Is there anyone else who questions how school can already be starting??
Seriously, where did sweet summertime go?
Regardless of how much I am mourning summer’s end, I cannot contain my excitement for the upcoming school year! I work at a looping school, so I just said (a tearful) goodbye to some 5th-going-on-6th graders and am excited to welcome in some new 4th graders. I met these new students last night at back to school night and it seems that they are just as eager as I am! However, I will say that many didn’t walk in that way.
Earlier this year, I saw the movie The Greatest Showman. I. Was. Blown. Away. Immediately, I brought that excitement into my classroom- playing songs from the film, using P.T. Barnum quotes as journal prompts, and discussing the various themes within the movie with students who were fellow Showman-lovers. I am not afraid to admit that I pre-ordered the film digitally and have seen it over 15 times. After attending a seminar hosted by Hope and Wade King, I started to think of some of the greatest advice I have ever been given- bring your interests into the classroom. Your students’ engagement levels, respect, connections, and comfort levels will rise when they KNOW you and your interests.
Point taken. And boy oh boy, did I have some ideas.
I have been planning, sketching, shopping, and DREAMING in preparation for my classroom this year. I wanted to bring the vintage 1800’s circus to life without creating a distracting, “loud” environment. Putting my Silhouette machine, tall husband, and Amazon shopping skills to work, along with some long summer days and late nights, I made it happen. I couldn’t be happier with the results! (I’m not going to lie, I might have cried just a little when I stepped back and just looked when it was all done.)
The true test, of course, came when the students walked in the door. It was so fulfilling to watch them look around in wonder, point things out to their friends or parents, and leave ready and EXCITED to come back.
Friends, if decorations can do that, imagine what personality, surprises, connections, hooks, songs, cheers, and relationships in the classroom will do!! It’s an empowering thought.
Teaching in the 307 