The 3 F’s—Formula for life.

Many of you know that I lost my daughter, Tobi, 5 months ago. I know some of you at different times have gone through your own tough times. The three things that have helped me during this time and always, are the “3 F’s.” These are Family, Friends, and Faith. They are the formula for my life.

Have a great day and a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

Girl Bullies and Boy Bullies

Bullying is a problem that grows bigger and bigger all the time. Here are a couple of things you need to know about the difference between the genders. Girls generally bully by excluding children, snide remarks, gossiping, and spreading untrue stories. Boys generally bully by being physically and emotionally threatening. All bullies pick on children who are less able to defend themselves. Bullying has to be stopped. The results of bullying can affect children who are victims their entire lives.

I wrote a full-day workshop on this topic, but for the sake of space, I will just name a few things you can do.

• Foster cooperation, community, and positive relationships.

• Assign peer mentors. Children who are bullied may have fewer friends.

• Have a “No Bullying Rule.”

• Teach all students, victims and bystanders, to report bullying.
Have a designated person and/or place they can do this.

• Take any reports of bullying seriously.

Maryln

Today is earth day, and there is a lot you can do.

There are lots of things you can do with your children to help them respect the earth and what it gives to us. Here are some suggestions:

1. Plant a tree and watch it grow.

2. Make a birdfeeder, fill it with seeds, and watch the birds come and eat from it.

3. Have children recycle old clothes or old games to those who need them.

4. Take a litter walk, and have children pick up litter.

5. Sing songs about our earth.

6. Last, but certainly not least, help children to be kinder to others who live on this earth. Remind them that this week was Holocaust Remembrance Week, a time to remember people who were killed simply because of their religion. Talk about ways to be kind to all people regardless of their faith, their skin color, their socio-economic status, or their appearance. Have them spread the message of love.

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

You can be a dream builder.

Here is a great true story of hope.

Susan Boyle had oxygen deprivation when she was born, and it affected her so that she had learning disabilities. She was a plain looking child and was teased because of her plain appearance and her learning disabilities by her classmates. Susan always had a dream to become a professional singer, but she gave up the dream to take care of her sick mom. When her mom died, she remembered her mom’s words. Her mom believed in her and urged her to follow her dream to become a professional singer. She went on the program, Britain’s Got Talent. When the judges and audience saw her, they did not think she could do anything great. But then she opened her mouth and started singing. She sang the song, “I Dreamed a Dream,” and wowed the judges and the audience. She is an international hit now and has appeared on US television shows, including Oprah.

If you want to see Susan sing, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XVR9AKZOu4

Susan’s treasure was her singing voice. Because she was plain looking, no one knew the treasure that was there. But her mom always believed in her. In your classroom, you too probably have students with hidden treasures. Be a dream builder for your students. Look for their hidden treasures. Believe in them. Help them to fulfill their dreams and their destiny. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day.

Maryln

True love is to love the unlovable.

It’s easy to love children that behave beautifully and never give you any problems. It is often more difficult, but so worth it, to love those students who are constantly in trouble. They need you too.

Today, look at those more difficult students differently. Look for their positive attributes. Take time for these students. Tell them their attributes. They may have never heard anyone say something positive to them before.

Have a great day and a wonderful week. You are a difference maker.

Maryln