If you’ve stuck with me for the first two, it means I’ve given you enough insight into my life to make a connection, and for that, I am grateful. I can’t promise there will always be that connection, but in those instances where you are unable to see a connection, may my story spark reflection, wonder, or inspiration.
Story 3:
While teaching 3rd grade at a different school, I was going for my Masters (Teaching, Learning & Leadership). We had done a lot of work with types of learners, music and movement, and colors. This sparked an idea for me that turned into one of the most amazing units I ever created and taught.
Several 3rd grade standards for math require students to understand and calculate the perimeter and area of shapes. It was a unit that was coming up, and although I had taught this in past years with real-world connections (we used parking lots, playgrounds, area rugs, etc.), it just didn’t “WOW” the kids. I decided to integrate research on the effects of color on personality into this math lesson by telling the kids we were going to choose a new color to paint our classroom, calculate the area needed to paint and the perimeter of boards needing painter’s tape, and even determine exact costs for supplies.
At first, it was just something I pitched to the class to get buy-in, but after seeing their excitement, I knew I couldn’t see their faces if I didn’t follow through. I proceeded to ask my administrator if we could, in fact, purchase paint for the classroom. She was supportive of the purchase, but had apprehensions about the custodial staff painting, so I offered to paint it myself. She gave me the stamp of approval, and all sorts of fun ensued.
The kids determined a hue of blue would be best (small groups were given colors to research, and if they felt their color -or shade of their color- was a good choice for learning, they could pitch it to the class). “Waterfall blue” was the highest voted color 94/6.
We then broke into groups to calculate perimeter and area for each of the four sides of the classroom. Groups had to figure out total area and then subtract the area of the cabinets, cupboards, bulletin boards, etc. They also figured out perimeter for painter’s tape needs as well.
Then I projected the local home improvement store’s website on the front screen, and we determined how many gallons of paint and how many rolls of painter’s tape would be needed. We then filled an “order form” for the principal with our prediction of costs (no tax needed),, and then the kids asked, “What’s next?”
To save time and space, I’ll share this:
On a Saturday morning in April, I opened the school doors to students and their families, and together we painted our classroom.
Story 4:
Well, it’s thundering and raining, and I just received a notification on my phone that there is a lightning alert. This reminds me of the time I was in a tornado.
Growing up, my family always went camping. We had a motorhome, so summers were filled with weekend getaways to remote campgrounds. This particular late summer, however, I had just turned 16 and wanted no part of camping with the family, so my parents allowed me to stay home. It was a Saturday afternoon, and I had a friend over. We were making some sort of pasta for dinner when the entire scenery inside and outside the house turned a weird shade of green. It was like someone put a green sheet of tissue paper over the Sun. We looked at one another, unsure of what was going on, and proceeded to finish making our food.
Not a minute or two after this change, however, things got scary. The wind picked up its pace to the point that the trees we could see were starting to bend. As 16-year-olds, my friend and I scrambled to collect emergency items and find shelter under our basement stairs. It’s funny now how I thought to grab our family pet fish, and even discovered the neighbor’s small dog and brought him in the tiny space with us.
While we sat under the stairs, there was a sound that reminded me of a train passing through. The house rumbled and we had to plug our ears at one point.
When it seemed like things quieted down, my friend and I emerged from our safe space and proceeded to check around. The trampoline in the back yard had been lifted and smashed into the garage roof to the point that there was a gaping hole. The trampoline itself was perched upside-down through a tall pine tree in the woods next to our yard. It was a serious wake-up call, but was the only damage to our property. The lot just down the road from us, however, was not so lucky. It turns out that there were campers parked at a large plot of land just down the road from us where antique salespeople and history buffs congregated each year to share new finds and celebrate old ways. When the tornado came, those staying in campers sought shelter in front of the wheel wells. Unfortunately, one gentleman’s camper ended up tipping on top of him and he was killed.
I remember the police blocking off my street so no one could get in or out. As quickly as it came, that tornado was gone, leaving behind a small path of destruction and a life lost.
To this day, I cannot sleep at night when there are storm advisories or warnings.
