Sunday, April 29, 2012

Teachers of the Heart

As the end of school gets closer and closer, EVERYONE gets excited and a little less patient. For many kiddos, summer is fun with family and friends and NO SCHOOL. However, some kiddos are going to miss the structure school gives them because their little lives are so chaotic. Many kiddos get their only meals at school and get their only hugs and love from us. We often have no idea what our little ones go home to face each day...and this is not just our children of poverty. Every kiddo deserves our best until they get in their car or on the bus the very last day of school.

I need to remind myself that even though they have heard us saying the same thing for over 150+ days, they will need to be hearing it again and again and again....even though I am about to go batty, up the wall, cray cray saying it! =) I need to remember to have a Heart of Patience.



One of the most powerful chapters in Conscious Discipline is the chapter on Positive Intent. This chapter helps you realize that children are either extending love or calling for love (help). It is easy to let a behavior "label" a child. I am guilty of that at times and have referred to kiddos as stinkers or toots (never to their face). Just because I might be calling them that when I vent to a teacher friend I am hopefully not let my frustrations with that kiddo out on them...although, there are times my heart of patience is not there.

 I think when I am frustrated it is because I care about that kiddo and don't know how to help them or I don't know how to help them realize how hurtful their behavior is. But the BIG brain pop for me was that is the same thing with the kiddos....they don't know what to do(or they do but aren't doing it) and their behavior is crying out for our love and help.

I think of the poem I shared called  "Eyes of the Heart". Until I start looking at others with my heart, I won't be able to help them. The big idea of the chapter on Positive Intent is children cannot behave differently until they are seen differently. What we offer to others we strengthen within ourselves. page 159

Remember, what we focus on we get more of.

As I get ready to start this week, I know my kiddos at times will be cray cray. I can only change myself. I will pray for a heart of patience that looks at others with eyes of the heart.

Here are 2 songs I want to share with you.





*Freebie* time!!! I am sorry for not sharing any *freebies* lately because I love to do so. I have been a wee bit obsessed with butterflies this past week because of some ADORABLE butterfly bowls I found. I will be sharing the picture of them this week and there might be a giveaway too!

I hope you can use these math *freebies*! =)


graphics by Scrappin Doodles
frame by The 3am Teacher

As you get ready to start the week, know you are a blessing to your kiddos. Thank you for also being a blessing to me. I pray God helps us be Teachers of the Heart.


44 heart notes:

Heather said...

Thank you for sharing your wonderful freebies and words of wisdom.

heathernnance@yahoo.com

Shannon said...

<3 Love to you! You have such a wonderful heart. It is so important for us to remember that summer is really hard for some of our kids. Thank you for the freebie and for the reminder.

Shannon
Kindergarten Hoppenings

sspeller said...

Ditto Shannon! Some days are so tough that it is hard to remember why we do this job - thanks for the reminder!!

Amanda said...

Thank you for the reminder to be patient regardless of how many times I have said something this year!

I love the freebies...we are learning about butterflies too (and patiently awaiting the arrival of our own!). We will be using these this week!

Amanda
www.averycuriousclass.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Heather's Heart is the perfect name for your blog because you truly share from your heart. What a blessing you are to your readers! I am currently reading Conscious Discipline and this post just made me want to read it faster!
Delighted in Second

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the freebies - just what I need for math stations this week :)

Mrs. Anderson said...

Heather, your blog name fits you perfectly!! I love reading your blog because you always make me stop and think about my life. After 26 years of teaching, I still enter my classroom every day with enthusiasm and try to be a positive role model for my students. I always treat my students like I would like someone to treat my own children.
Thanks for sharing!
Connie:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com

Sarah R ;) said...

Heather- thanks so much for sharing your heart :) B/C of your blog I went to my principal this week and asked about Conscious Discipline and she just attended a conference about it. She has to assemble a team and I think I am going to get to join her :) So excited to dive into it...I've had many of these thoughts but no idea how to truly show/teach them to my little ones.

Also...thanks for ALL the freebies :)
Sarah

Tanya Dwyer said...

Reading your blog posts is the most wonderful way to prep for the work week!

~Tanya

meadowt said...

Love the freebies, thanks so much for sharing!
Barbara
happyteachingfirst.blogspot.com

Jan said...

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, inspirations, and math freebies.

Sharon said...

Thanks for following me. I love your freebies.

Sharon
Dogdaysofkindergarten.blogspot.com

Eileen Griffin said...

Wow!! Thank you for the beautiful post. Patience is definitely the word for the next few weeks. My school is going through some definite challenges right now and we need all the love and blessings to be shared. All the best to you, Heather!
Eileen Griffin

Mrs. McElveen said...

Your comments always inspire me! I look forward to reading your posts each day. Thanks for the butterfly freebies - my kids are going to love them.

:) Amy

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy reading your blog- it's always inspiring! I adore the butterfly freebies- thank you:)

Carrie

Busy Bees said...

I always love coming to your blog...thanks for the beautiful inspirational words!
Robynn
BusyBees

Stacy said...

Thank you for such a wonderful post. You always make me smile and remember why I do what I do.
Stacy

http://simpsonsuperstars.blogspot.com/

Just Wild About Teaching said...

hey heather your page looks awesome!! im new to blogging and could use all the help i can get... if you have any suggestions or advice to give me ..im a newbie!! thanks girl
and feel free to follow me as i try to share my ideas
Just Wild About Teaching

Miss DeCarbo said...

This patience poem was just what I needed this week. Thank you, Heather! :) Love your freebie as well! :)

Second Grade Sugar and Spice

Elizabeth said...

Beautiful poem.

Thanks for the Josh video...he's my FAVORITE. He was on Live with Kelly today so I'm off to visit with him.

(You know, I've met him twice...are you jealous???)

:)

Elizabeth

Fun in Room 4B

~ LJ said...

Thank you for always sharing such heart-felt and honest posts! As a Director, I can imagine how happy your Principal must be with you. We had an especially challenging day with a young friend and I, too, found myself looking at him through my heart lens. That's what children need!! Thanks for sharing this message with so many people!

www.lifeasapreschooldirector.com

Staci said...

I used your butterfly mats and my kids LOVED them!!!! Thanks so much for the freebie!
Hey- I've got a quick question for you- can you shoot me an e-mail? stacischutte@yahoo.com

Thanks!
Staci
Let's Teach Something

kar said...

Dear Heather!
Thanks for your sweet comment. I've been having a look at your blog and your ideas are brilliant.

take care
Kar

Louise Morgan said...

Great post! You are so right As the year comes to an end they are getting a little "cray cray". I think they are acting this way because they are a little unsettled knowing that the end is near. A lot of my students will spend their summer days cooped up at home watching tv or playing video games while their parents are at work. They will miss the structure and the interaction they receive at school. Thank you for reminding me of this and as much as I am looking forward to the end, I will work hard to remember what you have so eloquently pointed out. Thank you :-)

Melissa said...

Hey! I changed the name of my blog piece-of-cupcake-life! Here's my brand spankin new URL!

www.teach-bake-love.blogspot.com

Check it out!

-Melissa :)

Ms. A to Z said...

Hi Heather!

Thank you so much for the follow! Positive Discipline sounds like a really useful tool, too. I have a "Patience" tattoo on my foot that I got as a constant reminder of what patience can bring.

Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts. :)

Lauren

Heather said...

Thank you for sharing! I can't wait to use your freebies! I am so glad to find you blog. Look forward to reading all about your cool activities.

Tammy Wathen said...

Heather,
Thanks for sharing. I have seen references to Conscious Disipline and the workshops, but have never researched it further. Can the book be purchased without going to the conference? It would make great summe reading...Great blog! Looking forward to visiting:)

Tammy
http://theresourcefulapple.blogspot.com

Teacher's Toolkit said...

Heather,
Thank you so much for the butterfly freebies - I know one little girl that these activities are just perfect for! Thank you for your Heart of Patience poem too! In this last term, with so much to so, I think I need to keep the poem close as a daily reminder! I think I am your newest follower and appreciate you following my blog - maybe one day I'll get to five - haha!
Wendy

Olwyn Hughes said...

Thanks for the freebies. I really want to learn how all of you amazing teachers make them. I think I need a different program or something!!!! Also, thanks for popping over to my blog. Glad I had a chance to check out yours!

Sandra said...

Thank you so much for sharing. You give all of us something to reflect upon. Hop over to my blog for some freebies and a giveaway. I am a new blogger and just reached 100 followers. You are an inspiration! Thank you!
Sandra
Classroom Companion

Shelley L. MacKenzie said...

Hi Heather!

Thanks for stopping by my blog (Rhymes With Purple)and being my first follower!

You've got a great blog, and I will be sure to be back again and again :o).

Teach It Today said...

Hi Heather! Thanks for checking out my blog! I added a Followers gadget so you can join. Thanks for mentioning it to me. I'm still learning about blogging!

Heather
http://teachittoday.blogspot.com

Mrs. Wathen said...

Heather, Thanks for the quick reply. I will check out the boo. Hoping for a book study this summer=)
Your newest follower, Tammy

Mrs. Rios said...

Hi Heather,

You stopped by my blog and left such nice words of encouragement, that I decided to check you blog out, as well. I absolutely love it. Your message really resonated with me. I am following you, too.

Nicole
http://mrsriosteachessecondgrade.blogspot.com/

Michelle Hudgeons said...

Thank you Heather for your sweet comments on my blog!! I am your newest follower!
Http://smittenwithfirst.blogspot.com

Meredith Hardin said...

Hi Heather,

I'm an avid follower of your blog! Your resources are wonderful :) I am trying to set up my own blog, and I can't figure out how to embed my googledocs into my blog (without the whole document showing) - I see that just the first page of your documents shows on the blog, which we can click & download - How do you get just the one page to show, instead embedding the whole document? Your help would be so great!

Heather said...

Hey Heather! Thanks for stopping by. I love your furbabies too :) How do I add a follower thing?

Heather
A New Teacher's Journey