School Roundup: November/December 2013

Yeah, yeah...I'm a little behind with this recap, but give me a break - it was a busy time of year!

Here are some highlights from the end of 2013 in my Grade 3 class (teachers, feel free to borrow for your own use next year):

November

Writing: As we continued to work on writing a well-developed paragraph, the kids were invited to choose a type of travel and write about why it's the best. Topics ranged from horseback to limousine to ATV, with tons of great examples. These guys are fantastic at staying on topic and many are able to give detailed arguments (including a great use of humour). Every year I find conventions (especially spelling) are the biggest challenge, but since we're lucky enough to have a class set of laptops (i.e. Spellcheck), work is much improved.

Social Studies: In November and December the kids explored Early Settlements in Upper Canada.

One website that's fantastic - interactive and related to the Ontario Curriculum - is Pioneer Life In Upper Canada. The first couple of years I used this site, I incorporated the worksheets, but I find that the kids actually retain more when we just sit at the carpet and follow along with the site on the Smartboard.

As a read-aloud to correspond with this unit, I read the kids Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia Maclachlan - a quick read, and it's always a bonus when there's a movie to go with it!

The kids' final assignment for this unit was a poster comparing Early Settlers times to Modern Times under four categories of their choosing (clothing, homes, schools, food, etc.). This is always a very popular assignment, and I'm able to use it for Social Studies, Writing and Learning Skills marks.

Here's are a couple of samples:

Remembrance Day: Each year our school holds an assembly to commemorate this day, and this time around our primary division (under the guidance of our musically talented Special Education Resource Teacher) performed a beautiful song called "I Dream of The Day" (the link takes you to lyrics and music). I played the song over and over for the kids while they were eating or working on art, and by the time we started rehearsals they had it memorized.

December

Walk Through Bethlehem: Since we're talking about performances, this year we strayed from the traditional concert format, and instead turned our school into Bethlehem. Older students were Roman Guards who led groups of parents and visitors through the school, making stops in classrooms along the way to their final stop at the Nativity. In our Grade 3 room, they got to take a peek at the shepherds hanging out in their field, who were then greeted by the angel announcing Christ's birth. Moved by the Spirit, they burst into song - "Let's Go, Let's Go - The Shepherds' Song". No offense to the enthusiastic gentleman performing here on Youtube, but it looked MUCH cuter performed by 20 eight year olds in shepherd costumes:





Writing: We did two pieces of Christmas writing - another paragraph, this time about a Christmas tradition (how heartwarming to read these and learn about all of the special traditions that take place in my students' homes) and a piece of fiction with a Christmas theme. A consultant from the School Board once visited my class and taught me (and the students) a great graphic organizer type of trick for retelling (or, as I have adapted it, planning) fiction.

Beginning: Triangle - representing characters, setting, problem

Middle: Square - representing approximately four events in the middle of the story

End - circle - representing the need to wrap it up and solve problem from the beginning

It certainly helps to have this organizer in mind at EQAO (provincial standardized testing) time, when the students are always asked to write a piece of fiction.

Read-Aloud: The Family Under The Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson. This is a sweet story about a "hobo" in Paris who, against his better judgment, becomes entangled with a family of homeless children. I had to do a little on-the-spot tweaking of some of the scenes regarding Father Christmas, because...well, just because.

Art: As you may remember, we had a fantastic Christmas craft morning, with fake fireplace burning on the Smartboard and carols playing through the surround-sound system (don't you love technology in the classroom!)

I also used another as-seen-on-Pinterest idea, where the kids made Christmas carolers something like this (link to the original Pinterest pin is below the picture):

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/175288610470234494/

Although really, they turned out nothing like this. But as I told the kids, when most of the students have not completed the assignment properly, that means the teacher must not have explained it well enough. Live and learn!

Miscellaneous: The kids drew names for "Secret Santa" in the month of December, and some really got into it. On the last day of school, they brought a wrapped gift of $5 value for their chosen classmate, and we had a fun time unwrapping and guessing just who each student's Secret Santa was. I've done this (or something similar) six times, and never has a student been forgotten.

The last thing I do before sending the kids home for the holidays is gather at the carpet to read the birth stories from the Gospels, and then a couple of my favourite Christmas picture books, including this one, which I received from a student a couple of years ago (great teacher gift for next year, btw...you've started your shopping, right?):

Well, that's it for 2013! Looking forward to so much more in 2014!

Make Life Easier: Chores My Daughters Do - And Your Kids Can Too!

I think the title of this post is straightforward enough: I am a big fan of teaching kids independence (in my classroom as much as at home) and I thought I'd share which tasks we've assigned to our girls (ages five and seven) in the hopes that perhaps I can make your life easier too! (Or, you can just judge me and wonder why, oh why, I want my children to grow up so fast, and why I don't want to dote on them and single-handedly meet their every need. Whatever works for you!)

Kitchen

• Set table
• Assist with meal preparation as requested
• Clear table
• Put own dishes in dishwasher
• Unpack school bag (take out agenda) and lunch bag (this is the point where I sign the agenda and read school notes) while they start lunches
• Put agenda back in bag
• Make lunch (evening) This is a BIG one. I slice buns (if that's a requirement on a particular day), but they do everything else, following the rules: 1 dairy (yogurt, cheese) 1 fruit, 1 carb snack, 1 meal, plus fill up the water bottle.
• Put lunch in school bag (morning). I still get it out of the fridge so that it can't be missed. I'm not going to be the mom who works at the school and didn't send her own children with lunches.
• Unpack and put away groceries. (Recently, we returned home from a weekend away, and had picked up groceries en route. I went to the bedroom to unpack my suitcase, and by the time I came out 7 year old Frannie had unpacked and put away five bags of groceries....and everything was in the right place! The fact that the kids clear the table and make lunches really helps them to see where things belong, though we did have one incident where I called the grocery store to see if I had left the fresh orange juice (listed on my receipt) at the till. A couple of hours later, Frannie heard me and my husband talking and spoke up: "We brought it home! I put it in the cupboard with the apple juice!" I'm sure it was fine.

Next up: I want to follow my sister-in-law's idea and get them each a little handbroom and dustpan so they can clean up their own crumbs! I haven't taught them how to wield a full-sized broom yet.

Bathroom

• Brush and floss (with disposable flossers) teeth and put away toothbrush/toothpaste (morning/evening)
• Replace toilet paper roll when necessary
• My 7 year old is starting to take showers on her own, but sometimes still asks me to help. It will be a beautiful day when I can say "Go take your showers!" (Yes, they grow so fast and one day I will miss the fact that they wanted me to shower them, I know, I know.)

Bedroom

• Get dressed (asking for assistance with tricky buttons, etc. Asking means coming directly to the adult and making the request, not sobbing "I NEED HELLLLLLLLLP!" from the bedroom.)
• Make beds. They have been taught to do this properly and that they must do their best. I accept most day's work as "their best". This was hard for me at first.
• Put dirty laundry in laundry basket
• Put laundry away (I fold it in piles, they put items where they go). Frannie does slightly more than Maggie, as she now mixes and matches her own clothes. I still match up outfits for the five year old, and each day she chooses the one she wants from the hanging closet organizer. Because of hand-me-downs (from various people) she has WAY more clothing than her sister, and I'm not ready to relinquish total control because I want to make sure that outfits get rotated, holiday pieces are worn in season, etc. By summertime I plan to hand over the reins.
• Keep room "tidy"...the definition of which continues to be negotiated.Again, this is hard for me.

Outdoors

• Bring in mail/newspaper and recycling boxes (They only do this in nice weather. I don't want them slipping down our driveway in subzero temps.)
• Put away all pool toys after swimming, and hang up swimsuits and towels to dry. Don't know how this one occurred to me in this weather...

Miscellaneous

• Do homework (7 year old)
• Put on/remove outerwear, hanging up/using racks as appropriate
• Clean up one activity before starting another

It's important for me to mention that my daughters are not always gleeful when it comes to these responsibilities, and they do require reminders. Some days more than others!

I also want to make it clear that I don't have my children slaving away so I can get my Twitter fix (not usually, anyway) but if half an hour at night can be saved, that gives me lots more time for reading stories and helping with homework - without making it feel like those are chores as well. Plus how do they lose when they are learning to be responsible and self-sufficient young women from this age?

So...what am I missing? Is there anything else that kids this age should be doing themselves? I'd be glad to add it to my (their) list!

5 Signs "Scandal" Might Not Be For You

Chances are, you're already watching Scandal. But just in case you're not, I feel the need to spread the word.

While I am fairly up on entertainment and had certainly heard two years' worth of buzz regarding the Shonda Rhimes drama (I love her work; having seen every episode of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice), I didn't actually start watching until the current season (the third) and now there's no going back. Though actually, there's lots of going back. After the first episode of this season, I was desperate to see what I had missed, so I downloaded the first two seasons from iTunes, and I've been frantically catching up.

This show, however isn't for everybody. The following are my top five signs that Scandal might not be for you:

1. You like predictability. While occasionally I can see what's coming (I mean, I totally knew that aspiring politician was secretly with his brother's wife...which probably means that Shonda and the writers wanted me to get that from the start) there are tons of surprises that you truly cannot see coming, from the trivial to the downright shocking.

Scandal cast

2. You want linear, step-by-step plots. Scandal is not about keeping things in bland chronological order, though I'm sure it's not helping that I'm going back and forth between the current season and past seasons, all of which include flashbacks. It's just a big, beautiful scandalous blur. I would love to know how far ahead the master plan for the show was written, as the frequent flashbacks tie in so seamlessly it feels like it was all scripted before the show ever began.

Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope

3. You want to know who you're rooting for. Sure, Olivia Pope is the heroine...but man, can she mess up sometimes. And how is it possible as a viewer to fall totally in love with the guy who's having an affair? In most films and shows, it works if you hate the one-dimensional wife...but you just can't hate Mellie either, and she's definitely multi-dimensional. You also just can't hate the guy who is able to torture a close friend by removing her teeth. Seriously. Who's right and who's wrong? Everyone. Every character is a bad guy. Every characters is a good guy. Just like real life.

Tony Goldwyn as President Fitz Grant and Bellamy Young as First Lady Mellie Grant

4. You want actors to be on red-carpet pedestals, inaccessible to their fans. This cast live-tweets during the broadcasts, which is a major draw for viewers. I wondered if it was a contractual obligation, but I think that would spoil the effect, and none of it seems forced. I mean actors know that fans = ratings = contract renewals = more work = more money, but I truly don't get the sense that they're interacting for that reason. This cast really seems to appreciate what they're a part of, and they love the "gladiators" who share it with them. Even in interviews they appear to have fun together.

(Please note that Kerry Washington can sure handle the red carpet too. I've heard her mention a few times that she realized quickly that her red-carpet and editorial presence is her marketing department, and that philosophy is certainly working for her. On a related note, don't you think mom-to-be Kerry would make an excellent addition to my celebrity Momterviews here at This Mom Loves? What do you think, KW?)

And by the way - the acting on this show is incredible. Not only Kerry, but the whole ensemble: Tony Goldwyn, Bellamy Young (who is absolutely brilliant as First Lady Mellie Grant), Guillermo Diaz, Jeff Perry...I feel like I want to just list the whole cast, as they really are that good.

Fitz and Olivia

5. You like to feel comfortable while you watch TV. If you don't want to digest smart dialogue, squirm because you can relate exactly to a scene, feel a rush of emotions as you love/hate/fear someone...then don't watch Scandal. The dialogue is incredibly sharp, with episode titles (if not all, I haven't analyzed completely) being pulled from actual lines from the show. (I mean really, "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"?) If your comfort zone only has room for nice old-fashioned characters, this show is also not for you. Color, gender, sexual orientation...who cares, with characters like these? Being a powerful black woman is not "the story", nor is a gay couple adopting a baby. But they're IN the story, which to me has a much more profound effect.

Olivia and Abby Whelan, played by Darby Stanchfield

Catching up on Scandal in bed has not exactly been helping with my sleep. Not only am I staying up late, but I have scenes going through my head while I'm trying to nod off and characters are even visiting me in my dreams. Well, a certain character. I'll just leave it at that. But I'm sorry, Mellie. And Olivia. See, I don't even know who to apologize to!

Season 3 of Scandal on ABC resumes next month. My PVR is set.

(Images used are courtesy of ABC. And by "courtesy of", I mean that I am borrowing their promotional shots and hoping they don't mind, since I am certainly trying to promote!)

Look What I Found: The Miscellaneous Edition

For your amusement: more goodies that have been dug out of basement storage!

Photos of the first two weddings I was in  - the first as flower girl for my mom's cousin Lisa in 1981, and the second as bridesmaid for my Aunt Sue in 1991. I vividly remember the minister putting a quarter on the floor right where I was supposed to stand as a flower girl - and I even got to keep it! For my aunt's wedding ten years later, there were a few tears when hairdresser insisted on doing my bangs in that whole top-curled-back, bottom-curled-under way...which even as a 14 year old I knew was going out of style. So I went home and fixed them, and all was good!

The next wedding I was in was my own, followed by my sister-in-law's in 2002, and my brother's in 2006.

Most recently were the back-to-back wedding parties in 2008. First I was matron of honour for my cousin Kerry when Maggie was 15 days old, and then bridesmaid for friend Allison one week later. Talk about crazy dress fittings...and I really should be including those photos here, as I filled out a dress like I never have before and never will again! 

My next sentimental discovery was this "guest book" page from my 5th birthday party in 1982, which I had plaqued many years ago as a keepsake. I love how all of my grandparents signed their names, and while it's such a silly little thing, looking at it makes me feel like they're all with me, even though three of them have since passed away.

Last but not least...does anyone want to know where I was on February 19th, 1995? No one? Because I could tell you, since I have every day planner I've used for the last 18 years! I thought with my new BlackBerry I just might be convinced to start using the electronic calendar, but there's still just something about planning things on paper that appeals to me. Good thing I have my 2014 Kate Spade calendar all ready to go! Happy New Year, everyone!

The Happiness Project: January

I love nonfiction, and Gretchen Rubin's "The Happiness Project" is one of my all-time faves. It recounts her year-long journey to become happier, with month-by-month goals, and every time I read it, I feel like I'm visiting with a friend.

I chose this book for our book club's next selection, and have threatened my fellow members that I won't even set a date for our meeting until they have all actually read the book! (Because *occasionally* it happens that everyone hasn't read the book. Which usually isn't a big deal, because *occasionally* we actually discuss the selected title.)

This book isn't a quick-fix, and not meant for those dealing with serious issues like clinical depression, but instead it's the story of one woman's journey to get even happier. And while some may see that as a selfish or trivial goal, I know that my happiness has a direct impact on that of my husband and children, not to mention my coworkers and the students in my class. The author also makes it clear that it's not reasonable to expect blissful happiness 24/7, but just think: if you can take yourself from 50% of the time to 75% of the time, imagine the difference that could make in your life.

While I've read the book several times, I thought this year I'd try to follow along with the monthly goals, and see how my journey compares, and how I can gain more happiness in my life, not just for my own sake, but for the benefit of the others in my life as well.

January: Boost Energy (Vitality)

Gretchen's goals were:

• Get to sleep earlier. This is certainly one I don't have to worry about, as it has been a huge priority for my entire adult life to get my sleep. On work nights, I'm in bed between 9 and 10 and the alarm goes off at 6, which seems to work for me. On weekends, I adjust accordingly. I fully believe that getting sleep has a huge impact on mood, productivity and overall health so it's a very worthwhile goal.
• Exercise better. Again, I find this plays a role in my stress level, and I attribute some of the calm I experienced this past fall with the fact that I was getting on the treadmill regularly. For me, that means 30 means of  brisk walking, 4 or 5 times per week. Since weight loss isn't a goal for me, this meets my needs. Plus, I'm able to watch TV, read magazines or even use my treadmill desk to do a bit of web-surfing while I walk. While that might seem counter-intuitive for stress reduction, there are nights when I wouldn't be getting on the treadmill at all without the opportunity to respond to emails or edit an article at the same time.
• Toss, restore, organize. Amen! Gretchen needed a lot more help with this than I do. I swear, I get a high from organizing and getting rid of things. My house is pretty much as pared-down as it can be (considering that I don't throw out any of my daughter's belongings without their permission. Ish.) In this chapter, Gretchen writes of the joy that comes from an empty shelf, and I find the same feeling from having an empty drawer in my dresser or vanity. So much promise, and definitive proof that that I don't have too much stuff.

See:

• Tackle a nagging task: for Gretchen, this included getting a light fixed and going for a skin-cancer check. For me, it was getting the bedroom carpets cleaned on the holidays. I've been hesitant to go anything with the girls' rooms, as I couldn't decide whether to upgrade to hardwood or wait a few years, and then we wanted to get them blackout blinds and I thought we should wait until we redecorate to make sure everything goes together...so nothing was getting done. Committing to cleaning the carpets and living with them for a few more years is a start. I think for the girls' spring birthdays we'll let them select new bedding and paint colours, and they'll be all set to sleep in with new blinds by summertime!
• Act more energetic. Huh? Well, it's true...sometimes you have to fake it til you make it. And I don't want to be that annoying person complaining every day about how tired I am. (Again: if you're dealing with a medical issue and have chronic fatigue, I'm not talking about you.) There's a big difference between "my child threw up six times last night so I haven't slept" (which definitely gets my sympathy) and "I'm so tired!" repeated on an hourly loop, on a daily basis. Get to bed! 

Something Gretchen didn't include that I want to try is drinking more water. I've read that dehydration can cause you to feel sluggish, and I usually just drink at mealtimes. I'm going to make more of an effort to get that H20 into my body. How can it hurt? (There's a staff washroom right around the corner from my classroom and the teacher next door doesn't mind covering for me, so I'm good there.) I'm also trying to remember to take my multivitamin every single night. Lord knows I need it, as my diet lacks several important vitamins.

What resolutions can you make this month to help restore your energy, and boost your happiness?

Looking For Input: Disciplining 9-11 year olds

Do you have a child between the ages of 9 and 11? I'd love to get some input for an article I'm working on about disciplining kids in this age group.

What "little kid" discipline techniques don't work anymore?
What behaviour issues begin to crop up at this age?
What strategies work well now?
Do you go with reward or punishment or a combination of both?
What motivates your child (e.g. having technology taken away, grounding, promises to have a special outing/purchase something, etc.)

If you have a response in mind for even one of these questions, I'd be thrilled for you to share it (you don't have to reply to everything, and I don't use real names without permission!) I love getting feedback from people I know, but it's also really important to get a range of viewpoints from moms and dads all over the country, so please don't think that your input doesn't matter - it does!

You can leave a comment below or e-mail me directly at katewinn77 at yahoo dot ca.

Thanks in advance for helping me with my holiday homework!

Trista Sutter: The "Happily Ever After" Momterview

As the original Bachelorette, Trista Sutter found love on reality television with Colorado firefighter Ryan Sutter. Still happily married after ten years, this mom of two (son Max is 6, daughter Blakesley is 4) has recently published a book, "Happily Ever After: The Life-Changing Power of a Grateful Heart". It isn't a memoir (though she does share lots of the details we want to know about marriage, parenthood and her TV experiences) but instead a reminder about how important it is to be grateful, incorporating research and her own gratitude stories, as well as those of her friends, family and even strangers.

"Expressing your gratitude isn't an extra," Trista writes. "It's everything."

As part of the usual press circuit (start with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America, next co-host The View, then talk to Kate Winn at This Mom Loves), new author Trista kindly agreed to answer some questions for me and my readers.

Photo by Morgan Matters Photography

This Mom: You have so many fans out there who would have been interested in anything you wanted to write. Why did you choose the topic of gratitude?  

Trista Sutter: I really want it to be something meaningful.  I didn't want to write something, just to have my face on the cover of a book, but for the stories included to be authentic to who I am and to touch readers in a moving way.  Every night on social media, I post my #favepartofday as a way to focus on the positive and reflect on the good things, especially if it was a bad day.  It started from there and then ended up taking shape through the stories of others who have inspired me, as well as the research that I found (and have included) from the world of Positive Psychology.  

TM: What tricks do you have for pulling yourself out of a slump if you’re having a not-so-grateful day? 

TS: I try to take a time-out, breathe, and let myself be frustrated or sad or anxious, but then pick myself up and focus on one of the things I'm most grateful for.  That usually ends up being my kids, but for those who aren't parents, it can be anything...the fact that you ARE breathing, or that you have the capability to feel, or that you are healthy and have a roof over your head.  If you allow yourself to experience the rough spots, give yourself grace, and focus on picking yourself up and heading in a positive direction, sometimes that's all you can do.  

TM: Happy tenth anniversary! What made you decide to renew your vows, and to do it on national television? (Trista and Ryan celebrated their anniversary on December 6th, renewing their vows in a December 14th ceremony which will air on ABC  January 19th.) 

TS: Thank you!  We wanted to celebrate this milestone and be able to incorporate our children into an official ceremony focused on our love. Because we met and married on television, we also wanted to share it not only with our immediate family and closest friends, but with the fans who have been so supportive over the years.  

TM: Why do you think you and Ryan have been able to make it, when most of The Bachelor/Bachelorette couples have not?  

TS: I can't speak to the other couples, but I can tell you a few of the reasons that I think Ryan and I have been able to make it to 10 years...respect, friendship, love, commitment, trust, honesty, effort, communication, moving to Colorado, keeping each other and our family as a top priority, forgiveness, fun, values, and a very strong support system.  

TM: What are your tips for keeping a marriage strong?  

TS: Make sure to keep your relationship as a top priority.  Make time with each other.  Put as much time and effort into your relationship as your career and your hobbies, stay committed and grateful, and your marriage will stay strong.

TM: I get the strong impression from the book that you have no plans to return to physical therapy, but you do hint that you may not yet have found your “final professional path”. What do you think will be next in terms of work? 

TS: Physical therapy is definitely something that was in my past, mostly because my mommy brain has removed everything I knew from my memory!  In talking about my final professional path, I'm not sure, but I absolutely LOVE where I am right now and could see continuing on in the literary world as a children's author...at least that's a hope!

TM: How would you complete the sentence "This Mom Loves..."?

TS: This Mom Loves with a grateful heart.  

Thanks so much, Trista! "Happily Ever After" is available in stores and online now (you know your hubby hasn't shopped yet; put this on your list!), and you can follow Trista on Twitter (and learn her favourite part of every day) here: https://twitter.com/tristasutter.

Bachelor/Bachelorette fans may also be interested in my recent interview with Jillian Harris, too!

Mom's Christmas Decor: A Photo Tour

Christmas is my holiday because of my mom. For as long as I can remember, she has made it special with tunes playing (Kenny Rogers/Dolly Parton and Roger Whittaker), treats mixing (Sweet Marie bars and butterscotch marshmallow squares), fire burning (okay, Dad gets credit for that one) and fun wrapping (there were always codes on my brother's and my gifts under the tree, so we didn't know whose were whose until we cracked the code!)

One of the best parts of Christmas at my parents' house has always been the decorating. While her styles and budget have varied over the years, she manages to put a bit of Christmas in every room of the house without every going too far, and changes things up every year. (Whereas I could pretty much decorate my house in my sleep, since everything seems to go in the same place.) Plus, her arrangements are not pre-made and purchased; she just somehow has an eye for putting things together...way better than I do. (We teach the students about learning styles, and while I score pretty high for Verbal/Linguistic, my Visual/Spatial skills are...well...they aren't.)

We went to visit this past weekend, and as soon as I stepped inside, I was overwhelmed with a wonderful festive feeling, and grabbed my Dad's camera in order to give you a bit of a tour. The lighting helped set the mood, of course, which isn't visible in the photos, but hopefully you still get the idea.

(She paid $1 each for the urns, and filled them herself)

I guess this is where I get my love for a blue and silver tree from.

The well-loved nativity set. Every Christmas Eve, the youngest person present places Baby Jesus in the manger, a tradition I use in my classroom as well.

She won this tree in a draw, covered in blue and pink - perfect to display the yearly photo ornaments of her grandson and three granddaughters!

Thanks, Mom, for letting me share these photos...and for making Christmas so special for us every year. Now that I'm a mother too, you inspire me to do the same for my girls, so that they will grow up with the same feelings of warmth, joy, peace and love that you gave us.