ABC Countdown 2015

In the fall of 2010, I returned back to the classroom after being in administration for two years.  I was working full time in a grade one classroom and completing my master thesis.  In the spring of 2011, I began to think about how I wanted to end my first year of being back in the classroom.  This was the moment the ABC Countdown was created.  It was a fun and exciting way to celebrate the last 26 days of school and keep us motivated towards the end.

In June 2011, I was the only classroom in my school participating in the ABC Countdown.  Five years later it has grown to our entire Division One (9 classrooms) getting together to create an amazing experience for our students.

I look forward to the last 26 Days of School.

Zoo School

This past week my students spent an entire week at The Edmonton Valley Zoo.  This alternate learning environment was jammed packed with so many learning objectives.  Grade one is a prime age for children to learn about zoos.  Young children just have a general attachment and curiosity towards animals.

Zoo School is part of a larger program called Inquiry Minds that provides many different week-long programs around Edmonton and area.  If you live in the Edmonton area, I would strongly suggest applying to one of these site schools.  I promise, you will not be disappointed.

Here are just a few of the highlights from our amazing week.

 

Feeding the Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs.  They enjoyed the kale.

Students getting to pet Emelda the Ball Python

Students getting a chance to observe the Burrowing Owls

Students getting a chance to observe the Amur Tigers

Students learning about Lucy and her Five Senses

Checking out the Emerald Tree Boa

Hand Feeding the Lemurs

A large component of Zoo School and the other site schools is each student is responsible for journaling throughout the week.  Here are just a few of the journal pages from Zoo School.  

        

  

The other component of Zoo School is creating a year long project at your own school.  The project my students have been working on is the Amazing Animal Alphabet Adventure Journal.  This year my students have been learning about animals that are specific to the Edmonton Valley Zoo through non-fiction books, websites, etc.  They then create fun fact sheets and sketches of these animals.  As well as they read a fiction book where the animal is a character in the story.  At the end of this project, my students will have a complete alphabet book.

 

Check out the Storify of our Amazing Week!

New Blog Design and Domain Name

Ever since joining Twitter in 2013, I heard all about the importance of creating your own domain name.  At the time, I already had two blogs going and was unsure how I wanted this to look.

Over Spring Break, I read the amazing book What Connected Educators Do Differently by Whitaker, Zoul and Casas.  After reading their book, I finally decided to sit down and create a vision on how I wanted everything to look.  With the help of my amazing #cdnedchat friends (James, Dana and Bill), I talked with them about their experiences, what worked, what didn't, and bounced ideas off of them.  Then I finally took the plunge.  I created my own domain name.  With help from the very talented Barbara over at Barbara Leyne Designs we were able to work together to create the final product you see now.  She worked closely with me to help bring my ideas and desires through.

I will still continue to blog at The Candy Dish but I wanted pages to also reflect other parts of my personal and professional life.  Please take some time to check out the new pages added.

I hope you enjoy.

One Word

Last December I finished reading the book One Word by Jon Gordon, Dan Britton and Jimmy Page.  This book helped me to bring my life into focus.  For two years prior to reading One Word, I have been documenting my life through Project 365.  I started Project 365 not only to capture moments but also to begin the process of reflection and to have a grateful heart.  After reading One Word in December 2013, I realized I wanted to continue this process of reflection and truly guide my direction for 2014.

On December 31, 2013 my word became very clear in my mind.  

EXECUTE

This is what I wrote on that day: My #oneword for 2014. EXECUTE.  It is time to make the most of every opportunity, moment and wish.  I want to be fully present and follow through on each task and to-do.  I want to experience so much this year and fully execute each occasion that comes my way.  

This past year I have focused on executing so many things in my life - both professionally and personally.  I also even created 14 of '14.  These were 14 things, I wanted to fully execute throughout the year.  Although some were as small as reading a book a month, others seemed almost too large at the time like finishing another master course just for my own professional growth.  

However, as the days past throughout the year, my word began to drive everything I did.  I would find myself asking if I had fully executed throughout the day.  Did I commit and follow through on what I had promised?

As 2014 comes to an end, I have decided to do One Word again for 2015.  While reading Jon's book, he mentions the word will just come to you.  You will find it and feel it with your whole heart.  In recent weeks, I have written a word over and over, I have seen it come up over and over in books, on videos I watch, twitter, etc.  I feel it when I lay in bed before I close my eyes.  My word for 2015 truly does feel like it is meant for me and has come even more from my heart.  I can not wait to share it.  

But for the next few weeks of 2014 - I will continue to EXECUTE fully every challenge, opportunity, and experience that comes my way.

Stop Thinking and Start Doing

We often sit around and think of all the things we would like to do.  We think of all of our dreams we have for ourselves.  We create lists upon lists – grocery lists, to-do lists and for some, we often even create bucket lists.  All of the time we spend thinking we tell ourselves it is for preparation.  Our thinking is preparing us for when we actually are ready to do it.  We think about all the things that need to be in place before.  I need this new job first.  I need this amount of money.  I need to have my finances in order.  I need to finish this project.

Although preparation is important, we need to start doing.  Action is the only true way you are going to accomplish the items on your list or be the person you were meant to be.  Tomorrow is going to come whether you want it to or not - but more importantly it is what you choose to do that counts.  So stop thinking and start doing.

Celebrate YOU!

I have been spending a lot of time reflecting and finally relaxing after a long school year.  What really intrigued me today was thinking about how we celebrate others so effortlessly but can so easily forget ourselves.  We can easily celebrate other people's successes and accomplishments.  We can easily celebrate other people's birthdays.  But for some reason when it comes to ourselves we struggle to celebrate ourselves.

We are often modest.  We will say things like, "Oh, It is no big deal" or "It is just another day."  If this becomes our norm, what are we constantly telling ourselves.

Today, you need to take some time to Celebrate YOU!  Go out and buy yourself that mini-cupcake and celebrate all the things you have accomplished in life.  Whether it is school, family, work- whatever it is.  I don't really care.  How about just even celebrating life!! You are alive!!

Tuesday, I OWN YOU!

Well, Monday has come and gone and it is Tuesday.  Sometimes after a rough Monday, I just want a do-over.  But, then I sit back and wonder..do I really want a do-over of Monday or do I just want to take Tuesday on with everything I got. 

So, here we are Tuesday.  And I have three words for you - I OWN YOU!

I am not going to let others bring me down.  I am going to stay positive and only say kind words.  I am going to be present in today.  

Have a great Tuesday, everyone!