Monday: less

Humility is not thinking less of yourself

it's thinking of yourself less.

{C.S. Lewis}

Thought for Thursday: keeping up

If you have raced with men on foot, and they have wearied you, how will you compete with horses?

{Jeremiah 12:5}

Teacher Tuesday

Summer school is 1 week down with 3 to go! I absolutely LOVE teaching :)
Summer school primarily is for math, writing, and reading reinforcement!

The kids have LOVED racin' thru their math facts with the race car themed math quizzes from 

First Grade Fever. They also track their progress on their own charts which they love to see! 

In writing last week, the kids did an All About Me book creativity from A Cupcake for the Teacher!

I LOVE her craftivities :)

On Friday, we took a walking field trip to a near-by trail! The kids loved counting the squirrels, watching snakes, and enjoying some time away from school on a beautiful afternoon!

Stayed tuned for:

 (from A Cupcake for the Teacher)

Sorry about the side-ways picture :)

Have a wonderful Tuesday! :)

Monday Meditation: joy comes from the Lord

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. 

{Habakkuk 3:18}

In the ESV it reads: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will take joy in the God of my salvation. 

Will I take joy today? Will I go about my day with the burdens of life on my shoulders or will I give my burdens to God and take joy? Will I take joy despite the trials and tribulations? Will others see the joy I have in Christ by my demeanor? 

Take joy

Teacher Tuesday: a start

Well Summer School has started! 

I am SO lucky to have a great class and look forward to being able to do some fun activities 

with reading, math, and writing! 

Had to take a "first day of school" picture :)

The classroom ready to go- the kids got backpacks, water bottles, & books for coming!

(no- I did not put the deco up for 4 weeks!)

The kids are sweet, quiet, and cooperative- what more could I ask?! :)

Monday Meditation

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord:

let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

{Psalm 40:11}

Thought for Thursday: forgiveness

What I have had on my mind to post today- a friend write a post on a few days.
I would like you to read When Moving On Isn't Possible.

Let go of your feeling and let God do His work.
If we can't forgive we can't love.
If we can't forgive we can't move on.

Enjoy and think about the lyrics of Matthew West's song Forgiveness. 
For the story behind the song you can read it here.

It's the hardest thing to give away

And the last thing on your mind today

It always goes to those that don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel

When the pain they caused is just to real

It takes everything you have just to say the word...

Forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride

It moves away the mad inside

It's always anger's own worst enemy

Even when the jury and the judge

Say you gotta right to hold a grudge

It's the whisper in your ear saying 'Set It Free'

Forgiveness

...

It'll clear the bitterness away

It can even set a prisoner free

There is no end to what it's power can do

So, let it go and be amazed

By what you see through eyes of grace

The prisoner that it really frees is you

Forgiveness

...

To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that that prisoner was you. 

{Lewis B. Smedes}

I challenge you (as I challenge myself): 

FORGIVE those who have hurt you. FORGIVE those that have hurt those close to you. FORGIVE.


<3

Thank you

 

Enjoy the Memorial Day!

 

Thought: in this child

-From Annie Wesche at The Justice Rescue Project rescuing orphans in Haiti-

Each child we see, each child that touches our heart has the need for the gospel. 

Do we pray for them? Do we believe that they can get saved- that they will grow and further the gospel? Do I believe in the least of these? Do I have a willingness to open my heart and home to take in children for the sake of the gospel? Am I doing what I can for the gospel?

Teacher Tuesday

The good news is- 

I am officially a certified teacher! :) 

For Sunday School Teachers- take a look at erikasimone.com! I think you'll enjoy her helpful posts!


I'll return with Teacher Tuesday when Summer School starts in June!

Monday Meditation: a race to run

Wherefore seeing we also are compasses about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which doth so easily beset us, 

and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;

who for the joy that was set before him

endured the cross, 

despising the shame,

and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 

{Hebrews 12:1-2}

How well am I running the race before me? Am I running with weights on my back? Or have I given all of my burdens to God and let Him take the load? What is my finish line?

oh where oh where have I been?

I'm sorry for the lack of post of late!
Where have I been?

I finished up a full year of student teaching and graduated!

and I've been soaking up sun and having a little fun! :)

I'll be back writing again next week!

Monday Meditation: Thy faithfulness

Thy mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; 

and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. 

{Psalm 36:5}

Thought for Thursday: Shine

Don't SHINE so others can see you.
SHINE so that THROUGH you, others can see Him.

Monday Meditation: A servant

I am a Servant of the King

Who should I preach about?
{2 Corinthians 4:5}
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Who should I seek to please?
{Galations 1:10}
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 

How should I do the will of God?
{Ephesians 6:6-7}
Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

How must I be?
{2 Timothy 2:24-25}
And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;


I would love to have you add to these thoughts- Feel free to leave a message or contact me personally!

Thought for Thursday: forever

O give thanks unto the God of heaven; for his mercy endureth for ever.

{Psalm 136:26}

Teacher Tuesday: Spring Break

We are on SPRING BREAK! 

I have included links to 3 of my 6 first grade videos if you are interested!

Swanson C

Swanson B

Loveland O

Monday Meditation: love

Thought for Thursday: C.S. Lewis

Monday Meditation: But as for me

"But as for me"

four words that are set apart to contrast what has happened before and what is going to happen.

Psalm 5:7

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. 

Psalm 26:11

But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. 

Psalm 35:13

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. 

Psalm 69:13
But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of they mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Joshua 24:15

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD. 

Fun for Friday: Sunday School Treat

Just recently we had our annual Sunday School Treat to reward the children for their hard work. 

I have included some picture collages. 

As you'll be able to tell our theme was... GOLDFISH :)

No goldfish themed event is complete without live goldfish. They made up our table centerpieces and were displayed on the food line as well. Kids were able to take them home at the end. 

 Each level of participation had a different themed bag/box!

 No event is complete without food. We had sandwiches, jello cups with fish, a variety of orange chips, goldfish themed cupcakes, as well as, "bubble water" & "ocean juice" for drinks. 

Have a WONDERFUL WEEKEND :)

Teacher Tuesday

It hit me a few days ago just how little I have left on my school requirements checklist:
-3 WHOLE weeks of teaching
-2 observations
-1 seminar
then I'm done- hello graduation :) hello unknown :S

Here is a bit of what's happening in my teaching world:
Kindergarten: starting with them this week and teaching family vocabulary
1: done with Spanish for the year
2: feelings (tengo hambre, tengo calor, tengo miedo...)
3: recreational places vocabulary (el parque, el cine, la playa, la piscina, el zoológico)
4: -AR verbs that relate to school (pintar, estudiar, hablar, practicar, participar, trabajar...)
5: wrote to pen pals in Spain
6: breakfast foods (la avena, el cereal, la toronja, el queso, their favorite word- el tocino...)

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son,

 that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life. 

{John 3:16}

Take the time to what this video:)

You know you are a teacher when....

Interview for district- complete

Parent teacher conferences- this week

2 day break- this week

Spring break- a few weeks away

I am ready for spring. But you know you are a teacher when...

-You can hear 25 voices behind you and know exactly which one belongs to the child out of line.

-You get a secret thrill out of laminating something.

-You walk into a store and hear the words “It’s Mr/Ms. _______” and know you have been spotted.

-You have 25 people who accidentally call you Mom/Dad at one time or another.

-You can eat a multi-course meal in under twenty minutes.

-You've trained yourself to go to the bathroom at two distinct times of the day: lunch and planning period.

-You start saving other people’s trash, because most likely, you can use that toilet paper tube or plastic butter tub for something in the classroom.

-You want to hit the next person that says “Must be nice to work 8 to 3 and have summers off.”

-You believe chocolate is a food group.

-You can tell if it’s a full moon without ever looking outside.

-You feel the urge to talk to strange children and correct their behavior when you are out in public.

-You think caffeine should be available in intravenous form.

-You spend more money on school stuff than you do on your own needs.

-You can’t pass the school supply aisle without getting at least five items!

-You ask your friends if the left hand they just made was a “good choice or a bad choice.”

-You find true beauty in a can full of perfectly sharpened pencils.

-You are secretly addicted to hand sanitizer.

-You understand instantaneously why a child behaves a certain way after meeting his or her parents. 

Monday: Chosen

But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the Lord will hear when I call unto him. 

{Psalm 4:3}

Thought for Thursday: Preach Christ

Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words. 

{St. Francis of Assisi}

Does my life reflect the gospel of Christ?

Do others see Him through me?

       in my actions? in my words? in my composure? with my wardrobe? with my choice of entertainment?

I should be a good testimony where ever I go- and if necessary, use words to share the gospel. 

Ye are the light of the world. A city of a hill cannot be hid. {Matthew 5:14}

I also enjoyed an article on the topic from SetApartGirl- 

Preach Christ article

Teacher Tuesday

Well- last week ended with 2 SNOW DAYS! :)

However, that means we didn't get to a few of the lessons last week- but that's ok :)

Here's this week's plan (I'm teaching all classes*):

1st: Assess Zoo Animals (el tigre, el león, el elefante, la cebra, el mono)

Introduce Body Parts (los ojos, las orejas, la nariz, las manos, la boca)

2nd: Assess Farm Animals (el perro, el gato, el ratón, la vaca, la oveja, etc)

3rd: Assess Transportation (el carro, etc)

Introduce Telephone Vocabulary 

4th: Day 1 Review with a game of jeopardy

Day 2 Assessment and Dominican Republic Culture Study

5th: Day 1 Practice Conversation, Comprender/Leer/Estudiar present tense activity

Day 2 Study Guide and Review Game

6th: Day 1 Assessment and Culture 

Day 2 lesson 1 Drink vocabulary and activity

Here's a peek at snow day #1

A view of last week- 

6th graders reviewing and practicing their frutas (by eating of course)

A cute profile activity where students described their dreams

A snowman craftivity that another teacher had posted!

Monday Meditation: Be strong

These verses have been brought before me many times this week. 

I hope they are an encouragement to you as they have been to me. 

{Joshua 1}
5. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my sevant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
...
9. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
...
16. And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. 
17. According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the Lord thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
18. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.


Be strong.
Be of a good courage.
God is with you wherever you go.

Teacher Tuesday

Here is what this teacher is up to:
-submitting job applications for next year
-weighing my options for summer school and teaching positions
-lesson planning to make Spanish exciting and interesting to learn :)

1st grade: zoo animal review, book, and song (video coming :))
2nd grade: farm animal review, mini farm creation, song
3rd grade: Spanish vowel practice, tongue twister, transportation review
4th grade: Verb IR & Voy a la/Voy al sentence writing practice & activities (including a cube activity I am excited about teaching! :))
5th grade: Me gusta(n)/Te gusta(n)/Le gusta(n) practice & activities (includes a game of charades) & classes/adjectives chapter review for test
6th grade: review and test over fruits, poner, traer, table settings(plate, saucer, cup, teacup, fork, spoon...)

And finally, yes... here in the Midwest we are hoping for a SNOW DAY Thursday (or Friday)! :)
Teaching today was more difficult as the kids are restless with the storm coming!

Monday Meditation: Strength

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong. 

{1 Corinthians 16:13}

Strong in the Strength- Legacy Five

Love through me, Love of God;

There is no love in me. 

O Fire of love, light Thou the love

That burns perpetually. 

Flow through me, Peace of God;

Calm River, flow until

No wind can blow, no current stir

A ripple of self-will. 

Shine through me, Joy of God; 

Make me like Thy clear air

That Thou dost pour Thy colors through, 

As though it were not there. 

O blessed Love of God,

That all may taste and see

How good Thou art, once more I pray:

Love through me--even me.

{amy carmichael}

Happy Valentine's Day! :) 

Teacher Tuesday: Tardy Teacher :)

It is hard to believe that it is the middle of February and I have yet to post much for Teacher Tuesday!
Here is an update of this semester:
- As of this week, I am currently teach grades 1, 3, 4, and 5 Spanish. Each grade level and class has it's challenge.
-It can be difficult to be watched over by 32 different classroom teacher, my cooperating teacher, university   supervisor and 3 schools of administration and support staff as I seek to teach Spanish to 745 students.

In each grade we are teaching:
1- Zoo animals
2- Farm animals
3- Transportation, vowels
4- days of the week, places to go (I'm excited to share a game I created next week if all goes well in the lesson :))
5- classes in school, adjectives
6- Fruits, table settings, present tense verb PONER & TRAER

Someone recently called a test a CELEBRATION OF LEARNING! How cool and inviting is that?! :)
I love how one teacher creates a class incentive for good behavior- Brownie points! : )

Monday Meditation: Laminin

I will praise thee; for I am wonderfully and fearfully made: 

marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. 

{Psalm 139:14}

If you haven't had the opportunity to watch this video before- I highly recommend taking the 6 minutes to see it. It is once again a reminder of God's magnificent design and creation. God is an amazing God!

Thought for Thursday: First thing

"The first thing for our soul's health, 

the first thing for His glory, 

and the first thing for our own usefulness, 

is to keep ourselves in perpetual communion with the Lord Jesus..." 

| Spurgeon | 

Monday Meditation: I'd rather have Jesus

The following story was shared in a meeting recently and I'd like to share:


Before becoming king, George VI, who was a committed follower of Christ, attended a Brethren assembly in London, enjoying weekly the fellowship of the saints there. After he became king he had to discontinue this practice but he remained a devout believer in the Lord Jesus. In the course of his duties George VI came to Canada and his official visit to him to British Columbia. It was thought by the Canadian officials that King George might like to meet a native born Indian chief. The one chosen for the honor was a well known and influential Indian known as Chief Whitefeather. Chief Whitefeather was told to sing something for the kind and , needless to say, the officials supposed he would sing a native war song. But the Chief was a Christian who had something else in mind. One can picture the surprise of the officials when Chief Whitefeather began to sing: 

"I’d rather have Jesus than silver or gold,

I’d rather be His than have riches untold, 

I’d rather be led by His nail pierced hand- 

than to be the king of a vast domain 

Or be held in sin’s dread sway; 

I’d rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today.”

The stunned officials waited to see what King George VI would do. The king went over, took Chief Whitefeather by the hand and said: “I’d rather have Jesus, too”.

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {Philippians 1:21}

Is there anything that I put before Jesus in my life? Do I give Him the honor and the glory?

What is your priority?