This was me in 2017. The picture was taken by a student in my class. I don’t know why she took it, I don’t even remember it being taken. I just discovered it on the school iPad at the end of the day. It’s pretty accurate – both the seen and unseen.
At the time the picture was taken I posted a reflection to Facebook:
This is the CrAzy my students see every day….. I would not change a thing. I wore my slippers to work yesterday…because I knew the kids would love it.
I’m supposed to teach state standards and at some level, I suppose I do. It is more important to me that my students feel important and loved.
We have fun every day. I tell them EVERY DAY how much I love being with them, how much I love my work. I want them at some subliminal level to learn no matter what we are doing, just make it your best and everything else will follow.
I have told every class that when they grow up and win an award, or are “rich and famous” to remember in their speech they owe it all to their fourth-grade teacher. …
What I really mean is, as they go through everyday ordinary life: think back and remember the fun, the love and laughter, from ALL your teachers.
They won’t use the state standards I may or may not be effectively teaching. I hope they will use the crazy everyday chaos I pawn off as a fourth-grade education.
Today I’m going to take my class to Mass, stay and pray the Rosary, and then we’ll come back to what they have affectionately named HEADQUARTERS…and have a dance party, with our 2 disco balls and limbo set… it’s not on the lesson plans… just written in between the lines…
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Yes, we had disco balls and dance parties before it was a thing due to the pandemic. My class ate lunch under their desks in “forts” on rainy days and I used Iron Man cartoons to teach character traits – they just thought we were watching cartoons at the end of the day!
I had a lot of freedom in my position as 4th grade teacher and the administrator in charge of discipline for the TK – 8 school of 250 students. The standards *found* their way into my lessons – just as they *find* their way into my products.
I never used standards in my homeschool, we just learned what the kids were interested in. I have always been that kind of an educator.
You can see how I used STUDENT SELF ASSESSMENT and REASONS I LOVE ROUTINE AND SCHEDULES In these posts, but standards were never part of our plans.
I bring that philosophy to resource design. I design products with CHILDREN in mind. I trust as parents and educators yourself you know how to best implement the necessary academics (read between the lines = FUN) in your homes and classrooms because relationships must come above everything else. EVERYTHING ELSE.
Holidays, and the fun they bring naturally, are the greatest tools for relationship building. I hope you agree!
It is my greatest pleasure to provide you with standard-less products you can use to truly get to the heart of education, – your children.
Thanks for stopping by Happy Hive Homeschooling to find out why my products don’t reference standards.
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I’d love to chat with you each week about the methods I used to organize, schedule, and lesson plan in my homeschool with the hopes it will help you have a happy hive too. In the meantime, “Bee” sure to check out the different methods of homeschooling as well as our 3 easy strategies for burnout.
Happy Hive Homeschooling
Providing homeschoolers with quality holiday themed resources and methods for their own efficient, smooth running, happy hives!
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