My son's new teacher this year is very thoughtful. To study Johnny Appleseed last week, she brought in three crock pots to cook different kinds of apple recipes, crafts to make apple projects, and four different kinds of apples so everyone could taste each kind. She also showed the kids a cool way to cut apples horizontally to make a star (works every single time).
To the kids it was a fun-filled day where apples (and Johnny Appleseed) were the core of the day's lesson plan (pun intended). To the teacher, I'm sure it was a lot more. The amount of time and effort that goes into creating a theme for the day like that, is not minimal. Nor is the effort to gather the items (which I'm supposing she purchased with her own money), bring in the supplies, and then at the end of the night pack them all up and take them back home.
Of course, it was all worth it because the kids were excited about what they were learning. And that is the intrinsic reward earned from teaching, I suspect at every level and grade.
At the end of the day, you could tell the kids were very happy, and the teacher was very (happy but) tired. That got me thinking, that as parents it's easy for us to do our part to help. Sometimes it's as easy as just showing up, but there are many other ways you can help, including gift cards for supplies, sending in items you know your teacher needs, or and/volunteering to help on the days you know are going to be busy. When many people gather together to help in a small way, great things are achieved.
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| Working on their Johnny Appleseed Crafts |
To the kids it was a fun-filled day where apples (and Johnny Appleseed) were the core of the day's lesson plan (pun intended). To the teacher, I'm sure it was a lot more. The amount of time and effort that goes into creating a theme for the day like that, is not minimal. Nor is the effort to gather the items (which I'm supposing she purchased with her own money), bring in the supplies, and then at the end of the night pack them all up and take them back home.
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| Showing off their finished products |
Of course, it was all worth it because the kids were excited about what they were learning. And that is the intrinsic reward earned from teaching, I suspect at every level and grade.
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| Happy to pose for a picture once we got home. This is his apple headband, and it was a great day! |
At the end of the day, you could tell the kids were very happy, and the teacher was very (happy but) tired. That got me thinking, that as parents it's easy for us to do our part to help. Sometimes it's as easy as just showing up, but there are many other ways you can help, including gift cards for supplies, sending in items you know your teacher needs, or and/volunteering to help on the days you know are going to be busy. When many people gather together to help in a small way, great things are achieved.
A big hurrah to my son's teacher. She won't see this post, but I'll let her know she's appreciated throughout the school year. :) And hurrah to all the good teachers whose dedication and hard work really does make a big difference!
As a former teacher, this made me smile, because you are right that these types of hands-on activities really do make such a difference in the learning process and create such a buzz and fun for the kids. Kudos to your son's teacher and seriously sounded like a ton of fun!! :)
ReplyDeleteSo fun, Janine. And he told his grandparents all about it when we met them for dinner over the weekend. ;)
DeleteOh Rosey how I miss those days when my daughter was little like you son. Your son is so adorable and looks so happy. Your son sounds like he has a really nice teacher. Take care and enjoy today and the week!
ReplyDeleteThey are so incredibly easy to make happy when they're little bits. :) Thanks for stopping by, Julie. Have a happy Monday. :)
DeleteThat's so cute! Look at him all smiley. :)
ReplyDeleteI know the Johnny Appleseed song. We used to sing it as a prayer at scouts. Then it moved to our family dinner time prayer. Travis thought it was nuts when he heard us all singing it.
I haven't heard the song. Now I have to go look it up. :)
DeleteHe's all proud of his hat, isn't he?
ReplyDeleteHe was loving the hat. :)
DeleteI love teachers that go to so much effort to make learning fun! Apple week is a great week for learning fun!
ReplyDeleteWho even knew there were so many things to know about apples? :)
DeleteGetting them more involved is sure a great way to teach. Has to be sure tiring though indeed, but more hands make light work.
ReplyDeleteThat's the perfect saying. More hands do make light work, esp. when you're dealing with two dozen students. ;)
DeleteI love when children get the hands on teaching. They learn best when it involves the doing, not just the talking and reading.
ReplyDeleteGlad your son had a wonderful day!
Hands-on is way more fun for the kids. I think that's true in the younger grades, and in the higher ones too! Lessons stick when you're actually doing them instead of just listening about them. Thanks for the visit, Colette. :)
Deletethat is cool...i try to do similar with my HS kids....we are building a robot in algebra class right now using the equations we are working on...
ReplyDeleteHigh school student love hands-on materials every bit as much as the littles. You just have more of a challenge to make sure what you're doing isn't 'lame' or whatever word equates to the same nowadays. ;) I bet the robot is a HUGE hit!
DeleteWhat an exciting day that must have been! Thank goodness for parent helpers!!
ReplyDeleteWe're lucky to have great participation with parents at our school (you can't find a parking spot on busy days if you don't get there early). I appreciate it every time I see it. :)
DeleteI like this teacher. A. Lot.
ReplyDeleteHave a terrific day. ☺
Yep, she's a good one. :) Terrific day to you too!
DeleteHi Rosie - so glad your son had this great opportunity to learn about apples - there's a myriad things to learn about apples - and they always amaze ..
ReplyDeleteDoes he know - how many varieties there are? 7,000
- one of the earliest written culinary mentions was by King Alfred in 855 AD in England!!
- apple trees are part of the Rose family
- Bramley apple - baked apples, cored, filled with honey, butter and brown sugar: named after the local butcher (as in meat - yes!)
- a brewer (yes beer!) produced our favourite apple - the Cox's Orange Pippin in the late 1800s
I didn't remember about the star cutting - so your son taught me something .. thank you!! Cheers Hilary
I saw our posts coincided a little bit, and I do fully intend to tell him about the 7,000 different types. So you've taught him something new too. :)
DeleteCute photos! =)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Melissa. My son loved that whole day. :)
DeleteWhat a great post!!!
ReplyDeleteSince Broxton is in kindergarten now, I realize just how much WORK goes into teaching... it is nuts...
I am SO VERY APPRECIATIVE of all teachers that do the right thing...
Love these photos..
He is so handsome!
He's a sweetheart. I'm always glad when the kids get an awesome teacher!
DeleteI love when a teacher goes above and beyond her call of duty. That is how you can tell a good teacher who loves her job.
ReplyDeleteWhen they love to teach, the kids love to learn. Makes all the difference in the world, sometimes. :)
DeleteSounds like he has a great teacher!! My 2nd grader made applesauce last week, too :)
ReplyDeleteI remember making totem poles, fish, and coleslaw in 5th grade when my teacher was telling us about a trip to Alaska. :) Those things just stick (in a good way).
DeleteA good teacher is SUCH a gift. One that continues giving long after the class has been left behind. Love of learning? Priceless.
ReplyDeleteAgree on all accounts. :)
DeleteTeachers are special people. I love that your son's teacher went above and beyond to teach such a fun lesson!
ReplyDeleteI love it too. :)
DeleteShe really went above and beyond to make sure they were immersed in the experience. I love teachers like that, and I love that you're supporting her.
ReplyDeleteI feel so fortunate when the kids get great teachers. We've been lucky with that way more times than not. :)
DeleteIt's nice that some teachers put in the extra effort to make a special day.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely nice. I'm thrilled she loves teaching (not all teachers do). I know because I've lunched with them in the break room a time or twenty. ;)
DeleteIt's nothing short of amazing how teachers are dedicated to really educating kids. Their efforts go beyond the classroom, and into their students' hearts.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, everyone has a teacher they remember as a favorite, no matter how old they are... I remember my grandparents mentioning theirs even. :)
DeleteYou know those teachers who go the extra mike are precious, what a lucky class to have someone so dedicated. I confess I know nothing about johnny Appleseed
ReplyDeleteJohnny's not internationally famous? ;) :)
DeleteYou're right about the teachers, I couldn't agree more.
That apple headband is really cute. It's great of you to share about your son's teacher, especially when all we ever hear about the school system is bad or sad.
ReplyDeleteWe're very fortunate so far, knock on wood. :)
DeleteYou're absolutely right. Most of the time if not ALL of the time, the expense is out of the teachers pockets. A few times throughout the year, I'll send in some supplies to help out just to make the load a little lighter. I hope all parents do the same!
ReplyDeleteTeachers don't usually make a big salary, so using their own funds really is a big deal.
DeleteHi Rosey! Thanks for this post! For us teachers sometimes pats on the back are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteThat's too bad, they should be so often they're missed when not given. ;)
DeleteThe best way to teach
ReplyDeleteYeah, she did a great job. We're loving how she works with them on reading too. So far, great year. :)
DeleteNow that's a great teacher!
ReplyDeleteThe kids like her too, I think it's going to be a great year. :)
DeleteShe sounds like a great teacher! I'd like to try some new apple recipes!
ReplyDelete'tis the season for apples, woot!
DeleteI am a first grade teacher and I am deeply moved by the sentiment behind this post. It gets so discouraging sometimes not knowing if all the time being spent at home is worth it or not. Thank you for writing this!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely worth it, even if the kids/parents don't tell you. :)
Deleteso much fun, what a great class activity that they'll remember.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that was a fun one. :)
DeleteI really appreciate teachers like this one. She still cares. She still tries. she hasn't been crushed under the weight of funding cuts and red tape.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness. They have a great principal too, who is very supportive of the teachers, I think that helps. :)
DeleteIt's teachers like that who make a lasting impression. I had a second grade teacher who was like that. Funny thing was, 20 some odd years later, I was all grown up. He came into the bookstore I was working at and still remembered me. Kudos to your sons teacher for giving those kids a fun lesson that will probably stick with them for a very long time.
ReplyDeleteThat is funny. My Kindergarten teacher remembered me at my grandfather's funeral years later, but I think that's because she knew my grandmother (which I didn't even know until the funeral). ;)
DeleteHow sweet! he looks so happy with his hat! Memories that will last a lifetime
ReplyDeleteHis cute little hat. Makes me laugh that it makes him so happy. ;)
DeleteIt sounds like a great day! When I was little we did a bunch of stuff for Johnny Appleseed day, too. We totally missed his birthday because we were busy doing some other stuff, but we are planning on doing some apple stuff this week instead. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's chilly here today, makes me want to hurry up and get to the pumpkin patch before it gets cold. ;)
DeleteThey have apples, apple cider, apple donuts, etc. at the pumpkin patch. :)
DeleteWe had apple cider and homemade apple sauce for Johnny Appleseed Day. Such a fun day!
ReplyDeleteThey had cider, but my son (was one of the few who) didn't like it. ;)
DeleteMy son came home with a cute little hat he made in honor of Johnny Appleseed. It was too cute.
ReplyDeleteIt's cute how much they like their crafts. :)
DeleteRosey, your sons teacher sounds so wonderful... I agree with as parents we need to do our part and show up.
ReplyDeleteThe activity sounds like it was a fun time for all the children :)
It's easy to show up, there's always something to do, and the kids LOVE when we're in their classroom (even my teen likes it). :)
Deletethis brings back a lot of memories. I remember my oldest dressing up as Johnny Appleseed wearing a pot on his head. Last year we attempted to make applesauce in the crock pot, will have to try my hand at it again this year.
ReplyDeleteA pan's the perfect hat, hahahhaa I have never made applesauce, that could be a good thing to do over the weekend to continue w/the apple theme while my little one is excited about it. :)
DeleteSo sweet! Looks like a really great day, and your sons teacher sounds like a real great one which is both lucky and rare so awesome to see! So awesome!
ReplyDeleteI think it's sweet too when they kids get all geared up for something they're learning in class.
DeleteThis is so fun!! And how crazy that my kiddos are also doing some Johnny Appleseed learning and projects! Such a great way to teach them so many things.
ReplyDeleteHow fun that his birthday falls right when apple picking is at its finest. :)
DeleteI love fall school plays. Your son is so cute!
ReplyDeleteIt is always great when teachers actually love their jobs. You can see it in posts like this! Great pics by the way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and it sounds like you son has a great teacher. I always tried to help out with projects in my sons class when he was little.
ReplyDeleteI try to stay on top of my niece and nephew's education. Teachers have a job to do, but so do the adults in the kids' lives.
DeleteI remember my kids doing this. Johnny Appleseed week was such fun! :) Your son is handsome!
ReplyDeleteMy children always love making those types of hats. It is so fun when you can incorporate a craft into learning. I always feel like the kids get it more when there is an activity for them to complete.
ReplyDeleteGosh, completely forgot about Johnny Appleseed for this time of year! How cute are your pics?
ReplyDeleteSounds like your son has a excellent teacher. Learning the FUN way!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great teacher! Sounds like a blast.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like so much fun! This is my son's first year in school so this is my first experience with teachers besides my own! I LOVE my son's teacher, she has such a sweet heart! God bless these great teachers!
ReplyDeleteYour son's teacher sounds great! I love the activities she planned for Johnny Appleseed Day!
ReplyDeleteThis is so awesome. Teachers dont get enoughc credit. I think you should show her the post. Maybe at the end of the year.
ReplyDeleteLooks like so much fun, what a great event. Teacher's don't get enough credit and it seems like things get worse for them with each passing year.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my son was in Kindergarten and they had Johnny Appleseed Day, we took an old pot and put padding inside it and roughed up the outside and he wore it to school. :)
ReplyDeleteTeachers are amazing!!! I am so glad that he got a great one!!! That does sound like an amazing day at school!
ReplyDeleteThese are the kinds of teachers I hope my boys get throughout their school life - the ones sadly under appreciated financially, especially when they are worth so much!!
ReplyDeleteTeachers are one of those professions that doesn't get nearly enough kudos. Good for her and you for letting her know she is special.
ReplyDeleteThat's a creative way for kids to retain information on Johnny Appleseed and apples. Good teachers deserve lots of credit.
ReplyDelete