Happy Holidays

December 23, 2014

Happy Holidays!

I want to wish all the families in our two homerooms, 301 and 303,  Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!  These past few months have been such a delight working with such a wonderful group of students this year, that I would be remiss if I didn't send out a post wishing you all the best.

 As you know, time certainly flies,   especially in the classroom!  We have been very busy keeping with the spirit of the season, preparing "Boxes of Hope".  It is a project I do every year because it encourages thoughtfulness, creativity, and a lot of writing :)  It starts with a reading of a story called, "Hattie's Birthday Box".  It is a historical fiction piece set in the 1900s.  In the story, Spencer McClintock and his sister Hattie recall events that happened a long time ago.  The narrator's great, great grandfather, Spencer, gave his sister Hattie, a wooden box for a gift.  We find out at the end of the story, that the box was actually empty.  This empty box ended up being the best gift Hattie ever received for several reasons that are talked about in the story.  Every year, this story prompts great discussion, leading students to talk about how gifts that are from the heart are very special indeed!  The students are then motivated to write and create their own special "Box of Hope" for their secret classroom buddy.

It is my hope that students realize the good that they can do for someone else can be as simple as writing a letter of encouragement to them, or a story, or reminding each other of the positive, special qualities we each have that make our lives enjoyable, and our classroom a place to delight in and learn from everyday.

 The smiles I see everyday from your children are so motivating and rewarding for me.  It lets me know that an environment that is engaging, where our students come to school eager to see friends and learn, has been created.

Thank you for your support in this endeavor.

Best Wishes for the New Year!

 May 2015 bring abundant happiness :)