Author: Van Am Gram

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Leprechaun luck…or not?!

I had the privilege once again to be a special guest reader to a group of learning friends who invited me today.  They requested someone short with red hair who liked to share holiday stories, especially Irish ones.  🙂

While I enJOY sharing a wee bit of wisdom with all, this was a particularlyLeprechaun2 fun challenge today.  The book we chose was The Leprechaun in the Basement by Kathy Tucker and John Sandford.  A young boy, Michael McKeever, and his family are down on their luck in Chicago.  Michael’s dad lost his computer job and now his best baseball shoes are falling apart and it’s baseball season.  They “make do” with a roof over their head and food to eat when Michael accidentally discovers a leprechaun by the name of O’Leary in an old basement trunk (who’s been living there for years) with a pot of gold.  Of course, Michael thinks his luck will change, but he doesn’t expect to meet such a cantankerous leprechaun.  While all turns out well, the end is not exactly expected, but luck finds Michael on the ball field anyway (because it turns out O’Leary was the best cobbler in all of Ireland, thus the baseball shoes get “magically” transformed for action).

Wonderful conversation ensued among the group following the story since many of these learners also feel the pinch of hard times and anxiety in their daily lives.  Compassion and understanding for family hardships teach the lesson of how values transcend monetary gain…leprechaun luck…or not!  Here’s hoping you experience a little leprechaun luck in your life soon…  🙂

Note:  Please join us for 3M (Marvelous Miller Math) Day events tomorrow!

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Organized vs. Disorganized, Part Three

“So how do I discover my child’s real organizational style when the bedroom organizinglooks like cyclone central?  Why can’t my child just use my organizational style?”  Most likely we’ve all thought these comments (if not said them out loud) multiple times…it’s okay…take a deep breath!  🙂  As parents, we do our personal best to teach our child how to organize, usually in the way we organize.  The real problem is our way may not be his or her way and it simply doesn’t work.  Each brain organizes and recalls information in different ways.

In the book, Kutscher and Moran note that we organize with three basic styles:

  1. Visual Organizers:  need to have everything visible; have to see things in order to find them; respond to color, pictures, and other visual cues; remember where things are based on where they last saw the item.
  2. Spatial/Cozy Organizers:  need to have everything within reach when doing schoolwork; need a work space area to “feel good” before they can start work; like to move through dance, drama, music; when the work area is a mess, they are a mess; remember where things are based on where they last used the item.
  3. Chronological/Sequential Organizers:  access information in a set order; think with numbers; remember dates, times, order of things; keep stacks at their work space; look at details; feel messy when the work area is not in order; remember where things are based on the time they last used the item.

Some of us will recognize one strong style in ourselves and in our child; others will panic and see two styles…there is nothing wrong with having a combination!  A common combination we see in school is a visual-spatial style where children like puzzles, have a great imagination, are sensitive to their feelings, and have a poor sense of time.

So, how do we fine-tune organizational techniques?  In the next section, the authors share ways to choose and set up supplies to meet the child’s organizational style.  Here’s hoping once you recognize the organizational style, you can begin to embrace a new way of working successfully within your child’s world.  Just remember:  In raising a child, the days are long, but the years are short!  🙂

Note:  We will celebrate our annual 3M Day on Friday…Marvelous Miller Math!  We hope you join us for the mathematical festivities that morning!

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Let’s go fly a kite!

An enthusiastic group of learners were discussing and writing from FDR’s famous quote:  “When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on…”

  • Child #1:  It’s not officially spring, but I think he was talking Kiteabout kites.
  • Child #2:  Kites?  I thought he meant ropes on a ship.
  • Child #3:  What about tying ropes on kites then?
  • Child #4:  That’s it! Tie knots in the rope on the kite and hang on ’cause you’re gonna fly!
  • Child #1:  I hope we get to fly kites again today at recess!
  • Child #3:  Do you think the president is talking about kites though?  He was president during the Great Depression when things were really tough.
  • Child #2:  They also had lots of shipping accidents with ropes too.
  • Child #4:  I still like the thought of tying lots of knots onto kite ropes and flying.

It’s fascinating to listen to learner conversations, how they process thoughts, and where their imaginations take them.  These learners obviously had much to share concerning the background knowledge of President Roosevelt’s upbeat saying.  Their conversation eventually steered them into a direction their classroom leader most likely expected…and just so you know, they did come to consensus about how to “keep on keeping on” when the going gets tough.  They also decided flying kites on this windy March day during recess would be a great way to relieve some stress, so here’s hoping you find time to go fly a kite with someone you treasure soon!  🙂

Note:  Try to hang on three more days…spring break IS coming!

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Rowdy Runners or Runny Rowders?

IMG_2563A crisp and cold March morn met us early for the first MISD Rowdy Run 5K. Six elementary princiPALs (who officially form the team known as No Child Left Behind during the race) took their place at the back of over 750 participants. Thankfully, we can report all made it safely back to the finish line in spite of enduring one of the windiest, coldest, hilliest courses to date! Proud of us, team! Yes, we are rowdy and we are runners (well, some of us at least)!

 

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Miller Style!

Yes, we have a definite Miller Style at LME and today was certainly no exception…what an exciting week (with a full moon and everything!).  🙂

Our Bluebonnet Book Bowl Team came in second in the district IMG_0007competition this morning and we enJOYed lunch out as a special treat.  BBB requires learners to read all the books on the Texas Bluebonnet Book List for 2013 (they also participate in voting to choose the TX Winner too).  MISD then holds a competition where each campus sends a BBB Team to compete and share their vast knowledge (like a Jeopardy Game in format).  Big BRAVOS go out to these outstanding reader leaders from LME:  Natalia, Bailey, Ella, Skyler (team captain), Hannah, Bryce, and staff sponDSC_1352sor, Mrs. Bolgiano (Library Media Specialist extraordinaire!).

Our second graders presented their fabulous program Miller Style to a packed house last night and again during Miller Rally this morning.  Our students especially enJOYed the song/dance number, “Miller Style,” with marvelous Miller moves, words, and actions.  The entire show, written by the exceptional Fine Arts Team @ IMG_0916LME, was truly a hit!

We also had several Kinder friends celebrating the work of Dr. Suess throughout the day–what a delightful way to learn about the wonderful Suessical genius of Theodore Geisel!

IMG_0906No, there is never a dull moment and this wonderful week is certainly no exception at LME!  EnJOY your weekend…only five days to go until everyone receives a much-needed spring break!  🙂

Note:  We hope to see you out at the Rowdy Runner 5K tomorrow morning!  Go, Rowdy Runners!

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Good luck or fortune?

CloverBeing of some Irish decent, the pipes are usually calling from glen to glen this time of year.  Walking the building, you see the signs of beginning spring, especially those 3-and-4-leaf clovers.

This little batch of shamrocks (three leaves on each stem and the national emblem of Ireland) was found right off our playground.  It reminded me of a poem my Granny B would share:  “May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow; and may trouble avoid you wherever you go!”  The batch of shamrocks also brought about an interesting discussion today between some wee friends:

  • Child #1:  It’s our lucky day!
  • Child #2:  How do you know?
  • Child #1:  Because it’s ‘fortune’ we found these shamrocks.
  • Child #2:  You mean lucky, huh?
  • Child #1:  No, it’s ‘fortune’ because they’re worth so much!
  • Child #2:  How will these build fortune?
  • Child #1:  Because now we find the leprechaun and the pot of gold!   (…and then they started the search…)  🙂

Whether good luck or great fortune, may the wonder of finding a small patch of dewey shamrocks always bring great promise…and as my Granny B would sing:

“May there always be work for your hands to do; may your purse always hold a coin or two.  May the sun always shine on your windowpane; may a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.  May the hand of a friend always be near you; may your heart fill with great JOY to always cheer you!”  Yes, perhaps we all become a little Irish when we find good luck and great fortune in our path!  🙂

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Organized vs Disorganized, Part Two

This is the next blog in a series from the book Organizing the Disorganized Child organizingby Martin L. Kutscher and Marcella Moran.

So, we established earlier how the brain is at fault when it comes to the child being organized—this should free us from feeling like victims of a “lazy child” or “uncaring teacher.”  We can focus now on working together as learning partners to teach and finesse the child’s brain into organization (and remember, the brain is still developing well into young adulthood).  With society expecting so much more planning from our children today (with outside events like clubs, sports, social media, etc.) and so much sooner (we have 2-year-olds on iPads!), it’s a challenge to fit in academics at all really!

It’s time now to bring up this topic of organization with your child.  I know…easier said than done.  Most likely your child suspects your concern and a calm conversation may do wonders for all involved.  There are some steps to note:

  1. Stay calm.  Pick an appropriate time when everyone is calm (not yelling about grades, searching for the homework paper, or other issues) and can have meaningful conversation.  Remind them about the benefits of being organized such as getting homework done faster, less frustration in the house, more free time for other things, etc.
  2. Listen to your child–actively listen and ask clarifying questions.  If the child says, “that may work for you,  but it doesn’t work for me,” this is a sign.  Ask the child to explain a strategy to you in her own words and really listen (don’t judge).
  3. Stay positive.  The authors note:  “If you really want to bring out your child’s self-motivation–and preserve your relationship with him–you’ll need to keep it positive.  Punishments don’t teach skills.”  Find something to praise; use humor to redirect.  If there’s a punishment to hand out, consider doing it with only a positive attitude in place–make it short and to the point.  Stay focused on the fact this is YOUR child.
  4. Supervise the skills.  Many children know what to do but they just can’t do it–this is where supervision takes place.  Remember, the frontal lobes on the brain of your child have trouble carrying out the plan.  Your child needs you to lend your expertise (and frontal lobes) to assist.  Be a safety net and monitor progress while standing in the background.
  5. Give it time.  There is no timetable for success.  If you’re frustrated, imagine how your child feels.

It’s a good idea to also know your child’s organizational style…but that’s a topic for our next in the series!  🙂

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Destination Imagination 2013

One of the greatest thrills in the learning process is observing a group of learners experiencing the creative process from imagination to innovation.  This is never more prominent than our students who are involved in the Destination Imagination  program here at LME.  The premise behind this international phenomenon is the simple approach taken to develop opportunities for learners in their diverse and creative thinking processes.  The creative process includes the ability to recognize a challenge or problem, to imagine new options, to initiate and commit to a possible option, to collaborate using social intelligence, to assess for the best solution, and to evaluate the final results.  In plain English:  You tackle a problem with a group and create an action plan to solve it!   🙂

We are fortunate at LME to have two active (and  highly competitive) teams of DI learners who completely embrace the creative process in a big way!  They are truly working to be creative in every aspect of their lives.  Under the gentle guidance of parent team managers, these teams identify a challenge and use their crafted problemDSC_0076 solving skills to create imaginative, innovative solutions.

Both teams competed this past weekend in the regional DI Tournament in Mineral Wells.  Our Rising Stars Team of Collin, Avery, Gunner, Alessandra, Grace, and Allyson was given a special award for their outstanding teamwork and collaboration throughout the process.  Our EstablisheTeam Photo BWd Team of Kathryn, Tanner, Whitney, Skyler, Allana, and Aidan truly “WOWed” the audience with their highly creative interpretations and outcomes.

Congratulations to both groups of creative learners and their team managers for once again shining like the stars they are in patience, flexibility, persistence, elaboration, respect for others and their ideas, and using the creative problem solving process so well!  As one friend shared:  “DI is all about the experience, Mrs. Van; we work as a team to think and act out our ideas together so REAL learning takes place.”  Here’s to the DI process!  🙂

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Chili Cookoff!

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe enJOYed a festive evening of food, fun, and fellowship at the annual CATCH Committee Chili Cookoff event last night here at LME.  Our CATCH Committee planned several active family-oriented events for our learning community throughout the year (no-TV events, Rowdy Runners, Family Nights, etc.); this was one such gathering.  There were 16 homemade chili entries and the judges had a challenging time picking their favorites.  Congratulations to all the winners, especially the grand prize winner (with bragging rights), Whitney!

Special thanks to our chili judges:  Coach Timm, Mrs. Worley, Mr. Chadwell, and Mrs. Walk!  OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThanks to our CATCH Committee:  Coach Rogers, Nurse Sullivan, Mrs. Bass, Mrs. Garippa, Mrs. Dickard, Ms. Trish, and Coach Martin.  Thanks to all the great chili cooks and servers as well as our families who came out to share a meal and fellowship with us!

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SomeBUNNY loves you…

This touching story of great kindness was shared with me today.  Thanks, Ms. Williams, for sharing your personal experience!

Here’s hoping it warms your heart too…

DSC01673My mom was an incredible seamstress and she made all of my clothes when I was little.  She often made gifts and outfits for my teachers too.  When I was 7, my mom was diagnosed with a terrible illness causing her to lose her fine motor skills, and she was unable to continue her sewing.  One of the last things she made was a pair of Pilgrim Bunnies for my first grade teacher, Mrs. L.  Last week, Mrs. L. wrote to me and told me she still had those two precious bunnies in her classroom every year.  Now that Mrs. L. is retired, she was sending the bunnies back for me to for safe-keeping.  A package arrived at school and I opened the box in front of my class.  My students were able to hear the bunny story while passing them around and holding them in class.  It just absolutely warms my heart to see the second generation of hugs for these bunnies, especially now that my mom is no longer able to sew.  I’m taking the bunnies home to surprise my mom and I’m certain they have a new home in my classroom now! 

As one learner summarized:  It’s important to know someBUNNY loves you, huh?!   🙂