I Say A Little Prayer for You

Prayer is oftentimes the best we can do, the most we can offer.

And so, this morning I did just that...at the Grotto on Notre Dame's campus.

After all, it's not every day I get to go there - I was blessed with my experience this weekend due to involvement with ACE Advocates in Chicago.

But the Summit itself must be saved for another post, another day.

This morning, I said a prayer for my students. And I lit a candle. And I pray this will serve as a reminder to me, especially as the week progresses. And I pray I will keep my center...especially amid the classroom craziness (and a full moon).

I know God hears our prayers. We just have to wait for His answers in His time...

Breaking from Normal

A taste of Arizona tonight -

One student from SJV

who now lives in Chicago with her family,

playing volleyball for her school.

Cheering and watching in the crowd,

catching up with her mom and sister.

They won!

And it was truly a lot of fun.

It's good to take a break from the normal routine of everything and enjoy something different and special. Tonight I went out to the suburbs to see a family from the school I taught at during the ACE program. It was almost surreal, seeing them up here in Chicago, when the last time I had seen them was back when I visited AZ in March...

Even though traffic was easy to complain about for the ride home, it was still worth it. And I'm looking forward to seeing them again soon.

Friend time is definitely not wasted time. It's time well-spent, for sure.

Gifts from the Day

“Take as a gift whatever the day brings forth...” 

 ~ Horace (65-8); Roman lyric poet ~

As I stood by the window at the hospital, I found myself thinking about how busy I've been lately.

It's more than just school (which, quite frankly, is sometimes enough in and of itself) - it's commitments like Ministry of Care, before-care and aftercare duties, ACE Advocates meetings and conferences...

And then I stopped. And I thought how fulfilled I feel by participating in and volunteering for all of these activities. They do take up time, but my life would be empty without them. Yes, I'd have more time for myself, but if I have enough now, why do I need more?

I believe in a life well-lived...and I am going to do my best to make sure my life is well-lived for others.

Just one closing thought - came across it the other day:
"Paradise is not made for slackers. Let's get to work!" (St Ignatius of Santhia)

What Teachers Make

I came across a good video that articulates "what teachers make" pretty well -->

 

Also, check out "Teaching Myths Debunked" on EdWeek - it also "clarifies" the teaching profession.

With a lot of negative press in the news about the teacher strike in Chicago recently, it's important to keep in mind that there are many teachers who don't fall into those stereotypes, etc.

Our kids need great teachers - we can't settle for less.

Dance! Dance!

Just had to share this cute brain/body break song:



I honestly don't know who had more fun doing this dance today - the students or me.

Things were actually going well - students were doing controlled movements by their desks, but then our SMARTBoard decided not to turn off, so the students got all excited when they saw the ad for The Duck Song. That also went well (and it was pretty cute), but then they got silly at the end and a few minutes of class ended up being wasted.

However, I still think the "Ants in Your Pants" song above is worth using - and it would have been perfectly fine, except for that malfunction.

Some things you just can't control.

Sometimes all you can do is dance...

The Aquafresh Challenge

Materials:
Aquafresh toothpaste (1 tube)
Toothpicks (22, 1 per student)
Paper plates (11, 1 per every 2 students)

Challenge: To use the toothpicks to physically separate the toothpaste into the three distinct colors (red, white, and blue)

Hidden Challenge: To compare this 3-in-1 toothpaste to the Trinity (our Church's ultimate mystery of 3-in-1)

How'd they do? 

Well, there was some separation of the toothpaste, but all of the students soon came to realize that it was quite impossible to complete the challenge. It was then that we revealed the main reason for the activity - no, it was not really a partner exercise - and we asked why we would have them start a lesson on the Trinity with such an activity.

And that's when I was blown away by some responses to what the Trinity is/means for us and our faith. Students explained that since the Trinity is 3 persons in 1 God, they are really one and cannot be separated, just as the toothpaste has three distinct colors but can't be physically separated too. (That was the gist of it, anyways.)

The rest of the lesson wasn't anything special - in fact, some students got off task - but when we all came back together in the end, I showed them the hand signs for all three persons of the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

And for those 4 minutes at the end, they were engaged completely again.

This makes me realize that when these students do things focused on group discussion or group activities, they really have a hard time focusing. However, when they are hands-on and/or moving, they can stay focused.

But we can't make all of our lessons moving and hand-on all the time, can we? I don't even think we should necessarily. But I do think we really need to keep this in mind.

(As you can see, we're still working through the struggles of the chattiness and off-task-ness of our class.) Oh, where is that magic formula?

But seeing as that isn't likely to happen, we'll take the little victories...like the Aquafresh challenge...and Writers' Workshop...and dismissal...

Reminder

As I was getting a blank thank you card from my stash (to send to my ACE housemate's parents for putting us up for the night on Saturday after the MSU/ND game), I happened to choose the one into which the 2 prayer cards for my grandpa's memorial service had slipped.

I think it's fitting that I should be reminded of him on this weekend, as he spent many a football game in Spartan stadium, and, under any other conditions, I would have been cheering for the Spartans on Saturday in his memory.

And so I share with you tonight "The Parting Glass" - it's a traditional Irish folk song with words that really do hit home.

I'm thinking of you tonight, Grandpa - good times and all...

The Parting Glass - Irish Traditional

Oh all the time that e'er I spent,
I spent it in good company;
And any harm that e'er I've done,
I trust it was to none but me;
May those I've loved through all the years
Have memories now they'll e'er recall;
So fill me to the parting glass,
Goodnight, and joy be with you all.

Oh all the comrades that e'er I had,
Are sorry for my going away;
And all the loved ones that e'er I had
Would wish me one more day to stay.
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should leave and you should not,
I'll gently rise and I'll softly call
Goodnight, and joy be with you all.

Of all good times that e'er we shared,
I leave to you fond memory;
And for all the friendship that e'er we had
I ask you to remember me;
And when you sit and stories tell,
I'll be with you and help recall;
So fill to me the parting glass,
God bless, and joy be with you all.