Listening is not the same as hearing.  To listen we have to turn off the inner voices that are already thinking of how we will respond.  Listening is finding the rhythm of the speaker's voice.  Listening is caring about what they are saying.  

This couldn't be more important than when we interact with children.  Children are often the most ignored.  We've replaced conversations with technology.  These little voices are falling silent.  Nothing could be more sad.  I believe that children yearn to be heard.  Have you ever noticed the face of a child as they are telling you a story and hold you captive? Many emotions cross their faces.  Fear that you will walk away or silence them.  This soon gives way to disbelief when they discover that you are listening. And finally, joy. Joy that someone cared enough to give them time. 

I've mentioned my grandfather before.   He was an expert in listening.  He didn't buy me things or take me on fancy vacations.  He gave me his time.  That was more precious than anything.  By making time for me he gave me the gift of confidence.  Today, we're too busy (I'm guilty too) which leaves little time for the young people in our worlds.  We don't have time to slow down and listen. 

What does this communicate to the children in our circles?  That they aren't important. That what they have to say isn't worth listening too. And so, by example, they've learned to be silent.  Or they scream to get our attention. 

Two things happened to me recently, On the same day.  First, a friend introduced me to his granddaughter. This tiny bundle of personality was difficult to understand at first, but the more I engaged her in conversation, the more I found the rhythm of her voice.  And I understood what she was saying. It took just a few minutes, but it opened up a door for her to share things that were important to her.  Which gave me the gift of a precious memory.  

Secondly, I took the time to visit a family member and meet the newest addition.  As soon as I opened the vehicle door, the five year old launched herself at me and told me how much she'd missed me.  I was ashamed.  You see, I've missed seeing these kids too, but I haven't made time for them.  Not like I said I would do.  I've let them down, but they were instantly forgiving.  I stayed longer than I had time for, but it was worth it.  

Aren't all kids forgiving?  Mostly, until we damage that trust so much that the relationship is broken.  Maybe we should slow down.  Make time for the little people in our lives.  Give them some of our precious time.  The return will be priceless.  I know I'm going to try to slow down and give them more of my time.  Be the one who loves them perfect and listen to their stories. 

Take a look at these before entering the raffle! 

Halloween Task Cards

Spooky Stories!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Passion for Social Studies, Heart 2 Heart Teaching, Believe to Achieve by Anne Rozell, Pint Size Learners, Walk With Me a Second, Star Kids, Jackie Crews, 1stgradefireworks, Teach Me T, A Plus Kids, TheBeezyTeacher, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Simone, AR Tech Star - Eva Griffin, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Kamp Kindergarten, Patty Rutenbar, Priscilla Woodard - Tasked 2 Teach,  Purple Palmetto, The Cozy Crafty Classroom, Tanya G Marshall The Butterfly Teacher, Angelica's Resources, and Dynamic Learning Resources.

 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 10/13/21 and is open worldwide.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

                                                        Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Are you proud to be a teacher?   I'm not talking about politics.  I talking about teaching.  Just teaching.   Don't color this conversation with controversial topics or innuendoes.  It's a simple question.  Are you proud to be a teacher? 

Depending on how long you've taught or when you came into the profession, you'll be able to identify with various trends.  There was a time when teaching was a noble profession.   We truly believed that we were there to teach and nurture the next generation.  We loved our students.  They were "our kids" for life, not just a school year.  We cried with them. We laughed with them. We bought coats for kids that were shivering.  We provided meals for tummies  that growled.  Out of our meager wages.

Speaking of wages. We didn't cry over low salaries. We simply asked to be treated with respect.  We asked to be treated as the experts we were.  But our cries went unheard and a new generation joined our ranks.  Before you let your blood pressure explode, hear me out.   Then, let me call them (for want of a better term), "New Thought" teachers were hired. Not those who believed in the sacredness of education, but those that wanted to have summers off, those who wanted an easy job (which tells you they really didn't understand education).  These people didn't spend nights or week-ends planning, creating, or worrying. They literally walked out the door and forgot their class until they reentered the room.   

I'm not talking about an age group.  But a mind-set.  I mentored and worked with people new to the profession that were close to my age, but did not share my passion.  They thought such ideology was "old-fashioned" and outdated. Embarrassing.  And, on the flip side, I've mentored and worked with teachers half my age that put my passion to shame.   The respect that we had longed for seemed to slip farther from our grasp every time one of these people opened their mouths in faculty meetings.  The focus shifted from kids to teachers.   Teaching became a profession, not of sacrifices, but of ladder climbing.  And the people that used to be in a room next door  to you climbed to the office at the front of the school.

And that is when I began to feel some shame. Not for myself, but for my profession.  How would I be treated as an expert if our administrator was spouting some new trend that he demanded we all try?   Unfortunately, people outside the educational field do not realize that teachers do not set the curriculum. That responsibility does not lie with the people who are actually teaching students. People who only wish to make a name for themselves or people that have set foot in a classroom are determining what and how we teach.  They don't know our kids. And they don't care. 

Who takes the blame? Just watch the news. Any station.  Any political forum.  Are school boards blamed? Are administrators blamed?  Nope! Teachers. We bear the burden of the failures of programs that we've been told to implement.   We're blamed when kids go hungry. We're blamed when kids drop out?  We're blamed for every ill and misconception in society. 

It's easy to blame a group of educators that rarely speak out to defend themselves.  I know there are those who take a noble stand.   And there are those who take a stand defending the current educational system. Depending on which way the political air is blowing and who is doing the speaking, one is considered crazy and the other a martyr.  We may secretly be cheering them on, but publicly we ignore or dismiss them.   

So, I ask you again. Are you proud to be a teacher?  I am. Still. I know what I believe and why I became a teacher. If someone were to ask me today my answer wouldn't be so I can have summers off.  If someone were to challenge the content being taught in schools, I would encourage them to become active in their child's school. To voice their opinions. To take a stand for what they believe. Don't put all the responsibility on my shoulders. I'm just someone who loves kids and loves teaching kids.  I still cry with them and laugh with them. I still become outraged over injustices. I still cringe at hearing the latest news. My blood pressure still climbs when I hear a "higher-up" describe how and what we'll be teaching.   I still yearn to be treated as an expert and allowed to teach kids. Just teach. Leave the politics outside my room. Please and thank you. 

Are you still proud? 

It's almost that time!   Take a look at these resources to get you started!

Fall Mysteries

School Mysteries

Would a gift card come in handy?  Of course! Then enter for a chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

 

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

 

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher, Mrs. Wennings Clasroom, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Simone,   TheBeezyTeacher, Angelica's Resources, The Homeschool Style-Katie Ring, Star Kids , Mickey's Place, The Froggy Factory, Jackie Crews, Teaching Where You're Called, Kamp Kindergarten,  Mrs Hansens Helpfuls, Teaching Ideas for Those Who Love Teaching, In the Land of Teaching, Ms. K, Tried and True Teaching Tools, Teach Me T, and A Plus Kids.

 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 8/13/21 and is open worldwide.

 

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

                                                        Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

 Finally! Summer is here. No summer school for me.  Just endless days of bliss. No alarm to disturb my dreams.  No schedule to steal my time.  Just summer days. We enjoy our time and the opportunity to spend time with family and friends.  We bask in the support of people in our communities near and far.  

What?! Everyone understands summer time for teachers? Not hardly.  Many make snippy comments fueled by jealously about the infamous summer break.   What they fail to understand is that teacher's EARN a summer break.  We are not paid for our time off.  We use this time to rest, rejuvenate, possibly teach summer classes, or take summer classes to improve our teaching skills.  We work extended hours nine months (or longer) of the year in order to enjoy a summer break where we can squeeze in all the things that we've ignored for the school year.  

This phenomena has been in existence for at least 100 years.  I have come to believe that there will always be people who grumble about the famed 3 months off with pay (another misnomer- we divide our nine month pay by twelve months so we'll receive a paycheck during the summer months. Yes, we know that this makes our pay checks smaller, but it also means that we don't go without a paycheck during the summer months).  

I think there will always be someone, from the outside, that pretends to understand the world of education. These self- appointed "experts" will never understand our world. They will complain about summers off and our retirement programs out of one side of their mouths while the other side demands that we do more for their child.  You can't make these people happy. You can't make them understand. My solution. Be me. Enjoy my time. Ignore the naysayers and make the most of the sunshine. I hope you do the same!  Fall will be here soon enough! 

I'm still a fan of Boom Cards!  Click on the link! 

ELA BOOM CARDS

Have you tried Easel by TpT? Why not?!!?!  

Click here to take a look at a resource that is Easel compatible!

And it's time for a chance to win a $100 gift card! 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher,  Mrs Wenning's Classroom, Angelica's Resources, Star Kids, Mrs Hansens Helpfuls, Jackie Crews, Kamp Kindergarten, In the Land of Teaching, TheBeezyTeacher,  The Monkey Market, Simone,  Ms. Powell's Teaches, Teach Me T, Trending Technology in Tennessee, and Chocolate 4 Teachers.

 

 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 6/13/21 and is open worldwide. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

                                                         Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

So much has happened in the past year that the joy of teaching seems to be disappearing. Hiding behind distance learning platforms and mountains of stress.   Teachers who want to be in the classroom have been pitted against those who elect to continue distance learning. Politics has reared it's ugly head and divided the world of education.   

So how do you find joy in the classroom again? Simple. Find joy in the kids. You teach because you love children. You love teaching children. You love the ups and downs. The tears and the laughter.  You love the 'lightbulb' moments.  Hold on to that. Hold on to the things that put a smile on your face, a spring in your step, and make your heart do a little flip. 

Teaching isn't a walk in the park.  Some days it's more like walking on the wild side. You might find yourself saying, "Don't lick the desk."  Or one of my favorites, "That's a glue stick, not lip chap." Or maybe you have to remind little hands to keep to themselves. I'm sure you'll have to ask voices to take it down a decibel or two.  You'll have to match wits with sarcastic middle school hormone infused bodies and listen to the worldly wisdom of teenagers, who are sure that you're too old to remember much of anything. 

It isn't for everyone. You didn't choose to become a teacher.  Becoming a teacher choose you.  It's a profession of the heart (as all professions should be).  So let your heart be full of all that is still right. Of all the precious memories and of all the memories that you will still make.   Take a breath. Count to ten while you count your blessings.  Hold on to all that brings you joy in the classroom. 

Testing is something that doesn't bring much joy to anyone. Make your review fun and productive with these boom card review decks.  And enjoy up to a 25% savings!! During the TpT Sale! 

Reading Boom Cards! 

                                                                     ELA Boom Cards!

It's give- away time again!!! 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher,  Mrs Wenning's Classroom, A Plus Kids, Angelica's Resources, The Literacy Garden, Star Kids,  Chocolate 4 Teachers, Pint Size Learners,  Mrs Hansens Helpfuls, Jackie Crews, Leah Popinski - Sum Math Fun on TpT, The Fun Factory, Kamp Kindergarten, In the Land of Teaching, TheBeezyTeacher, Apple's Class, KB3Teach, The Monkey Market, and Ms. Powell's Teaches.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 4/13/21 and is open worldwide.

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers!

                                                           a Rafflecopter giveaway 

                                                                    Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

 Who doesn't love snow days?  Let's be real. I think I enjoy them as much, if not more, than my students.  Snow in the forecast?   The call would go out for all teachers to do the snow dance.   Wake up to a white world and you listen for the phone to ring as you watch cancellations scroll across the television.   Finally, the phone rings, your school name runs across the screen, and you feel a big grin spread across your face.  Put on your comfy pants, stay-at-home socks, grab a cozy throw, and snuggle up with a favorite book or movie. Maybe even a nap.  

Snow days are a part of childhood.  They're traditional.   A rite of passage.  Just as much as riding your bike without training wheels, learning to drive and voting for the first time.  They hold a certain charm.  They're nostalgic.  Remember our parents and grandparents telling us how they walked to school in five inches of snow?  A snow day is the 'modern' version of walking through drifts of snow.  A story to tell. A memory to make. 

Has virtual learning made snow days a thing of the past?  Will kids five years from now know what a snow day is?  Will they ever experience that anticipation and rush of adrenaline when they see their school's name across the bottom of the screen? 

I hope so. I hope that snow days are not a thing of the past replaced by virtual learning.  I hope that we allow our kids to experience the joy that we experienced as youngsters.  The pandemic robbed us of so much. I just hope it doesn't steal more pieces of childhood. 

It looks like spring is around the corner! 

Fascinating facts!

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher,  A Plus Kids, Star Kids, Mrs Wenning's Classroom, TheBeezyTeacher, Jackie Crews, Teacherof20, Little Owl's Teacher Treats, Chocolate 4 Teachers, The Fun Factory, TrendingTechnology in Tennessee,  Teach Me T, Mickey's Place, KB3Teach, Angelica's Resources,   Kamp Kindergarten, The Monkey Market, Reading and Writing Redhead, and Purple Palmetto.

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 3/13/21 and is open worldwide.

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

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Chocolate 4 Teachers

Well 2020 was certainly one for the books.   I saw a meme on social media that really summed  up our caution about 2021:  Tiptoe into 2021. Quietly. Sounds like good advice.  All I can say is that I hope 2021 will be better.  I'm not blaming anyone. 2020 was just an overload of "life happening."   

 Let's just say that 2020 was a screaming bully. I don't like to be pushed or pulled along. I'd prefer a gentle nudge. Or a suggestion.  I don't mean that I am slow. Once I get an idea I'm off and running, but I don't like to have unreasonable demands placed on me forcing me to do what I know I should or could but in ways that don't make sense.   Every time a new 'mandate' came down the pike, I'd find myself cringing and wishing I owned an island in a remote region where I could bask (undisturbed) in the sun all day. Since that wasn't going to happen, I'd have to face reality.  Do a little crying and screaming of my own, then deal with it. 

Is that what 2020 felt like to you?  A constant tug of war?  At times I felt like I had lost all common sense. And at other times I felt like I was the only one who had any common sense left.   I don't like turmoil or conflict and here I was living in the poster child for turmoil.  Could anyone agree to disagree? Could anyone resolve conflict like an adult and not a two year old stomping their feet?   I've begun to doubt it.  How many of you have had to turn off some social media notifications or maybe just unplug all together for awhile?  So much negativity and name calling.  So little understanding and compassion.   So much "it's my way or the highway." So little of respecting each other's ideas (even if they differ from ours). 

Here's to the hope that 2021 will be a more gentle year. 

Perfect for distance learning! 

George Washington Carver

Snowflakes are Different!

                              Check out all of my distance learning resources! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:  

Prize: $100 Teachers Pay Teachers Gift Card

Giveaway Organized by: Kelly Malloy (An Apple for the Teacher)

Co-hosts:   An Apple for the Teacher,  Mrs Wenning's Classroom, Kamp Kindergarten, TheBeezyTeacher, Catch'em Early, Jackie Crews, Chocolate 4 Teachers, Angelica's Resources, The Fun Factory, A Plus Kids, The Monkey Market, Sweetie's, Star Kids, Lockwood's Little Learners, Right Down the Middle with Andrea, The Pre-K Cafe, Teacherof20, In the Land of Teaching, Little Owl's Teacher Treats, Trending Technology in Tennessee, Ms. K, Teach Me T, Little Learning Corner, and Mickey's Place.

 

Rules: Use the Rafflecopter to enter.  Giveaway ends 1/13/21 and is open worldwide.

 

Are you a Teacher Blogger or Teachers pay Teachers seller who wants to participate in giveaways like these to grow your store and social media?  Click here to find out how you can join our totally awesome group of bloggers! 

Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze (this blog is run by blogger, a Google company so Google analytics are used to provide me with general statistics about my blog readership) and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies.  This blog is published on Facebook and Pinterest sites. This blog is not responsible for their use of cookies. If you wish to turn off the use of cookies you may do so at any time through your specific browser settings.  If you sign up to receive the blog by email, your email will not be added to any other mailing list or sold.  It is simply used to send the blog post to your inbox. No purchases may be made from this website. In order to purchase my resources you must visit the hosting website.   I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on August 1, 2019. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Read more »

Chocolate 4 Teachers