wasted time

in an AHA moment, i realized so much of my time & energy is being wasted on work things.  This overwhelming desire to get NAEYC done in one crack.  it's crazy.  i think i am worried about not being able to keep up on the work, hence why i "power burst" through it, as Patti suggests.
i don't know what i need to do, to not have anxiety over this.  should i schedule things out?  would that help me out...i don't know...but i have spent too much time & energy stressing over Naeyc.  which is ridiculous, cause 2 weeks ago, i was even thinking about time consuming NAEYC.   but now i have this very silly notion that i must prepare to leave in 5 months, and leave everything up to date...which is a pretty high expectation on myself.  Maybe if i commit to a smaller time schedule in writing it will be better.

great week breeds doubt

this has been a very conflicting week.  it was a fantastic week in my classroom. it wasn't that the children were fab, cause they are only 2,  Actually i felt at peace again in my room w/ the kiddos.  I was okay w/ the stress of 2's.  I also had a very productive week in the classroom-finished re-arranging shelves, printed off toy labels. made progress.  i wonder if my "good" weeks are connected with a larger classroom project.
On the other hand, as i was changing my room, i was thinking about how in 5 months a new teacher will be in the room.  and how i want to set up systems (toy rotation & cleaning) for a new teacher to follow.  Similar to the pleasure i found in creating the Star of the month, knowing i would only have to manage this until June.  Knowing an end is in sight.
but then again, this week made me think about working 6:30-1:00pm... i have definitely accepted that i will not be working this 3 day current time schedule next year.  It is not working in our family's favor.  it was confirmed again this week...with the water pipe drama.  feeding the kids at 7:30pm & doing homework w/ breakfast doesn't work. so i got that...loud & clear!!!
so what will work best for my family & me next year...???

There appears to be 2 options.  not work (work only as a sub as needed) but for all intents not work...
or work a modified schedule...i do understand that i could convince myself that a modified schedule  and debbie could say no.

talking through more things

yesterday, as i was thinking about how i am documenting these thoughts...
another persistent thought keeps popping up... will there be a time next year, that i will regret wishing this time away.  will there be moments/times next year, where i am so bored or claustrophobic with just my 2 kids, that i will long for the days of working with a group of young kids. will i miss the constinecy that works provides?  will i miss the productive feeling at the end of the day- while i'm cleaning the classroom for the 100th time??? 


i know i will miss the cuddles & love from children who choose to love me...you know versus your kids who love you well because they are yours...

mountain

We are in the process of making changes around here. we have begun talking about me staying home in June.  This is very exciting & scary at the same time.  I look forward to using this blog to document & discuss my concerns.
this morning like most tuesdays, i am full of dread as i know i have to go into work.  it is on these mornings, i think in the future about not having to get up at the crack of dawn to leave the house.

3 Projects about Lines

Today's lesson was on lines. The objective was to demonstrate the varied ways to use lines to convey emotion. There are 4 activities within this special.
1. String Project (book & page number)
Supplies:
Tempera Paint
Cardboard
Yarn
Paintbrush
Cardstock Paper
1. Follow concept from book, page. The book suggest gluing yarn to a piece of paper. For time restriction- I had the children weave yarn into slits cut into cardboard.
2. Give each child one piece of yarn, depending on your size of cardboard, want to long enough to weave
3. Give each child one piece of cardboard with slits already cut into it
4. Instruct children to weave yarn around the piece of cardboard.
5. Instruct children to only paint one side of cardboard. We used 2 bright contrasting colors. (blue/yellow)
6. Press onto paper
7. Paint other side, place painted side down a paper towel.
8 press onto paper

More Information To come....

Art Special & Resources

I have an opportunity at work to do something different. I am going to begin sharing a 30 minute art special once a week. This has been very exciting and fun to plan, as i have no formal art training. I have never considered my self artsy-or having the ability to be art-like. Since I work work with 5 year olds, I am basically introducing art concepts for the kids to capture the "love of art."
Since I try to complete one "project" weekly with my own kids at home, it has been a perfect opportunity to try out each special at home first. The first 2 lessons took place before we got the new camera. My sources are:
Paint Adventures! (art and activities for kids) by Kathy Savage Hubbard & Rose C Speicher
Other books to be added
http://pinkandgreenmama.blogspot.com/

Camp & Passions

Last year, I attended an ACA Midstates workshop titled "Life After Camp" The speaker addressed what do you do when your time in camp has come to an end. What do you do when your life has been so intertwined & ignited by the passion of camp and your life path detours you away. She shared how she went from camp work into the corporate world. She happens to work for a museum. She suggested creating a life map. She shared how she wrote down on a time line her life. She encouraged us to do the same. Looking for reoccurring patterns of happiness. At what times in your career & life did you feel fulfilled? This was a great exercise, then came the A-Ha moment- even though you leave camp, you CAN figure out how to incorporate camp into your everyday life. Sounds deep (& possibly silly) if you do not have camp running through your veins. She shared how her involvement with ACA fulfills her & keeps her feeling in touch with the camp world.
As I have spent the past year reflecting on this workshop, I have come to some conclusions. The first was to give myself permission to love camp! It's okay to love camp, even when you are not personally involved. I was almost embarrassed to share this part of my life with my co teachers. They would think I was crazy. The second realization was I can have my life & Camp too...without having to move to Michigan & live on a property (in a tiny house in a large woods) I love living in the Chi & I can continue to live here & still love camp!
I can have camp in my early child hood directed life! I can teach children my favorite camp songs! (camp songs drives my passion!) I can pull from my camp background to offer advice for parents leaving our ECE bubble to venture into their first camp experience.
I can also have camp in my personal life- we are going to family camp this year at camp that I worked at!
Next: Creating a mission statement for your life
one of my favorite camp pictures!