For the LOVE of Words

What has happened to our vocabulary? In the past few years, maybe due to an increase in technology, or the fact that fewer and fewer people spend time reading for enjoyment, I have noticed that the use of fabulous vocabulary in our society is dwindling. It is a scary sight for sure. My ultimate goal with my homeschool students, and all of my students for that matter, is to instill in them a love for reading and a curiosity for new words. One of the ways that I can do this, is to ensure that my kiddos are allowed to read a book that is interesting to them, meaningful, and even fun. I want to build up life-long readers. This week, my elementary homeschool students are tearing through their favorite chapter books. On Monday, I asked that each of them give me a list of five to ten books that were of interest to them. We came up with everything from Hank the Cow Dog to The Hobbit. In deciding on the most appropriate book to read, I met with each one, made sure the book was on each child's reading level, and then handed them sticky notes and a marker. The sticky notes are being used to write down any new, exciting, interesting, or even weird words that they come across in the book that they chose. My goal is to allow them to discover how easy it is to learn new words even when reading something that they previously read. I have enjoyed watching them tell one another a new word as they come across one, or the giggles when they find a word that sounds "silly". Next week, we are going to fill the room up with word webs using the new words that were discovered in old favorite books. I look forward to the creativity, and love even more, that they are reading with smiles on their faces. To be continued...

To ALL of my students

May you find serenity and tranquility in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with courage and optimism. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.  May a kind word, a reassuring touch, and a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. May the teachings of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. It is the content of the encounter that is more important than its form. May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time in each day to see beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard you may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgment of your accomplishments. May you always feel loved. Happy New Year to all of my past, present, and even future students! I love you all!

Holiday Happenings

Yesterday was an exciting day at Creative Learning!  Because it was our last day of classes for our home school kiddos before the long holiday break, I decided that a field trip was in order.  We started our day at a local art studio downtown called HeartWorks.  Heidi, the owner of HeartWorks, had a Christmas art lesson planned for the kids.  Her lesson was amazing (see photos below).  The kids spent a little over an hour designing beautiful art pieces to carry home to their families.  It was so much fun watching their individual personalities shine as they all so diligently worked on making their art "sparkle".  Thank you to sweet Heidi for starting our day off perfectly!  We will definitely take another art class from her soon!                                                                                                                                            

Working hard at HeartWorks

After leaving HeartWorks, we headed back to Creative Learning for a Christmas party.  The food was amazing (thank you parents), and there were smiles all around.  The building was filled with people!  Grandparents, parents, siblings, and even a couple of babysitters were on hand to help with anything and everything.  It was a great day, and I am sure that a good time was had by all!

Happy HOLIDAYS!!!!!

Psalm 127:3

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him.

Psalm 127:3

Among the stress of lesson planning, party planning, report writing, and everything else that comes with the end of a long semester, I was reminded of this scripture.  During the hustle and bustle, let's remember why we are educators.  

I am so honored to have been called to work with God's most precious gifts.  

All Things Glitter

Meet "Glitter" 

Let me begin by saying that I LOVE THE ELF ON THE SHELF!  My son and I have had an elf in our family for 5 years.  This year, our elf, lovingly known as Kringle, was no longer needed in the Slocumb household.  It broke my heart to know that my son had decided that Kringle should stay at the North Pole.  

After much thought, and a few tears, I decided that this was not the year to go "elfless".  This is where Glitter comes in.  Glitter appeared at Creative Learning after Thanksgiving and has been up to no good ever since.  I am posting some of Glitter's crazy shenanigans, and am putting a copy of the letter that she brought with her at the end of this post.  I am going to add a list of some of Glitter's mischief.  Feel free to use the ideas posted, and we would LOVE to hear some of your own elf stories.

Here is a copy of our letter from Santa introducing Glitter...

Dear Creative Learning Friends,

It is my pleasure to introduce the bearer of this note as the Magic Elf assigned to your school family this holiday season.  We have, lovingly, named her “Glitter” due to the fact that the owner of this school has a slight obsession with all things that sparkle.

Glitter will visit your school from now until your last day of class before Christmas break, to observe the behavior of any good little boys or girls residing herein. When I arrive on Christmas Eve, Glitter will present the report and return to Santa’s Workshop.

Be wary! Glitter, too, has a slight obsession with all things that sparkle, and will explore your school from top to bottom. Glitter’s whereabouts may be subject to whimsy.

I must also add that I have been made aware of prior incidents of Elf Mischief on the part of this Elf. Should any Elf Mischief occur, please feel free to contact me, or Ms. Kristy. 

                                             Sincerely yours,

                                                  SANTA

Glitter's Shenanigans:

Art time with Barbie

Roasting marshmallows over Ms. Kristy's candle

Sitting in our wreath at the front door

Leaving boxes of candy canes EVERYWHERE

Getting into the candy stash in one of the classrooms

Playing with stamps and leaving messages for everyone

Pouring glitter on a table 

Sitting at the top of the Christmas tree

We will update you on any further Glitter mischief.  Feel free to post your elf stories below!  

My Inspiration

"Life is a lot of work.  What is it that gives us the strength to continue when we are tired and burned out?  Sometimes an inspirational idea can help us renew ourselves and be filled with strength to fulfill our life's purpose.  Inspiration comes in many forms.  However, the root of all inspiration is the idea that our lives are meaningful.  Inspiration is knowing that what I do matters deeply to the people around me.  When you have the feeling that your actions are meaningful, you will become filled with strength and vigor to fulfill your life's purpose."

I would like for you to meet my inspiration!

What is Creative Learning?

Who are we?
Centers for Creative Learning is made up of Educational Therapists and teachers who are certified and trained to work with students that have difficulties in and out of the classroom. With the use of interactive language, dynamic intervention, and creative lesson planning, our children develop core academic skills and higher order processing skills to become life-long learners. Our job is to teach our students "how to learn" as we teach them WHAT to learn.

Why Creative Learning?
Of the nearly six billion people on earth, no two have brains that are alike. From the research of neuroscientist, it is now a generally accepted fact that human brains change structurally and functionally as a result of learning and experiences for better or for worse. People differ in how they take in and process information. Some people are visual learners and have to see something to learn it. Others are auditory learners. Those people have to hear information to process it. As we focus on the two learning styles, we are seeing a growing interest in using creativity in all subjects as a tool for learning. Creative, hands on learning makes it possible for abstractions to become more understandable as they take concrete form.

This blog is a tool that we would like to offer to all of our parents, friends, students, and staff.  We are all life-long learners, and look forward to hearing back from each and every one of you!

Lots and lots of love,

Kristy