Zealous Zebras

The NEW and Improved 3rd Grade Tree + LUKE

2011-12-01T12:26:00.000-08:00

3rd Grade was delighted to welcome December...
As they walked into class, this morning, they were welcomed with a Special friend, one of Santa's Elves, who brought chocolate for them all! They were instantly excited and ready to give our new friend a name.

With many thoughts, votes and debate...they decided the best name would be, Luke! So, Luke it is.

They enjoyed seeing him, watching him "move" and showing him their work as they finished. They were very careful to only "look at him with their eyes" and not touch him. For you see, if he gets touched, the magic he will loose.

Today was also special, because we were able to visit the High School Chapel. The Zebras enjoyed worshipping our King and praising his name. As we returned to class, they were thrilled to see a beautiful Christmas tree. Of course, they thanked Luke for this beautiful gift =)

One of their favorite things to do with the tree...is READ!

The joys of being young! Enjoying a tree and believing in the magic of Christmas. No matter how much fun we will have, with Luke and our tree, we believe and KNOW Jesus is the REASON for this season!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

2011-11-29T14:45:00.001-08:00

3rd grade is SO excited for Christmas and decorating the room. Today, we had a little mishap with the tree for our classroom...
I told the students I would get another one, but they wanted something NOW!

My sweet, creative, imaginative Preston decided to make us a Christmas tree. He got busy during snack and with the help of Ryan, they had our tree up in NO time! (Please notice how the tree is "standing" on the box!") They very precisely placed the tree...in just the right spot!
They also did a great deal of coloring it to give it lights and decorations. Preston insists on making ornaments for our tree, so I'm sure he'll have those up, tomorrow!
My witty and funny Anderson asked, "Would you like for my dad to go in the woods and cut down a pine tree?"
I guess...desperate times call for desperate measures!

Thanksgiving Feast

2011-11-19T05:20:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving: the act of giving thanks. A prayer of gratitude
Thankful: well pleased

We look around and see many people getting ready for Christmas. Decorations, lights, music, movies...all to get ready for the wonderful season of giving-of Jesus' birth. While Christmas is my favorite holiday, I can't quite celebrate until we observe Thanksgiving. I feel we have overlooked this special holiday, the one about giving thanks, offering a prayer of gratitude and being well pleased for all we've been given.
We were able to look at the history of Thanksgiving, in 3rd grade, and the students enjoyed learning about the Pilgrims coming on the Mayflower...but they really enjoyed the Indians and pretending to be like them. We made our own Indian vests, enjoyed the Kindergarteners Thanksgiving parade, and eating a delicious feast...all to celebrate Thanksgiving and the meaning of being thankful.
At the end of our feast, the students wanted to share something they were thankful for...
"Families" "Friends" "Life" "Jesus' birth" "Jesus" "School" "Shelter" "Everything"
Hearing their responses, I know they truly understand the meaning of being thankful!

As you enjoy these last few days of the Thanksgiving season...enjoy being with my sweet Zebras, as they have SO much to give and I am so thankful for every single ONE!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Operation Christmas Child

2011-11-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

Many people will pack shoe boxes this Christmas for Operation Christmas Child. This ministry has been going on for years and each year Samaritans Purse sends hundreds of thousands of shoe boxes, around the world, to children who otherwise would not receive a Christmas.
This ministry is dear to my heart...as my mom and I began packing shoe boxes, together, years ago. Each year it has become a tradition and one that I'll never stop doing. We adults understand this ministry as giving to others, helping children to brush their teeth, get a new pair of socks, or even gloves for the winter. We plug ourselves, each year, into this ministry-pack our box-send to the local church-then continue about our way. We have done our part and have sent "goodness" to a child that we will probably never meet. But, often times, it is more than "just a box" to the child who receives our package.

As we see this ministry through the eyes of adults...there is NOTHING like having childlike eyes and faith!
My 22 Zebras have been excited about being a part of this ministry for months. We have planned, prepared, bought supplies, watch videos, prayed, assembled boxes...all to pack our very own shoe boxes to send love and Jesus around the world. As I watched my students packing these boxes, I was in awe at their precise determination, enthusiasm and JOY to choose the exact items they wanted for their child to receive.

It's moments like these, in the teaching world, where my heart is full and my cup runs over. All this time, I was trying my best to do my part, to send boxes, to share Jesus...to tell my students about this ministry, to show them what it's like to be a part of something far greater than we can ever fathom...and yet, instead, it is I who walked away today having learned MORE than my students could have learned from me.
From their own words...
Steven, "My box is full of blessings for a little boy"
Cole, "We see these boxes as something small, it's not much to us, but to the child who receives it, it is everything and big"
Lydia, "We are giving Christmas to a child who may not have gotten anything"
...as they all began telling what it felt to them to pack these boxes and our classroom filled with stories...we experienced giving and childlike faith!

This is what it is all about...Packing, Sharing and Sending JESUS! Jesus tells us to be the light to the world! Maybe, just maybe, a boy and/or girl, will accept Jesus as their Savior because of one of these boxes!

Student Spotlight....MARY

2011-11-15T12:20:00.001-08:00

For the month of November, my students have been writing something different in their morning journal, each day, about what they are thankful for. When we started this...the students were like "really, Miss Lott, we have to do this AGAIN???!!!" The repetition of this journal, they weren't so keen on, but have quickly found an appreciation for this monthly journal writing.

Mary is so sweet and quiet, who does exactly what is asked and exactly when asked. Her heart is so big and full of compassion for others. She was asked to read her entry to the class, and this is what she wrote...
"I am thankful for my family. They are always there for me."
Two simple sentences, but two that speak such truth and volume coming from a 3rd grader. To think that she grasps the meaning of provision and her family being there for her, made me stop and think....if we'd all realize the importance of family and if all family would "have our back" we, too, would have gained this knowledge in 3rd grade...but instead, there are many adults who still haven't learned the value of family.

Veteran's Day

2011-11-11T05:27:00.000-08:00

As we all sit and reflect upon this day...we remember the brave men and women who fought for this country and some who gave their lives for our freedom. We also should think of those who are currently fighting and putting their lives on the line for us. Reflect, we should...But, to say "Thank You" to those Soldiers takes boldness.

I think about my sweet Katlyn, as her dad left this week for a year assignment. I am amazed by her strength and courage that she demonstrates. Even from a 3rd grader, there is much to learn and gain from her optimism. As families, like Katlyn's, transition with the absence of a family member, I think of how we often take for granted our families and the convenience of having them to our exposure. A hug, a smile or even a sweet gesture can make our day. Embrace your family and friends, be thankful for having them with you, and say THANK YOU to those who have fought and who are still currently fighting.

From the 3rd Graders....THANK YOU VETERANS and those who are STILL FIGHTING!!

2011-11-09T13:40:00.000-08:00

Through the words of a teacher

2011-11-08T14:42:00.000-08:00

The easy road would be sitting behind a desk at an 8-5 job where no work goes home, lesson plans aren't required and grading papers aren't on a weekly schedule. The easy road would probably bring a better salary and maybe even a commission, if I'd be so lucky. There are many options for career choices...but none would give me the JOY I gain from being an educator. Each day, as I stand in front of my 22 students, I am reminded of my love for teaching, my passion for teaching, and the reason I do what I do. My heart burst with love as I look out and see 22 beautiful faces beaming back towards me. Each of them, unique in their own special way, give me a reason to laugh, to smile and to embrace each day that we have together.