Random Thoughts Thursday part 21

The 1950s

Some people tend to look back in time with rose-colored glasses. While there are certainly things I like about the past, I think every generation has their fair share of woes to deal with. Nevertheless, the 1950s seem to be a popular decade for many people. I think what I love about it the most is the music. For about a month, myself and our school's student council have been planning an event to share with our community. It will be a school carnival with games, prizes, and plenty of food in a 50s-style diner. We will spend time together getting to know each other in a more casual way than we usually do as teacher-student-parents. It is a great time to just have fun!

Recycled Beauty

I have enjoyed spending time after school with students as I teach them the art of recycling materials to make them into something different. The backdrop of our event, as pictured, was all made from recycled paper and things that I pieced together from events in previous years; notice the paper chess boards I used to teach kids some puzzles. I just reconfigured them and added more bits of recycled paper, and voila! "New decorations!" Some of my pre-algebra students are still working on their piece of the puzzle and will have finished their hand-drawn and painted jukebox. We will put a speaker inside to play some music, and we are thinking of adding a coin slot and taking requests. It is my joy to try to create something special for children. Their excitement is contagious, and I can't wait until they walk into the room for lunch tomorrow and see the beginnings of our decorations. Really, this is only half done. We have a lot more things that we have made together to decorate another area of the school.

Short and Sweet

Forgive me for keeping these "random thoughts" short this week, but having gotten home from work tonight at 10:00 pm, I don't think that I have to explain that this lady is tired! For me, it is so worth it to create a space for families to enjoy time with each other and create memories. Decorations might not seem like a big deal to some, but I am of the opinion that visuals set a mood, and if the colors are festive, people feel happy. Joyful people's energy is so wonderful. I hope that setting the scene will enable parents to take beautiful pictures so that they can relive these memories for years to come!

Cheers!