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How Are You Peeling?

Friday, January 16, 2009

Today, my preschool class was sort of disheartening. For the first time since June, the children had the most number of arguments and misunderstandings. They raised their voices, there was some name-calling, even a little physical tension. The children “forgot” the rules that we set at the start of the sem. They forgot to look at each other and listen…really listen.

So I sat them down and read them:

How Are You Peeling? Foods with Moods

(by Saxton Freymann and Joost Elffers) 

 

 The interesting pictures of sculpted food items amazed them, they listened intently. They laughed and imitated the expressions on every page. This book illustrates a myriad of emotions and asks the children how they should react to certain circumstances. Using How Are You Peeling, I was able to remind the children about the importance of being sensitive and looking at people’s expressions before reacting. The six-year-olds in my class were able to reflect and come to a conclusions “fighting is not good, it is better to talk”, “each one feels different everyday, we need to look at them to know”.

This book is also a good one to read for young children not just for explaining emotions and individuals needs but also on the topics about food, color, texture and shapes. Browse pages of the book here and read more about the book here.

Posted by teacherpapol at 4:36 pm | permalink | Add comment

What Teachers Make

I got this from our former department chair Dr. Carolyn Ronquillo. Truly inspiring. 

WHAT TEACHERS MAKE

The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.

One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, “What’s a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?”

He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

To stress his point he said to another guest; “You’re a teacher, Bonnie.
Be honest. What do you make?”

Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, “You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began…)

“Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.

I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor.

I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can’t make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental…

You want to know what I make?” (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)

I make kids wonder.

I make them question.

I make them criticize.

I make them apologize and mean it.

I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.

I teach them to write and then I make them write.

I make them read, read, read.

I make them show all their work in math.

I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.

I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.

I make my students stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, because we live in the United States of America .

Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.

(Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.)
“Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant… You want to know what I make?

I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make?”

THERE IS MUCH TRUTH IN THIS STATEMENT:
“Teachers make every other profession “.

(indeed, teaching is a noble profession!)

Posted by teacherpapol at 2:53 pm | permalink | Add comment
"I am busy living in the right-now and trying to do my best every day. That to me is succes."
-Yoko Ono

     

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About Me

I am Paula Garcia and Teacher Papol is just one of the many nicknames I got from the children I’ve worked with through the years. I am currently a First Grade teacher during the day and an MA Psychology student at night.

I like writing during my free time--as a way of destressing and keeping track of the things that go on in my life.

My goal is to share my experiences and ideas about activities, dealing with children and families, resources, etcetera to help my fellow teachers in their journey of touching lives.

 

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