Laughter is good for weight-reduction.

One of my grandchildren came over recently to bake cookies as gifts for others. We made cookie dough from scratch that had to be kneaded and rolled out. As my granddaughter was working with the dough on a flour-covered surface, a huge blob of flour fell on the floor surrounding her feet. When she lifted her bare feet, there was a pattern on the kitchen floor. We laughed but were in a hurry so we kept going. Later, we realized we had not captured that special moment when that huge blob of flour fell on the floor. It was really funny. A week later, we duplicated it and took photos to have forever of our special baking day. We laughed and laughed and got really creative with the flour around her feet. Click here to see these silly photos. We even took the flour and made a “cookie face” with buttons.

You too need to take advantages of the moments to laugh and be silly. They love it, and so will you. It’s a joy to laugh and to have fun. It’s the greatest “weight reduction” plan of all times because laughter lifts the weight of the world off of you and your students.

Have an awesome day and a wonderful fun-filled week-end. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

No more yelling, please!

When I was a new teacher many years ago, I used a loud voice to attempt to get children to listen. It didn’t work. Actually, the louder my voice was, the louder the class was! It was a mess! And then I met a teacher who totally changed my teaching style. She was new at my school. She had such a low voice that I could barely hear her speak. I thought the children would “eat her up.” Imagine my surprise when I found that the children listened better to her than to me. I learned a valuable lesson. The lower my voice was, the better children listened. Today as you go about your day, lower your voice. Have some times that you whisper. You will be amazed at how students stare at you and try harder to hear what you will be saying.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Enjoy the moments.

This is a special date for me. This was my mom’s birthday. It also was my daughter and her husband’s anniversary. My mom and my daughter are no longer here for me to celebrate with them these joyful occasions. While I cannot give them gifts any longer at these celebrations, I can and do celebrate the gifts they gave to me—the smiles, the hugs, the love. What gets me through these times are not only recalling the times we shared, but spending new times with those I love and savoring those moments. I have learned how precious those moments are.

Savor the moments you have with your family, your friends, and especially the children you teach. Yes, you may have some days that are tougher than others, and some students who are tougher than others, but they are your own moments in the autobiography of your life. Those moments will never happen again in exactly the same way, so look around at the faces around you and enjoy!!!

Have a great day.

Maryln

In the cracks, there is light, and where there is light, there is hope.

The weather has been tough this last year in Sugar Land, Texas. We had a huge hurricane, and then a cold winter. As a result, my wooden front door has some tiny cracks in which I see the light from outdoors. The door is meant to keep my home safe and protected. Children sometimes are the same. They have a strong door emotionally that they do not open to let anyone in. Some children have that thick door because of things that have happened in their homes. The door is meant to keep others out.

When you take time to connect with children, to talk with them and get to know them, little cracks of light can enter through those doors! As you continue to get to know them, and they share more and more about themselves, more and more light will come in until one day, the door swings open, and their lives are forever transformed. This happens all because you took the time to connect. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Transitions, 1, 2, 3.

Transition times can create problem times. You need some quick ways to get the attention of students. Here are some fun transition tips.

• “If you hear my voice, …” This is a fun transition tip. Say, “If you hear my voice, clap three times.” Change it up with words such as: “Clap two times,” “Blink twice,” “Clap your pinky fingers four times.”

• “Shush.” Appoint the entire class to be class shushers. When you need the attention of the class, tell them it’s “Shusher time.” The whole class starts saying “Shush,” and it becomes like a contagious wave. With everyone catching on and saying, “Shush.” When it is quiet, make your announcements.

• “1, 2, 3, look at me.” Younger students like this one. They will sometimes join in counting as they look at you.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln