"Pronoun Pookie"

I was teaching my kids about pronouns the other day. I used a made-up character, "Pronoun Patty," to make it interesting. 

Student: WHO is Patty? That's a weird name

Me: I don't know. She's just a character...and don't say that. Someone might have an aunt or cousin named Patty 

Student: **looks around the room***....Well, I don't know anybody named Patty. We should just call this lady Pronoun....umm...Pronoun Pookie! I know somebody named Pookie!

This is why I teach.

Thoughts for Thursday #9: Laughter

“I don't trust anybody that doesn't laugh.” 

—Maya Angelou

We've heard it all before: Laughter is the best medicine

But what are the actual health benefits of laughing?

Physical Health Benefits

Relaxes muscles

Decreases stress

Boosts immunity 

Mental Health Benefits

Improves mood

Eases anxiety and fear

Enhances resilience

Social Benefits

Encourages teamwork

Diffuses conflicts

Increases attractiveness

HAVE YOU HAD YOUR DAILY DOSE?

Thoughts for Thursday #8

Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you. But if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.  - Henry David Thoreau

3rd grade Flash Mob

Today, my students (3rd grade) were busy working hard on a Social Studies independent assignment. Everyone was so focused. You could hear a pin drop in there. Every teacher's dream right?

Apparently, not mine. 

I was bored. So, I went to my computer and put on Kiss, by Prince, and I just started dancing.

At first, my kids just looked at me like I was crazy. Then, slowly, and without saying a word, 2 of my students got up out of their seats and started to sway awkwardly back and forth. The others looked around with uncertainty. Some of them seemed annoyed that I had disturbed their quiet work environment. By the 1st chorus, more than half of my class was up and out of their seats. The rest of them needed a bit of encouragement. So I silently gestured to them that it was okay.

Pretty soon, it was a full out DANCE PARTY. There were a few chuckles and some nervous laughter, but other than that, no one said a word. We just danced and danced.

When the song was over, everything returned to normal. I sat back at my desk, and my students (every single one of them) resumed their quiet activity, no questions asked.

No one mentioned it for the rest of the day. It was like it never even happened. But, it did. And I'm glad I had that moment with my kids. I hope they can look back and realize that everything doesn't have to be serious all the time. It's okay to have some fun and live a little.

It's these moments that truly count.

Thanks, Prince.

Make a Fool-Proof New Year's Resolution

Raise your hand if you've ever made a super exciting new year's resolution, gotten pumped up about it, told all your friends and family about your new goal....only to end up in March with thoughts of your resolution far in the abyss. Don't be ashamed. We've ALL done it.

Here are some tips on how to create a fool-proof new year's resolution.

# 1: Make your resolution SPECIFIC.
Lose weight. How much weight do you want to lose exactly? Be healthy. How so? Do you want to eat more fruits and veggies? How many times a week do you vow to go to the gym? Save money. How much money do you need to save per week? What exactly is your goal?
Put a number on it. Put a time on it. Specify your goal instead of making a blanket statement.

#2: Make your resolution MEANINGFUL
Just because your best friend's goal is to lay off the sweets in 2013 doesn't mean it's the right resolution for you. Sure, limiting sugar in the new year is a great goal, but are YOU honestly & truly excited about the prospects of missing out on Hershey's, Ben & Jerry's, and your favorite homemade cake? No? Then, don't make that your goal. You won't persevere. Make a resolution that means something to YOU. Don't follow the crowd and do something just because it sounds good.

#3: Make your resolution REALISTIC
Look, I'm all for "reaching for the moon," but there's a difference between reaching for the moon and reaching for another universe. Don't spread your net too wide. You won't catch any fish. Get my drift?

Good luck with your resolutions!

Thoughts for Thursday #7

"I must say a word about fear. It is life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary... it has no decency, respects no law or convention, shows no mercy. it goes for your weakest spot, which it finds with unerring ease. It begins in your mind, always." - Piscine Molitor Patel (Yann Martel), Life of Pi

25 Before 25

I turn 24 in February, so I'll have 1 year and 2 months to complete this list! 

1. learn how to crochet

Gotta make sure I look way hotter than this while doing it though.

2. crochet a blanket
3. teach someone how to crochet 
(preferably an unlikely candidate, such as a 6'4" football player or a 7 year old child)

4. go on a hike
5. learn how to swim (don't judge me)
6. complete another 1/2 marathon (under 3 hours this time)
7. taste 5 "new" kinds of food
8. read 25 books

9. travel outside of the country 
10. improve my Spanish
11. make a point to watch the sun rise or set as often as possible

12. go on a spontaneous weekend vacay
13. start pursuing another degree
14. take myself out on a date

15. paint a masterpiece and hang it up in my home
16. help someone have a revelation
17. do something that scares me
I know this sounds weird, but let me explain. In essence, I want to do something that I know makes me uncomfortable because it is in this space that one can truly grow. Too much comfortability breeds complacency and that is not a space that I'd like to be. So...bring on the challenge!
18. make a 3-course meal COMPLETELY from scratch
19. get a really nice camera and become a self-proclaimed photographer

20. donate blood
This one is very important to me. I've tried before but my iron count was too low. So bring on the spinach....and the needles. YIPES!
21. go zip lining
22. volunteer more often
23. ride a horse 
24. submit at least 1 story to Chicken Soup for the Soul 
This should be easy. The real goal here is to have it be published
25. Plan an out-of-this-world super amazing fantastic wonderful 25th birthday celebration!

Thoughts for Thursday #6

"Don't judge each day by the harvest 

you reap, but by the seeds you plant"

Thoughts for Thursday #5

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. 
The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to
swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. 
The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale.
Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible.
The little girl said, 'When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah'.
The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah went to hell?'
The little girl replied, 'Then you ask him'.

Thoughts for Thursday #4: Make Uncomfortable Deciisions

"Some of the worst decisions we make in our lives 
are the most comfortable ones. 
Discomfort creates space for learning and change."