Hi third graders! Today, we are going to develop a deeper understanding of how our emotions work. What are some of the most common emotions? What causes them? What is our body trying to tell us? Are there ways to recognize these feelings in others and help them cope? Are these emotions bad? How can we find ways to control them, instead of letting them control us?
Take some time to relax in the Calming Corner if your happy jitters are too distracting to you or your classmates. Dance to get some energy out!
Sadness
Tearful, quiet, heavy,
Talk to a friend/ teacher/ parent, write out your feelings, make some art, read poetry, etc.
Anger
Tense, frustrated, clenched muscles
Draw a picture of how you feel, relax your muscles, listen to music, vent to a trusted adult
Fear
On edge, anxious, concerned, rapid thoughts,
Take a step back from the situation or activity that is causing stress. Ask yourself what is making you stressed, and problem-solve how to make it a more enjoyable and stress-free time
How might the people in the above pictures be feeling? Happy? Scared? Worried? Angry? Grumpy? Upset? Silly? Confused? Sad?
How can we tell? What signs are being given through their facial expressions, body language, posture, and eyes?
Does your body react the same when you are feeling like the people above?
Where do YOU feel?
Photo Credit: Drawn by Rachel Carbary using Zoom Whiteboard Feature
We are going to take some time as a class to draw our own Gingerbread person! Do some reflecting to think about where in your body YOU feel different emotions? Does your tummy hurt? Do you have a headache? Are your cheeks sore from smiling so much? Are your muscles tense?
This lesson is designed for elementary and middle school students to build a better understanding of what recycling means and the importance of it.
Questions to ask before the lesson:
Do your families recycle?
What are some items we recycle?
Why is recycling important?
Recycling is the process of turning waste into a reusable material. The main purpose of recycling is to reduce the amount of waste being put back into the environment. It can take over 450 years for plastic to completely decompose which means we will be living with it for a long time. That means we need to make sure that plastic is properly disposed of or reused to limit the amount of plastic going into ecosystems like the ocean.
Items That Can Be Recycled….
Cardboard and Paper
Plastic Bottles and Containers
Glass Bottles and Cans
Bring the classroom environment into the conversation: what in the classroom can be recycled? Instead of throwing things in the classroom away, can the items be reused?
What’s an easy way to see if something is recyclable?
This is the most common sign of recycling. Most recyclable items have this symbol on the packaging, and garbage cans with this symbol are where you can place your recyclables..
Questions to ask students:
Do you think our school/classroom could do better with recycling? How could we improve?
What are ways you might recycle certain items? How might you reuse a glass bottle or a cardboard box?
Cartography Lesson
This lesson is designed for middle school history and/or geography students to build an understanding of maps and to help students read maps for future lessons.
Questions to ask before lesson:
What are common things we see on a map?
What can maps be used for?
Where is North, South, East and West?
Cartography is the study of map making or the practice of map drawing. Maps are very useful tools. They can show us where we are; they can show us where we want to go, and they can show us places we have never been to. Maps are very useful for us to see where we are in relation to others or other countries.
Most maps need to have….
A Key or Legend to tell us what symbols on a map mean.
A scale and grids to show size and placement.
A compass to indicate direction.
A title!
Activity: Have students try and draw a map of their school, classroom, or community using the basics most maps have (listed above).
A bigger project could be students creating their own countries by mapping it out using the basics most maps have (listed above).
Questions to ask students:
How are maps on our phones different from maps on paper? Do we see the same things on these two types of maps?
How might a map show mountains, plateaus or other elevated surfaces on a landscape?
Do you think maps can go out of date? Why or why not?
From things I have not done at all like seeing the northern lights to other aspirations that I have already started working towards, like visiting all the national parks, this is a fairly comprehensive list of the things I would love to do before my time here ends.
I never thought I was going to spend 2020 with my family in a global pandemic where we could not leave our house. To be fair, no one did. Quarantine during 2020 was pretty nerve-wracking and time-warpy. I lost track of time; seriously I thought it Tuesday for like 4 days straight and I ate pizza rolls for almost all of those days.
Anyways, here’s what kept me sane during quarantine in 2020. From things that made me laugh, things I repeatedly did and just simple movement around the house while trying not to annoy the rest of my family at 2am.
Movement in a Small Home in Hawaii
For those who may not know, homes in Hawaii are not that big (except the size of the fancy ones). With less than 1300 square feet and 4 other people in the house 24/7, movement or any type of physical activity was hard.
The solid majority of movement I did during quarantine was from my bed to the couch where I would promptly fall asleep again.
I did some running around my Animal Crossing Island during quarantine too. Does that count as movement? I’m gonna count that as movement.
Some Music and Shows I Found During Quarantine That I Love
I watched the Netflix show “Derry Girls” and I cannot recommend it more. It had me laughing way to much considering its set during a time of political turmoil in Northern Ireland.
I had watched the first season of “Schitt’s Creek” but just never found time to finish it until quarantine, so that was nice! It did bring me that depression though you get when shows are over.
I also highly recommend this German TV series called “Dark.” Sci-fi and mind-bending were just the appropriate themes for a show I binged watch for three days straight during quarantine.
I cannot recommend music without mentioning Tyler Childers. I’m not a big fan of modern country but he is one of the few exceptions. This particular song came was released at the height of Black Lives Matter protests last year. Childers challenges the notion of what it means to be a rural white Appalachian (mostly his entire fanbase) and asks them to show compassion and empathy for marginalized communities.
Conclusions and Some Serotonin
I will admit, there are many more I can add to these categories but most are not appropriate to write in this blog post to be honest. That and I cannot embed pictures yet but feel free to message me if you wanna see some cardboard surfing we did by a ditch across from our house. I also have funnier videos to share if you’re comfortable with swearing.
In conclusion, though, quarantine was absolutely the worst and I could not form any intelligent thoughts. Please wear a mask and have some serotonin posted below:
2020 was a crazy year for the whole world and myself, but I wouldn’t have gotten through it without music. Music brings me so much joy in my life and I decided to showcase my top five songs of 2020 so let’s begin!
5. Lose You To Love Me: Selena Gomez
Every time I listen to this song it makes me feel so powerful and empowered as a woman that you need to love yourself first before loving someone else.
4. Yummy: Justin Bieber
I love the song and the music video is so fun and colorful so why not!
3. Don’t Start Now: Dua Lipa
Hands down she is a queen! 👸
2. Blinding Lights: The Weekend
I feel in love with the album this song is on and would love to see him concert one day🙀
1. Wonder: Shawn Mendes
I have been a fan of him since he started on Youtube a long time ago and have fallen in love with the song and how beautifully made the music video is.
There are still so many amazing songs that were released in 2020, but these are just a few and I have created a collaborative playlist on Spotify so my readers can share some of their favorite songs from 2020! Feel free to add as many songs as you want so we can jam together!🎸
These are a list of things as of January 2021 that my body does very poorly.
Riding A Bike
Even after being alive for 21 years and living in Japan (where everyone rides a bike), I still can’t ride one.
Bikes don’t make sense to me. I can imagine balancing on a unicycle better.
Detecting Threats
If any blowing bubbles get on my skin, my body freaks out. I swell up for a day or two (because, obviously, these cute little orbs are very life-threatening and dangerous).
Does this mean Elmo is stronger than me?
Parallel Parking
Even if it took me SEVEN HOURS to drive somewhere and the only available parking was by parallel parking, I’d literally just drive back home. I don’t care.
FYI they still parallel park better than me.
Growing
Most people in my family are 5’6 or taller, but I’m currently 5’2.
My family keeps track of my height on a door, hoping that I get taller… But I’ve been shrinking ever since middle school for no reason.
An actual photo of what’s happening inside my DNA.
Driving on Roundabouts
If you’re ever in the car with me for one of these, I might give you whiplash or kill us both.
But if you’re ever driving around me at one of these, you better be in one place and one place only. As far away from me as possible.
Contractors and construction workers knowing that they’re ruining my life after they build another roundabout.
Tolerating Milk
I’d honestly have no hard feelings toward natural selection if being lactose intolerant took me out. I need to do better and I know it.
This past year has been a trying one for nearly everyone– from a global pandemic, an exhausting election, a climate in crisis, and a seemingly never-ending battle for systemic justice. It’s natural to wish for an escape to somewhere far away, taking in the beauty of uncorrupted nature and simply enjoying life. Unfortunately, travel during the pandemic is greatly limited, meaning that most folks rely on what’s nearby to fulfill their wanderlust fantasies. This post details some of the ways I have personally managed to get out and about during this quarantine.
1. Take a picnic to a local park
Going on a picnic is a nice way to get outside the house and maybe evening reconnect with friends and family– from a socially safe distance, of course. It’s also a great way to support local business by taking food to-go and eating elsewhere.
This video has some great ideas of what you should pack on your picnic:
2. Go take a hike (literally)
One unexpected perk of quarantine is that it actually forced me to leave my house and venture outdoors to maintain sanity. Hiking is a healthy and safe way to get some fresh air and see the world free from the fears of large crowds during a pandemic. No matter what type of hiker you are, it is definitely a good way to escape the world’s problems for a few hours.
When you feel like you are cooped up inside during quarantine, houseplants are great companions! They purify the air, give you something to take care of, and they won’t infect you with a deadly virus. My houseplant collection has definitely grown since the pandemic hit, and it makes me feel like there’s a bit of the outside world in my space when I am not able to go outside.
My favorite local nursery is Cornell Farms! They are located in Southwest Portland, and walking around the farm is a fun outing all on its own.
I have found that most of my desire to get out and do something comes from the ever-present monotony of the online world. I am staring at a screen almost constantly throughout the day. From teaching to attending class to FaceTiming friends, my life revolves around my computer. But too much screen time can be bad for your mental and physical health, so I have tried to spend some time finding hobbies that I enjoy away from my laptop.
Some specific screen-free hobbies that I’ve personally dedicated time to are:
Baking
Embroidery
Crochet
Running
Yoga
Doing jigsaw puzzles
Reading novels
Listening to podcasts
This article has some other very helpful hobby suggestions!
Sooner or later this all will end…
… so we might as well make the best of the time we have while we have it. While so many popular activities and pass times seem limited, there are still a whole host of different options to keep yourself mentally healthy and happy during quarantine. Take care of yourselves!
March of 2020 marked a big change for many people. COVID19 shocked the world. Many people were left feeling isolated as we navigate a new lifestyle of social distancing. COVID19 changed my life and sent me back to Alaska and instead of leaving me isolated in a singular home. It left my community isolated on our island.
So, here is a wrap up of my life during the 2020 Pandemic on an Isolated Island.
First thing is first, I had to leave Portland and head home to Metlakatla, Alaska.
To start I packed my things and hopped on a jet to Seattle.
Then I had to take another jet from Seattle to Ketchikan, Alaska.
Once I landed in Ketchikan, I got off the plane and sat in the baggage claim for hours waiting for my parents to pick me up on our fishing boat and take me back to our island.
Normally when traveling home, I would take two ferries. One from the island the airport is on to Ketchikan, and then another from Ketchikan to Metlakatla.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B93FXEmFD0Z/
Once I got home, I spent a lot of time fishing, hiking, and on zoom courses.
I continued and finished the spring semester online and then continued with classes online for the summer semester and then the fall semester as well. This picture describes how I’ve felt almost everyday.
Strangely enough, I listened to this crime podcast to relax when I wasn’t in class or doing homework.
We had minimal COVID19 cases (less than 10 for the entire year), so I was still able to see friends. If I wasn’t in class or listening to my podcast, I was most likely with my friends on a car ride.
This work covers a lot of the amazing loves I have adopted over the years, both of the animate and inanimate kinds. Sadly, not every item that brings me joy can be covered here. So, I have limited it to the following topics:
Jokes
Music
Animals
Travel
Books
Television
Arts & Crafts
Family
… Jokes
I cannot help but laugh at jokes, especially nerdy ones. I have begun to collect chemistry-related jokes. Here is one: I don’t trust atoms. They make up everything!
I know. That was fantastic right? It might have already brightened you day. Maybe not. Chemistry humor is not for everyone.
I also include parodies in this section. This one might be my favorite. Yours too, especially if you like Star Wars.
… Music
Sometimes the right song speaks to your soul and you feel so positive, maybe even happy. Maybe it is the words themselves or the simple cadence of the notes. One of my go-to uplifting songs is Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield. Here is the video:
Another good one is from the musical Wicked. Click below for your viewing pleasure. You may even recognize the singers from their more recent works.
Don’t you just feel inspired after that? I do. Maybe I can go wash that pile of laundry or do one of my assignments now.
… Animals
I have lived with pets all of my life and could not imagine their absence. With their adorable faces and beautiful personalities, what is not to love?
I cannot help but smile at these adorable puppies as they explore the outdoors. My family just recently adopted a new puppy, a red heeler now named Raiya. She is the cutest. She makes these little yips when she wants to play with Mae, one of our other dogs. She loves to snuggle too. Even our senior pup, Shamrock, wants to be pals with the new addition. In addition to these three cuties, I also have 4 miniature rabbits. Their names are Vader, Ice, Ash, and Mouse. Each has his/her own personality. I love cuddling with Mouse. She will sit with me for hours while I watch a movie.
… Travel
New places and their cultures have always excited me. My favorite part about a long-distance trip is when the tires come up and the plane leaves the run-way. It means I am going somewhere new, somewhere different, with so much to see. I love discovering parts of places that I will miss and want to bring home. Often, it is food-related. When my family went to Amsterdam, we discovered poffertjes, a small pancake-like food. They dust them with butter and powdered sugar. Boy, are they tasty! We now have the special pans required to make them along with the mix used to make them. I have also picked up a love of honey from the Russian market, tredelnik, baklava, and couscous, just to name a few.
… Books
Now, sometimes, the funds to physically travel other places is rather… lacking. With novels, however, you can travel to another world in a second for a fraction of the cost! In all honesty, I haven’t always loved reading. When I was in grade school, it took a miracle to get me to read. All that changed, however, with the promise of a puppy. My parents made me a deal where if I read 3,000 pages, I could get my very own puppy. And so I did. That puppy is now 15 years old and her name is Shammy. During those 3,000 pages I discovered a few books that I actually enjoyed. One was the Prophecy of the Stones, though I forgot the author. Now, I am a bookworm and I dream of having a library like that in beauty and the beast.
… Television
Sometimes, it can be hard to picture the story of a novel as it unfolds. It is also difficult to share the experience of living in the author’s creation. TV can now address these problems. With minimal effort on your part, you can be transported into another dimension. You can watch superheroes as they defeat injustice. Or feel the pressure of an ER doctor. You grow attached to characters or cement your disgust of others. All of this happens through the use of a screen. One of my favorite shows is Criminal Minds. It has beautiful gems like the following:
… Arts & Crafts
This is a rather broad topic, I know. It covers everything from wood working to painting to sewing. To me, though, it is always fun to get a little messy. In high school, I took an art class and discovered the joy (and also the frustration) behind both oil and acrylic painting, and drawing. My mom introduced me to acrylic pouring and it is so much fun!! I have included a short video for an idea of what it is like, though there is so much you can do with it. Other projects on the docket include: painting on (birch) bark, creating and painting ceramics, and even beading.
… Family
My family is my core. I cannot imagine life without a single member, though 2020 had me contemplating that quite often. They are always there for me. I love my dad’s ability to charm and host. I admire my mother’s firmness in her beliefs, even when it costs her popularity. My brother is always there when I need help. I take for granted the bond I have with them. Being around them makes me smile. At least, most of the time it does. I do have my limits for social interaction. 🙂
In these times, I hope you can find something that bring you joy, if you haven’t already. Sometimes, it is too small to see. Sometimes, it is too big to miss and has been staring you in the face the whole time.
Teaching virtually isn’t what I had expected my student teaching year to look like, nor did I think I would ever have to live through a pandemic. Although there are many challenges that this year has brought, there are also many motivating things that have helped shape this year to be a year full of growth and new understandings. Here’s to the things that help us remember that teaching isn’t all about zoom! This post includes quotes, Youtube videos, Instagram posts and more that all give me a glimmer of hope or a laugh when I need it!
Rita Pierson tells us about the impact that teacher can have on their students.
