Student: Miss Foyle, you didn't even go to Michigan State.
Me: I know.
Student: Why do you love MSU basketball so much?
Me: Well...
It's actually a pretty simple answer that dates back to 6th grade. This blog post from awhile back pretty much sums it up, so no need to reiterate it.
Final Four 2015, here come the Spartans! (Way to be the bracket busters, MSU...)
Monday, March 30, 2015
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
A Lesson in Humility
This past week's Catholicism lesson focused on prayer, so we had a lot to discuss at our table groups. (There never seems to be enough time to get to all the good stuff!)
Many good thoughts were shared, but I took away something even more important for my own relationship with God: What's hindering your prayer life? Lack of humility.
When I think of my life, I don't go out of my way to seek the praise of others, but if I do something (especially a BIG something) and some people fail to recognize it or be grateful for it, then I get upset and worry that it didn't make a difference. And, while I've worked on it, I often find myself worried about what I'll say to someone else in conversation rather than listen and respond based on what the other person said. In addition, as I mentioned in my small group on Monday, I pray for others, but I don't pray for others enough. So much tends to creep in about me, me, me...and then my thoughts have wandered without my awareness...
In today's Gospel, we hear about the Annunciation of Jesus' birth to Mary, and we hear Mary's yes. She was humbled before God and did not seek any means of glory on her own. She said yes to God, and, at that moment, she turned all eyes toward God with her words, "let it be done to me according to your word."
It's like all the wake-up calls about humility are hitting at once. (I think it was either Fr. Barron's podcast homily this week or Fr. Mike's podcast homily that focused on humility too.) And it's quite revolutionary - I didn't realize how much I had shifted the focus to myself and my feelings/reactions. My main goal needs to be God - letting God's goodness and light shine through me so that I may lead others to God...
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Time to Reflect
“We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience.” - John Dewey
The more I've read about making time for students' self-reflection in the classroom, the more I am a proponent of it. Just last week, our grade level team had the 6th graders think back over their Greek gods/goddesses project, and today I designed/compiled a reflection for the 7th graders to use after we finish up our unit on prayer and Lent.
Yes, reflection takes up class time, but it is time well-spent. With reflection comes opportunities for growth and acknowledgment of effort/understanding.
I have a feeling time set aside for reflection is here to stay in my classroom.
Thursday, March 19, 2015
March Madness is Here!
...and it's not just all about basketball - in our 6th grade classroom, it's all about the books:
I cannot take credit for the whole book bracket thing (as I told a co-worker, it's all over Pinterest), but whoever originally thought it up had a seriously great idea. Not only has it gotten the attention of the 6th graders (including ones who don't necessarily like to read), but it's also made the 7th and 8th grade boys (and some girls) start talking too.
March Madness is awesome - books and basketball alike!
I cannot take credit for the whole book bracket thing (as I told a co-worker, it's all over Pinterest), but whoever originally thought it up had a seriously great idea. Not only has it gotten the attention of the 6th graders (including ones who don't necessarily like to read), but it's also made the 7th and 8th grade boys (and some girls) start talking too.
March Madness is awesome - books and basketball alike!
Monday, March 16, 2015
What an Amazing Grace It Is!
I was never a huge fan of the song "Amazing Grace" growing up - it was one of those ones that, when we sang it, I didn't really feel anything special. It was just a song, one we had to sing every so often because it sounded good. (So, needless to say, I have, over time, committed it to memory.)
However, last night at my church's contemplative Mass, I had a different experience. I think what hit me this time was the word grace (which clearly is in the title, but which, also clearly, I have taken for granted) - it's not by any means of our own that we earn salvation; it's already been won by Jesus who died for us on the cross! (How many times have I sung this song and not really thought of that?!) I think all of the weekly Fr. Barron Catholicism lessons are finally starting to hit home...
It was, to sound cliche, amazing to finally (after all these years) come to this realization - what an amazing grace God has given us! Now, it's our turn to go out in the world, accept it, and share it with others!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On an unrelated note (but one that, in some way, has to do with graces), I am so grateful to the family and friends who helped Marisa and me celebrate our birthday this weekend. From enjoying a fish fry after conferences on Friday to phone calls and texts to St. Patrick's Day festivities to getting ice cream to gathering together for margaritas and chips after Mass last night - wow.
Now, if only Michigan State had won their bball game versus Wisconsin yesterday, it would have been pretty perfect... c'est la vie...
However, last night at my church's contemplative Mass, I had a different experience. I think what hit me this time was the word grace (which clearly is in the title, but which, also clearly, I have taken for granted) - it's not by any means of our own that we earn salvation; it's already been won by Jesus who died for us on the cross! (How many times have I sung this song and not really thought of that?!) I think all of the weekly Fr. Barron Catholicism lessons are finally starting to hit home...
It was, to sound cliche, amazing to finally (after all these years) come to this realization - what an amazing grace God has given us! Now, it's our turn to go out in the world, accept it, and share it with others!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
On an unrelated note (but one that, in some way, has to do with graces), I am so grateful to the family and friends who helped Marisa and me celebrate our birthday this weekend. From enjoying a fish fry after conferences on Friday to phone calls and texts to St. Patrick's Day festivities to getting ice cream to gathering together for margaritas and chips after Mass last night - wow.
Now, if only Michigan State had won their bball game versus Wisconsin yesterday, it would have been pretty perfect... c'est la vie...
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Lenten Letters
Lent is always a good time to refocus - to strip away things that are unnecessary and/or keeping us from growing closer to God.
It's also a time to try new things that have the potential to draw us into deeper communion with Him.
Now, I'll be honest up front - I haven't been keeping up with my Lenten promises 100%. ("The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.") Though, there is one aspect of my Lenten promises that I have been very faithful to: letter-writing - one card/note a day, each one addressed to a different person(s). And, honestly, it's been a beautiful, enriching experience for me. (In fact, I've reached out to a few people I haven't even really talked to in a few years!) It's allowed me another avenue through which to pray for others, and it has made me joy-filled to spend a few moments each day thinking on those folks.
Will I keep it up after Lent? Well, I hope to do it in some sense, whether it be a card a week or notes of encouragement for whatever reason. (After all, my mom can't possibly keep the post office in business all by herself; though, she tries really hard!)
Growth, after all, is what we're striving for, right? We gotta keep trying...
It's also a time to try new things that have the potential to draw us into deeper communion with Him.
Now, I'll be honest up front - I haven't been keeping up with my Lenten promises 100%. ("The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.") Though, there is one aspect of my Lenten promises that I have been very faithful to: letter-writing - one card/note a day, each one addressed to a different person(s). And, honestly, it's been a beautiful, enriching experience for me. (In fact, I've reached out to a few people I haven't even really talked to in a few years!) It's allowed me another avenue through which to pray for others, and it has made me joy-filled to spend a few moments each day thinking on those folks.
Will I keep it up after Lent? Well, I hope to do it in some sense, whether it be a card a week or notes of encouragement for whatever reason. (After all, my mom can't possibly keep the post office in business all by herself; though, she tries really hard!)
Growth, after all, is what we're striving for, right? We gotta keep trying...
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
God Is Good
God is good.
If you ever doubt that, go to Reconciliation.
Last night was absolutely beautiful - so solemn, so sacred. The lights were dimmed, the candles were lit, the music was meditative, and the homily/reflection was relevant. I was able to sit in Church and pray, tuning out other distractions and noise that I am accustomed to hearing.
While confessing to the priest, I explained how in praying the Examen each night, I have found that the times when I did not act as God would want me to act have been the same. I told him that I want to be able to let go and that one night I hope that won't be what comes to mind when I pray. And, he assured me that one day it won't be.
When I knelt to pray, I honestly felt like something that has been holding me back was lifted. And it was incredible and beautiful. And so, I remained a bit longer, just sitting and listening to the music, letting my eyes wander to the different sacred artwork around the church.
Yes, I'll say it again: God is good.
If you ever doubt that, go to Reconciliation.
Last night was absolutely beautiful - so solemn, so sacred. The lights were dimmed, the candles were lit, the music was meditative, and the homily/reflection was relevant. I was able to sit in Church and pray, tuning out other distractions and noise that I am accustomed to hearing.
While confessing to the priest, I explained how in praying the Examen each night, I have found that the times when I did not act as God would want me to act have been the same. I told him that I want to be able to let go and that one night I hope that won't be what comes to mind when I pray. And, he assured me that one day it won't be.
When I knelt to pray, I honestly felt like something that has been holding me back was lifted. And it was incredible and beautiful. And so, I remained a bit longer, just sitting and listening to the music, letting my eyes wander to the different sacred artwork around the church.
Yes, I'll say it again: God is good.
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