Imagine

My journaling from the other day...

when I had a lot on my mind.

Some things weigh heavily on the heart

and in the mind of a sensitive person like me.

And Now the Finale

As promised, here are my social studies students'

Communities posters, all finished!

We did social studies at the end of each day

because it was just so relaxing...

coloring, drawing

to show what they'd learned...

after full mornings of lots of

reading and writing and pencils.

~aaah crayons, still kinda new...

I overheard one child telling another that I

"was going to be impressed"!

 

I am!

Thanks for looking. I hope you enjoyed second grade!

~Kath

Happy Is...

...the art that the art teacher had students create in my elementary school! 

As promised, here is what she did with a school-full during that first crazy week:

Now if THAT doesn't make you want to tear paper...!

 Here are some close-ups of the letters.

♥

{sigh}

I just HAD to share that with you all.

Now I have to find my own time to make my own creations

and do some journaling...

~k

I'm Back...and Here's Where I've Been...

Here's one view of my 2nd grade classroom, all ready for last night's Open House.

Many of our teachers have adopted the "Daily 5" Method of fostering independence in literacy while having (teacher) guided reading with small groups of students.

Students receive direct instruction and coaching,

as well as practice time,

in HOW TO read with comprehension,
write, & listen.

Lots of reading and writing practice time...at the C.A.F.E. !

Then, of course, there's Social Studies. 

 Communities is a big unit of study in grade two.

RURAL:

 SUBURBAN:

URBAN:

What better way to illustrate what you've learned

than to design, plan, and draw together, as a community of learners?

♥

So, anyway, I am sorry I haven't been around all week,

but I have thought of you and tried to pop in on your wonderful blogs,

if only for a moment.

You are my inspiration, afterall! And I miss you!

I'll show you the art teacher's amazing hallway really soon~

I promise you'll love it!

♥

HAPPY AUTUMN!

Love, ~kath

First Day of School: Memories

...in my journal.

I signed up for Moira's art journaling course, Falling For You. It started yesterday! I am excited to learn new techniques and to discover new ways to use my masks and stencils in my backgrounds.

This first prompt about first day of school had to include a piece of notebook paper. It was relaxing to me late last night...

I just completed my first FULL week of school in my inclusion class, with my 23 students. It actually was quite a good beginning. I worked 55 hours and am now going to relax as I babysit for the sweet little 15 month old girl who was Michelle's flower girl a month ago...and get psyched for NHL Hockey (the Buffalo Sabres) to begin a new season, not that I've been counting the days or anything...!

Happy weekend to you all!  Thanks for visiting!  ~kath

As the Sun Sets this Evening

I couldn't resist a little walk after work this evening. But it was so beautiful everywhere, I soon ran for my camera.  I just had to show you how lovely the hibiscus look in the sunset....just in case you need a breath of fresh air today, too.

I didn't edit these at all, because I love the memory of how the September shadows fall just before 7 PM.

Hope you enjoy these. Everything's better when shared.

♥

Have a good night.

~k

Wednesday's Journal page

It was a good second day of school.

Hope you're having a good week,
~Kathy

September Journal Calendar!

This calendar journal was inspired by Back-to-School Time.

Even though we teachers no longer work in a little red schoolhouse,

and we don't have blackboards anymore,

the start of school brings red and black to mind.

 On these white pages, I spread gesso, let it dry, then covered it all in deep red.

 I set down a 12-inch mask/stencil, and spritzed a bit of water on the pages.

 I then let that sit for a few minutes, blotted up extra water drops with a paper towel, then wiped the whole page with a baby wipe. It worked. It's a technique I just learned from Journalartistaart's blog. (Thank you, Paula). I need a lot more practice, but...I will. Practice. In my free time now that school has begun.

 Students begin early on Tuesday, September 6th.

Everyone's probably a little nervous,

but we'll smile and help one another through.

It takes a village, afterall...

*

Have a happy Labor Day Weekend, all.

If I don't get to you in the next couple of days,

Best to all of you teachers and students out there!

*

For lots more calendar journals, check out Kate's Blog at thekathrynwheel !

Completed August Calendar

August was wedding-wonderful and here is my 8th month of Kate's Calendar Journal Challenge for 2011, all completed...with love!

For more from Kate's Challenge, go to TheKathrynWheel ! My September calendar is...ahem...on it's way too, Kate!!