Trip Thanksgiving” moments…

• Thank you for the teacher who spent hours organizing and planning the trip, so I wouldn’t have to do anything other than collect money and organize my classroom’s experience.
• Thank you for the 13 adults who not only gave up their day but also jumped through the hoop of the “limited criminal history check” to ensure they could supervise more than just their own child.
• Thank you for AC on buses!  What a “cool” idea!
• Thank you for cafeteria ladies who come early to make sack lunches.
• Thank you for the bus drivers who adjust AC temps and radio stations as requested.
• Thank you for friends who packed me a great lunch including 2 Diet Dr. Peppers.
• Thank you for an ice cold beverage after a warm trip.
• Thank you for safety.

Well, I could write more, but I have a third grade dinner to get to.  Blessings to all…and to all a good night.

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 28, 2012

     Okay, I know today’s title is an oxymoron, but it’s the best title I could come up with for the thoughts that have gone through my head concerning today’s writing.  First, for those of you who take the time to read my ponderings, “thank you” and please forgive me for not being as consistent as I had been previously.  I figured that the last couple weeks of school would find me not writing as much, but I hope to write a bit this week…and start back with more consistency next week.

     So, what is this unfocused focus of which I write?  I’m glad you asked.  It’s actually twofold…my goal for the weekend and the thoughts in my head.

     I’ll begin with the goal of my weekend, which was to complete my “end-of-year books” and to clean/organize a large percentage of my classroom, so the final “half-day” for teachers on Friday would actually be a half-day for me too.  So, on Saturday, after eating breakfast with my sister and nephew at 7:00a.m. at Bob Evan’s, I ventured out to room 302.  The AC is off on the weekend, and the temps were in the 90s, but it didn’t get too terribly humid in my classroom.  For this I was thankful.  When I left at 3:30, I was glad to have my 25 end-of-year books finished as well as entering grades and posting them.  Woohoo!  Yes, we’ll still have class tomorrow, but I don’t believe my students’ focus will be of the degree worth taking an assessment score.  Along the way I laminated some things, packed away some books, organized field trip assignments, worked on the textbook inventory, and…whatever else happened into my path.  You see, I was unfocused but my focus for the day was accomplished.

     As I worked on my books, I thought back over the year.  I saw some writing samples which really went well and I thought, “I need to make sure I include that in my lessons again next year.”  Alas, I also was reminded of a few things that didn’t go as well, so I made a mental note to delete the activity from next year’s instruction.  Finally, there were those lesson, units, activities which I thought, “That went really well, but I think thus-and-such would make it better.”  So, as I was focused on my tasks, I also reflected on the journey and looked ahead to the adventure awaiting in 2012-2013.

     Today, I had a new goal.  Today’s goal was clean, organize, reflect, and repeat.  Again, I began with breakfast, after all it is the most important meal of the day.  Today, I joined my parents rather than my sister, and I was in 302 by 9:00 a.m. without a Polar Pop!  (For those who know me, you know that this was quite a feat!)  As I meandered through the classroom…my thoughts spent time pondering 16 years in third grade.  I took down my class photographs (Umm, I’m missing my first two years?  That did not make me a happy teacher.  I guess I need to find someone with a yearbook to scan.)  As I looked at the children who have passed through my doorway (whether it was 606, 604, or 302), I was flooded with lots of thoughts and feelings…

     First, from my first year, I thought of the boy who caused me to spend ample time with Wes (our school counselor) and Cathy (who taught next door).  That same boy…returned to visit me a few years ago before going into the military and told me that I had been his favorite teacher.  (Really??  I was utterly amazed!)  I also thought of the girl who came to school often without her hair brushed, so I bought her a “purple hairbrush”.  She knew she could take it up to the nurse on any day her dad forgot to brush her hair.  I’ve run into her a few times around town, and the purple hairbrush always comes into the conversation.  You just never know what’s going to be the “thing” they remember.

     Then, a few years later, I saw the grandson of two of the couples who attend church with me.  I thought back to Parent Night that year and how the mom had come up and given me a hug telling me that I had been an answer to the prayers she had lifted all summer.  (Really?  That’s pretty cool and quite encouraging to hear.)

     Next, I saw Daniel..a lively blond boy who had enough energy for the world.  Tears came to my eyes as I remembered that he was my first experience with a former student passing away.  My heart still hurts when I remember his accident and later death.  He stays a third grader in my memory though he was older when his life ended.

   Then, I saw the class I had, who are now ending their freshman year, and the soccer team which were all placed in my classroom together.  That prompted me to think of a conversation I shared with two previous students who attend my church.  I was taking them home from VBS two years ago after we had finished serving for the day.  As we drove, the sister (who was in my class two years later) shared how she had gotten out her “end-of-year” book and went through it.  She told me she started crying as she remembered how much she loved being in my class.  Her brother said, “Yeah, but we thought you were pretty uptight.” (Really?  I reminded him that with a ball team all in one room, I pretty much had to be if we were going to accomplish anything.)

     Then, I saw the class who are now 8th graders, and I remembered how skilled my student teacher was that year.  What a blessing she was to our class!  As I looked through those students, I saw the little girl who would sometimes get so anxiety-filled that she couldn’t move forward.  What’s a public school teacher to do?  Well, I taught her when things get to us, we need to learn to shake them off.  There were plenty of times when she and I would simultaneously start shaking uncontrollably at the end of our chats until one or both of us started laughing.  All the while I shook, I would say a prayer for her heart to calm and her peace to restore.

          I could write and write and write, as you can see, but I need to jump to this year.  I think of the two chatty boys in my language class who gave me a half-dozen hugs before leaving my room on Friday.  I see the five students who have moved away during the course of the year…one moved just last weekend.  I think of the 25 lively students who are eager for the “give-away” to begin, excited for the field trip on Wednesday, and anxious about what fourth grade will be like.  I think of how when I was cleaning and organizing…I was also getting excited for what we could do “next year”.  I chuckle at myself for laminating orange and purple paper for next year’s AR airplanes.  I laugh when I see the Really Good Stuff order I placed for Mary and me to use next year.  I’m reminded…yes, this is definitely my calling, or I wouldn’t find joy in cleaning and organizing…I wouldn’t find peace in reflecting over the lives He’s placed in my room.

      Yes, I will continue to teach regardless of whether I agree with the decisions the politicians make, for I am doing what I love and loving what I do.  Well, I may not love all of it (I mean, who really loves grading papers?), but I love the ones He puts in my classroom.  Yes, today, I reflected over the 320+ students who have been called “Miss P’s class”, and I have been reminded of the blessings of the journey.

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 22, 2012

“Faster than a speeding bullet!
More powerful than a locomotive!
Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound!
Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane!”.

The above line is from D.C. Comics and is referring to….Hmmm, let me think.

It’s SUPER-MAN!

Well, I’ve never met a super hero, but a year or so ago…I started telling people they were my “hero of the day”.  What do you have to do to gain this “high honor”?  Well, you don’t have to be faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, or able to jump tall buildings in a single bound.  All you do to gain this title is…”make my day”.  (Hmmm, isn’t that the tag line of a Clint Eastwood character?)

Anyway, I thought I should give some writing time to honor my everyday heroes…people who have been a blessing to me.

First, I must honor today’s three heroes…

The first hero was a kindergarten teacher who willingly shared some rubber cement when my container was empty.

Then, Penny, from the school office, brought me a container of rubber cement to use as well.  You see, it takes a lot to make my picture pages and to prepare my writing samples for the end-of year books.

Finally, my ultimate hero of the day today…was Patches.  She is the mother of one of my sweet girls and she spent the WHOLE day working in my classroom.  She assembled bags for an edible science activity later this week dealing with rocks and minerals.  Then, she made four photo pages for each of my 25 students.  (Yep, you calculated correctly…she made 100 picture pages.)  Then, she began sorting out my student work samples, so I can assemble my end-of-year books at the end of the week.  That’s not all…she’s coming back again tomorrow.  What a wonderful blessing!

Then…we’ll go back to Saturday.  I came in to work in my classroom.  Since I was out of my room on Monday, I needed to organize my classroom lesson plans for a substitute to follow, do some cleaning, and end-of-year organization in my classroom.  I printed the color-coded lesson plans and went over to get them from the printer.  Surprise, surprise!  The door was locked.  What did I do?  I called my principal and explained the situation.  He could’ve just agreed to get the plans for me yesterday and put them in my room.  However, he knows me and my “methodical” personality…so he drove over to the school on a Saturday morning to unlock the door, so I could get my plans and organize my room in “Jodi-fashion”.  Yep, Mr. Watson was my hero of the day on Saturday.

Which brings us back to yesterday… It’s always a bit stressful to be out of the room.  I like knowing what’s going on in my classroom.  However, I had the blessing of having “Mrs. B.” as my sub.  I knew she wouldn’t let the kids get out-of-control, my lesson plans would be followed, and my classroom would be a safe place in my absence.  Yes, she was my “hero of the day” on Monday.

I can go back farther…to when either Marvin or Kevin, our “tech guys”, were my “hero of the day”.  Whether it was fixing a printer that refused to cooperate…changing toner in the color printer so I could print something I needed quickly…or dealing with a contrary computer which was choosing to be uncooperative.

Then, there are my parents who frequently are my “daily hero” as they invite me for dinner after a long day at school, pick up things I leave at home and bring them to me at school, pick up a birthday meal for our grade level teachers when someone picks a place that doesn’t deliver.  Of course, there’s also feeding my “attack cat” when I’m out of town…or taking my garbage out back when I’m leaving and returning home in the dark.  Yes, there are many days my parents are my daily award recipient.

However, there have been plenty of times children have fulfilled the position.  Whether it’s bringing me artwork or a sweet treat, they often do little things to “make my day”.  Sometimes…they get the honor simply by behaving respectfully and allowing us to have a productive and positive day.

Yet, the honor isn’t only pointed at school-related blessings…

There’s my friend who always offers to bring me some chicken corn soup from Empress when I’m home sick with strep throat.

There’s my sister Sherry who gives me a key to her house and tells me to come out anytime there’s a tornado warning, so I won’t be in a house without a safe basement.

Honestly…I could go on…and on….and on. 

But, I can’t end today’s writing without naming the Hero of all heroes. 
The One who loves me so much that He gave His life for me. 
The One who cherishes me so much that He didn’t stay buried in a tomb. 
The One who is preparing a place for me in heaven and will welcome me home when my time here has ended. 

Yes, I love all the heroes I mentioned above, but my greatest devotion and sincerest praise goes to the Lord of lords, the King of kings, the Hero of all heroes. 

Jesus Christ. 

In case you don’t know….He loves you that much too.  Just sayin….

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 17, 2012

   Today, I was thinking about writing on the topic of words, since my feet received a compliment today. (Would I make that up?)

   Then, I thought about writing something on the voices in my head…as in the character voices I use for puppets, read alouds, and occasionally during instruction. 

   But alas, at 11:40, as my students were heading to recess with Mrs. Lichlyter, it became obvious what I should write about.

My Pretty Purple Present

   As I sat at my computer scoring Accelerated Math assignments, two of my boys entered the classroom.  They brought with them a huge piece of purple paper.  Then, with great enthusiasm, they opened the present to show me the paper quilt which they  had created in art class.  The three of us quickly proceeded to the hallway where it was hung with care (and a lot of staples!) for the others in our building to enjoy.

   Obviously, this isn’t the first time I’ve received artwork from a student.  Throughout the 16 years I’ve taught third grade, I’ve received countless offerings of artwork.  If you combine that with my Little Sister’s contribution and my church kids’ presents, I could honestly open a Miss Pflaumer Art Museum.  However, if I can be frank, I think this piece of art work surpasses them all.  Why?  I’m glad you asked.

   First, it’s on a big sheet of purple paper.  I asked the boys, “Did Mrs. Lichlyter pick the paper?”  To which they adamantly exclaimed, “No, we told her it had to be purple.”  They know me well. We’ve spent almost 180 days together over the past year…good days, bad days, and all the days in between.

   Then, I looked at the individual pictures.  Lots of squares have a bit or a lot of purple added.  There are purple flowers, which can never make me sneeze.  There’s a cat which will never bite me or scratch me…or creak a door in the middle of the night to awaken me.  There is a classroom where a teacher is telling someone where to turn in his homework, which even after 171 days, I still did…several times today.  There’s a baseball game.  There’s a fat-free monster muffin. 

   As I look at each square, I think of the student who made it.  Yes, it looks like some students took more time and care to create their contribution, but the fact that it’s from all of them makes me smile.  This quilt…there’s just something about it.  If it was a real quilt, I’d take it home and hang it on my quilt rack or lay it on top of my guest bed, but I’m thinking it would simply turn into a huge cat toy if it went home with me.

   I know the reason it means so much to me is because of the students who made it.  Do I have all perfectly behaved children in my room?  Nope.  That won’t happen this side of heaven.  Yet, I will honestly miss these kiddos.  With only 9 days left with this crop of kids, I get a bit misty-eyed thinking about it.  I think back to last year and realize I felt the same way with last year’s crop.  My prayer is that I feel that way about every “crop” until I hang up my “farming tools” and pass my “teaching tractor” to someone younger. 

   For now, I will appreciate each plant in my garden.  Whether it’s the “grapevine” who doesn’t grow in an orderly fashion….the “corn” which didn’t grow as much as I thought it would…or the “watermelon” which far surpassed my expectations.  I love this crop of kiddos, and I will look at my purple present…my paper quilt of affection…and thank God for the 29 students who’ve been a part of room 302. (Note, I never had 29 at one time, but a total of 29 during the course of the year.)  I will do the same with the other 23 students who have joined me in room 302 for language instruction at some point during this academic ride as well.

   My final thought…are a couple verses  He etched on my heart back when He called me to work with children…

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 15, 2012

   I couldn’t decide whether to call today’s writing “Perspective Power” or “Attitude Power”, so since I’m a fan of alliteration…I went with the /p/.  Ha.  Yes, this is how I make “big” decisions.

   I figured this would be the best topic of the day since my day could’ve gone “either way” based on my perspective.  You see, for those of you who are not my “F B Friends”, I awoke with a throbbing headache.  To be honest, even though I took 2 migraine pills before lunch, the headache still lingers.  I’m guessing it’s connected to this lovely spring weather and the allergies that overwhelm me during this season. 

   Then, as I drove to work, I literally could only see several yards to a half-block in front of me.  As I drove here (to work, where I’m writing this), I didn’t even see the school building until I turned into the parking lot.  Honestly, after I pulled into McDonald’s (missed the first entrance due to fog, so I entered through the BP side), I was a bit apprehensive pulling back out onto 56.  I mean, what if a morning driver failed to have his lights on?  I would’ve been…a bit delayed in getting to school.

   Based on those two things, I could’ve started my day venting and griping, but I chose to think, “There’s nowhere to go but up.”  Perspective power…attitude is everything.

   How do you look at things?  I’ve often been asked if I’m a  glass “half-full” or “half-empty” type of person.  I believe I’m generally a “half-full” type of girl, but I’m certain there are days when I fail to see the light and rather focus on the clouds.  What about you?

   If you get pulled over and receive a speeding ticket, would you say…
“I can’t believe I didn’t see that cop; now I have a fine.” 
Or
“I’m glad he stopped me before my speeding caused an accident.”

If your doctor finds something troublesome on test results, do you think…
“Why in the world did I get that test done in the first place?” 
Or
“I’m glad he found that, so he can start treating it before it gets worse.”

When your students disrupt your teaching, forget their homework, and make bad behavior choices, do you wonder…
“Why didn’t I call in sick today?” 
Or 
“I wonder what caused them to have such a bad day?  Maybe I can help make it better.”

   To be honest, even though I consider myself a positive and perky person, I wouldn’t always choose the latter choice.  It all depends on my day.  It depends on my attitude, which perspective I would have.

   However, when people ask me how I am, I generally say “peachy”.  Always?  No.  Today, when a student asked me how I was doing, I told her my head was throbbing. But most days…I choose to be “peachy”.  I figure there are a lot of people who have a lot worse things going on in their lives.  I know people who have lost their jobs, who don’t have enough money to pay their bills, who have serious medical issues…so why should I complain because of a headache and a foggy drive?  It’s all in one’s perspective.

   The other thing, besides a personal choice, that helps me maintain a positive perspective is prayer.  When I get frustrated with a decision that an administrator or the school board has made, I pray for that person.  I pray that their decisions be made in wisdom and that I would have a peace about those decisions.  When I get a “not-so-nice” note from a parent, I pray for their family and for my witness to them.  I ask God to shine through me in my communication, so I don’t get pulled into negativity.  When bad things happen in my journey, I try and thank God for them anyway and acknowledge that even the things that seem bad in “my thinking” will be used for my good and His glory.  Yes, prayer helps me stay positive.

What else helps?  Music and/or meditation.  When frustrations come my way, I meditate on verses engraved on my  heart. 

• “Be still and know that I am God.”  Psalm 46:10a
• “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28    

Or, I begin singing a song either in my heart or aloud…

• “Be Still & Know that He is God” –Steven Curtis Chapman
• “Be Still” –Kari Jobe
• “How Great is Our God” –Chris Tomlin

   Obviously, those aren’t the only verses that I’ll ruminate on or the only songs I sing…but you get the point. 
I can choose how I react to things.  I can pray about difficulties.  I can meditate on His Word.  I can sing His praises. 
Those things…help me choose to be joyful.

Each day, we have a choice to make.  Each hour, we have a choice to make. Each moment, we have a choice to make.

What will you choose?

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 11, 2012

   I know this may surprise you, but sometimes…my students don’t listen.  I have a few perfect examples to share with you that come from today…only today. 

   First, this morning, we were continuing our study of maps and geography concepts.  One of our activities involved creating a rough draft of a map key for lots of different things that may be in an area.  One of those terms was “lagoon”.  Now, the “reading a map key” activity we had just finished hadn’t used “lagoon”, so it made sense to turn that into a teachable moment.  Using a large poster of landforms and bodies of water, I went up and pointed out the lagoon.  We talked about how it was a small pond of water surrounded by sand dunes or some grassy area and generally connected to a larger body of water.  We even suggested a couple possible pictures for their map key.  Then, the students went back to work. 

   Then, all of a sudden, one of my boys said, “Miss P, what’s a lagoon?  It’s not on that other thing.”  My first thought was…”What?”  My second thought was  “consider it all joy”.  So, I went with that thought and with laughter walked him up to the poster to show him the lagoon and told him what it was.  To which another boy said, “She just told us that.  Weren’t you listening?” (Um, I’d vote no.)

   Back to work they went, and we came to the word “oasis”.  This too led to a teachable moment.  We talked about it being an area in the desert where there is water and plant growth.  To which a student said, “But it’s not real, right?”  This led to a discussion about the difference between a mirage and an oasis.  The discussion was great.  The “Ah-Ha” moment was excellent.  The illustration of it being a “little bit of heaven” when you’re in the hot dry desert was remarkable.  So, they refocused on their map key. 

   As I roamed the room monitoring their work, one boy said, “I’m done, Miss P!” He was quite proud of himself.  As I looked, I noticed one symbol was missing.  Can you guess which one?  Yep, OASIS!  I asked, and he responded, “I don’t know what that is.”  The same boy from before said, “She just talked to us about it.”  So, again, I chose joy over frustration and pointed out the oasis and we even suggested some possible symbols.

   OK, E-friends, we’ve only made it to 9:30, and I’ve had two illustrations. 

   So, we begin language arts class, which was shortened due to ISTEP+ and Recess for Life.  As we were earnestly working to finish all that needed to get finished, (spelling test, skill assessment, Mother’s Day writing, weekly vocabulary) I said that we probably would have to move our book talks to Monday and have a “Book Talk Marathon”.  Then, a half-hour later a girl came up (Shwooo, I was beginning to think it was just a ‘boy thing’.) and said, “Do I get to do my Book Talk today?”  To which, I said, “Probably not, you’ll do it Monday.”

   Sometimes, as a teacher, I think it would be handy to record things and have a “replay” button, so I don’t have to repeat myself.  Some days, I tell my students that after I repeat myself once they’ll need to find out elsewhere from someone who was practicing their active listening.  Some incidents, I must confess, cause me to fall into frustration and aggravation rather than joy. 

   Let’s face it, third graders aren’t the only people who need to work on listening skills.  I know there are several times when I’ll be talking to my nephew Connor, and he even makes the “I’m listening” sounds.  Then, as soon as I finish asking him something or giving him a direction, he’ll say, “What did you say?” 

   I’m betting that whether you’re a parent, teacher, or simply a human…you’ve experienced the same thing with children (or adults) not listening to you.  I’m guessing you could think of an example or two right now, if I was there to ask you.

   However, I can’t point fingers, because after all…when I point, three of my fingers are pointing back at me.  I know there are times when I’m “listening” to someone talk and not “hearing” a thing they say.  I know there are times I get so easily distracted that I will alter my position.  For instance, in worship on Sundays, I am not a “back row Baptist”.  My goodness, if I sat in the back row, I wouldn’t hear a thing.  I’d see people getting in their purses, rubbing their spouse’s back, talking to a child, moving their bodies, leaving to go to the restroom…Get it?  I generally sit near the front.  Close enough to focus, but not so close that I have to bend my head back to make eye contact with the pastor.  Then, I take notes in an effort to stay focused.  Does it always work?  Nope.  There are times I have to lean over and quietly ask my neighbor, “What was the third point?”

Listening…hearing…learning…doing.  They all go together don’t they.

   If we don’t listen, we won’t hear what is being said.  If we don’t hear what is being said, then we can’t learn the lesson or gain the knowledge.  If we don’t learn, then how can we apply it and put the lesson into practice? Yes, listening is important.  It’s important in life…in relationships…in our walk with the Lord.

   You know, it seems a lot of times, my prayer life seems more like a monologue than a conversation.  I mean, sometimes it’s difficult when you don’t have a person talking aloud to you.  Let’s face it, if I occassionally struggle listening to someone who’s speaking to me, how much more challenging is it to listen to the One who speaks through His word and to my heart rather than an audible voice.  But, that doesn’t give me an “out” to not try. 

   This leads me back to two blogs I wrote several weeks ago.  They were called “There’s An App for That” and “This, That, or the Other?”  They were from a Spiritual Disciplines conference I attended and shared about praying through Scripture and meditating on His Word.  I’ve found that using those two strategies also helps to turn my monologue into a conversation.  My words are obviously me talking to Him, but when I read the Psalm or meditate on it, He is talking to me. 

Give it a try.  Learn to listen.  The Lord of lords is most definitely worth the effort.

       

Originally posted on Miss P’s Ponderings on May 10, 2012

   At lunch today, as I sat waiting for the other 3rd grade teachers to arrive in my room, I was pondering what in the world I would write today.  Nothing had really grabbed my attention.  No analogy had manifested itself in my mind. “Hmmm….maybe I won’t have anything to say today?” I thought.

  However, I owed my students a recess which we should’ve had yesterday afternoon.  Yesterday, with the Star Reading Test, a math lesson, checking morning work & two days of computation problems, and finishing a Rock N Read book…which meant taking a quiz…we simply ran out of time.  So, I wrote an “I O U” on the chalkboard.  I told my kiddos this morning if things went as planned, we’d have our recess today.

   So, opting out of computer time (we are on testing overload), we checked our morning work & computation and had today’s math lesson.  Then, we silently lined up to head outside.  (Yes, I was surprised by the silent part, too.)  I told the students the quicker they finished the restroom break the longer our time would be since we had to be back in the room by 2; three of my students are scheduled somewhere else from 2-2:30.  So, we were off.

   We arrived at our large playground…and it was only my class.  Actually, it was my class minus four students who were absent and one who went home sick.  So, there were only 20 of us.  They ran to the various playground items.  Some were on the swings.  Some were just running.  Others were merely “hanging out”.  Then, I saw two of my boys shooting baskets; one used a soccer ball and the other a basketball.  I stood and chatted with them.  They both gave me their ball to try and shoot. (Note the word “try”.)  They chuckled when I missed, and I assured them Connor (my nephew) reacts the same way. 

   After I shot the first ball, the two boys had grown to six.  It seems four boys who were elsewhere decided watching my shooting skills was pretty funny.  Within minutes, all six boys were wanting me to “watch this”.  They were giving me turns shooting.  Then, shocker of all shockers, they were amazed when a shot went through the hoop.  “Wow, Miss P!  Nice shot,” one exclaimed. 

   Among these six boys gathered was a student who, at times, is left out by others and a boy who is unable to run or jump like the others.  Yet, the six boys and I enjoyed our time together. We were unified in our purpose…that purpose enjoying the beautiful weather during our short recess.  They’d yell for the left-out boy to throw them the ball.  They’d include the other in conversations.    When another hit a pretty amazing shot, we all celebrated.  We were a “family”, accepting each other, encouraging each other, celebrating with each other. 

   I thoroughly enjoyed those 15 minutes of recess, which is quite funny since I’m allergic to most things outside.  Actually, as we were talking and attempting to shoot baskets, I told the boys, “I must really love you because I’m going to have a sore throat and itchy eyes later.”  I don’t think they understood that, but oh well.

   As I stood there, I thought about how quickly those other four boys left what they were doing to come and spend time with us.  I pondered how the first two boys started laughing and smiling and enjoying the conversation.  As we were getting ready to leave, I suggested, “Maybe we can do this again before school’s out?”   To which several said, “Can we?

 So…have you figured out my connection yet?

• Are we that eager to spend time with our Teacher? 
• Do we rush over to see what He’s doing and how we can be involved?  
• Does the time fly by, and the joy emanate from those minutes we share with Him?

 What about the family of God? 

• Do we welcome everyone, or do we leave some people on the outskirts because they don’t quite fit?
• Do we encourage our brothers and sisters in their efforts in ministry? 
• Will we walk alongside them if there’s a ministry need we can fill?
• Do we enjoy spending time with them? 
• Is the joy we share enough to cause others to come and see what’s going on with us? 
• Does it motivate them to join us in the joy?

Yes, these are points to ponder.  I suggest…you go outside, even if you’re allergic, to enjoy this beautiful day God’s created and ask Him to reveal the answers to these questions. 
Join in the joy…you’re never too old for recess!