The sound of the air conditioner has ceased; replaced by the whirl of the heating vent. When the vent first kicked on the dust flew up along with bits of string, glitter, and other remnants of classes past.
The story for this week was titled, "The Stranger". It is a fantasy tale of a Jack Frost (or the season of Fall) In short, a farmer, with his truck, hits "Jack Frost" while driving down the road. The farmer takes him home to care for him. Jack Frost has amnesia due to the bump he received from the accident. Throughout the story there are clues to his identity.
As a class we had a great time finding the clues, identifying causes & effects, and unconsciously bringing the Fall season into Room 202. The kids' clothes are aligning more with cool weather than they were last week. The colors being worn are darker, more conservative. The daylight is not as bright as it streams through the blinds. From the windows here in Room 202 (on the second floor) we can see the tops of the trees. We can see that they are slowly changing from their brilliant green to their incredible reds, oranges and yellows. The rain has been pitter-pattering on the windows and the part of the AC that extends out from the building wall...giving us a rhythmic, natural concert.
The change occurring is not only in the seasons, though. The kids themselves are changing. They are comfortable in the classroom. They are opening up and showing their true colors, just as the leaves are doing alongside them. The beauty of the trees mirrors the beauty held within each child. Every tree is different, unique, and boasts a personality all its own; as does each child. The wind whipping around causes a flurry of excitement amongst the leaves on the ground while at the same time pulling the leaves off the trees; so it is with the energy I find in the children...it captures the attention, brings forth new ideas, and makes for an atmosphere of lively interchanges.
Fall is a wonderful season.
Teaching is a wonderful profession.
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
The story for this week was titled, "The Stranger". It is a fantasy tale of a Jack Frost (or the season of Fall) In short, a farmer, with his truck, hits "Jack Frost" while driving down the road. The farmer takes him home to care for him. Jack Frost has amnesia due to the bump he received from the accident. Throughout the story there are clues to his identity.
As a class we had a great time finding the clues, identifying causes & effects, and unconsciously bringing the Fall season into Room 202. The kids' clothes are aligning more with cool weather than they were last week. The colors being worn are darker, more conservative. The daylight is not as bright as it streams through the blinds. From the windows here in Room 202 (on the second floor) we can see the tops of the trees. We can see that they are slowly changing from their brilliant green to their incredible reds, oranges and yellows. The rain has been pitter-pattering on the windows and the part of the AC that extends out from the building wall...giving us a rhythmic, natural concert.
The change occurring is not only in the seasons, though. The kids themselves are changing. They are comfortable in the classroom. They are opening up and showing their true colors, just as the leaves are doing alongside them. The beauty of the trees mirrors the beauty held within each child. Every tree is different, unique, and boasts a personality all its own; as does each child. The wind whipping around causes a flurry of excitement amongst the leaves on the ground while at the same time pulling the leaves off the trees; so it is with the energy I find in the children...it captures the attention, brings forth new ideas, and makes for an atmosphere of lively interchanges.
Fall is a wonderful season.
Teaching is a wonderful profession.
Mr. Casten
Oct. 18, 2013
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