Saturday, December 17, 2016

JOIN: Celebrating Winter Break 2016


Every Saturday, join me as I CELEBRATE This Week 
with Ruth Ayres from Discover. Play. Build.


This is my 15th year in education...and it's been a fun year so far! We have a lot of exciting opportunities for kids and since I'm in my 2nd year at my school district, I've developed closer relationships with staff and have been part of some great discussions and planning. Overall, it's been exciting but the week before winter break is still exhausting. Me and my co-worker support technology integration at our three buildings. We spent most of the week in classes doing Hour of Code with our kindergarten, first, and second graders. We introduce them to coding and set them up to spend some time coding with Kodable. Kodable is a a website and also an app where students can get an introduction to coding. It's all visual so it's perfect for pre-readers. It was awesome but exhasusting!

That's why when the principal walked in with a Starbucks drink for me on Thursday...well, I might have jumped up and down and screamed a high-pitch sort of scream. It was awesome. Here's me with my wonderful caramel macchiato. 
And here's a picture of the hallway at the end of the day. I was late leaving and went to check my mailbox one more time before going to pick up my 6 year old from the after school program. I love the magic of an empty building. The quiet stillness is beautiful. I love the energy, the vibrant excitement and whir of busy-ness when it's filled with kids too. But when the students are gone it's like that memory of their enthusiasm still floats in the air and it's beautiful too. 

Today I'm celebrating the start of winter break. After fifteen years of winter break...I know it's going to be great to be home and to spend time with family and that I'll come back to school ready for the rest of the year.

What are you celebrating this weekend?

12 comments:

  1. "The memory of their enthusiasm" Yes! I know exactly what you mean. Love that photo of the empty hallway.

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    1. I love school. When there are kids there and when there aren't, it's still a magical place. :)

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  2. That photo of the hallway! Yes! My favorite time to be at school is early on a Saturday when I need to go in. The magic of an empty school building is amazing. Enjoy a well-earned winter break!

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    1. It's like a roaring quiet, right? So cool. I'm soooo ready for winter break! Thanks!

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  3. I love the empty building magic, too...especially in the morning. Enjoy your winter break!

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    1. I do love the time before school...the anticipation of a new day, the school and staff just waiting for kids to come. Love it. Hooray for winter break!

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  4. I also love the empty building magic. There are so many moments that I am thankful as I work around my room in my socks. Happy holiday vacation!!

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    1. I've been staying late on Friday afternoons because it's quiet and I can zone in on things I have to get done. It's a perfect time to get settled before starting the weekend. But I never walk around in my socks! Might have to think about that! :)

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  5. Have a wonderful, restful break! I loved the magic of an empty building too. Even though I'm easily spooked, I was never afraid at school. Loved being there in the evenings when it was often just me and the custodians.

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    1. Thanks! It's off to a great start already. In my previous district, there was a building that was supposedly haunted...but I never had to be there by myself after school!

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  6. I love hour of code. I did some of the same things this year - Kodable and Angry Bird etc... We also did ozoblockly for the first time. It's super fun to see students excited about coding. Have a wonderful winter break!

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    1. I haven't tried ozoblockly! My 9yo has an ozobot but we haven't spent time exploring the app yet...that should be a to-do for winter break! :)

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