A Few Random Thoughts

Hello, everyone!

I know it's been a while since my last post. It's been a busy year so far! I did a training about play for adults, which I'll post soon. I'm also working on a Farm Life activity pack. And, of course, if I have a lesson plan, I'll need a blog post to with it!
So here's a mini post of random thoughts I've had that don't merit a full post on their own.

Every behavior has a reason. But if you can't figure out the root cause, a calm voice and loving hand go a long way.

Everyone just wants to be loved and feel like they matter, from children to directors.

Some days, I feel like I'm taking crazy pills. Then I look around and notice everyone else seems to be, too, so it's ok! We're all mad here.

Free art is necessary for creativity. Crafts have their place. What matters is the skill you want the children to learn.  Start with the skill, then find the activity.

You can write the best lesson plan in the world but when the children find something they're interested in, get ready for it to be derailed.

Twitter's really just a grand conversation with the entire world. Hello world!

I met Ernest Cline last week, the author of one of my current favorite books: Ready Player One. He's written a screenplay and published another bestseller. He said that his career as a writer started out as
telling stories with Star Wars toys.  At the time, he probably thought he was just playing. It makes me wonder how many authors, actors, CEOs, and artists are in my classroom right now.

Warren Robinett was at the signing, too, having been mentioned in Ready Player One. He programmed one of the first adventure games and hid his name as an Easter egg inside it. He was instrumental in changing the shape of storytelling in video games as well as making sure designers got credit. Just by doing what he loved.

By the way, don't get me started on the benefits of video games; we'll be here all month.

"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" has the perfect metaphor for teaching. "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,/but I have promises to keep/and miles to go before I sleep/and miles to go before I sleep."

Our students don't have standardized tests, thank goodness! Instead they get tested every day: observed by teachers, tested by peers to see how they'll react. Some of them learn lessons the hard way as they learn to navigate life in a trial by fire.  This is why only the best teachers can teach early childhood. (I'm sure every other teacher says the same about their grade!)

You know you're a teacher when: you spend your free time on LinkedIn, Twitter, and reddit's "ECE Professionals" subreddit talking about education. Oh, and that geeky site with all of the new gadgets and games? They also have parenting articles, which of course need comments by a professional.

You know you're a teacher when you go shopping and spend more on the classroom than yourself. Even if that's not what you went shopping for.

You know you're a teacher when your spouse knows all of the education acronyms. And they're not even in the field.

You know you're a teacher when you can take kids not listening, getting hurt on the job, and working long hours without batting an eye, but that one child's situation makes you break down.

You know you're a teacher when naptime is the most restful part of the day and it's not even you taking the nap.

You know you're a teacher when you get hugs and "I love you"s every day at work!

Look for a post next week about farm animals.

Happy teaching!

Love, Amy