Now it's personal.......

I started this blog to discuss education, parenting, and the Montessori method. Today I have to go off topic slightly. It still has to deal with parenting but it also has to deal with a topic near and dear to my heart, food allergies. My 5 year old is anaphylactic to tree nuts and yes, we did find out the hard way. After eating walnuts she became lethargic and "zoned out". Her whole body turned red. The worst part was the coughing and wheezing, that is a sound that will be burned in my brain for the rest of my life. She was 3 when this happened. She is now in Kindergarten and she is thriving. She is in a nut free room. This means that tree nuts of any kind are not allowed in the room. The teachers make sure that all the students wash their hands or use hand sanitizer. At lunch she sits with friends that buy lunch because the school food is nut free. Some days she brings her own lunch and somedays she buys lunch. She knows that she can't buy the school treats since they may contain coconut. When there are class parties she has her own safe treats to enjoy. This is how, together with the school, we keep her safe.
In Florida, right now, there is a first grade girl with a severe peanut allergy. The school has the children in her class, wash their hands, wipe their mouths and keep nut products out of the class. This has led to protests. Protests over hygiene and keeping a child safe. The protestors want her out of the school, they want her to be homeschooled because they feel that their children are missing out on instruction time because of the handwashing. This child is protected by law, she is entitled to have an education.
I wonder how these parents would feel if it was their child? If their child had to endure painful tests, how would they feel? If their child was never able to go to a bakery or enjoy the same food that every other child could have at the endless class parties, how would they feel? If they had to spend hours at the grocery store every week to read labels, how would they feel? If they had to call company after company to make sure that there was no cross contamination issues because just the slightest amount of a nut could kill their kid, how would they feel?
I have a group of friends/family that "get it", they would go to the end of the universe and back to keep my daughter safe. Her teachers go above and beyond to keep her safe and included. I can not even begin to imagine what I would do without this support. I hope that the allergic child's family in Florida does not feel alone, I hope they know that they have the support of many allergic/nonallergic families.
I also wonder about these protesters. How do they put signs in their child's hands? That boggles my mind. What about taking this opportunity to teach their children about compassion, kindness, and differences? A wonderful teaching opportunity lost.
My last point (I'm sure you are glad about that), what if we weren't talking about allergies? What if this little girl had asthma, cancer, diabetes, autism, or dyslexia? Would there be protests? What if there was a child in a wheelchair? Would parents protest because a ramp needed to be put in?
Well, there's my 2 cents...........I still really do not understand what these parents are protesting, I guess I'll never understand. I hope that the parents stop protesting soon and I hope that their children are always in good health.

Japan

Watching the devastation in Japan is overwhelming. I can't even begin to imagine what the survivors are going through. I have been watching the footage of the homes, businesses, and cars being washed away and smashed into nothing. It is truly unbearable to see the power and force of that much water. It saddens my heart and I am thousands of miles away. I saw a different kind of report on the news this morning. It showed the Japanese people picking themselves up after a catastrophe. They were cleaning up, even making their own chopsticks. They were taking care of their young and old with grace and dignity. I don't know what I would do if this was me. Would I be strong enough to pick myself up, dust myself off, and move on? Would you? We can learn so many valuable lessons from this tragedy. I hope that we do.
Have you told your children about this horrific event? How much did you tell them and how did they react? My kids know that there was an earthquake and tsunami and I did have to reassure them that something like that wouldn't happen here. However, I haven't let them see the images on the TV. I can barely process it so I'm not sure that two kids could handle it. Imagine what the children in Japan are going through. It's mind boggling.

inspired today

I have not blogged in a long time.........but today I was inspired to write again. I taught for 15 years and I was blessed, every year, to work with amazing teachers. My children are blessed also, year after year, with amazing teachers. I was in class today with both of my children. One hour in each room. Both classrooms ran beautifully. It was so obvious that all of the teachers enjoyed being there and the children were engaged in their activities. After my volunteer time I stayed for another hour to take pictures for the yearbook. I was able to see other classes in action and they were just as wonderful. These teachers spend countless hours planning. I know that not every school is wonderful, I know that not every teacher is wonderful. That makes me so sad. It breaks my heart to know that there are great kids out there that don't have the educational opportunities that my children have. I wish I had a magic wand. I would use it to supply schools with amazing teachers and administrators, kids that care about their education, involved parents and quality supplies. What would you use your magic wand for?

It's so sad................

Most of the time I complain that I'm old.....really old. I know that I'm not that old but some days it does feel like it. In reality 38 isn't that old. So, when you hear about a 38 year old classmate passing away unexpectedly it comes as quite a shock. When you remember this classmate as a dynamic, outgoing, fun loving guy, it's hard to imagine that he would pass away at such a young age. It's even worse when  you know that he is married and has two beautiful, young children. I am having a really hard time understanding this. Maybe over time it will make sense? I don't know. While I am waiting for it to make sense I will hug my family and friends tighter.

Mommy instincts

When I first started teaching, a long time ago, I did not have any children of my own. I was, however, an educator so I knew about children. Or so I thought. Everything changed after having a child. I found that I did not know everything about children. Having a child of my own put a whole new twist on teaching, it put a whole new twist on life. Life became more like a tornado. In a good way of course! Children do not come with a manual, all of a sudden you have a child and they do not come with instructions. How in the world do we know what to do? I have learned that mommy instincts will kick in. Somehow we actually do know what to do. Side note- I'm sure that daddy's have instincts too but I'm a mom so I can't speak on behalf of dads. Somehow we know what our kids need. We know how to decipher their cries when they are babies. Even if we think we don't know what to do, we actually do. I have found that if I can stay calm and think about the situation, I might actually be able to come up with a solution to the problem. Of course, my instincts aren't always right and another option may need to be followed, but I think I'm doing OK so far. Have you had to rely on your instincts? Did it work out? Do you think that moms do have mommy instincts? What about the dads, I would love to hear from you also!

What to make?

Lets say it's December, it snuck up on you didn't it? OK, it snuck up on me. I am not a cook at all, I don't have this great recipe that I'm known for. What do you make for an important holiday dinner? Turkey was just done at Thanksgiving and it will be done again for Christmas. What can I make in between those two holidays for Hanukkah? Any idea? Do you have any "go to " recipes that you use? I would love to get great appetizer and main meal recipes. Lets share, maybe we can get a holiday recipe exchange going.
Oh and Happy Hanukkah!

A little Hanukkah song

In honor of Hanukkah starting tomorrow night-

5 Little latkes

5 Little latkes frying in a pan, the grease got hot and one went Bam!
4 Little latkes.....
3 Little latkes....
2 Little latkes.......
1 Little latke...
No Little latkes frying in the pan, the grease got hot and the pan went Bam!

Enjoy and Happy Hanukkah!

Oh how this speaks to me

My brain is still on Thanksgiving break but I just saw this and I had to share!
http://www.racetonowhere.com/node/4494
Let me know what you think, I really want to see this. I truly believe that the whole way that children are taught needs to be changed.

I've been saying this for a while, glad others are catching on!

Spending money on early childhood education, imagine that!
http://eyeonearlyeducation.org/2010/11/16/nobel-laureate-to-debt-panel-invest-in-early-education/

What happened to Halloween?

Back in October I went to some stores to get my Halloween candy. I loved looking at the Halloween decorations. Then I saw something strange, it was green and strangely enough it looked like a Christmas tree. What????? Christmas stuff next to the Halloween decor. Honestly, this drives me crazy. Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday and that got pushed aside years ago. I guess Halloween is next on the chopping block. Watch out July 4th, you are next!
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Mommy time

A quick post today because I am enjoying "Mommy time" I had a relaxing time getting my hair done this morning. Cut and colored!  Now, I'm watching a movie too! Quite a great day. I do feel that it is important every once in a while to find some "Mommy time" If you had a few hours to yourself, what would you do?
Enjoy!

responsibility and chores and an allowance?

I fully believe that children can have responsibilities in the home, based on their abilities and their age. A child of three or so can sweep up crumbs with a small dustpan and broom. A child of nine can hang up their own laundry and so on. I feel that there are duties(chores) that everyone in the house does because they live in the house. Such as, setting the table, cooking, basic cleaning etc. Then there are those chores that are above and beyond, mowing the lawn, washing the car, walking the dog. My thoughts are that children should not get paid for doing the everyday chores. Mom and dad don't get paid to do the chores, we are all a part of this family and everyone helps. That phrase is heard often in my house. I want my children to learn how to manage their money.  I think this is where an allowance comes in. This gives them the chance to save, spend and deal with their money.  I do feel that if the child goes above and beyond then they can earn some extra money. Do you give your child an allowance? Do they do chores, how did you decide how much to give them and what do they have to do to get it?

Practical life-water, beans, and pitchers, oh my!

When I first entered a Montessori classroom I was entranced by the math materials. So concrete, it made such sense.  Then, I saw the practical life area.  Pitchers, water, sponges, beans, trays, what was all of this stuff and why are children using it? Well, practical life is just that, it teaches practical life skills in a fun way for children. Give a child an attractive set up of a tray, two pitchers with colored water and a sponge and watch the magic.  The child can sit there for as long as they want. It is mesmerizing. These skills, pouring, spooning, funneling and the like can then be translated to the home. It can be daunting to let your child pour their own milk for example. Find a small pitcher and put some milk in it on a low shelf in the fridge. You are still setting them up for success while keeping your sanity. If a spill should happen, let your child clean it up. This is also a part of practical life skills. These skills will lead to giving your child more responsibility in the home. There is no reason why a young child can not help around the house. A young child can dust, sweep and put their own toys away too. How does your young child help around the house?

Sharing

As parents we teach our children to share (more on that another day). What I love about blogs is the sharing of information. I love mom blogs, cooking blogs, education blogs and on and on. I learn many things from them and I hope that someone, somewhere can learn from me. I recently found a cake recipe on a blog and it looked so good I decided to try it. It's in the oven now.....and the house smells like an apple orchard! I'm not the best cook so we will see what happens. Do you have a favorite blog? Have you learned something from a blog? Share away!

One of my favorite things

I just have to share this great blog-
teachertomsblog.blogspot.com

He is amazing, innovative, creative, and very funny too! Check it out when you have a chance.

Veterans Day

It's Veterans Day. Many schools are closed for the day but you can still incorporate Veterans Day in your classroom.  You can adopt a soldier and write letters to him/her. At circle time you can explain why we celebrate Veterans Day. Your art center can be overhauled for the occasion. Make flags, paint with red, white and blue, make necklaces with red, white and blue beads, the possibilities are really endless. If you are in a Montessori classroom, change over your practical life center. All of the work can be changed to red, white and blue. Change your water color, sponges and the like. Maybe your children have family members that are in the military. Invite them in to speak or have a special breakfast to celebrate their service. Enjoy the day, remember why we have Veterans Day and teach your children about our servicemen and servicewomen.

It breaks my heart

This issue does not affect me directly but it breaks my heart.  In a local school system (not the one that my children are in), there is talk of school closures. Lots of closures. I feel horrible for these families. What about the rising seniors? One more year in their school and now they may have to go somewhere else. The school system needs to save money.  There has to be another way. I feel that it's always the kids that have to pay the ultimate sacrifice. We need good teachers, good schools and quality curriculum. That curriculum needs to include a variety of subjects, including exposure to the arts and foreign languages. I feel that a school can have state of the art equipment and the best teachers and it can still not be successful. The right approach is needed to teach our children. I do not feel that charter/magnet schools are the ultimate answer either. There can be great public schools along with great charter schools. There can also be terrible public schools and terrible charter schools. Yes, I do feel that Montessori is the way to go......I am biased, I admit that. What do you think? What will help fix the educational crisis that is happening in our country? Hmmmm...I guess this issue does affect me directly.

Leaf Rubbing

It's an oldie but a goodie.........
Go outside and take a walk or just go into your yard and find some interesting leaves. I find the easiest way to do this is to then tape the leaf to something. I taped it to a table. Then take some paper and put it over the leaf. Rub gently with a crayon and by magic the leaf appears. It was especially exciting when I used multiple crayons........

The Thankful Tree

This project started because I needed to do something with my youngest child. So, the thankful tree was born. You can, of course, do this with real leaves and twigs but we decided to make our own. I did a search for "free printable leaves" many, many sites came up. I printed out two leaves and then traced and cut them out of construction paper. We then wrote what we were thankful for on them and we are continuing to add to the tree through the month. My youngest then colored in the trunk. I also printed out bubble letters so that she could make the Happy Thanksgiving banner. It was a fun project and it is making us all think about what we are thankful for. I always love to hear how children answer the "What are you thankful for ?" question.

What I love.............Montessori style

1. I love the materials.
2. I love that most materials can be handmade.
3. I love that the materials can be changed as needed.
4. I love that the materials can be changed to fit the needs of the individual child.
5. I love the peaceful nature of the classroom.
6. I love that the children are exposed to the arts.
7. I love that the children are able to work at their own pace.
8. I love that the children have responsibilities in the classroom.
9. I love that everything has its place in the room.
10. I love that the classroom is set up for the children, everything is at their level.
What do you love about Montessori?