Star Wars Inspired Bulletin Board

It's Red Ribbon Week at our school. This year's theme is Respect Yourself which aligns perfectly with our school's exceptions; Be respectful. Be responsible. Be safe.

Our door this year was inspired by Star Wars.  Each child created a folded Yoda. I originally found the idea for this craft from Origami Yoda but modified the craft to better suit the needs of my students.  

How to Make Yoda:

Fold a brown construction paper into thirds.  

Fold down to create the robe. Glue it shut. 

Use green #Astrobright paper to make Yoda's face.  

Add face details with black marker.

Happy Teaching! 

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Building Relationships

I've thought about this quote many times this school year. My class this year is not like my class last year. Oh, how I miss my class! I see their smiles, hear their "Mrs. Parker!" and wish that they were still mine. Although, they will always be mine in my heart, I have a new class to love. 

And, that's exactly what I've tried to do. Love each child for who they are. It's not always easy; even when they are 5. I've had many sleepless nights wondering how to connect with a child so that I can help improve their behavior. Wondering how we will survive the next 100 days if we can not get behaviors under control.

But, I have learned that before I can teach them, I must build a relationship. Talking, learning about their interests and listening to them. The power of creating a relationship is limitless. I witnessed this  at conferences, when a child told his mother, "She loves me." It didn't matter what I had taught him, that was all he wanted her to know. 

So, as I sit here writing this, I know that I am doing the right thing; one child at a time. Creating and building relationships with kids and families. That's the most important work I can do as an educator. 

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