Flying by the Seat of Our Pants

Oh, what a morning this has been!! The freezing rain, sleet, and snow started too late for us to actually call off school but it came down so quickly that the streets, highways, and bridges became dangerous in short order. I arrived at school to find one other staff member here and a message saying we would delay until 10 a.m. to start. The two of us quickly made some decisions on 'what to do'. Fortunately, Mrs. Pipes made it in to town and we cheerfully relinquished our positions as ad hoc administrators.

And you ask--what are we doing? Well, we ARE NOT having classes, that's for sure. We have only a few students here and there's no point in trying to have school--as in reading and writing and arithmetic. We ARE doing our best to care for the ones that are here. And we are doing the best we can. Our students have risen to the occasion and are staying busy, cooperating with us and each other and all is well at FBS. It's cold outside but we are warm and dry inside.

It's on days like this that I am really thankful for the people I work with! When things are challenging we all pull together and do what needs to be done to keep things going as smoothly as possible. I'm thankful for really great students who are flexible enough to adjust to big changes on short notice. I'm thankful for parents who entrust us with their most precious children. And, most of all, I'm thankful to God for getting us here safely.

Reading is FUN-damental

My first graders like to read! And sometimes they like to read with each other. What's awesome about that is that they help each other and I get to watch their interaction. My students truly love each other. They are friends. And I'm proud of them!

And the band played on..................

First grade were honored guests of Mr. Foster, Mr. Campbell, and the CHS band today. Our field trip was a part of our study of sound. Thanks to the musicians for being such great hosts and thanks to Mrs. Alford for being my co-sponsor. Mrs. Alford and I enjoyed getting to see a couple of our favorite former students! My students enjoyed seeing and hearing the many instruments that make up a band and Callie was chosen to conduct!!

Animals, Animals, Animals...........and First Grade

I'm late getting these photos posted to the blog and for that I apologize. We went to Kade's house before the Christmas break and had a great time meeting all of his family's critters. Thanks to his parents for hosting us and to the other parents who were there to assist.

Cotton Candy

There was a birthday in first grade today and the student's mom brought a cotton candy machine. Each student present (there were some that were absent) got to make their own jolly rancher cotton candy! Yum!

Pictures!!

Speechless

If you have seen me this week or are on my list of Facebook friends, you know that I've been suffering from laryngitis. On Monday I was croaking and yesterday I was unable to speak above a whisper. Things are a bit better today but I'm not yet 100%.

Teaching school with little or no voice is a challenge but it's not impossible. It's not impossible because I have a group of awesome students who listened carefully, followed instructions, made excellent choices, and helped me when I needed it.

I was amused when I realized that my first graders were whispering responses to my questions or directions! But it is sometimes easier to hear those still, small voices when one is being quiet. Sometimes we expect God to speak to us in a loud and clear voice. Sometimes He does. But I think more often that not, God speaks to us in the quiet and solitude. It's good to be silent!