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November 26, 2010

Thankfulness part 1

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I can't believe I didn't lost about everything I'm thankful for. In my book, it's never, ever too late to talk about thankfulness.

A little detail about the school that I work at is that 70% of our 1400 students receive free or reduced lunch. This is a fairly sizable percentage compared to other Maryland schools, and I must say, we are extremely fortunate as federal and state grants offer every single student absolutely free breakfast in the morning and most students a free packed dinner to take home at the end of the day. We work very hard with our students to teach them all the ways they can rise above poverty and the mentality that comes with it. We do this through a myriad of activities, programs, and classes. We are extremely student centered and offer so many opportunities for skill building throughout the regular school week.

One thing, this time of year especially, I like to talk about with my 10th graders is the ability to be thankful when it doesn't seem like there is much to be thankful for. On Wednesday, before we released for break, I assigned a small project to my students to complete within class time. They had to choose between 3 of 6 tasks to choose, all of which had to do with Thanksgiving and being thankful. The first and fifth task were my absolute favorites though. Those are what I want to share with you now!

Task 1:
Document 2 or 3 sentences about each of the following:
-someone outside of school whom you are thankful for.
-someone inside of school whom you are thankful for.
-a personal item you are thankful for.
-something silly you're thankful for.

My answers:
1) I am most thankful for my mother and her sisters outside of school. I can always call these women when I need guidance, an ear to listen to me, or general advice. They are a great source of wisdom and strength for me.

2) I am very thankful for a former student, who is now a senior, Briana. This sounds very silly, but I taught Bri when she was just a freshman and have had the opportunity to watch her grow up over the last four years and mature into an incredible young woman. We do not always see eye to eye, but we converse almost daily, and I really treasure that time. It keeps me focused on how powerful relationships are between teachers and students.

3) A personal item that I am thankful for are the crochet hooks that I inherited from my grandmother. Each time I use them, I feel a little connection with her and think of all the times we sat in her house and back yard crocheting and crafting.

4) Hmm...something silly I'm thankful for? Probably Cory's Jetta. Cory does most of the driving in our relationship. I'm not against driving, but I don't really like to do it. Cory's Jetta has gotten us home in horrible snow storms, to the hospital to visit baby Sloane after she was born in February's blizzard conditions, and all around has just gotten me from point A to point B very very safe. For that, I am thankful.

I'll be back with Task 5 tomorrow :)

P.S. Don't forget our shop sale! 20% off now-Sunday! Just use our Discount Code: HOLIDAY. :)

15 comments:

  1. cute list...my husband was in a car accident last year and I also LOVED his Jetta...it saved his life :)

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  2. Wow, you have the prettiest things in your shop...I want! ;)

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  3. great list....(My name is Briana too! I have about one or two years intill I am going to be in high school though)..

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  4. your shop is just so pretty! I am awed by your talent. I'm thankful for Freckled Nest sending me your way!

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  5. Visiting from FN! I'm going to be an art teacher, so I loved your post about being thankful for your former student. :]

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  6. Such a great blog-thanks for the inspiration!!

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  7. Visiting via Freckled Nest. Very cool blog!
    Leone

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  8. Visiting from FN, and LOVE your blog! I want to be a language teacher (I am studying in Spain atm and am teaching here too), so hearing about how wonderful your school system is is inspiring. You seem like an amazing, life-changing teacher! Keep it up!

    PS LOVE your etsy shop. Def favoriting it.

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  9. Hi, stopping by from FN - I love your comment about grandma's crochet hooks. I got all my grandma's knitting needles, and I smile every time I use them :)

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  10. What a sweet way to remember you grandmother. I love hearing of things being passed down like that.

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  11. Stopping over from FN, and I love your blog design! So so pretty.

    Amy M.

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  12. This was beautiful!
    Although, I just got rid of my Jetta, and I was glad to see it go!

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  13. Hi from a FN visitor! I was inspired by your "thankful" list and am on my way to write my own! Thanks for the idea..

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